Water slide decals (or water transfer decals) are water-mounted decals generally printed face up and rely on the dextrose corn
sugar residue from the decal paper to bond the decal transfer to a surface. A water-based adhesive layer can be added to the decal
to create a stronger bond or may be placed between layers of lacquer to create a durable decal transfer. The paper also has a
layer of glucose film added prior to the dextrose layer which gives it the adhesion properties; the dextrose layer gives the decal
the ability to slide off the paper and onto the substrate (lubricity).
Water slide decals are thinner than many other decorative techniques (such as vinyl stickers) and as they are printed, they can be
produced to a very high level of detail. As such, they are popular in craft areas such as scale modeling, as well as for labeling
DIY electronics devices, such as guitar pedals.
Until recently, water slide decals were professionally printed and only available in supplied designs, but with the advent of
printable decal paper for colour inkjet and laser printers, custom decals can now be produced by the hobbyist or small business.