Hydrographics
Hydrographics.
Any Surface, Any Pattern.
Water transfer printing wraps photorealistic patterns around nearly any rigid surface. The result looks built-in, not applied.
How It Works
Film on Water, Pattern on the Part
A printed film floats on the surface of a water bath. An activator dissolves the film's backing so the ink floats freely. The part is dipped through the ink layer, and the pattern conforms to every contour as it wraps the surface. Because the ink flows and stretches with the geometry of the part, hydrographics can cover curves, recesses, and compound shapes that stencil or brush methods cannot reach.
After dipping, the part is rinsed, dried, and sealed with a clear coat. The clear coat protects the pattern and gives you control over finish level, from flat to high gloss. Our Redmond, Oregon shop has performed this process on firearms, automotive trim, sporting goods, and one-off custom pieces shipped to customers across the US, Canada, and overseas. If your project has a contoured surface and you want a pattern that cannot be achieved with a stencil or rattle can, water transfer printing is the right process.
Have questions about prep, substrate compatibility, or turnaround? The full coating process page covers what happens from drop-off to pickup, and you can also browse finished work in the gallery.
See our full coating process
Pattern Options
Carbon Fiber, Wood Grain, Camo, Marble, and Custom
Carbon Fiber
The look of woven carbon without the weight cost. A strong choice for automotive trim, firearms, and performance parts. Carbon fiber hydro dip is one of the most-requested patterns we run, and it reads convincingly across both flat and curved geometry.
Carbon Fiber (Variant)
Tighter weave, different light response. Same durability, different visual texture. If the standard weave is not quite the look you want, this variant gives you a slightly different scale and sheen without changing the underlying process.
Wood Grain
Convincing grain and figure on surfaces that wood itself cannot protect. Works well on stocks, handles, and panels that need the aesthetic of real wood with the durability of a sealed hard substrate. Popular with firearm and archery customers.
Marble & Stone
Swirled veining that reads like natural stone. Used on consumer goods, decorative parts, and custom projects where the goal is visual impact. The sealed clear coat gives it a hard finish that looks and feels finished, not printed.
Need a camo, custom, or customer-supplied pattern? See the FAQ below or send us a note.
What We Can Dip
Works on Nearly Any Rigid Surface
Water transfer printing is substrate-flexible by design. The film bonds to the surface rather than the material type, so the same carbon fiber or camo pattern can be applied to a steel receiver, a plastic dashboard trim piece, a composite bow limb, or a wood handle. The key requirement is that the surface be rigid. Soft, flexible, or porous materials that cannot hold a primer coat are not good candidates, but most rigid substrates used in automotive, firearms, sporting goods, and industrial applications qualify.
Metal
Plastic
Composite
Wood
Fiberglass
Not sure if your part qualifies? Send us a note and we will tell you.
Applications
What Our Customers Dip
We serve customers in Redmond, Bend, and throughout Central Oregon, as well as clients who ship to us from across the US and Canada. Projects range from single custom parts to small production runs. If appearance and surface protection matter to the end use, hydrographics is usually worth the conversation.
Firearms & Stocks
Receivers, stocks, and handguards in camo, wood grain, or any pattern. Hydrographics wraps every contour of a stock or grip, even around tight curves. Pairs well with Cerakote on the metal components, and we do both services in-house.
Automotive Trim & Interior
Dashboards, consoles, shift knobs, and interior panels. Carbon fiber and carbon variants are the most requested patterns here. The sealed clear coat holds up to daily contact better than vinyl wrap on complex curves.
Sporting Goods & Outdoor Gear
Bows, crossbow limbs, hunting accessories, and outdoor equipment where a camo or natural pattern fits the use. Customers in Central Oregon frequently bring in hunting gear before season starts.
Consumer & Custom Products
One-off custom work, gifts, collectibles, and consumer goods where appearance is the objective. If you have an unusual part or a creative project, contact us with a photo and a description.
Firearm Pricing
Up-Front Pricing for Firearm Hydrographics
Complete-firearm packages start here. Individual parts, stocks, and custom work are priced separately.
"I would highly recommend Advanced Coatings for any of your gun projects. Fast turnaround, great communication, and the camouflage pattern on my rifle stock is incredible."
Common Questions
Hydrographics Questions
Is hydrographics durable? Is it clear-coated?
What surfaces can be dipped?
Can you use a custom or customer-supplied pattern?
Do you handle prep? Do I need to strip or sand my parts first?
Can I combine hydrographics with Cerakote?
Can I ship parts to you from outside Central Oregon?
How does hydrographics differ from a vinyl wrap or paint?
What colors and camo patterns are available?
Explore More
Our Other Coating Services
Ready to Dip Your Project?
Tell us about your part, the pattern you want, and what the application is. We will send a quote, usually within 24 hours.