Image Transfers the Easy Way

Image transfers add so much to a work of art. Many of the collages and mixed media works I create have at least one, sometimes more. I've always made them the conventional way: print out the image using a laser printer, and apply several coats of gloss medium to the back, allowing each to dry completely before adding another coat over it. Then moisten the back of the image with water and rub...and rub...and rub....until all the little paper crumbles are removed.

Like Watching the Barn Roof Rust

What makes this process so time consuming and boring is the need to let each layer of medium dry in between applications. In my humid climate that can take most of an afternoon.

Newsflash: There is a better way! I stumbled upon it while re-reading Patti Brady's excellent book, Rethinking Acrylics:Radical Solutions for Exploiting the World's Most Versatile Medium (North Light Books).  Her method seriously reduces the amount of time it takes to obtain an image that's ready to use.

It's So Simple

Patti's secret? Use Clear Tar Gel to coat the back of the image. Just ONE coat is all you need! Make sure every part of the back is covered with the Tar Gel and that it's TOTALLY dry before you immerse the paper in clean water for a minute or two. Then proceed to rubbing...and rubbing....and rubbing...

Just to be safe, I let my Tar Gel-coated image dry overnight.

Why, oh why, did I not notice this gem of a tip earlier? (Like, years ago.) It really accelerates a tedious process and produces a nice, clear transfer. Thanks to Patti Brady, the time it takes to make an image transfer has been cut in half. Now, that's something to celebrate!

©2017 Lynn Edwards