right edge





Transfer Papers

Say you have a great drawing you'd like to put on polymer clay-or maybe you'd like to turn a photo of your pooch into a pendant or a key ring dangle. Both are possible, using a transfer technique.

There are many ways to transfer images to polymer clay and many products that can do the job. Different techniques and products produce different results. Each person has his or her own favorite combination, so you many need to experiment a little to find your best process. You'll do well to research the methods specific to each type of transfer medium before making a purchase.

These are just some of the products that people use to make image transfers:

  • Photocopies-Requires toner. Printouts from inkjet printers won't work.
  • T-shirt transfer paper-You can print on these using your home inkjet printer. It is also possible to draw or stamp the desired imaged on them. (Brands: Epson, HP, Avery, Canon)
  • Tattoo decals-Can be printed on inkjet printers. May be called "tattoo paper" or "decal paper".
  • Lazertran transfer paper-There are three types and each work a little differently. Inkjet printers will only work on Lazertran Inkjet. Unless you own a laser desktop printer (which works with Lazertran Silk), the other two types (Regular and Silk) will have to be photocopied or laser color copied.
  • Pre-printed papers-If you want to skip the process of selecting images and having them printed, you can purchase themed sheets full of already printed images.
  • "Found" images-Certain magazine papers, for instance, can be used for image transfers. Of course, you can produce only one transfer from each magazine image.

Availability

Many inkjet-printable papers are available in any store that stocks office supplies-- everywhere from Wal-Mart to Office Depot. Transfer papers may also be purchased on-line.

Links

For more information about using transfer papers with polymer clay, visit the following web sites:

Glass Attic: Transfers
Compiled by Diane Black
http://www.glassattic.com/polymer/transfers.htm

Polymer Clay Central: Transfers
Tips from PCC members, info on using Lazertran, Invent It! Body Sticker Tatoos, and photocopies.
http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/cyclopedia/transfer.html

PCC: Dotty's Picture-Perfect Color Photo-Transfers
By Dotty McMillan
Info on using T-shirt transfer paper (Canon and HP).
http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/pcc/featured/mcmillanlesson.html

Yahoo! Groups: Inkjet Transfers
Newsgroup devoted to discussion of transfers of all kinds. Not about just inkjet transfers or transferring images to polymer clay. Members-only group.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/inkjet_transfers/

Desiree's Misc Clay Pages: Tattoo Decals
By Desiree McCrorey
Examples of tattoo decals on polymer clay.
http://desiredcreations.com/Misc_PCTattoos.htm

Lazertran Silk and Polymer Clay
Information from the manufacturers of Lazertran Silk.
http://www.lazertran.com/techniques/polymer_clay.htm

Cottage Fever's Polymer Clay Tips & Techniques: Photo Transfer
Info on transferring an image printed on Epson Photo Paper (with inkjet printer).
http://www.cottagefever.com/transfertechnique.html

Transfers Using Liquid Polymer
By LaLa
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/imagetoner.html