Water Transfer Printing, or hydrographics, is a surface decorating process where elaborate graphics like wood grain, carbon fiber, camouflage, and designer prints are applied to a 3-D product’s surface.

The Water Transfer Printing process is used extensively 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 submerged in water, it can be dipped using Water Transfer Printing technology.

The process utilizes a water-soluble film that contains complex patterns printed in ink. The film dissolves in the water and leaves the ink on the surface. In the typical process, the item is first coated with a primer or an adhesion promoter. After the primer is dry, a base-coat paint is applied which controls the hue of the pattern. Many hydrographic films are transparent which means you can achieve unique designs by customizing the base coat colors. For example, wood grain films often utilize a brown base coat and many camouflage patterns use a required base coat color to maintain the integrity of the pattern.

After the base coat is applied, the item is ready for decorating. The film is activated. The item is then dipped into the water and the ink wraps around it. Excess PVA residue is then washed off, the part is dried, and a clear top coat is applied.

A wide variety of flat or 3-D shapes and manufacturing materials (plastics, metals, glass, wood, etc.) can be decorated with Water Transfer Printing technology. Common items include cups, hard hats, car parts, ATV body panels an gun stocks, but basically if it can be submerged in water it can be hydrodipped.

The clear acrylic we recommend is as durable as the paint used on auto exteriors. It is extremely resistant to scratches and debris.

We offer thousands of base colour and hydro film combinations! Give us call or send in a custom project quote form and one of our team members will be in touch to help you design your final look!

Done correctly, hydrodipped items withstand up to 325 Fahrenheit. Hydrodipping is a great option to decorate your engine valve covers, intake manifolds, and even engine covers.