A transfer is any process that takes a printed image, removes it from its original surface and moves it to a different surface.
What can you transfer?
Theoretically, any printed image will transfer with the right medium. My first experiments were with Polaroid transfers in an art workshop. The results are wonderful, but the process is very expensive and required the purchase of equipment I could not afford. So, I moved onto other options. This info sheet will discuss some different methods of transferring photocopies and inkjet images.
Transfers with Medium
Acrylic gel medium – This is basically any product that says it contains “polymer acrylic medium.” Examples include acrylic paint and latex paint.
1) Select the image you want to transfer, remembering that you will end up with a mirror image of the original.
2) Make sure your transfer surface is clean and as smooth as possible.
3) Prepare your transfer medium and apply it to the image or the surface you are transferring onto. You can use a brush, sponge, or simply your finger. If you use a brush or a sponge, make sure they are completely dry so that water will not distort the consistency of the medium.
4) Cover the entire surface. Depending on what you are transferring to, you may want to experiment with different levels of thickness. If the medium starts to feel tacky, it is too thin and is starting to dry. You basically want to apply an even coat as quickly as possible to create a consistent transfer.
5) Press the image firmly in place, and begin smoothing the image from the middle out. A good tool to use is a bone folder or burin. Too much medium may cause your image to slip. Ideally, the image will stick well in one place. You may want to put a piece of paper over the image to stop the gel from moving over your workspace. You need to make sure there are no air bubbles or uneven amounts of medium under the image.
6) I suggest letting the paper completely dry. You could pull the original paper off sooner, but this can cause problems if the image has not completely set.
7) Once the image is dry, apply water to the back of the original. You can use a sponge for this, but your fingers will work as well. Basically, you just rub off the original paper. Be careful not to rub into the image itself. If there are still fibers present on the image after it dries, then you can repeat this process until the image is clear.
Packing Tape Transfers
1) Select your image. Photocopies are a good choice (remember to reverse the image, if necessary). Inkjet images will NOT work. Magazine glossy images work well also, because the paper is very thin. The thinner the paper, the better.
2) Place a strip of clear packing tape over your image. Smooth the tape with your finger and then burnish it with a tool, such as a bone folder (anything will work as long as it is smooth).
3) Soak the image in a shallow dish of warm water for 5-15 minutes.
4) Remove the image and gently dry with a towel. You can then peel the paper from the tape and rub off any residual paper with your fingers. If you have trouble, try removing the paper under running water or immerse it again in warm water. The more you rub off, the clearer your image will be. However, be careful not to scrape the paper off, because you will remove your image.
5) Pat the image dry and allow it to air dry. Your image will be on the packing tape, like a transparency. The tape may still be sticky enough to use. If it isn’t, you can use vellum adhesive, glue or a Xyron to adhere the image to your project.
Water Transfers with the Inkjet Printer
1) Use HP Photo Glossy Paper. It needs to be thick. There are lots of different types and some will not work at all. You may have to experiment to find out what works best with your printer.
2) Put water in a spray bottle. Spray the face of the graphic or photo and the paper or fabric receiving the transfer. Start with 3-4 sprays. Too much water will make your image blurry or you will see the ink run out under the edges of the image. Too little and the paper will come off with the ink.
3) Put the print face down on the material you are transferring to (fabric worked best for me). Use a brayer or bone folder (something with a smooth edge) and carefully rub the back of the print. You want to keep your pressure even and be careful not to move the print.
4) With this process, you are allowed to peek. You will need to see if the transfer is working and continue rubbing until as much of the ink is transferred as possible.
Transferring with Transparencies
Theoretically, you should be able to print from your inkjet printer onto a laser transparency and transfer the ink to another surface. Because the transparency is slick, the ink will not dry. You can turn the transparency (ink down) on top of another surface and burnish. You basically use the principle of a rub on decal. Requires experimentation with your printer and paper.
Turpentine Solution Transfers
WARNING: Turpentine is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS (and smells really bad)! Read the caution on the package before using and remember to keep this FAR AWAY from any children. Use only in well vented areas. Do not use materials that have contacted turpentine for cooking (for example, measuring spoon).
1) Combine 2 tablespoons of soap flakes or soap bar gratings (do not use detergent) in 1/4 cup hot water in a small jar. Stir until dissolved (or let it sit a while and come back and stir).
2) Add 1 tablespoon of turpentine.
3) Let the transfer ink cool before using or putting the lid on the jar.
4) Take a fresh inkjet print or copy (not laser). Brush the solution over the picture to be transferred. Wait about 10 seconds and place the image face down on surface and burnish with a blunt tool or the back of a spoon.
***The transfer medium will stay usable if you keep it at room temperature (in a safe place away from children). If it gets too thick, place your jar in warm water to get it flowing again. Shake well.
Polymer Clay Transfers
1) Roll out polymer clay flat (I use a pasta machine) and lay the clay onto baking surface. (You should not move the clay until it is baked.)
2) Take a photocopy (color or B&W) or laser print of an image (inkjet does not work) and lay face down onto surface of clay.
3) Burnish with your finger or the back of a spoon. You need all of the image to come in contact with the clay or the transfer will not be complete.
4) Let the image sit for a minimum of 20 minutes.
5) Bake clay for 5 minutes with the paper intact.
6) Gently peel off paper and return your clay to the oven and bake for the remaining time, according to the manufacturer.
Additional Option: I also understand that you can apply alcohol (cheap gin or vodka) to the back of the image after step 3. You then let the image set for about 20 minutes (do not bake yet) and then peel off the paper and bake following manufacturer’s instructions.
Some other methods I found online, but have not had time to try personally…
Printing onto Fabric using Freezer Paper
1) Cut a piece of freezer paper the same size as your printer paper. 2) Then, cut a piece of fine cotton fabric the same size (you may need to fray check the edges so that loose threads don’t damage your printer). 3) Iron the cotton fabric to the shiny side of the freezer paper. 4) Print one sheet at a time. If it curls, hold it back as it feeds into the printer. 5) When dry, place a piece of parchment paper over it and iron on hot to set the colors.
Ink Jet Transparency Film Transfers
Donia Nance: eleven29design@yahoo.com
Supplies:
Something to transfer: clipart, computer-generated text and images, scanned photos, etc.
Something to receive the transfer: paper, altered books, fabric, etc.
Ink Jet Transparency Film: I use 3M brand also Apollo transparency film (not quick dry)
Gel Medium: I use Liquitex Gloss and Golden's Matte.
Fabric Stiffening Spray: I use Stiffen Stuff
Something to burnish with: a bone folder, spoon, your fingernail ;-)
1. If using fabric, prepare with spray according to instructions.
2. Print your images to the transparency film using an ink jet printer. Be sure to reverse all type! Since
the paper is rather pricey, I try to put as many images, quotes, etc. as possible on each sheet.
3. Cut out image to be transferred, leaving a small border around the image.
4. Apply medium to the receiving surface using a foam brush or your finger. You want an even coverage but not so much the image slides around when you place it on the receiving surface.
5. Place image print-side down on the receiving surface. Gently, but firmly, burnish image. You can
carefully lift up the transparency to see how the image is transferring.
6. When image is transferred --it should take less than a couple of minutes-- pull off transparency.
Solvent or Mediums |
With Color Copies printed on Shiny Paper |
Color Copies on regular paper |
Black & White Copies or Laser Prints |
Inkjet print |
Acetone (solvent) |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Does not work |
Acetone-based finger nail polish remover (solvent) |
O.K. but faint |
O.K. |
O.K. |
Does not work |
CitraSolv (solvent) |
Will not work at all |
Will not work at all |
Good |
Does not work |
Golden Regular Acrylic Matte Gel (medium) |
unknown |
Very good |
Very good |
Very good |
Non acetone-based finger nail polish remover (solvent) |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Does not work |
Wintergreen oil (solvent) |
Very faint |
Very faint |
Good but blurry |
Does not work |
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