In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to apply hydrographic film to your 3D prints.
Hydrographics is a process where water is used to transfer graphics onto 3 dimensional objects. Perfect for 3D prints. There are a lot of places to get hydrographic film but I got mine from: http://www.dip123.com/ and don’t forget the spray activator.
First gather your supplies. You will need:
- a bucket or tank wide enough and deep enough to dip your print into.
- a mask or respirator for painting
- at least one glove for dipping
- scissors
- the spray activator
- the hydrographic film
- your 3D print
- Cut your film so that it will cover your print
- I like to glue a small handle on the bottom of my print that I can hold onto when dipping. I just use some scraps that I have lying around.
- Fill your tank with water.
- Place the hydrographic film down on top of the water with the glossy side of the film toward the water.
- Wait about 2 to 3 minutes. The film will wrinkle and then stretch back out. You need this to happen before you spray the activator.
- Now shake the activator can really good and give the top of the film a light spray.
- You have about 10 seconds after you’ve sprayed the film to dip your object.
- Dip your object slowly to allow the graphic film to wrap around your object. I then give the object a little twist to disconnect it from the film.
- Remove your print and allow it to dry overnight.