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Image Transfer

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Image Transfer Methods for Art and Craft Purposes

 

A collection of image transfer methods.  Check out the new "Image Transfer of the Day" module!  Image transfer techniques have become a popular among artists, artisans and crafters, especially for collages and many types of altered art, as well as on fabric for quilts and t-shirts.  Here you will find links to instructions for the various types of image transfer using inkjet, photocopy, laser, polaroid pictures,  magazine images, photographs, etc. onto a variety of surfaces including paper, fabric and polymer clay.

Image copyright Gretchen L.  For more see my heArt-a-Day lens and my heArt-a-Day blog.

Image Transfer of the Day 

Focus by Hotsauce Jane on Flickr

Ideas For Using Image Transfers 

Pick one you like and vote for it!

Make a Polymer Clay Pendant

See instructions in the polymer clay module below.8 points

Transfer a Rusty Object Image to Fabric

Find the link with instructions in the module belo more...3 points

Make a Warhol-esque Art Piece with your Photos.

See below for how-to instructions.1 point

Make a Faux Italian Fresco Art Piece

See instructions below in the paper module.1 point

Make an Art Card from a transferred Rubber Stamp image

See the link below that says Easy Ink Transfer Car more...1 point

Make "ancient" pottery

Find the how-to in the links below.0 points

Make a Transparent Photograph for a Scrapbook Page.

See below for instructions how.0 points

Make a Fabric Book Cover

See instructions in the fabric module.0 points

Make a Self Portrait Mask with Photos and Polymer Clay

See the link below that says Lazertran Polymer Por more...0 points

Make a Digital Polaroid Image Transfer in Photoshop

Find the link with instructions in the module belo more...0 points

Make a Paper Bag Scrapbook with Tape Image Transfers

See YouTube Video towards the bottom of this page more...0 points

Make a Collage Using My Faux Image Transfer Technique

Scroll down to see how.0 points

Interesting Image Transfer Methods 

These Don't Fit Into Just One Category

Common Transfer Techniques
An outline of different technique with some nice images of finished art.
Great White transfer technique
Great White transfer technique by Lisa Cook. Look in the "supplies" module for the link to get the paper she used.
Various Transfer Techniques to Hard, Smooth Surfaces
Everything from Inkjet to Laser Printer to Pencil to Ink...
Digital Darkroom Forum: How to do gel transfer (Xerox, not Polaroid)?
Different responses to the question of how to transfer a photocopy using gel medium.
Several Different Transfer Techniques
Tape, Gel, Blender Pen, etc.
Easy Ink Transfer Cards: Create Ink Transfer Image Cards with Rubber Stamps
Speciality tools and products make ink transfer an easy option for card making. Norma Anne Chattin demonstrates how easy it is to create depth and dimension in card art.
Acrylic gel medium transfers
Detailed description of the acrylic transfer process with pictures.
Photoshop How-To: Recreating Polaroid Image Transfers
Here's how to digitally recreate the look of dry, emulsion, and SX-70 transfers.
Transfer a Rusty Object Image to Fabric
Transfer rust patterns to fabric. Very cool.
Chart of Different Transfer Methods
Handy chart.
Image Transfer Techniques on "Still Alive"
A couple of different image transfer techniques, one using Modge Podge and the other a clear sheet protector.
Thursday’s Tutorial: Packing Tape Transfers » ScrapScene
How to make packing tape decals.

Astarte's Mega-Zine for Lovers of Art and Craft 

Go Make Art!

A high quality, downloadable, e-zine in the style of Somerset Studio or Cloth, Paper Scissors with articles by and about popular artists such as Claudine Hellmuth, Lee Silbers, Leslie Riley and others. Not only are there articles about everything from collage to polymer clay to felting to creativity and beyond, there is free clipart in every issue!

Take it from someone who has subscribed to Somerset Studio from it's beginning, Astarte's Mega-Zine is in the same league. It's gorgeous and very much worth taking a look at!

Click Here!

Inkjet Image Transfer 

I've made an entire lens about how to do inkjet image transfers. See the link below.
Inkjet Image Transfer Methods
Information divided into inkjet image transfer onto paper, fabric and multiple surfaces.

Laser Print Image Heat Transfer Demo 

There is a link to where you can purchase the tacking iron seen in this video below in the "supplies" section.

Image Transfer Demo Using Laser Print and a Tacking Iron

Short demonstration in a technique that transfers a laser printed image onto other paper surfaces using heat. Used by artists in collages and other mixed media art. For more information see http://www.squidoo.com/imagetransfer

Runtime: 2:51
6315 views
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Image Transfer Methods for Photocopies & Laser Prints to Paper 

Photocopy Image Transfer
The method described uses "cellulose thinner" or Xylene.
Image Transfer For Card Making And Scrapbooking Made Easy
If you want to transfer images easily with no fuss and mess, just get some clear cellophane tapes and follow the step by step instructions.
Photocopy Transfers Using Solvents by Melissa Chapin
Toxic, but effective.
Scrapbooking : Simple Image Transfer : DIY Network
Create a see-through image on your scrapbook page using clear packing tape, duplicate photos, and water.
Imitating Art - Warhol-esque Project
Uses image transfer techniques to make a Warhol-like canvas with photographs.
Photo Collage Transfer : "Italian Fresco"
Debbie Stapley demonstrates a technique that yields an Italian fresco look.
Photo Transfer Art : Home & Garden Television
Use photocopies to add an aged look to favorite pictures or art.
Tools of the Trade: Transfer an Image
How to use a Chartpak Blender Marker to transfer images. (Kansas City Artist Trading Cards blog.)

Packing Tape Image Transfer Demo 

ScrapTheWorld.TV Scrapbook Show: Image Transfer

Here is a demonstration on transfering laser copy images onto tape or laminating paper for your scrapbook layouts

Runtime: 4:11
5176 views
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Image Transfer Methods for Photocopies & Laser Prints to Fabric 

Ranger Ink's Fabric Medium Project
Fabric Book or Box Cover with Image Transfer
and Fabric Painting.

Image Transfer Methods for Photocopies & Laser Prints to Polymer Clay 

"Ancient Pottery" - Transfers to Polymer Clay
A lesson plan for making a small pieces of faux ancient pottery using photocopied designs for decoration.
Liquid Clay Image-Transfer Purse:
Complete how-to from HGTV.
Jewelry : Image Transfer Pendant
A polymer clay project from Donna Kato on the Carol Duvall Show.
Lazertran Polymer Portraits
How to make a self portrait using Lazertran Transfer Paper for Silk and polymer clay.

Polaroid Image Transfer 

Needs special equipment but is a cool technique!

Polaroid Transfer Tutorial at Sarah Wichlacz
Blog entry with instructions for polaroid transfers.
My Polaroid Transfers. Stories behind Images. How to start.
Polaroid image and emulsion transfers. Tools & techniques. Personal projects. How to start Polaroid transfers.
Simple Polaroid Transfer Tutorial
The art of transferring the image from a partially developed polaroid negative onto watercolor paper.
Cheap and Cool Photos
Clear instructions on how to do both an image transfer and an emulsion image transfer using Polaroid pictures.

Film Negative Emulsion Transfer 

Image Transfer

Image Transfer

Runtime: 4:37
3967 views
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Image Transfer Supplies for Artists, Artisans and Crafters 

Product Discovery: JudiKins TranzIt Rinse-Away Paper
A cellulose based transfer paper for use with laser printers and copiers (NOT inkjet printers).
Transfer papers for artists - Lazertran
Lazertran papers - premium waterslide decal transfer papers for Fine Artists & Crafters
JONATHAN TALBOT: TACKING IRONS /IMAGE TRANSFER PAPER
TACKING IRONS / RELEASE PAPER / IMAGE TRANSFER PAPER / MORE

Image Transfer Medium 

Many choices from Amazon

Golden Acrylic Medium Soft Gel - Gloss 8oz

This is the gel medium that Jonathan Talbot uses in his "iron on" collage method, but it also used by other artists for image transfer.

Amazon Price: (as of 05/11/2008)

Omni-Gel Transfer Medium 8 Ounces-Squeeze Bottle

Omni-Gel is a true ''transfer medium''. It can also be used to emphasize the brush strokes with oil painting effects, making photo print look like an original painting. Flexible when dry, acid free, and can be used as glue.

Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 05/11/2008)

Golden Acrylic Medium Regular Gel - Matte 8oz

Today's top multimedia artists all seem to prefer Golden gel medium for image transfer.

Amazon Price: (as of 05/11/2008)

Picture This Transfer Medium 8 oz opaque

This medium transfers toner-based images to fabric. You rub the paper off after putting the medium-covered image face down on the fabric and allowing it to dry.

Amazon Price: $5.39 (as of 05/11/2008)

Books Containing Image Transfer Techniques 

Image Transfer on Clay: Screen, Relief, Decal & Monoprint Techniques (A Lark Ceramics Book)

I just checked this out of the library and if you work with clay (not polymer clay) at all, I highly recommend it. It's very comprehensive.

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 05/11/2008)

Transfer: Images on Glass, Fabric, Ceramic, Stone, Paper, Metal, Plastic and Wood

Amazon Price: (as of 05/11/2008)

Transferring Designs: How to Transfer any Image onto any Surface

Amazon Price: (as of 05/11/2008)

Other Books With a Few Pages About Image Transfer 

And a lot of other cool stuff!

Collage Discovery Workshop: Make Your Own Collage Creations Using Vintage Photos, Found Objects and Ephemera

Has a chapter about image transfer.

Amazon Price: $15.40 (as of 05/11/2008)

Altered Books Workshop: 18 Creative Techniques for Self-Expression

Has a few pages about image transfer,

Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 05/11/2008)

Imagery on Fabric: A Complete Surface Design Handbook

Has a little bit about image transfer as well as many other great techniques for getting images on fabric.

Amazon Price: (as of 05/11/2008)

Altered Book Collage

Has a couple pages with different image transfer techniques.

Amazon Price: $14.76 (as of 05/11/2008)

My Faux Image Transfer Method 

For When You Want a Sharp Image

Image copyright Gretchen Little and it's for sale. Click on it for more info.

Okay...I made this lens not because I do a lot of image transfer but because I was looking for good information about it for artists and found a lot of garbage to wade through. The librarian in me couldn't resist a chance to create order out of chaos. BUT...I do like the distressed look and idea of an image transfer, although I also like the end result to be a crisp black image. Therefore I invented my own way of getting a faux transferred image look. I use it for paper collage whether the receiving surface is paper, canvas, wood, etc.


This is what I do:
  1. I print out an image on my laser printer, but a photocopy will work too. Inkjet prints will bleed if you paint on top of them, but the toner from the laser printer or photocopier is waterproof and even acts as a resist 90% of the time.
  2. At this point I can color the image either with paint, ink, pastels, colored pencils, etc. I use watered down acrylic paint or watercolors. I keep a paper towel handy to blot paint that gets too opaque where I don't want it to, although that can add to the image transfer effect. Sometimes I wait to color it until I've attached it to the rest of the collage.
  3. I like to tear my image and leave the edges rough, but it doesn't really matter. Depends on how distressed a look you want.
  4. The I attach the image to the substrate. I've been using gel medium lately having experimented with just about everything else. It wrinkles sometimes but that just adds texture.
  5. I will usually put another layer of color on after the gel medium has dried. Sometimes I'll rubber stamp on top of the image. Overlapping onto the artwork underneath with color and stamping makes the edges less noticeable.
  6. And that's it! You'll end up with something like the image at the top of this module. It is actually a combination of this method and a partial image transfer from a technique I learned from Claudine Hellmuth's DVD and then modified. The words and heart were done as described here, but the spirals were put face down after being coated with gel medium, then the paper was lifted off before completely dry. That left a clear image with some of the fibers from the paper but they are practically transparent when painted and just add texture to the canvasette underneath.

Tape Transfer and Paper Bag Book Project 

Garden of My Dreams

Bethany takes us on a garden tour this week...with a lunch sack! She shows how to turn this ordinary household item into a dreamy scrapbook. And then she raids the cupboards again using packing tape to create some filmy image transfer embellishments. So grab your lunch and get ready! More available at www.crafttvweekly.com

Runtime: 9:09
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Let Me Know You Stopped By 

Done any transfers lately?

SirPopoy

Thanks for sharing the idea of image transfers, Intuitive! You might also want to take a look at personalized Laser Computer Checks ! I'm sure you would love this nifty idea! Hope to read more of your lens like this!

Posted May 06, 2008

Susanne

Wow, what a capacious site - I'm impressed! (Thank you for the "Transfer of the Day"!)

Posted April 23, 2008

kim

Thanks for the comprehensive site. I found all the links very useful and will now try a few other ways of transferring images that I was previously unaware of!

Posted April 14, 2008

CrypticFragments

nice work... one of these days I'll get brave enough to try image transfers! I rated you 5 and lensrolled you to my Card Making and Paper Crafts lenses...it'd be nice if you do the same

Posted March 23, 2008

Stephene

thks for useful information.. i like your lense very much.. i hv bookmarked this lense and joined your fan club.. (^o^)

Posted March 16, 2008

 
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