How to Make Waterslide Decal Ornaments DIY Tutorial

This post may contain affiliate links, sponsored content and products received at no cost.

6:00 AM

How to Make Waterslide Decal Ornaments DIY Tutorial

If you love DIY projects that look professionally made and personalized, creating ornaments with waterslide decals is a great idea!

Last week I experimented with printable waterslide paper from Koala and turned a few floral watercolor illustrations into a beautiful decal set of acrylic ornaments.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the full application process, explain the type of paper you need, and share tips for getting the best results on smooth surfaces, non-porous surfaces, and other various surfaces where waterslides can be used—from ornaments to a wine glass, a glitter tumbler, or even nail artwork images.

Whether you're using laser printers, an inkjet printer, or a Cricut machine to cut your designs, this tutorial will help you create your own decals with crisp detail and a high quality print.

Let's get started!

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the full application process, explain the type of paper you need, and share tips for getting the best results on smooth surfaces, non-pourous surfaces, and other various surfaces where waterslides can be used—from ornaments to a wine glass, a glitter tumbler, or even nail artwork images. Whether you're using laser printers, an inkjet printer, or a Cricut machine to cut your designs, this tutorial will help you create your own decals with crisp detail and a high quality print.

Materials You’ll Need for Waterslide Paper Decal Ornaments:

affiliate links (I receive a small commission from purchases made, thank you!)

Printable waterslide paper (Koala, white waterslide decal paper)
Inkjet printer or laser printer
Scissors or a cutting machine with a fine point blade and "print and cut" feature
A small bowl of room temperature water or lukewarm water
Acrylic ornaments or any non porous surface
Cricut Design Space if using a machine
Paper towel or clean cloth
Mini squeegee or soft tool to remove air bubbles
Acrylic spray (coats of acrylic sealer—light coat first, then a second coat)
Watercolor Floral Images
Optional: Dishwasher-safe Mod Podge or an epoxy layer for long-lasting protection
Optional: Nail polish remover for small mistakes
Optional: Cutting mat if using a Cricut

Materials You’ll Need for Waterslide Paper Decal Ornaments:

Step 1: Prepare Your Design

Start by choosing your artwork. I used watercolor flowers from my resource library and printed them as a printed image on white paper first as a test print.

If you’re using a Cricut:

Open Cricut Design Space.
Click Upload Image.
Adjust cut lines and use the offset feature if you want a border.
Size according to the right size for your ornament.
Add images using Insert Images.
Print on medium cardstock setting or adjust according to your decal paper’s print settings.

If cutting by hand, simply use scissors to trim around the edges of your design.

Before printing the entire sheet, always do a test run on regular paper to verify color saturation and clarity.

Step 1: Prepare Your Design Start by choosing your artwork. I used watercolor flowers from my resource library and printed them as a printed image on white paper first as a test print. If you’re using a Cricut: Open Cricut Design Space. Click Upload Image. Adjust cut lines and use the offset feature if you want a border. Size according to the right size for your ornament. Add images using Insert Images. Print on medium cardstock setting or adjust according to your decal paper’s print settings. If cutting by hand, simply use scissors to trim around the edges of your design. Before printing the entire sheet, always do a test run on regular paper to verify color saturation and clarity.

Step 2: Print Your Waterslide Decals

Load your printable waterslide paper so your printer prints on the glossy side of the paper.

For this waterslide decal paper, sealing is not necessary.

Print using:

High-resolution option
High quality print
Correct type of waterslide decal paper

Allow your printed image to dry completely, No clear coat spray needed!

Step 2: Print Your Waterslide Decals Load your printable waterslide paper so your printer prints on the glossy side of the paper. For this waterslide decal paper, sealing is not necessary. Print using: High-resolution option High quality print Correct type of waterslide decal paper Allow your printed image to dry completely, No clear coat spray needed!

Step 3: Cut the Decals

Once the printed waterslide decal is completely dry:

Cut decal using scissors, a die cutter, or your Cricut with the fine point blade.

Make sure each cut-out decal separates cleanly from the entire sheet.

Cut near the art but leave enough space so the entire thing stays intact during application.

Step 3: Cut the Decals Once dry: Cut your decals using scissors, a die cutter, or your Cricut with the fine point blade. Make sure each cut-out decal separates cleanly from the entire sheet. Cut near the art but leave enough space so the entire thing stays intact during application.

Step 4: Prepare the Water Bath

Fill a small bowl with room temperature water or lukewarm water.

Place your decal—glossy printed side up—into the water.

Let it soak for about 30–60 seconds, or until the paper backing begins to slide easily from the top of the decal.

This loosening is your signal for the next step.

Step 4: Prepare the Water Bath Fill a small bowl with room temperature water or lukewarm water. Place your decal—glossy printed side up—into the water. Let it soak for about 30–60 seconds, or until the paper backing begins to slide easily from the top of the decal. This loosening is your signal for the next step.

Step 5: Apply the Waterslide Decal

Remove the decal and its backing paper from the water.

Position your ornament or clear surface on a paper towel.

Place the decal at the middle of the decal area you want to decorate.

Gently slide the design from the paper backing onto the surface.

Smooth with your finger, a clean cloth, or a mini squeegee to remove air bubbles, wrinkles, and excess water.

If something shifts, carefully position decal again before it dries.

For curved or irregular surfaces, you may need to work slowly to avoid tearing the decal.

Step 5: Apply the Waterslide Decal Remove the decal and its backing paper from the water. Position your ornament or clear surface on a paper towel. Place the decal at the middle of the decal area you want to decorate. Gently slide the design from the paper backing onto the surface. Smooth with your finger, a clean cloth, or a mini squeegee to remove air bubbles, wrinkles, and excess water. If something shifts, carefully position decal again before it dries. For curved or irregular surfaces, you may need to work slowly to avoid tearing the decal.

Step 6: Let It Dry and Seal

Allow the decal to dry fully—avoid touching it or placing it in direct sunlight.

Optional but recommended:

Spray a clear top coat or add dishwasher-safe Mod Podge for durability.
For extra protection (like for cups or tumblers), apply an epoxy layer.
Only gentle hand wash should be used for long-term care.

Step 7: Repeat to Make a Set

I created three ornaments for a cohesive decal set.

Just repeat the entire project for each acrylic ornament or other surfaces you want to decorate.

The final button—or in this case the final ornament—always looks so polished thanks to the clear background and delicate detail waterslides provide.

Step 7: Repeat to Make a Set I created three ornaments for a cohesive decal set. Just repeat the entire project for each acrylic ornament or other surfaces you want to decorate. The final button—or in this case the final ornament—always looks so polished thanks to the clear background and delicate detail waterslides provide.

Additional Waterslide Decal Tips:

Always choose the correct paper (clear decal paper, white background, or white waterslide decal paper) depending on your artwork.
Images with a white background work better on solid ornaments.
If you accidentally smear the ink before sealing, nail polish remover can help clean up.
If transferring decals made for nail artwork images, the entire thing is the same process—just shrink to the right size.

That's it!

You now know how to create beautiful, customizable ornaments using waterslide decals, an inkjet printer, or even laser printers.

This is such a great idea for holiday crafting, gifts, or personal decor.

With the right print settings, correct type of paper, and a little practice, you can make your own water slide decals for so many creative uses—from ornaments to tumblers, mugs, and more.

Happy crafting!

Like, Pin and Save!

You now know how to create beautiful, customizable ornaments using waterslide decals, an inkjet printer, or even laser printers. This is such a great idea for holiday crafting, gifts, or personal decor. With the right print settings, correct type of paper, and a little practice, you can make your own water slide decals for so many creative uses—from ornaments to tumblers, mugs, and more. If you’d like the floral artwork featured here, check my resource library, and happy crafting!

Waterslide paper is a special type of printable decal paper designed to transfer images onto smooth surfaces using a simple water-activation process.

Each sheet has a glossy side for printing and a paper backing that separates after soaking the decal in water.

Once the printed design loosens, you can slide it onto clear surfaces, ceramics, glass, plastic, metal, acrylic blanks, and more. Waterslide decals create a thin, professional, almost hand-painted look, making them perfect for crafts, custom gifts, tumblers, ornaments, mug designs, and even small nail artwork images.

Available for inkjet printers and laser printers, waterslide paper offers crisp detail and a smooth finish—ideal for anyone who wants customizable, high-quality designs without specialized equipment.

CHECK OUT THESE OTHER POSTS USING KOALA AND A-SUB PRODUCTS:

How to Make Photo Transfer Candle (Tracing Paper DIY)

Learn how to make image transfer candles using tracing paper.

This fun DIY is an easy way to make a personalized candle using a plain candle and creativity.

These pillar candles make great handmade gifts, centerpieces and look amazing!

How to Make Photo Transfer Candle (Tracing Paper DIY) Learn how to make image transfer candles using tracing paper. This fun DIY is an easy way to make a personalized candle using a plain candle and creativity. These pillar candles make great handmade gifts, centerpieces and look amazing!

How to Make Holographic Stickers with Cricut Maker

Learn all the tips and tricks to making holographic stickers using Cricut print and cut feature with inkjet paper printer.

These gorgeous butterfly stickers are easy to make with images in Cricut Design Space and high quality sticker paper from A-Sub or Koala Paper.

Make stickers as a gift, start a small business or rekindle the love of stickers from your childhood and make sticker books!

How to Make Holographic Stickers with Cricut Maker! Learn all the tips and tricks to making holographic stickers using Cricut print and cut feature. These gorgeous butterfly stickers are easy to make with images in Cricut Design Space and high quality sticker paper from A-Sub or Koala Paper. Make stickers as a gift, start a small business or rekindle the love of stickers from your childhood and make sticker books!

Personalized Gift Ideas (Photo Gifts DIY with A-Sub)

Learn how to make a bunch of personalized photo gifts with A-Sub and Koala products.

Making stickers, magnets and full color photo posters is a breeze with a great printer and A-Sub blanks.

Customized printables are perfect for small business cards and promotional handouts with a personal touch, as well as thoughtful handmade gifts for a special occasion.