Image Transfers on Metallic Poster Board

I was looking for something new to do with image transfers. I wanted something to give them a little kick. I think mounting them on metallic poster board did just that. Kicked them up a notch. BAM!

I make my transfers from color laser prints and Mod Podge. 4 or 5 coats.

I also used Mod Podge to attach them to the poster board and also added another coat.

Here are the results.

Image Transfer/Lift Look with Grafix Rub-onZ

I purchased 4 sheets of Grafix Rub-onZ with the intention of transferring a cone flower image to a piece of wood. I followed the directions but was surprised to find that when I put the film on the board and rubbed - nothing happened. I was trying to attached the non-sticky side to the wood. At this point, I gave up with the idea of using wood and wondered how I could make this work for paper. I coated a 5x7 matte card with Jade PVA glue and placed the film down on the paper. I rubbed with a bone folder to get as many of the air bubbles out as possible. I let it sit for a while. Then I peeled off the outer film exposing the sticky side. At this point, I thought I realized what I had done wrong. As I was peeling off the film, there were some tears and scratches - I liked the way it looked. The question was how to counter the sticky side up? I decided to try coating it with Jade PVA. This worked perfectly. The resulting image looks a lot like some of my emulsion lifts and I am happy with the results. I have repeated this process three times now. Actually, I have yet to use the Grafix Rub-onZ correctly.

Links:

Jade PVA glue

Grafix Rub-onZ

Using Ink Jet Fabric Transfer on Paper

I have always wanted to try Inkjet Fabric Transfers on paper. I used Avery 3275 transfers and transfered onto a watercolor paper. The paper was Canson Montval Aquarelle.

I followed the directions for fabric using a hot iron and lots of pressure. The image I printed was a B&W image taken with a pinhole camera.

I like the results. The paper texture shows through the image and the image has thickness and depth. It also darkened some. I like the effect and will try again with a color image.

Jack Richeson and Co Roll Rice Paper Review

I purchased a roll of rice paper from Hobby Lobby for the purpose of image transfers. The brand was Jack Richeson. It came in a 15"wide x 50' roll. I had planned to cut to size as needed.The label says for "sketching, watercolor, sumi, calligraphy". However, I don't see how it would be suitable for any of these applications. The paper has distinctly visible "lines" which are about 1/2" wide. They are distributed equally across the roll. My guess is that they are a result of how the paper is processed. Most likely they are the pressure points from the guide rollers in the manufacturing process. Nonetheless, they are visible and distracting. I can't recommend this paper.

Source for Inkjet Image Transfer Paper

I have used wax paper, acetate, and other materials for inkjet image transfer. I found a new source from US ArtQuest products simply called "studio paper". You can find it here. It works wonderfully, is cheap and reusable. Just wash off the remaining ink with a damp cloth. It is also available at McClains Printmaking Supplies.

More on Wax Paper Inkjet Transfers

Perhaps we should call this type of image transfers "repulsion image transfers". The way it works is that the surface you print on repels the ink (it doesn't get absorbed into the structure of the material). Wax paper is on of many materials you can use for this purpose. What I like about wax paper is that some of the pigment is absorbed in the paper as you use it over and over. So you begin to build a background texture. Of course, if you don't want this you can create new wax paper blanks. If you want the entire image to transfer much like it was printed then use clear plastic "sheet protectors". I place a couple of sheets of paper in the sheet protector to give it some stiffness. What's neat about the plastic sheet protector is that in areas of the image that have lots of black - the ink will pool up and make some interesting effects. These are the two things I have tried so far. I suppose a regular transparency might work ( not one made for inkjet). Just remember you want to print using "inkjet paper" setting. You will get much more ink on the "photo" setting. Here's an image transferred using a sheet protector.

Images using Inkjet Wax Paper Transfer

How to Make Inkjet Image Transfers with Wax Paper

Here's another way to make an image transfer. Use common wax paper. I began by gluing a piece of wax paper to a normal sheet of inkjet 8.5 x 11 paper as follows:

1) Use spray adhesive and spray one side of the inkjet paper.
2) Cut a piece of wax paper that is larger than the inkjet paper by at least 2 inches.
3) Place the wax paper on the glue side of the inkjet paper. Start on one end and roll over to the other end. Try to avoid bubbles and wrinkles. I was able to lift the wax paper and reposition to remove wrinkles.
4) Use you hand to press down and smooth the wax paper/inkjet paper combination.

The purpose of this inkjet paper/wax paper sandwich is to add some strength to the wax paper so it will process correctly in your inkjet printer.

Once dry, you are ready to make an image transfer. You need the following items:

1) inkjet paper/wax paper sandwich
2) paper to receive image (this can be photo paper, watercolor paper, mixed media paper, etc.)
3) Flat surface for receiving paper

To make your transfer follow these steps:

1) Lay the receiving paper down on the flat surface
2) Load the inkjet paper/wax paper sandwich into the printer
3) Print and image (Print settings should be for inkjet paper - not photo paper)
4) Place the inkjet paper/wax paper sandwich ink face down on the receiving paper
5) Hold tightly with one hand and press down with the other
6) Be sure to rub the whole image area
7) Remove the inkjet paper/wax paper sandwich
8) Admire your transferred image

I really like the look of the transferred image. Why not try different papers and surfaces? Why not layer some images? This is an easy way to create some unique images.