Friday, January 24, 2014

photo transfer

(go to previous tutorials for more detail on this particular process)

I have, in my shop, a custom listing for personalized notebooks with a photo transfer on the cover. An order came in this week, so I took pictures of the process along the way. (I wrote this blog post with photo first, description second - so read what's below each picture to follow along)


I start with the lovely Moleskine brand of notebooks, which I prefer for the stitched binding, inside pocket, good quality paper, size choices, and dependable availability. I use the kraft color notebooks for photo transfers - first coating the cover with Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground. It's similar to gesso, but I like it best for photo transferring.


For photo transfers, I print the picture I want to use on my inkjet printer onto regular printer paper. If there is text, it is important to first flip your image in photoshop.

I paint mod podge matte medium onto the dried watercolor ground, and while the medium is wet, I carefully lay the print face down onto it. Press with your fingers or roll with a brayer to completely and smoothly adhere the paper to the notebook cover. Now the hard part: let it sit for 24 hours. This is hard - but very important. If you don't, the mod podge will still be soft and you'll have a real mess.


Now the fun part. Apply water to your face down photo copy. Your image will magically appear before your eyes.


Let the water soak in for about a minute and begin peeling the paper back. It will peel back in neat little tubes as you roll it under your fingers. This is a layer of paper lifting off, revealing the ink which was embedded into the mod podge.


Let dry (about half an hour) and repeat this process with the water and gently rubbing with your fingers.



Repeat as often as you like - but be careful of rubbing off too much. The edges and corners will usually lose some of the image, but it adds texture and makes your picture more interesting than a straight print would be.

Once I have it where I like it, I apply a thin coat of mod podge to the damp image. The extra moisture helps the acrylic medium to soak into any remaining paper making it more transparent. When it's very dry - I give it about two more hours - I rub beeswax onto it and buff it until it has a certain depth of color that I like.


For this customer, I also made a carrying pouch for her book. It will accompany her as she travels to China in a few months. She had me make one for another trip last year and said the pouch was great for holding everything together and in one place - paper scraps and mementos from her trip - and the book had daily notes and journaling too. Doesn't it make you want to plan a trip? 

16 comments:

*jean* said...

yes!!! so nice of you to share the process!!! i love the whole photo shoot, girl…xo

Elizabeth said...

Stunning!

amy of studio four corners said...

your post comes at the perfect time...I've been trying to transfer some images onto wood this week...but using laser ink prints - it hasn't been going well...I think I'll switch to ink jet and see how it goes...your cover turned out beautiful!

Halle said...

super cool process...thanks for sharing.

jo said...

Great instruction. I've tried it and it works beautifully. I'm on the search for a new printer. Can I ask what you have? I want something that can decently print on fabric, cardstock, etc. thanks for the help.

Anonymous said...

the beeswax really adds that patina finish that is so nice. xox

Unknown said...

Hi Jo - I use a Hewltt Packard printer - I've had this one gir about a year - my old HP died after 7 years - pretty good shelf life I'd say :)

Gberger said...

That is awesome - you are so generous to share the tutorial with us! Thank you.

Kim Henkel Creations said...

Beautiful! - I love transfers, so delightfully imperfect. What a lovely sharing blog post. And yes I do want to plan a trip!

Jill said...

So neat! And, how wonderful to have a repeat customer!!

Kim Mailhot said...

Thanks for sharing your tricks ! Great project !

Caterina Giglio said...

your transfer turned out so well.. just curious about the beeswax, what kind are you using?

Unknown said...

Hi Cat - it's a beeswax from france - it comes in a big block and has a pretty label (but the label is long gone) - I'm sorry I'm not more helpful than that :(

Linda Vincent said...

Gorgeous notebook!
I love this technique....haven't done it for ages so it was good to read your post to remind me. Fantastic idea to buff with beeswax! I shall definitely try that. Thank you Kim :-)

Mailisha said...

I've never done anything like this, but now I want to! Do you first melt the beeswax into liquid form (from the big block) and then pour it on? Or do you chip off soft chunks and then rub it on? I've never worked with beeswax, but I want to learn! Thanks for the repeated inspirations!

Unknown said...

I've done it both ways - I suggest you try it and experiment! You'll have fun!