Splash is one of several application fluids. I use RapidTac for final surface prep, and it works as an application fluid as well, although I rarely use it as such, because you have to wait until everything is dry to pull the transfer tape, and it is possible to bump the graphic out of alignment while the app fluid is evaporating.
When lining up graphics that don’t nest, I use registration points as @jeremiah suggested, although I often use a single square in two opposite corners. Often, as in the case of the Lein Lab graphic, I can just use the graphics themselves for alignment, using a light-table (or a big window, but working vertically is more difficult most of the time!). Whatever the registration system, I use the same technique for layering. I had some scrap already loaded in the plotter, and I’m waiting for some paint to dry so…
Pretend I used two different colors. I want the name inside the frame. I have decided to mask the name and layer that on top of the frame. If you are doing more colors be aware of the tape placement. You can block the path to the next color really easily here. I learned through failure, and so will you. That’s ok.
I also made sure that the masking on the name would be big enough to cover the entire frame. It will serve as the transfer sheet for both layers. That’s another spot that is really easy to mess up, and you probably won’t notice until it is too late. Be aware.
I use the light table to line up the layers. Make the light disappear. It takes some nudging.
That looks good enough.
I use the three-point tape method I described earlier. It won’t stick to the bare backing sheet of the lower layer well enough to hold it in place, so I have put some squeegeed some transfer tape onto the blank area on the bottom layer for the blue tape to grab onto. It is easy to bump a layer out of place. Peel the backing away from the decal and transfer sheet, cut off the end, squeegee it down from center to outside.
Pull the backing away from the other side, squeegee it in place again working from the center to the outside (this is to avoid trapping air bubbles btw)
Now you have a two-layer sticker on a single level. You can apply it to something now. Maybe a binder.
Look at the color contrast between the name and the frame! So cool! (lol)
