Print on Almost Anything with your Inkjet Printer

[busterbay 326]

How to inkjet print on almost anything that will fit in to your printer including vinyl. 

This is not intended to use with products you are going to sell. It's more for hobby and indoor use.

2 - 4 parts Rubbing alcohol or water ( +/-) ( this is your reducer )
1 part Polyvinyl acetate ( PVA ) ( Google it ) This is your binder
1 part acrylic paint white ( craft paint ) flat works best, this is what you are going to print on. 
1 drop of Dawn dish soap ( you should use this brand ) Besides saving ducks it doesn't gel in the alcohol. 

Foam Brush or airbrush

Mix well, it should resemble milk when you are done, you can adjust the reducer as needed. If you substitute water for the alcohol it will take longer to dry, alcohol is the preferred reducer. 

Lightly coat the object or vinyl you want to run through your printer. If it beads up or separates add another drop of soap . If all else fails let it dry and brush on another coat. Don't build a bridge you don't need much.  

Let it air dry or force dry with a heat gun / hair dryer on low. Don't put it into your printer wet, I don't think I need to explain why. You can use multiple coats of the solution if needed. When dry it will have the texture of a shipping label or card stock. 

Print a test sheet, LET IT DRY once you get the mixture right it will print & dry like paper.  If you get color bleed then you have to much PVA add a bit more acrylic paint or reducer. Or another possibility for color bleed is you need another coat of solution on your substrate. 

This coating is NOT water safe and it can be scuffed, it's tough but it's not a tank.  A quick shot of clear or a descent laminate will prolong it's life. It is flexible thanks to the PVA. Don't put app tape directly on the printed surface or it will look like silly putty. 

You can now inkjet print on anything that will fit in your printer.