How to Transfer to Paper or Microfilm

Transfer images to photo paper for scrapbooking or other craft projects.

Transferring an image from an existing medium to paper allows you to use the image in different ways. Whether you start with photographs or images from a book, calendar or other decorative object, transferring the image to paper gives you the ability to use the image in other ways. For example; you can transfer the image to transfer paper rather than photo paper, then iron the transfer onto clothing, bags, pillow cases or suit cases. Use this same technique to transfer the image to thicker paper like poster-board for school projects or scrapbooking displays.

Things You'll Need

• Photo paper
• Gel transfer medium
• Paint brush
• Original photograph or artwork
• Sponge
• Water

Instructions

1. Paint your photo paper with a gel transfer medium. Use a wide paint brush to paint the gel medium onto the photo paper if you want brush strokes to appear on the transfer. Pour the gel medium onto the photo paper and tilt the photo paper to distribute the gel to avoid brush strokes.

2. Place the photograph or art image face down on the photo paper with the image where you want it to appear. Wait for the gel medium to dry completely, typically 24 to 48 hours.

3. Dampen a sponge and rub it over the photograph or artwork. Wait several minutes for the water to work its way through the image. Peel the original photograph or artwork from the corner, gently lifting it away from the paper. Continue to dampen the original piece until it's fully lifted away from the paper.

Tips & Warnings

• Get permission to use the image before you transfer it, or you could face financial penalties.

• The transfer on the photo paper may have a milky appearance after you remove the original photograph or artwork. Once dry, the milky appearance goes away.

• This process works to transfer images to various types of paper as long as the paper is heavy enough to withstand the gel medium. For very thin papers, it's best to scan the image into a computer and print the image on the paper.

• Do not saturate the photo paper when removing the original piece, or you run the risk of damaging the photo paper.

• Do not transfer one-of-a-kind or unique images, as tranferring often destroys the original document. Either scan the original into your computer or take a high-resolution photograph of it and print that to use in the transfer process.

References

• Golden Artist Colors: Transferring Printed Images into Artwork
• Golden Artist Colors: Selecting the Appropriate Gel Medium