Good timing with this one too-

http://www.instructables.com/id/Custom- … -printing/

Anyone know if this was printed in ABS or PLA?  I'm thinking maybe acetone treat the part first then do the water transfer.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Custom- … -printing/

Since most kits are pre-picked images, I find this one place much more interesting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOczTjE8gNg
They sell printable films so you can print your own images and dip them.

PS: The coating on the object is for two reasons: 1. Primer coat for better adhesion/better durability, or 2. colorful undercoat (usually glossy) that shows through on certain films (for instance many 'skull' patterns are black only prints, so whatever color the object is your dipping will end up being the color of the skulls on the final product).

This is done alot on custom console controllers.

The print to transfer is on Polyvinyl alchohol which is floated in the vat and an activator is sprayed over it which causes it to dissolve and activates as an adhesive... and then you submerge it down through the layer... remove it and then spray it with a 'top coat'. Its how they usually apply the 'faux wood' or 'faux carbon' finishes to wheels/dashes/center consoles; etc...

An example activator: http://hgarts.com/en/hydrographic-suppl … activators
You also want Clearcoats (the prints are very fragile; need this to protect them) : http://hgarts.com/es/hydrographic-supplies/clearcoats
Base paints: http://hgarts.com/en/hydrographic-suppl … ing-paints
And Primers: http://hgarts.com/en/hydrographic-supplies/primers

I'll let you chase up the MSDS sheets if you want more technical details than that on the products and 'secret sauce'

You could hydrographic print onto a 3D object sure - but not sure any part of this process has direct relevance to 3D printing itself any more than any other lump of object you want to print onto (phone cases, steering wheel, dash board, etc) ...

Local printers can probably do this for you - the immersion machines themselves can be had for about $5k off of Alibaba... search around for immersion printers/hydrographics services.... You can also by the films off of alibaba in the standard types of 'camo', 'carbon', 'metal', etc...  So yeah, the process is pretty straight forward - once you have the submersion bath and the activator and clearcoat... and someway to get the films you want... About $8k inc delivery from Alibaba should see you up and running

As far as texturing a 3d print goes - well - theres no reason you can't think oldskool - standard stucco paint and paint effects work, and model shops tend to sell craploads of texture/effect paints... most of which are designed for use on ABS...

A lot of places uses some sort of print that you can place on the water and the backing presumably dissolves. Mask based application of the paint layer is not required

Yes you are right. i want to know how i can get such prints. Also they usuually spray something on the object as well as the print floating on the water. I want to know what that is as well.

The gist of it, I believe, is:  Water bed.  Oils. Mask. Take mask, place over water, spray oil paint. Remove mask. Add mask 2. Have image floating on water now. Dip item into water.

But it's trickier than that .

EDIT: it's actually called water transfer printing.

Edit2: A lot of places uses some sort of print that you can place on the water and the backing presumably dissolves. Mask based application of the paint layer is not required

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKuXyeAGzEU

I'd like to know what I'd need to do this at home (garage) and how I could use my own images, but I can't find that info.

Are there better ways of texturing a 3d printed model you know?