Easy Photo Transfers

Tired of the same old way of scrapbooking? Wish you could change up your pages and add a fresh new look? Now you can, thanks to the magic of photo transfer.

A photo transfer is quite simply the transfer of an image from the original to another medium. Your final result is a semi-transparent image you can use anywhere on your page. Consider the following effects:

• Transfer your focal point image and lay over your patterned paper for a truly stunning effect.
• Transfer from one to three smaller images and use them to supplement your overall page design.
• Use your transferred image as part of a tag or accent design.
• Transferred images work especially well with elegant themes, such as weddings, babies, dances and formal occasions.

Packing Tape/Laminate Method
This is very likely the easiest photo-transfer method, and a great one to try for your first effort.

You’ll need:

• Color photocopy of your image or image cut from magazine or book. (Note: Inkjet printouts will NOT work)
• Roll of packing tape or sheet of clear laminate
• Scissors
• Bowl of warm water

To begin, cut your image out so that only the part you want to transfer remains. (If your image has a white border, you don’t need to cut that part now if you don’t wish to.) Then cover the entire top of your image with the tape or laminate.

Next, you want to soak your image in water. You can brush the water on with a foam brush if you wish, but it is usually easiest simply to place your image into a bowl of warm water. Let it soak for 3-5 minutes.

Remove your image from the water and place face-down on the table in front of you. Using your finger, rub off the paper on the back of the image. All of the white paper will come off, leaving only your image remaining. This may take awhile, so don’t give up. Your image transfer isn’t complete until all of the backing paper has been removed. Your result will be a gorgeous semi-transparent image that you can now use as a page accent. Adhere using any method you might use for vellum or other semi-transparent accents. You’ll be able to see some of your pattern through the images, creating a stunning effect.

Variations: If you want, leave some of the paper on for a more mottled look. If you don’t like the shine of the tape/laminate, consider using sandpaper or matte medium to tone it down.

Gel Medium Method
Ready to take your transferring to the next level? This method is a little messier than the last one, but will create an equally gorgeous effect.

You’ll need:

• Your image, cut to size. Again, use a photocopy or professionally printed image. If your image contains text, you’ll want to print it in reverse, as you’ll be transferring a mirror image of your actual design.
• Gel Medium (Matte or glossy)
• Foam brush
• Warm water

This method requires that you have your page in progress before you begin the transfer. To start, gather your background page as well as the image you wish to transfer.

Next, coat your image with a thick layer of gel medium. You’ll want to go across the photo several times and make sure that there is plenty of medium coating the entire photo.

Next, flip your image upside down and stick it on to your background paper. Gel medium acts as an adhesive, so that’s all you’ll need to make the image stick. Let dry completely.

Finally, using a foam brush, wet the back of the image and rub off the paper, as you did for the tape transfer. You’ll be left with a stunning final product.

Variation: Want to use your inkjet printer? Simply print your image onto a transparency or acetate, coat your page with gel medium, and press your image, ink-side down into the gel medium. Rub gently until the image transfers, then lift up the transparency. Your image will be transferred directly into your gel, creating a gorgeous effect. You’ll love the results.

No matter how you choose to transfer, you’ll love the look that a semi-transparent image can provide on your page—classy, elegant, and definitely unique.

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