The application of graphics and text onto enamel panels is generally achieved through screen printing – this offers the best result when trying to reproduce your artwork if solid colours are required and there is a requirement to match a specific Pantone or RAL reference. If you are looking to reproduce detailed photographs or other graphical images, then enamel decals may be the best option.

Past Projects Include:

Exmoor Interpretation – With the backing of The National Lottery, A.J Wells re-signed Exmoor National Park with interpretation panels for Langham Engine House. We developed the interpretation and wayfinding system as well as manufacturing and installing the signage.

Extraordinary Heros – A.J Wells were asked by London’s Imperial War Museum to produce 240 small enameled portraits for a permanent exhibition housed in the new Lord Ashcroft gallery. A.J Wells applied enamel transfers to pressed plates with curved edges – an effect that could not be achieved with conventional screenprinting. 

As with any manufacturing process there are pros and cons, we aim to be transparent with our advice and offer our experience to make sure a full understanding of what is achievable is explained.

Pros

• Fired decals offer the same high durability as screen printed enamel with colouration that never fades
• High graphic resolution can be achieved – ideal for photographic type artwork
• It’s a more economical process than screen-printing as multiple colours can be applied at the same time
• Can be used in combination with screen-printing to offer a more versatile finish

Limitations

• In any vitreous enamel printing, silk screen or digital, there is not a true magenta or cyan colour so this makes colour matching a little tricky and unpredictable as certain colours can also change in the firing process. Also, computer screen artwork will always look different to printed sheets.
• We cannot guarantee the matching of any specific Pantone/RAL colours, the colours will be representative of the required colours.
• Solid colours may look weaker and saturated compared to silk screen printing and darker colours can be prone to printing blemishes and spotting
• For best results the decals need to be applied over white – this can be achieved on darker enamel by pre-printing a white raft which may affect the gloss level of the finished image
• There is the potential inconsistency of reprinting the same files over a period of time – the materials used in the decal process may vary batch to batch.
• For repeat orders we cannot guarantee matching 100% what was printed previously as the nature of the decal production process does not allow us total control

There are two categories of decal available depending on the project: Standard and Wide Format.

• Standard – individual images up to A3
• Wide Format – continuous image up to 850 x 2980mm

When looking at projects using the wide format decals please be aware that there is a longer delivery period.

The Enamel Decal Process

The decals are produced using the enamel equivalent of the four colour printing process – using your artwork submitted as a high-resolution PDF.

To discuss your project contact us here