Transfer Methods

Included in this workshop are tutorials for paper, polymer clay, and metal transfers. Transfers are very simple, can be incorporated into many projects, and are fun to do!

Please Note: High contrast or vibrant color images make the best transfers.

Transfers onto Paper

Materials: Cardstock, Laser printed image in reverse, bone folder, paint stripper, brush, plastic gloves.

Step 1:

Place image face down onto cardstock.

Step 2:

Brush paint stripper over the surface of the image.

Step 3:

Burnish carefully with the bone folder for approximately 60 seconds. Carefully lift up the corner of image to check progress.

Step 4:

Magnifique! Finished Project

Transfers onto Polymer Clay

Materials: Polymer clay (conditioned and rolled out to desired thickness), image printed in reverse on inkjet T-shirt transfer paper, ceramic tile.

Step 1:

Place image face down of polymer clay surface. It’s a good idea to place your clay on a ceramic tile to bake before transferring your image

Step 2:

Carefully burnish the surface with your finger. Make sure that the image makes complete contact with the clay.

Step 3:

Place the clay in a preheated oven according to manufacturers instructions. Bake for approximately 5 minutes. Remove from oven.

Step 4:

Carefully peel back the paper from the clay.

Step 5:

Place the clay back into the oven and complete manufacturers baking time. Remove from oven and cool completely.

Transfers onto Metal

Materials: Image Transfer Solution, metal box, flat brush, Laser image printed in reverse, fine steel wool.

Step 1:

Wash metal with warm soapy water. Rinse and dry. Burnish with fine steel wool.

Step 2:

Brush an even layer ( not to thin) of image transfer solution onto the surface of the metal.

Step 3:

Brush solution onto the right side of image.

Step 4:

Lay image face down onto metal. Carefully press the image down making sure the image, solution, and metal contact completely. Let dry overnight.

Step 5:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees and bake the piece for 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely

Step 6:

Soak project in warm water for 20 minutes. Gently rub the back of the paper off with your fingers. Starting in the center working outwards.

Step 7:

Sand lightly with 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper, using water to lubricate.

Step 8:

Seal with a coat of Mona Lisa medium.