Tutorial Friday | Image Transfer

Happy Friday Lily Bee Fans!

Cindy with you today capping off this weeks theme, unique paper techniques. My technique uses clear tape packing tape to create an image transfer from pattern paper and stickers. To make these elements, you will need is a bowl of tap water, clear packing tape and/or scotch tape, a dry cloth, a paper towel, gentle fingers, possibly an apron and vacuum, as this technique can get a little messy.

Below I've shown a variation of ways on how to do this technique and it's all super simple and easy!

First, trim pattern paper to size of packing or clear scotch tape and add a few strips of adhesive to back of strip and press down on table mat. This insures the paper will not move while adhering the tape to the image you want to transfer. Start from one end to the next when adhering the tape to prevent air bubbles. Submerge in a bowl of tap water. Tape paper will curl when ready. This only takes about a minute.

Gently use fingers or a dry cloth to remove the backing from the damp tape. Do not wet the dry cloth to remove backing or the entire image will be removed from the tape. The second photo shows an example of the difference between the orginial pattern paper strip and the transparent strip.

Another way to is to cut out digital die-cuts, adhere them to a strip of the packing tape and submerge into bowl of water until the strip curls. Then use scissors to trim off excess tape around the design. This allows ease of trimming while tape is not tacky. Then gently remove backing from tape to reveal the transfered image look.

A quicker and easier way to create clear embellishments is by punching out design from taped pattern paper. Working with smaller designs can cause tape to rip if removing the backing too hard.

Creating a word strip while maintaining the sticky back is another easy and fun way to spruce up a project. For this technique, I randomly added lots of Chit Chat stickers to a strip of white cardstock that was trimmed to the with of regular scotch tape. Cover word strip with clear scotch tape and submerge in bowl water for about two minutes. This takes longer because it's layered. Remove from water and gently remove all of the white cardstock and sticker backing. When the strip is dry, the exposed tape will regain it's stickiness. Viola, you've just created a word strip, similar to washi tape.

Lay all transparent embellishments to air dry on a paper towel. While drying, embellishments will curl a bit and that's ok. When ready to use on a project, secure using vellum adhesive.

If you prefer not to use an element that is not photo safe or archival safe, this image transfer project is perfect for all those altered projects or journal keeping, such as, but not limited to, covering glass jars with a decorative strip and embellish with twine or ribbon or make window decals, etc.

As you can see, the the embellishments give off a lovely shine to the stark white page and add a burst of color to the design. Using transparent scotch tape is a good idea for achieving a more matte, opaque look.

So glad you could join me today and I hope you have a chance to experiment with your favorite stickers and pattern papers to create your own transparent embellishments.