Muncle Mikes · MM Decal Works

Printable Waterslide Decal Downloads

Your next custom starts here. Choose your artwork, check the fit and bring it to life on your own workbench.

Digital files, not printed sheets. Decal paper, models and tools are purchased separately.

From download to your next custom

Match your paper

Inkjet or laser? Clear or white? Start with the paper that suits your printer and model.

Choose decal paper

Print a size test

Use the supplied print file at 100%. Test the shapes on ordinary paper before using decal film.

Check printing and fit

The download collection

Choose your next design

Check each design's dimensions, included files and permitted use before purchasing.

The workbench guide

Everything you need to get started

Paper choices, direct supply links, printing and application instructions, plus help when a decal does not go to plan.

MM Decal Works brings printable artwork to your custom diecast and scale-model workbench. This guide covers the supplies, printing checks and application steps that turn a digital design into a waterslide decal.

Already purchased a decal PDF? Open Your Decal Downloads and enter your order number and checkout email. Eligible files appear after payment is completed. Download and save your PDF there; it is not sent as an email attachment. Contact us for help with older orders.

Digital artwork only. A download does not include printed decals, decal paper, a model, a printer or tools. Each product identifies its contents, whole-sheet dimensions and model-fit limitations. The PDFs contain decal artwork only; printing and application instructions stay on these web pages.

1. Choose the right blank decal paper

Start with your printer type, the color of your model and the instructions for the exact paper you buy. Waterslide paper is not ordinary sticker paper, printable vinyl, sublimation paper or heat-transfer paper. We have not found a matching blank printable waterslide paper in the current MM catalog, so the paper links below go to Amazon and the manufacturer.

Amazon affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon links below are affiliate links. Check the selected paper type, sheet count, seller and availability before ordering; third-party offers can change.

Opaque white base · No-spray option

Koala matte-white no-spray waterslide paper

Choose white film when the artwork needs an opaque white background or will sit on a darker paint color. The white comes from the paper, not white printer ink. Any untrimmed area remains white, including spaces inside lettering.

The linked 5-sheet pack is US Letter, 8.5 × 11 inches, and is labeled for inkjet and laser printers. This is the no-spray matte-white version, not Koala's conventional white inkjet paper.

Check the exact Koala matte-white 5-sheet pack on Amazon

Manufacturer's product details and purchase options. Test a small sample on your own painted surface before a full sheet.

Light backgrounds · Check paper version

Koala clear no-spray inkjet waterslide paper

Clear film is useful where the model's light-colored paint should show through. Home color printers usually leave white areas unprinted; clear paper cannot supply opaque white lettering over dark paint.

The linked product is the inkjet clear no-spray version. Koala describes the film as semi-clear and notes a milky appearance on transparent surfaces, so do not expect invisible film on model windows.

Check the exact Koala clear no-spray paper on Amazon

Manufacturer's current product details and purchase options. Confirm the enclosed directions before printing or choosing a surface.

Important clear-paper version difference: Koala's current individual clear-paper listing describes a revised application method and includes plastic toys among its possible uses. An older/combo listing warns against plastic and wood. Do not combine instructions from different versions. Follow the insert supplied with your pack; where the insert and listing disagree, ask Koala before using it on your model. These links are not a claim that MM has fit-tested or paint-tested every paper, ink and casting combination.

No-spray means no required ink-sealing spray for that specific paper. It does not mean all waterslide papers are the same or that the applied decal is resistant to every clearcoat, solvent or handling condition. Conventional inkjet paper commonly requires a protective coating before soaking. Do not skip that step on ordinary paper just because this guide also covers no-spray products.

2. Gather your supplies — buy only what you need

Use the printer and basic tools you already own when they meet the requirements. These are direct MM product links, not links to the discontinued printed decal sheets. Current prices and ordering availability are on each product page.

Fine scissors

Trim the dry printed design before soaking. Tamiya 74031 Decal Scissors at MM provide fine cutting tips for small graphics. Close trimming is especially important on white paper.

Fine tweezers

Use tweezers to hold the backing paper, not to pinch or pull the wet printed film. Excel 30410 Curved Point Tweezers at MM help handle small pieces. Keep their points away from the paint.

A small, clean brush

Use a water-dampened brush to guide the decal gently. Tamiya 87015 Flat Brush No.0 at MM is a small workbench option. Keep a dedicated brush free of paint, glue and cleaning solvent.

Small cotton swabs

Lightly dampened swabs help remove excess water without dragging the design. Tamiya 87103 extra-small round swabs, 50 pack, at MM are made for detail and decal work. Use gentle pressure.

A ruler or calipers

Check the printed artwork and the actual body panel. Excel 55677 pocket ruler at MM is one measuring option. Check the units you are reading: inches × 25.4 = millimeters. Use calipers when finer measurement is needed.

Simple household essentials

Have plain paper for the test print, a shallow dish of clean water, lint-free absorbent paper or a clean soft cloth, and a well-lit work surface. Keep a spare painted sample for testing. No cutting machine or heat press is required for hand-cut waterslide application.

Optional cutting setup: For designs that need a knife rather than scissors, use the Excel 90001 cutting knife and mat set at MM. Cut on the mat, away from fingers; never trim with a blade against your model's paint. Scissors are enough for many simple designs.

3. Open the file, check the scale and print

  1. Use the supplied print file, not the listing photograph. Save the download and extract it first if it arrives as a ZIP. Open the artwork in a program that preserves physical dimensions. Read the product page's file details and print notes; a storefront preview or phone screenshot is not a print master.
  2. Match the printer to the paper. Confirm the exact paper's supported printer technology, media thickness and feeding instructions. Never put inkjet-only paper in a laser printer. An HP PageWide is ink-based, not a toner laser; a laser-only paper is not a substitute. Printer and replacement-ink compatibility still need a sample test.
  3. Choose the paper size loaded in your printer. US Letter is 8.5 × 11 inches; A4 is 210 × 297 mm. The decal-only PDF may have a much smaller custom page size. Keep its artwork at 100% on the larger printer sheet; do not enlarge it to fill the sheet. Print one page per sheet, one side only.
  4. Select Actual Size / 100%. Turn off Fit to Page, Shrink to Fit, automatic scaling and borderless expansion. Check that no artwork falls outside the printer's printable area. Use the media type and quality recommended for the paper, rather than forcing the highest ink setting.
  5. Check normal versus mirrored printing. The no-spray matte-white workflow uses normal artwork with the image facing up during application. Some clear no-spray versions use mirrored artwork and face-down application. Follow your exact pack's insert. An already mirrored file must not be mirrored again. Left/right vehicle artwork and transfer mirroring are separate choices.
  6. Print on ordinary paper first. The artwork-only PDFs do not include rulers or calibration bars. Check that the print dialog preserves Actual Size / 100%, then compare each printed piece with its intended model panel. Whole-PDF dimensions on a product page include spaces between pieces and are not the dimensions of one decal. Do not stretch the artwork to compensate for a print-setting error.
  7. Test the fit on the model. Cut out the paper shapes and check each intended panel. Leave room for wheel openings, shut lines, curves and raised trim. Check both sides separately. A nominal 1:64 scale or the overall length of a car does not establish decal fit.
  8. Make a small color and water test. Print on the correct coated side, let the ink dry for the paper's specified time, then prepare and soak a small test. Use the same ink, settings and painted surface planned for the finished model. Check bleeding, release, color, adhesion and the dried film before printing a whole pack.

Keep the design proportions intact. Resizing may change a pack's intended fit. Do not independently stretch its width or height. Where a phone's print screen cannot preserve size or expose the required settings, use a desktop print application instead.

Printer reference: HP PageWide Pro 477dw specifications. Paper-specific orientation and preparation take priority over a generic printer setting.

4. Apply the waterslide decal step by step

  1. Prepare the surface. Work on clean, smooth, fully cured paint. Remove dust and fingerprints with a method that is safe for that finish. Do not use strong solvents on an unknown paint system. A rough surface can trap air beneath the film.
  2. Prepare the printed sheet. Allow the printed ink to dry as directed. A correctly matched no-spray sheet does not need an extra ink-sealing spray unless its own directions say otherwise. With conventional inkjet paper, apply and cure the manufacturer's required compatible protection before soaking. Keep those two workflows separate.
  3. Trim one design. Work with a manageable piece. Leave only the margin appropriate for that paper and artwork. Do not cut through lettering or remove an intentional white element. Keep the rest of the sheet dry.
  4. Soak according to your paper's insert. Use clean water at the temperature and for the time it specifies. Check for release gently; do not force a design that is still attached, and do not leave it floating until the adhesive washes away.
  5. Transfer in the correct orientation. For an ordinary image-up slide transfer, bring the wet backing close to the damp model, guide the decal with a wet brush and slide the paper out from underneath. For a version that specifies face-down transfer, use that method instead. Keep the film supported rather than carrying it through the air by a corner.
  6. Position without stretching. Keep enough moisture beneath the film to make small adjustments. Align it with the panel, then gently wick away water. If the film stops moving, follow the paper's repositioning directions instead of pulling it dry.
  7. Remove trapped water and air. Gently work from the center toward the edges with a suitable damp brush, soft cloth or swab. Avoid rubbing, heavy pressure and sharp tips. Stop touching the film once it has settled or a compatible softening solution has begun to work.
  8. Let it air-dry fully. Keep the model clean and undisturbed for the paper's stated drying time. Dry to the touch is not necessarily ready for handling or finishing. Do not bake an assembled diecast or plastic model, or use a heat gun because a mug tutorial recommends heat.

Before decorating an important model, complete this whole process on a similarly painted spare surface. Inspect the result after drying, not just while the decal is wet. Keep notes on paper version, ink, print settings and any treatment so a successful test can be repeated.

5. Optional solutions and clear finishes — not the same product

You do not need every bottle below. Start with the chosen paper's basic process. Add a treatment only for a specific problem and only after a compatibility test.

Setting and softening solution

Tamiya Mark Fit 87102 at MM is an optional application aid for compatible decals on difficult surfaces. It is not an ink sealer or clearcoat. Do not assume specialty no-spray film accepts it. Once softened, leave the decal alone until dry.

Film repair

Microscale MI-12 Liquid Decal Film at MM is intended to restore fragile or aging decals before wetting. It is not the default purchase for a fresh no-spray print, and it is not interchangeable with a setter. Test any use on home-printed artwork first.

Clear finish

Microscale MI-4 Micro Coat Gloss at MM is a model clear finish, not a promise of compatibility with every ink or paper. A suitable finish can be considered for the appearance or protection of a completed model only after the decal has dried and the full paint/decal/finish combination has passed a sample test.

What not to substitute

Do not replace a decal treatment with superglue, model cement, nail-polish remover or a random solvent. Do not assume a stronger softener is better. Observe every product label's handling and ventilation instructions. A no-spray paper avoids one preparation step; it does not make every other chemical safe for the model.

6. Troubleshooting before you waste another sheet

The ink bleeds when the decal gets wet

Stop before applying it to the model. Check the exact paper version, printer type, printable side and drying time. Conventional inkjet paper may need a sealing step that a no-spray product does not. A failed test is a reason to change or confirm the paper/ink process, not to add an untested chemical to the finished model.

White lettering disappears, or the colors look weak

Clear paper cannot create white ink from a normal color printer. The body color can show through the image. Use artwork intended for that background, an appropriate white-film version, or a professionally printed white-ink transfer. White paper changes the background everywhere it remains, not just behind the letters.

The film looks cloudy, silver or milky

Trapped air on rough paint can create silvering. Review surface smoothness, trimming and gentle water removal on a test piece. A semi-clear paper can also have an inherent haze; that is different from trapped air. No setting solution can guarantee that semi-clear film becomes optically invisible on a window.

The design is too large, too small or backwards

Recheck the paper size, 100% setting and printable margins. For reversed text, compare the file with the exact transfer orientation. Do not switch paper types halfway through troubleshooting or correct a print-setting error by distorting the artwork.

The decal curls, tears or will not release

Confirm that you printed on the correct side and soaked it as instructed. Keep the film supported by its backing. Do not force separation, grip wet artwork with pointed tweezers or scrub a softened image. When a solution causes curling or damage, stop using it on that paper and return to a fresh compatibility test.

Edges lift or the clearcoat damages the design

Check cleaning, paint cure, paper suitability, transfer orientation and the full drying time. Over-soaking or aggressive handling can interfere with adhesion. Test the final clearcoat separately; do not try to rescue lifting or wet decals by flooding them with a stronger finish.

7. Common questions

Where do I get the PDF after purchasing?

Go to Your Decal Downloads and enter your order number and the email used at checkout. Once payment is completed, the eligible decal files for that order appear there. The PDFs are retrieved on that page, not sent as email attachments. Save your downloaded files. Contact munclemikes@gmail.com for help with older orders or an email correction.

Will a 1:64 download fit every Hot Wheels or Matchbox?

No. Castings, body panels and tooling revisions differ. Use the product's actual decal measurements and intended model information, then make the plain-paper test. The same rule applies to 1:24, 1:25 and other scales.

Can I use my regular printer, including an HP PageWide?

Possibly, with a paper explicitly compatible with its technology and feed system. PageWide uses ink, not laser toner. The listed paper's general compatibility is not proof for every printer or aftermarket cartridge. Test the exact combination before buying a large quantity. Ordinary CMYK home printers do not provide white ink.

Do I need spray sealer, a cutting machine or an oven?

No-spray paper is selected to avoid a mandatory ink-sealing spray in its specified workflow. Ordinary inkjet paper may still require one. Hand-cutting tools can do this job, and these model instructions use air drying, not baking or heat pressing. A final protective finish is a separate decision.

What files do I receive, and may I sell models decorated with them?

Read the individual download's contents and use terms before purchase. File formats, page sizes, included designs and commercial-use permissions are specific to that pack. Buying a download does not automatically grant permission to redistribute the digital artwork or sell printed decal sheets.

Build the rest of your custom

Pair your project with DIY Hot Wheels kits, DIY Matchbox kits or wheels, rubber tires and wheel-swap parts. These are separate physical products, not items included in a decal download.

Manufacturer instructions and references

For the exact product version, check the paper links above and the enclosed insert. Additional references: Koala's differing combo-paper guidance; Tamiya 74031 scissors; Tamiya 87103 swabs; Tamiya Mark Fit directions; Microscale Liquid Decal Film information.

Guide and product-link review: October 10, 2026. Product availability, packaging and instructions may change. Follow current manufacturer directions and verify your own material combination.

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