Image Transfer–wax/release paper

This is a basic step by step tutorial on transferring a computer generated image onto card using an inkjet printer and wax paper (or any release backing paper from sticker sheets/sticky back plastic/sticker albums/postage labels etc.

1. Create your image in a graphic programme or word document and print onto your chosen release paper. I used a waxy page from an old sticker album. (I rounded off the corners slightly just to prevent it getting caught in the machine) Don't forget to reverse the image if has any text on it.


2. Ink side up work out approximately where the image is going to go on your project (this can be done more methodically but I will post details when I have experimented more!!). It helps to fix the base card to your work surface with masking tape to prevent it from moving,.


3. Carefully turn the wax paper over and position back over your card….have a piece of masking tape ready so that as soon as the paper is down you can anchor the image….the ink remains wet so it is important it doesn't move…. it will start to transfer as soon as it touches the card

4. Lightly rub over the image to make sure all the image has made contact.




5. Lift the wax sheet up and remove.

If you want to add to the project repeat the first five steps with the next design…..

“The wax paper can be lightly wiped clean with a damp tissue and reused once dry.”

. …..to continue with my project I printed on a small piece of backing paper (from sticky backed plastic). As it was small and thin I attached it to a carrier sheet                        

– first draft print the text then position the wax paper(attach with double sided tape) over the draft and print again with the correct setting.

                                            ....Position and apply.

  

This card was created for a “CAS” (Less is More)challenge and used a wonderful image from THE GRAPHIC FAIRY…the cravat pin was a broken piece of jewellery!!

The Graphic Fairy also has a great post with links to lots of other transfer image techniques.

Some ideas are not so suitable for paper projects but there are lots of other applications for this technique. Transferring an image gives a lovely subtle effect, I compared the finished result to standard printing for the challenge.  It really does depend on personal preference and desired finished effect as to when to use this technique, it’s also a useful technique for laying images over creative backgrounds.

Would love any comments and ideas on ways of image transferring....or just say hello
....thanks for popping by.

Image Transfer ~ Rub-ons

Something that has been niggling me for a while is how to achieve a print without my stamps.  Being able to transfer an image from my printer without running the actual card through the machine means I can be more flexible with the placement and combine other techniques prior to the printing stage……

I have explored several other ways in the past - gesso (messy, time consuming & not totally suitable for cardmaking) –wintergreen oil (works but…..whoa!  be prepared to have your house smell ….for days!!) orange oil (smells much nicer but not totally successful) and I know there are several other ways but the simplest seemed to be Freezer Paper (Pinterest suggestion). I duly found the Freezer Paper (on e bay) and was poised at the point of purchase when I realised all it was, was wax paper…..now bearing in mind I keep all the backing from sticker sheets, labels and old pages from my girls sticker albums (use them for wiping over card prior to “old style” stencil embossing) it really didn’t seem necessary to buy more.

It’s one layer week at Less is More and they have a challenge to use a Flourish….perfect week to try the paper transfer…..only trouble is this week I have zero time to experiment so this has been a very hurried sample…

I created a quick Fathers Day card  (with a difference…now hubbie is officially Father of the Bride-to–be) using text and a flourish (Florals 2 Dingbat – letter e) and flourish border created with Wingdings 2 (letters a & b) with some words hidden within (Typo upright)….then came the fun bit….. printing on the wax paper….the first bit of paper I tried was a scrap from a Label sheet stuck to a carrier sheet

Couple of Don’ts…..

Don’t …forget to reverse the image if you’re using text…..guess who forgot!

Don’t …forget to turn the paper ink side down before rubbing over the image….guess who’s got a blue thumb!!

HEY PRESTO !!!!!!!  it works and I really loved the soft effect….I think this will be particularly great for vintage images. It was so easy, the ink transfers very quickly, just gently rub over the back with a finger or thumb……oh another Don’t …..Don’t try and move it once its down…it will blur….yes …guess who tested this theory as well!!!

but the good news is I also discovered you can completely wipe the wax paper clean and reuse it!!

I was intrigued to see if I could actually use this technique with stamping and luckily sitting on my desk was a lovely new stamp from Oak House Studio…a beautiful big flourish!!!! I quickly stamped this with Stampin Up “Not quite Navy” ink…. then printed my wording directly on a very thick piece of wax paper (from a sticker album) and actually I surprised it blended quite well with the stamped image….perhaps a bit soft…..will have to investigate this a bit further, using different types of paper and colours!

 

I couldn't resist stamping the design over the spine……… and onto the back………oh and on the inside as well!!

Sorry this has been long winded yet again but I must also say thank you to the Less is More Ladies for showcasing my Jar shaped card (tough challenge!!) I really appreciate the support you give to my “homemade” efforts and I really appreciate the lovely comments from you and the people who pop by and take the time to leave a message

                                               THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

p.s Check out Lynnda’s (Oak House Studio blog) stamped scarf…what a great idea….something else I must  try!!!!

Printing and "Puns"

I am getting serious withdrawal symptoms from my beloved stamping. As LESS IS MORE's CHALLENGE, is.. one layer cards with a "Flower or tree" theme, I thought I would struggle, as my budget cards rely very much on "sticking things" on etc.....undeterred I decided to go back to basics......finger painting or in this case printing.
My daughter is a huge Edward Monkton fan,true to form she bought oneof his cards for her boyfriend on Valentines Day. So I made my own homage to Monkton with some little bird (sitting in a tree!!) cards complete with corny pun's ...thought this would be suitable for ALLSORTS CHALLENGE which is "all about the sentiment"

The sentiment on the front then leads inside.....


Totally daft I know (I gave the card to Katie and James on Valentines and I think they were quite amused ?!?).

Then I saw that CREATIVE CRAFT CHALLENGE is "Cards for a teens"...always tricky particularly as we have quite a few in the family!! So I thought I would adapt the design for my niece (17).
Again going for a very cheesy pun..


and I will finish the song inside!!! at least she'll be spared me singing it!




The cards are so easy to make and I even managed to resist using an ink pad...inking my finger with a waterbased brush marker.......you would think waterbased would wash off.....



WRONG!!!!!!