12/22/06 - We're all familiar with the results of Water Transfer printing - the process is in use all around us on many common items. Hunters use it on their mossy oak or woodland-coloured shotguns and ATVs; it's used to put faux woodgrain and carbon fiber on car parts, graphics on cell phones etc. Water Transfer printing is essentially a process that transfers an ink pattern onto a 3D surface/object. There are some limitations to the process of course, depending on the material and complexity of the item.
Here's the Water Transfer process in a nutshell. Before dipping, the item must be prepped, similar to prepping for painting. The surface must be completely clean and free from oils, and sometimes a chemical etch is used. A primer or base coat is applied if necessary, often using one of the base colours (the lightest) in the pattern.
At the Decorating Station, the transfer film is floated on top of water, which is kept at a constant temperature. The film is basically a carrier for the specialized ink. A chemical activator is sprayed on the film, which starts dissolving it, leaving the ink floating on the surface of the water. The item is then dipped into the water, and the ink wraps around the part, conforming to its shape, and adheres to the item (it's almost like floating a piece of saran wrap on top of water then plunging your hand in - the water pressure will make it comform to the shape of your hand). The item is then removed, taken to the Rinsing Station where it's rinsed off with water to remove any remaining residue or film carrier. The Dry Station is next, where the part is dried.
The part is then has a protective clear coating sprayed on. The type of top coat used will depend on the specfications and requirements needed, but it will provide the abrasion resistance and UV protection for the ink.
Crye has been working with the Water Transfer film company for over a year, to get the colours and pattern correct. Shown below is my Gentex TBH helmet that I sent to Crye as a guinea pig for the process a year ago. The wait was worth it; pattern looks spot on. The helmet has a rough, sandpaper-like finish with little bits of stuff all over it, which wasn't the ideal surface for the Water Transfer process. If you look closely, there are tiny pinhead sized spots over individual bumps that were missed, but I was surprised at how well it turned out, in spite of the rough surface. It's probably a worst-case example, so you can be sure that items with less surface texture will turn out just fine. Obviously, the less surface variances, the better. The finish on the helmet is completely matte, and looks painted on.
An important note: Crye Precision is not involved in the coating of parts beyond licensing coaters to use official MultiCam film. Crye Precision does not do any coating or take orders for MultiCam coating projects. All MultiCam coating work is done directly by licensed coaters. All orders should be placed directly with the coater. All technical questions should also be addressed to the coater.
Ok, so where to get this done? Currently, Dynamic Finishes is the only coater licensed to use MultiCam film. For more information, contact them directly:
Dynamic Finishes
800-693-7455
www.dynamicfinishes.com
The web is best way to find out more info and learn how to submit parts for processing.
Current estimated turnaround is 4-6 weeks on custom projects
A custom order price guide is also available on-line
Currently, MultiCam is not publicly listed on their site as a camo option because it is so new, but they have the film in stock. |
