Water transfer printing (hydro dipping)
Water transfer printing, also known as immersion printing, water
transfer imaging, hydro dipping, watermarbling, cubic printing,
Hydrographics, or HydroGraphics, is a method of applying printed designs
to three-dimensional surfaces. The resulting combinations may be
considered decorative art or applied art. The hydrographic process can
be used on metal, plastic, glass, hard woods, and various other
materials.
History
The exact origin of the water
transfer printing process is unclear. However, the first hydrographic
apparatus registered for a US patent was by Motoyasu Nakanishi of Cubic
Engineering KK on July 26, 1982. Its abstract reads, “printing apparatus
provided with a structure which supplies a transcription film into a
transcription tub containing a liquid so that the transcription film is
kept afloat on the liquid, a structure which makes the liquid flow
in a direction in which the film is supplied, and a structure which
slantingly immerses an article to be printed into the liquid in the
transcription tub from an upstream position to a downstream position of
the liquid.”
Usage
The water transfer printing process is extensively used to decorate
items that range from entire all-terrain vehicles and car dashboards, to
small items like bike helmets or other automotive trim. Films can be
applied to all types of substrates including plastic, fiberglass, wood,
ceramics, and metal. For the most part, if the item can be dipped in
water and can be painted using traditional techniques then the
hydrographic printing process can be used.
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