Imago Image Transfer Workshop

Taught by: Alicia Ashdown and John Robertson

Dry Gel Transfer

IMAGE TYPE: magazine image or toner-based

RECEIVING SURFACE: canvas board (this technique works on most surfaces)

MATERIALS: canvas board, soft gel, paintbrush, brayer, sandpaper, spray bottle

TIME: Up to 24 hours

TECHNIQUE:

1. Using the paintbrush, apply gel to the background surface.
2. Lay the paper image-surface down.
3. Using your hands, smooth the image down on to the background.  If desired use a brayer.
4. Let the image thoroughly dry, which could take as long as 24 hours.  Using the sandpaper, lightly rough up the back of the image.
5. Using the spray bottle with water, moisten the back of the image.
6. Using your finger, gently rub off a layer of paper.  Let the image dry.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 to rub off additional layers.

1. Layer the packing tape to the size needed to cover the image.  Cut out the image.
2. Using the sandpaper, lightly rough up the back of the image to break up the paper backing.
3. Using the spray bottle with water, moisten the paper backing.
4. Using your fingers, rub off the wet paper, leaving the ink on the packing tape.

Xylene Blender Marker Transfer

IMAGE TYPE: toner-based (laser printer) or magazine

RECEIVING SURFACE: paper
(also matte painted surfaces, metal, glass, Plexiglass, Sculpey/Fimo, and rocks will supposedly work)

MATERIALS: toner image, Chartpak AD Marker – Blender, drafting tape, bone folder

TIME: Less than 5 minutes

TECHNIQUE:

1. Place image toner side down onto paper and secure one side with tape.
2. Go over back of image with blender marker.
3. Burnish back of image with blender marker.
4. Check transfer (if needed, repeat steps 2 and 3)

Direct Gel Transfer

IMAGE TYPE: ink jet image

RECEIVING SURFACE: canvas board (paper, wood, Plexiglas or sanded metal will also work)

MATERIALS: canvas board, soft gel (gloss), paintbrush, brayer, scissors

TIME: Less than 5 minutes

TECHNIQUE:

1. Using a paintbrush, apply a medium layer of gel medium onto the background surface.
2. Immediately lay the image ink-side down onto the gel.
3. Using the brayer, rub down the image for approximately 30 seconds.  Start with a light touch, and check to see how it is transferring.  Apply more pressure if needed.
4. Hold the edge of the paper and peel back a corner to reveal the image transfer.  Burnish for an additional 30 seconds if necessary.

Transfer Ink Transfer

IMAGE TYPE: ink-jet image

RECEIVING SURFACE: paper (watercolor works best)

MATERIALS: ink-jet image, Transfer ink, drafting taper, brayer (hard

TIME: Less than 5 minutes

TECHNIQUE:

1. Place image ink-side down onto watercolor paper and secure one side with tape.
2. Spray Transfer ink onto back of image (do not soak).
3. Roll over back of image with brayer.
4. Check transfer (if needed repeat steps 2 and 3).

• Start at taped side and roll outward
• Use firm slow pressure
• Roll only in one direction, not back and forth (can cause paper to wrinkle)

 

Blockhead Paper Arts
http://www.blockheadstamps.com/