How to Use Rub Ons in Crafting

Learn to transfer a rub-on to paper or card stock, and what sort of surfaces work best!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• your favorite rub-ons from your favorite craft store
• a lolly stick, popsicle stick, or other blunt instrument for rubbing
• a card or paper to receive the image

1. Select your rub-on image. Craft stores have lots of images to choose from.

2. Choose your material. You can find paper at the craft store. Select a color that will show your rub-on to its best advantage: dark colors are best for light rub-ons, and light, bright colors work best to receive dark rub-ons.

3. Decide where you’d like to place the image on your card or paper.

4. Carefully position the rub-on directly over the place where you’d like to see it.

5. Holding the edges of the rub-on with the hand you don’t write with, take the lolly stick in your writing hand and apply it to the rub on, pressing firmly, moving it back and forth with smooth, scribbling motions to dislodge the complete image from the backing sheet onto your card or paper.

6. Lift off the backing sheet, once the image appears to be completely transferred, and enjoy the result!

Tips & Warnings

• Some types of paper receive the image better than others. Avoid choosing slick or shiny surfaces. If possible, test your paper beforehand, with a material similar to the rub-on. Apply the rub-on to the surface, then try to smear the result with your hand. Smooth, somewhat absorbent surfaces are best; too shiny, and the rub-on won’t stick; too nubbly, and the image will disappear into the grooves of the paper!