Paper Transfer Techniques
- One of the simplest means of paper transfer is tracing. Transferring images from paper by tracing is ideal for numerous crafts projects like wood burning and painting. A traced image provides a guide for you to burn an image in wood or to paint a detailed image.
The basis of the paper transfer method is carbon paper. You begin by laying a sheet of carbon paper over the surface upon which you wish to trace the image. Then you lay the image to be traced atop the carbon paper, and simply trace it firmly with a pen or pencil. The carbon paper transfers the image onto the surface.
You need to keep the paper still and in place while tracing in order to prevent errors. If you're tracing upon a paper surface, paper clip the image and carbon paper to the blank sheet of paper. If you're tracing upon a wood surface, place paper weights around the edge of the image to keep it still while you work. - Almost any gel-like medium will lift an image and acrylic paint is a relatively simple one to use. You begin by placing the image you want to transfer from paper onto a sheet of wax paper. The wax paper keeps the paper from sticking to your work surface after you apply the acrylic paint to it.
Next, you rub a healthy coat of acrylic paint onto the image. Smooth the acrylic paint over the image well, making sure to eliminate any globs. Once you've completely coated the image, lay it face-down atop the surface to which you wish to transfer it. Smooth it out over the surface with your hand. Then you burnish the image by applying pressure to it while rubbing the back of the image in circular motions. Be careful not to move the image, though.
After approximately a minute of rubbing, you then leave the image to sit overnight. In the morning, lift the image to see if it's transferring well. If it's not fully transferred yet, continue burnishing. However, if the image seems clear, carefully peel back the image.
Because you're transferring the image onto the surface upside down, be sure that any letters are written in a mirror style. Otherwise they will appear backwards on your surface.
