Friday again, how time flies when you're having fun, and that's what I've been doing this week. For years I've transferred images to fabric, paper, wood - just about anything I could hold in place long enough. However, I almost always used the original iron-on transfers we associate with T-shirts. I've dabbled with this technique and that one but this week I got serious about finding which method works the best for me. I've listed the methods I tested and will try and get more instructions up with the pictures next week.
I started with the Iron-ons, since I had some on hand, and they work fine - IF - you have an image you can trim and fussy cut. Otherwise every bit of transfer adhesive will show on your finished piece. So for transferring photographs or a mostly solid graphic, this is still a good choice. The one thing to remember is you must need to have a very hot iron and apply pressure for 2-3 minutes for a good transfer, so your receiving fabric must be able to withstand the heat.
Next I tried several versions of the Acetone method. This worked good for me. The image is fainter, more of a faded, vintage look but it's fast and fairly easy. The benefit is you can use it on larger pieces of fabric, larger graphics and/or items where a printer isn't feasible.
Freezer Paper, which is not exactly a transfer, rather a method of printing directly to fabric with your ink-jet printer. If you have an image that is 8.5x11" or less, this makes the darkest and clearest transfer.
The Heat Transfer method was next in line. A woodworkers transfer tool is used for this, it's similar to a wood burning tool and gets very hot! Use with caution or you'll end up with burnt fingers and fabric. I happened to have a Creative Mark set from Happy Hollow on the shelf, bought it a few years ago but never found a need for it. Yes! It had the tool along with 14 interchangeable tips and can be used on a variety of items including wood and leather. The tip you use to transfer the toner is about the size of a nickel so if you're doing a large transfer it takes awhile. You need time and pressure to make a good transfer with this. The good news is, you can begin today, set it aside and finish the next day.
Ink-Jet Transparencies. A couple of ways to use these, print on the right side (which is the rough side) then use a bone folder to rub the back and transfer the ink. The other method is to print on the wrong side, then quickly press the ink against your fabric, lift the transparency and there it is! Plus, you can wipe off the remaining ink and use it again. Very economical.
Note: Some of these methods require a toner copy which you get with a laser printer. Home laser printers have come down in price significantly, especially the black and white. Or, you can take your original to a copy shop and have it printed there. Instructions and images coming soon, if you have any questions sooner, just send me an e-mail.
I started with the Iron-ons, since I had some on hand, and they work fine - IF - you have an image you can trim and fussy cut. Otherwise every bit of transfer adhesive will show on your finished piece. So for transferring photographs or a mostly solid graphic, this is still a good choice. The one thing to remember is you must need to have a very hot iron and apply pressure for 2-3 minutes for a good transfer, so your receiving fabric must be able to withstand the heat.
Next I tried several versions of the Acetone method. This worked good for me. The image is fainter, more of a faded, vintage look but it's fast and fairly easy. The benefit is you can use it on larger pieces of fabric, larger graphics and/or items where a printer isn't feasible.
Freezer Paper, which is not exactly a transfer, rather a method of printing directly to fabric with your ink-jet printer. If you have an image that is 8.5x11" or less, this makes the darkest and clearest transfer.
The Heat Transfer method was next in line. A woodworkers transfer tool is used for this, it's similar to a wood burning tool and gets very hot! Use with caution or you'll end up with burnt fingers and fabric. I happened to have a Creative Mark set from Happy Hollow on the shelf, bought it a few years ago but never found a need for it. Yes! It had the tool along with 14 interchangeable tips and can be used on a variety of items including wood and leather. The tip you use to transfer the toner is about the size of a nickel so if you're doing a large transfer it takes awhile. You need time and pressure to make a good transfer with this. The good news is, you can begin today, set it aside and finish the next day.
Ink-Jet Transparencies. A couple of ways to use these, print on the right side (which is the rough side) then use a bone folder to rub the back and transfer the ink. The other method is to print on the wrong side, then quickly press the ink against your fabric, lift the transparency and there it is! Plus, you can wipe off the remaining ink and use it again. Very economical.
Note: Some of these methods require a toner copy which you get with a laser printer. Home laser printers have come down in price significantly, especially the black and white. Or, you can take your original to a copy shop and have it printed there. Instructions and images coming soon, if you have any questions sooner, just send me an e-mail.
