10 Best Printer For Waterslide Decals in 2023 (Tested)

Who doesn’t love waterslide decals? If you have a specific project in mind where you need to transfer designs and images on hard surfaces, water decals will be perfect for you. But, how to find the best printer for waterslide decals? This read covers all your questions about waterslide decals.

Water decals have numerous uses and applications. They are perfect for arts and crafts projects, business logos, DIYs, product labeling, and more. You can also decorate mugs, candles, glass, furniture, etc., with water decals. Water decal paper is a transparent paper that you can use to transfer text, photos, or patterns on smooth surfaces. The prints will be eye-catching and highly detailed. And after lamination, you wouldn’t have to worry about color spreading at all!

Thanks to technological advancements, you can now create water decals at home with a laser or an inkjet printer. But, you cannot just use any printer to print on waterslide paper. You will also need a quality printer compatible with waterslide paper. Low-quality and cheap water decal printers can ruin your designs, and the prints will be prone to coming off the surface after a short period. Don’t worry! We are here to help you. Continue reading to learn about some of the best printers for water decals and their features and specifications.

To save your time, if you are in hurry, find below the Top three printers for water decal on our testing & liking:

The Epson Stylus R2000 is a high-quality photo printer and is one of the best inkjet printers for waterslide decals. When it comes to print speed, the R2000 is second to none. It uses pigment-based inks and the AccuPhoto HG technology to deliver professional-quality prints. The printer offers WIFI, Ethernet, and hi-speed USB 2.0 connectivity.

The most sought-after feature of the printer is its large-capacity ink tanks. It helps reduce operational costs significantly.

It is compatible with thicker fine art paper and can print up to 13 inches wide. The printer has an exceptional paper handling capacity with three feed trays. It boasts a print resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi and works as an excellent water decal printer because of its superior image quality.

The control panel is intuitive, having six navigation buttons. However, we would have appreciated an LCD for quicker maneuvering and printing.

Verdict

The Epson Stylus R2000 is a modern printer with a number of advanced features and functions. It is compatible with various printers and delivers stunning prints at a super-fast speed.

The Canon Pixma Pro-100 is a budget-friendly printer having sturdy construction, robust features, and excellent print quality. The printer features an eight-ink system that delivers spectacular photographic prints with sharp details. It is easy to set up and use. You can print high-resolution borderless photos up to 13 x 19″. Also, the black and white prints are equally stunning. The print resolution is 4800 x 2400 dpi, sufficient for printing eye-catching water decals.

Read Full Review: Canon Pixma Pro-100

There are a lot of things to love about this printer. It lets you save time printing with built-in ICC profiles that you see in your favorite photo editing programs like Photoshop, Lightroom, etc. It has a Lightroom plugin that makes printing more convenient. It also has wireless functionality that allows you to use it without interference.

The output tray feeder lets you put 130+ sheets and 10+ photo papers. For photo paper, you can use the manual feeder. It is a dedicated photo printer, but text and graphic quality are terrific too.

Verdict

The Pro-100 prints long-lasting photos. It makes it highly suitable for printing water decals. Print speed is decent, and input capacity is phenomenal.

The HP Office Jet 5255 is an all-in-one inkjet printer that works impeccably as a waterslide decal printer. The fast printing speed and productivity features like auto-duplexing and auto document feeder speed up the process. It is easy to use with an intuitive control panel comprising a 2.5-inch monochrome display and two navigation buttons.

The printer comes with the HP Smart app that offers numerous value-added features like automating redundant tasks, optical character recognition, etc. The HP 5255 is also compatible with HP’s advanced photo editing software HP Photo Creations. It has a high print resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi, perfect for printing hi-definition water decals with bright colors. Also, it is compatible with various print papers and sizes. You can handle several crafting projects and business printing tasks with this all-rounder.

The printer offers ink replenishment services and notifies users when they run out of ink. It is a well-designed and well-built printer that is not too heavy and occupies little space.

Verdict

The HP office Jet 5255 has several advanced features like speed printing, wireless connectivity, and exceptional print quality. The ability to print from social media and google drive is a bonus!

The Epson EcoTank 3760 is an all-in-one printer with terrific print quality. A high print resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi makes it ideal for printing water decals. It is excellent at paper handling with a 150-sheet input tray, 250-sheet rear tray, and a 30-sheet auto document feeder. The printer is compatible with various print media. You can print professional-quality stickers and photos on almost any paper type. 

The ET-3760 has impressive scanning features with a flatbed scanner and an ADF.

On testing, we found It is perfect for high-volume printing needs, as it utilizes a large capacity ink tank instead of ink cartridges.

The printer has a compact design and smaller size, so it doesn’t require much space even though it has an extensive paper tray. Also, it comes with a warranty of two years by the manufacturers.

The PrecisionCore heat-free technology that ET-3760 utilizes ensures that water decals last longer and do not lose colors. It is intuitive with a 2.4” color touchscreen display and several navigation buttons.

Verdict

The Epson EcoTank-3760 is an excellent multifunctional water decal printer. It delivers exceptional printout quality and has low operational costs.

The HP ENVY 6455e is an excellent versatile water slide decal printer. It is compatible with various print media such as photo paper, brochure paper, glossy inkjet paper, envelopes, etc. Also, it supports different media sizes like 4 x 6in, 5 x 7in, 8 x 10in, and more. The HP ENVY 6455e all-in-one inkjet printer is durable. It comes with six months of ink and a two-year warranty. Moreover, you can print from your Smartphones, tablets, and other Bluetooth-compatible devices through wireless connectivity.

6455e is an excellent water decal printer on a budget. It is also a go-to printer for home offices, families, and small photography studios because of its quality photo prints and borderless printing ability. It delivers printouts swiftly with a speed of ten black and seven color pages per minute. The 35-sheet automatic sheet feeder and a feed tray with a capacity of 100 sheets make the printing experience faster and easier.

A print resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi makes it perfect for printing vinyl stickers, water decals for mugs, etc.

Verdict

The HP 6455e delivers professional-quality photos with accurate colors and crisp details. It is inexpensive, and configuring and managing the device is convenient through your smartphone via the HP Smart app.

The Canon Pixma TS6220 is a user-friendly device with a straightforward setup, an intuitive 3-inch color LCD, and six control buttons.

It has the perfect high-resolution and five individual ink systems to print different types of water decals. The print quality is terrific. Especially the photo prints are stunning. The printer has a good paper handling capacity with two input trays that can hold up to 100 sheets.

It is a consumer-grade printer with an excellent print resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi and a high printing speed of 15 mono and ten color pages per minute. TS6220 offers wireless connectivity. You can print your water decal images and patterns from anywhere. The five-individual ink system allows users to change the specific ink they are running out of, ultimately reducing ink costs.

The printer features the IFTTT technology through which users can schedule and automate their prints. It is an impressive water decal printer and an excellent everyday printer with scan and copy functions.

Verdict

The Canon Pixma TS6220 has outstanding print quality backed by five inks system. It is suitable for low-volume water decal printing needs. The print speed, connectivity options, and productivity features are highly favored.

The HP Office Jet Pro, with its sleek and compact design, is perfect for homes and small offices. Wireless connectivity allows you to print from your Smart devices with WIFI-Direct. Moreover, the printer is incredibly fast. It generates twenty pages per minute. Also, it can print up to two-hundred sheets at a time, making it perfect for high-volume printing. The Pro 8025 produces high-quality, realistic images, thanks to a high print resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi.

Using the device is super-easy with the HP Smart app. You can conveniently scan your documents, monitor ink levels, and perform other tasks. Also, the 2.65-inch color touchscreen is pretty intuitive. The HP Office Jet 8025 helps you finish your chores at an elevated pace. You can save your repetitive tasks and organize your business documents.

The printer has competitive running costs if you subscribe to HP’s Instant Ink program.

Verdict

The HP Office Jet Pro is a high-quality, efficient printer delivering consistent performance. It has a lightweight and considerably smaller footprint. Also, it works perfectly as a water decal printer.

The Xerox Phaser 6510 is a high-speed printer that can print up to twenty-eight color pages in a minute. The paper handling is excellent with a 250-sheet input tray. It also has an optional expansion tray that could increase the media input to 850 sheets. The speed and large input capacity enhance efficiency and make the printer perfect for decal crafting businesses with bulk printing requirements.

It uses high-capacity toner cartridges that reduce ownership and operational costs. The printer offers PANTONE solid color emulation for printing sharp, accurate images with vivid colors. It also allows you to print from your Apple and Android devices. All you need to do is connect to a network through the Ethernet port or utilize the in-built WIFI connection. The printer has security features through which you can save your important documents. It also offers ink-saving Dash replenishment technology.

The Xerox Phaser 6510 has a monthly duty cycle of around fifty thousand pages. The maximum print resolution is 1200 x 2400 dpi.

Verdict

The Xerox Phaser 6510 is perfect for decal crafters looking for a fast printer that delivers outstanding color images. It has a simple operation, and input capacity is unrivaled.

The Brother HL-L3210CW is a fast printer with a speed of 19 pages per minute. The incredible input capacity of 250 sheets further expedites the printing process. The printer offers WIFI and USB connections. You can print your decal designs through your PCs or Smartphones. It is compatible with several print papers; you can conveniently work on different crafting projects.

It has a print resolution of 2400 x 500 dpi and laser printing technology; you will get sharp, legible text and vivid, color-accurate images. The printer is perfect for printing several objects like water decals, brochures, flyers, invoices, cards, envelopes, and more. The Brother HL-L3210CW is intuitive with an LCD display, a few function buttons, and two indicator lights. You can use high-yield toner cartridges to reduce running costs.

The Brother HL-L3210CW allows for smooth, feasible mobile printing with Google Cloud Print, Apple AirPlay, Mopria, Brother iPrint&Scan, WIFI-Direct, etc.

Verdict

The Brother HL-L3210CW has all the advanced features that will improve your printing experience. It is an affordable entry-level, consumer-grade printer with a fast print speed and low cost per page.

The Canon Pixma TS9521C is a dye-based photo printer perfect for artists, scrapbookers, photographers, craft enthusiasts, and water slide decal makers. It supports various print sizes. You can print from small 4 x 6″ cards to 5 x 7” folded greeting cards and large 12 x 26” banners. It offers numerous connection options like Bluetooth 4.0, USB, Ethernet, etc. it even has a memory card slot. You can conveniently navigate the device and manage the print setting via a 4.3″ LCD touchscreen.

It uses five individual cartridges and fade-resistant inks to generate professional-quality photo prints with deep, denser blacks and vivid colors. Also, 4,000 nozzles on the print head will produce crisp edges and smooth gradients.

The printer allows you to print directly from your social media through the Canon Print App. It offers pre-designed patterns that you can access with the touch of a button.

Verdict

The Canon Pixma TS9521c is affordable, durable, and reliable. It is perfect for printing small-format water decals, photos, stickers, greeting cards, and much more. Additionally, the in-built creativity functions make it the best printer for papercraft and water slide decals.

What Should I Know Before Buying a Water Decal Printer?

Since printers are expensive, it is critical to ensure that you invest in the right product. Hence we recommend considering a few key factors before making a purchase. Following are some key factors you might want to assess while searching for a printer for water decals.

Print Resolution and Quality

Print quality is a significant concern if you intend to print water decals. And if you are planning on selling those decals, it becomes an absolute necessity. You would want your decals to come out bright, vivid, and color-accurate with smooth edges. For smaller decals, a resolution of 1200 x1200 dpi would be sufficient. But if you need to print larger water decals, a minimum of 4800 x 1200 dpi is essential.

Laser or Inkjet Printer

Print technology is another crucial factor. Each technology has its distinctive benefits. Both inkjet and laser printers are regular printers with standard functions that allow printing on water slide paper. A laser printer uses laser beams to generate colors, while an inkjet printer uses tiny droplets.

Laser printing technology is perfect for printing high-quality, long-lasting decals. However, laser printers are costlier than inkjet printers. Inkjet photo printers are also capable of producing quality decals. You can choose either of these technologies depending on your budget and preferences.

Media Compatibility

The printer has to be compatible with water slide paper for you to create water decals. Versatile media compatibility is a coveted attribute in a printer. You need a printer that supports glossy photo paper and water slide paper. If your chosen printer is compatible with other print papers like envelopes, heavy stock, canvas, etc., it is a bonus.

Print Speed

Time is precious. Being able to generate more decals in a short span of time is favorable. Especially if you are buying the printer for commercial purposes, a fast printer will enable you to complete your decal crafting projects on time and have a satisfied clientele. Speedy printing is a benefit even if you make water decals for personal use. It will help you save time and focus on more significant tasks like designing and editing your decal images. Therefore, we suggest you pay attention to print speed while buying a printer for water decals.

Running Costs

No one wants to spend an arm and a leg on equipment. You would need your printer to be affordable and cost-effective in the long run. Before you buy a printer, evaluate the expenses you will have to bear in terms of ink replacement, maintenance, print paper, energy consumption, etc. If, your print volume is higher, you can opt for a printer with high-capacity ink tanks or individual ink cartridges.

Final Words

The possibilities with water decals are endless. You can use them in numerous ways. An appropriate water decal printer will enable you to print decals easily at home. Whether you want to print decals for personal use or have a decal-making business, you need a printer with impeccable print quality that is compatible with water slide decal paper.

The article contains reviews of the best water decal printers available on the market. We have thoroughly explained their features, performance, and pros and cons to help you make an informed decision. According to our testing & experience, the three top printers for water decals are:

1. Canon Pixma Pro-100
2. Epson Eco Tank ET-3760
3. Brother HL-L3210CW

These printers can produce high-quality water decals, have competitive running costs, and offer multiple advanced connectivity functions.

FAQs:

Q: Can I use any printer for waterslide decals?

A: You’ll need a printer that can handle waterslide decal paper. Most home printers can’t do this, so you’ll either need to buy a waterslide decal printer or take your waterslide decals to a professional printing service.

Q: Can I make my own waterslide decals?

A: Yes! You can print your own waterslide decals at home, as long as you have a printer that can handle waterslide decal paper.

Q: What kind of paper do I need for waterslide decals?

A: You’ll need waterslide decal paper and Hayes paper which you can find at most craft stores or online.

Q: Can I remove waterslide decals?

A: Yes, waterslide decals can be removed if you need to. Simply soak the decal in warm water for a few minutes and then peel it off.

Q: What surfaces can I use waterslide decals on?

A: Waterslide decals can be used on most smooth surfaces, including glass, metal, and plastic.

Q: Can I use waterslide decals outdoors?

A: Yes, waterslide decals can be used outdoors. However, they will not last as long as decals that are made specifically for outdoor use.

Q: Can I reuse waterslide decals?

A: Yes, you can reuse waterslide decals if you take care of them. Just be sure to store them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.

Q: What is the best printer for the waterslide decal?

A: on our experience, Canon Pixma Pro-100, Epson Eco Tank ET-3760 and Brother HL-L3210CW are the best waterslide decal printers. All these printers have the ability to print on waterslide decal paper without any issues.