Transfers

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This page specifically introduces transfer to painted surfaces.  Painted surfaces offer specific problems that must be addressed for a successful transfer.  Additional, if you use a transfer tool, everything sticks, including any paper, not just the toner.  Toner, black and white or color LASER copies, wrapping and some magazines (Time, Newsweek, Smithsonian, Scientific American, NOT National Geographic) with clay based paper will work with these methods.  Inkjet copies WILL NOT WORK for these methods. There are other transfer methods for inkjet print outs for which I have no information.

 

First, lets look at the finished results of 4 different transfers and notice the medium used and the results.

Transfer #1

This transfer has matte medium on the on the paper only.  None was applied to the picture.  Notice the areas where the transfer came off  and the white paper is not completely removed.  But any more rubbing and the transfer would be gone.  The picture on the right has another layer of matte medium on top of the transfer.  This helps hide the paper that was not removed.

 

Transfer #2

This transfer has matte medium on the paper and matte medium on the color copy ( or a magazine picture).  The medium was allowed to dry on both pieces.  After 10 minutes, a transfer tool was used to adhere the color copy.  The scratching on the transfer was done on purpose, trying to make it look less perfect.  I really had to rub to remove the transfer.

 

Transfer #3

This transfer was made with matte medium on the paper and  one coat Golden Soft Gel (Gloss) on the color copy. A transfer too was used to adhere the color copy to the paper.  I really scrubbed and was able to remove all of the paper.  A perfect transfer.

Transfer #4

This is an Golden Soft Gel (Gloss) transfer.  I coated the color copy with 3 coats   ( Carefully read the following instructions for applying Golden Soft Gel (Gloss) for this transfer) of Golden Soft Gel (Gloss) then removed the paper.  It was glued to the paper afterward. Notice the picture faces the opposite direction from the samples above.

Step 1

This piece of watercolor paper is painted with pink acrylic paint.  One even layer of matte medium is placed where I plan to put the transfer.  If the artwork were to have other elements already in place, this is especially important.  Allow the matte medium to dry before the next step. Approximately 10 to 20 minutes.

 

Step 2A

Apply 1 layer of matte medium to the picture if you want a transfer like number #2 above. 

 

 Step 2B

If you want  transfer # 3 or #  4, apply Golden Soft Gel (Gloss) to the color copy.  Transfer #3 has only 1 coat of Golden Soft Gel (Gloss).  Transfer #4 has 3 coats of Golden Soft Gel (Gloss).  

I now use Golden Soft Gel (gloss) for my transfers.

Step 3

Before applying the transfer decide what your edge will look like.  Do you want a straight or ripped edge?  Do you want a white border.

 

Step 4

Use a Wall Lenk transfer tool and Teflon pressing sheet to adhere the transfer to the artwork.

  1. Cut out desired area of image.

  2. Place image face down on artwork.

  3. Place Teflon pressing sheet over image. 

  4. Heat back of image moving the transfer tool quickly back and forth over Teflon sheet. Press firmly. Go over entire image 3 or 4 times.

  5. Wet paper to remove paper from image.

 Teflon Pressing Sheet Instructions

Protect your transfer tool from mediums and paint.

 

Step 5

Spray the back of the transfer with water to wet the paper.  Let set for a few minutes until the paper becomes translucent.

Step 6

Use your finger to roll away the paper from the back of the image.

Step 7

For transfer #2, I wanted an incomplete transfer, but I wanted to control the results.  I used scotch brite to scratch the transfer.

Lovely. This was an Golden Soft Gel (Gloss) transfer as per #3 above.  One coat of Golden Soft Gel (Gloss) and adhered with a transfer tool. The paper was then removed. When I iron the artwork (with the Teflon pressing sheet on top)  to flatten it, it bubbled.

Be careful with heat around Golden Soft Gel (Gloss).

Notice the imperfect transfer on the bottom right of this artwork.  As per transfer #2 above, I used matte medium on both sides.  Used a transfer tool to adhere the color copy.  The rubbed to remove part of the transfer.
Notice the perfect Golden Soft Gel (Gloss) transfer on the top right of this artwork.  As per transfer #4 above, I coated the color copy with 3 layers of Golden Soft Gel (Gloss).  Then the paper was removed from the back.  The transfer was glued to the  collage.
Be careful if you plan on transferring images with words.  The image to the right says "Birthday Greetings."
I transferred the music (copies of the original score by Aaron Copeland, these had to be reversed printed so they would correct facing after being transferred) to the canvas board using matte medium and a transfer tool rather than glue it down.  This allowed me to scrub off big holes in the transfer to give a more distressed look.  I mixed a bit of white and titan buff paint in with the matte medium that I applied to the copy before transferring.  It made the image brighter and show up more on the dark background.
Here is my newest discovery.  The image of the lady was from some cheap wrapping paper I bought at the dollar store.  I have not yet tested the idea, but I think those great italian wrapping papers will work great.

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