Things You'll Need:
- Tranparency paper
- inkjet printer
- Popsicle stick
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Step 1
Purchase some transparency paper. You can find it at any office supply store or maybe you even have some at home already. If buying the paper don't make a fuss over the brand name. The cheap stuff does just as good as the expensive stuff!
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Step 2
Choose an image you want to turn into a rub-on and open it in your photo editing program. You want to make sure you turn the image into a mirror image. This is very important. If the image isn't mirrored it will print backwards. If you're not sure how to do this I will provide another option in step 5.
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Step 3
Insert your transparency paper into your ink jet printer. You want the image to print on the smooth side of the paper.
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Step 4
Now format your printer settings so that it is set to print on "plain paper" and "best quality". You can also choose to have it print a mirror image if you weren't able to mirror your selection in a photo editing program.
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Step 5
Print your image.
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Step 6
Allow the printed image to dry for about 3-4 minutes. Be careful not to touch your image as it will smudge very easily.
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Step 7
Once you've allowed transparency to dry a bit, place it smooth side down on your project exactly where you want your printed image to appear.
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Step 8
Hold it firmly in place and using a popsicle stick, rub the image to transfer it to your project. Make sure you rub the entire image.
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Step 9
Once the rubbing is complete carefully remove the transparency paper.
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Step 10
Allow your project to dry thoroughly before touching.
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Step 11
And there you have it! Your very own rub-ons for a fraction of the cost of store bought ones!
Comments
silverymoonart said
on 5/9/2009 This is a great article! I love using rub-on transfers in my artwork, but you're right, the expense adds up quickly. I am definitely going to give this a try.
DreamsInBloom said
on 2/9/2009 I just did this last night (but learned how from somewhere else). I love your added tip that you can wash the ink off and re-use the transparency again...I hadn't realized I could do that.
I'd also let the ink dry for more than three minutes, at least for the printer I used. Ten was good for me.
The effect is not quite the same as the rub on decals you buy, but it's still great! Also, the ink smeared while it was going through the printer, so I think some printers may be better suited for this than others. Or maybe it was just a one time thing and will do better next time.
This is definitely something I will do again.
bmi57 said
on 6/17/2008 I will have to pass this on to my daughter, thanks for sharing.
bmi57 said
on 6/17/2008 I will have to pass this on to my daughter, thanks for sharing.
bmi57 said
on 6/17/2008 I will have to pass this on to my daughter, thanks for sharing.