Now, this project I am about to show you is not very exciting, but it will give you the idea of how the transfer is done...so here it goes.
I decided to cover my old and dirty mouse pad that looked like this:
I used canvas and cut a piece a bit larger that than the mouse pad.
Then I cut a piece of "Heat n Bond" the same size as the canvas and, following the instructions, adhered it to the back of my fabric. When it cooled, I removed the paper backing.
I then centered the mouse pad onto the back of the canvas and, again, using my iron, adhered the canvas to the top of the mouse pad. I then wrapped the excess canvas to the back of the pad and used my iron to attach the edges.
I cut a piece of macramae jute and secured it to the edge of the pad using hot glue.
So, now you know how I covered the mouse pad...onto how to do the transfer.
You will need freezer paper, 8 1/2" x 11" paper, spray adhesive, ink jet printer and your imagination.
Cut a piece of freezer paper a bit larger than your standard-sized paper. Spray your paper with spray adhesive and lay on the "paper side" of your freezer paper leaving the waxy side exposed.
Trim the excess freezer paper using sissors. You now have a "reusable" sheet of transfer paper for all your projects.
I found the italian postage image from "The Graphics Fairy" and set my printer to "mirror image". You will need to print the image on the "waxy" side of your paper. (be careful not to smudge the image)
Now, wet the surface you are transferring too, however, your only want to "slightly" dampen the surface, not soak it! I dampened the top of the mouse pad with a sponge. Place your image on the surface and "burnish" using the back of a spoon until you have rubbed the entire image surface. Carefully lift the paper off and there you have it...an image transfer!
I kinda rushed through this project because I was excited to share it with you so, as you can see, I didn't quite center my image onto mouse pad. Also, my pictures are not very good...very dark and they don't show the true colors. Sorry, but I hope you get the idea! Oh...and before I forget I mentioned that the paper is "reusable"... once you transfer your image you can simply wipe the "waxy" side with a damp cloth to remove any remaining ink. You now have a clean surface to print a new image for a new project.
As I mentioned, this method works well on wood as well, so I will be sharing a wood transfer project in the next day or two. Until then, thank you for stopping for a visit!
Lesa
















love this tutorial - looks great!
ReplyDeletethanks.
cheryl xox.
This looks great! You are so creative! I love the transformation.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to try it! Thanks for the tute!
ReplyDeleteSusan
Great idea, I hope I'll try it too!
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Thanks for the tip! Can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteThanks!! I have got to try this too~
ReplyDeleteNancy
Gotta grab me some freezer paper and give this one a try for SURE! That's too cool for school.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Coastal Charm- Nifty Thrifty Tues Linky Party,
~Suzanne in IL
Looks good.
ReplyDeletethat is so cool! love how it turned out. thanks for sharing this at my party!
ReplyDeletewow, thanks for sharing, just found your blog. I signed up to follow please come by and sign up to follow my blog. I love making new blog friends. Kim :o)
ReplyDeleteGREAT tutorial! Thanks!
ReplyDelete~Angela
This is the easiest way to transfer images that I have seen so far, thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a great idea! I love the print you chose. I have a party going on over at my blog if you want to join! I'd love to have you! Check it out under the "Stache Party" page on my blog: mylilpumpkinpatch.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute -- your mouse pad is adorable! I found and used a similar method using label sheets. They are naturally 'waxy' and fit perfectly into the printer. I only used this on wood though and didn't dampen the wood so I'm curious to see your wood project(s). Would the spray mist be a problem on the wood? Will sure be checking back to see what else you come up with! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you posted this!!!! This will be perfect for transferring images for embroidery. thank you!
ReplyDeleteChristine I never thought of that! Thanks for the idea! of using this for embriodery
DeleteI love this! I've been wanting a good tutorial for how to do this! I'm both pinning it and featuring it next week! Thanks so much for linking to Thrifty Thursday! :)
ReplyDeleteReally nifty. Thanks for teaching how to do it.
ReplyDeleteWarmly, Michelle
Hey I'm Kassandra! I featured this here at my blog. I hope you'll come by and grab a button!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHow I'm loving this! You described the process perfectly too!
ReplyDeleteShared this on FJI Facebook for SNS 95. :)
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150338729201141&set=a.192514281140.164586.175378011140&type=1&theater
Donna
What a great technique. Thanks for sharing this and your "new" mousepad looks great.
ReplyDeleteWay to go! How creative and reusable too? Does this mean freezer paper should now be available in craft stores?
ReplyDeleteThat's brilliant!! Thank you so much for sharing your tip and linking up to It's a Party!
ReplyDeleteLove it lesa... nice tutorial.keep blogging and crafting...
ReplyDeleteLove the tutorial! Used it here:
ReplyDeletehttp://bluecedarlane.blogspot.com/2011/08/vintage-french-postmarks-and-furniture.html
Visiting from A-Z, this is a really great tip! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh thank you for this simple tutorial. I need to make some labels for my knit/crochet gifts for christmas. I think this is a perfect solution to buying them!
ReplyDeleteLisa
I just featured you on my Facebook page today...I was going crazy trying to find this tutorial....So glad I finally found it....:) gonna try this soon...
ReplyDeletethanks
Karin
www.artisbeauty.net
I love this idea! I discovered the same thing by printing on an overhead transparency sheet. I was SO excited about my discovery, until I realized that (on wood projects) trying to poly them re-dissolved the ink and smeared everything. Does the same thing happen to you? Or have you figured out another way to protect the image? I'm also wondering...have you washed any of the fabric images? Is there a way to make them colorfast?
ReplyDeleteWOW! that is amazing! I never knew you could transfer images like that! thanks for the tutorial!
ReplyDeletethat is just so cool.. I always have freezer paper and I cant wait to try this. Thanks for sharing,, I love your mousepad.
ReplyDeleteAstounding! I HAVE GOT to try this! Thanks for sharing your incredible secret!
ReplyDeleteFreezer paper??? Never heard of it but I'm looking into the UK equivalent. Thanks for this idea.
ReplyDeleteLinda, check quilt shops or online sites. I think I saw some freezer paper at one of them a few years ago.
DeleteCould that be wax paper or baking paper in Europe? Great tutorial thanks so much, I want to try this too : )
ReplyDeleteOh here's some more info I found about it...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.makeit-loveit.com/2011/01/what-is-freezer-paper.html
fabulous!!! thanks so much for shring this great idea and i sure will link to you when i get my transfer done. I am busy trying to get decor done for our new home that we will be moving in to on the 1st November and have searched for inspiration just EVERYWHERE! thanks again for the tips and inspiration
ReplyDeletesmiles
Paola
I love to learn something new and this is really cool. I am thinking of project now that I want to try this on! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to try this! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteyour mouse pad is sooooo cute!
I think I'm missing something. I've tried canvas- too blurred. I've tried wood- a little better, but still no dice. What am I missing? Is it a brand of freezer paper? I know tighter weave of fabric can help, but I'm at a loss.
ReplyDeleteHi Rawr. I think its the fact that she dampened the fabric or wood. If you dont and you use a dry surface it will cause the colors to bleed/run. The fabric is soaking up the ink like a sponge. That is why you wet it first but not to much but if you dont wet it enough it will still run. Does that make sense? Hope that helps.
DeleteI'm your newest follower and so glad I ran across it! Love the simple tutorial on the freezer paper transfer. I have a link party going on...I'd love it if you shared a project! www.projectqueen.org
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your blog. Can't wait to see what your next project will be.
Anyone who can share this should be followed (smile). I'm a new follower and thanks for sharing. Please visit when you have a chance. http://decoratingwcents.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!!! I had to pin this on a board on my Pinterest linking it back to your blog!!! You should be getting more traffic soon!!! Thanks for sharing this clever idea!!
ReplyDeletehttp://pinterest.com/iloveboxes/clever-ideas/
Thanks so much for this tutorial and the detailed step by step. I need all the help I can get, haha. It's a pleasure to find a less expensive way of doing things.
ReplyDeleteawesome love it
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great, gonna try it 2moro....many thanks.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! What a fun discovery
ReplyDeleteLove this freezer paper transfer method for ink jet printers....can't wait to try it!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
patti
Awesome!! I am forever trying to find an easier way to transfer an image. :D Love that mouse pad, great job!
ReplyDeleteI am rummaging through my kitchen drawers right now looking for some freezer paper. Can't wait to try this. Many thanks!
ReplyDeleteOMG, I just tried this and it was A-Mazing! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteLove it! Will have to try it soon! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteFound this on Pinterest & I love your tutorial!
ReplyDeleteWorks extremely well on my Mixed Media project - thank you!
ReplyDeletelooks like alot of fun to do. can't wait to try it. thanks for good instructions on how to.
ReplyDeleteTOTALLY awesome!! Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI knew there was a simple & cheap way to transfer with either a xerox or print. My mother in law wants a quick easy way to transfer a candlewicking pattern. You don' t need much ink and it would be a waste of iron on paper. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this. Just wondered though, is there a way to make the ink set so that it is washable? I'm thinking linen cushion covers...
ReplyDeleteWendy, did you find out if it's washable? I want to make pillow covers. What are you wanting to make?
DeleteDid anyone ever figure out if this process is washable? I'm also wanting to try it on pillows and possibly tshirts. :)
DeleteAbsolutely wonderful tutorial. Can't wait to go get the freezer paper.
ReplyDeleteYour mouse pad is awesome! For this project you can also print on the backing from a label / sticker sheet...like what address labels are stuck to. Cuts out the spray adhesive step...
ReplyDeleteI just love it! Such a smart girl you are. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteElyse @ Shabby Sweet Tea
Very cool, Lesa!
ReplyDeleteThis is very useful information. I can't wait to try this out. I think it would be neat to try it on my girls bedroom furniture.
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you, thank you!!! You have just simplified my life SO much with this tutorial! Now I can finish a project that had me totally stressed out!
ReplyDeletecan't wait to try this... great tutorial! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteDoes it have to be an ink jet printer or can you use a laser printer also? Love this project!
ReplyDeleteLove it! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete"Cut a piece of freezer paper a bit larger than your standard-sized paper. Spray your paper with spray adhesive and lay on the "paper side" of your freezer paper leaving the waxy side exposed."
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm dense, but which side do you spray with the adhesive?...wax or paper side?
I was lost too!
DeleteI was lost too!
DeleteYou spray the adhesive on the printer paper, not the freezer paper. Then put the printer paper, adhesive side down on the non-waxy side of the freezer paper. Hope that helps
DeleteI think she means spray the "paper" side and attach your regular 81/2 x 11 sheet of paper to your freezer paper. You will then put in your printer so it prints on the wax size of your freezer paper. you are attached a standard size sheet of paper to freezer paper so it will go through your printer.
ReplyDeleteThanks for clarification
DeleteThis is very cool! thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cherylsdelights.com
If you transfer onto fabric, is the fabric able to be washed without the image fading?
ReplyDeleteThanks for this tutorial, I cant wait to try! I also wonder if this will be able to transfer on fabric (cotton t-shirt?) If anyone has tried that I would love to hear how it turned out.
ReplyDeleteI was very disapointed. I tried this on wood about 10 times and each time it came out splotchy and bled around the letters. :(
ReplyDeleteI do funky painted furniture and when I use some paint pens (even Copic markers which are alcohol based) they bleed....unless you seal them very lightly with a spray poly (I try to use the same brand as what I am brushing for the final coat) over the printing a couple of times prior to brushing poly on the whole piece. Even then, I am careful not to overwork that area with the brush...Yes..I learned the hard way.
ReplyDeleteI am so eager to get home today, so I can try this method. I already have all the supplies, and I pondered all day yesterday about how to create a couple of outfits for my FIRST GREAT- GRANDSON who is celebrating his FIRST birthdate on tomorrow July 20, 2012. Now what I need you to do Lesa,is wrap your arms around yourself, and squeeze real tight. THANKS.
ReplyDeleteDid this work with the wood when you tried it? Sounds very interesting!
ReplyDeletewould this work on walls?
ReplyDeleteI love it and I so want to do this! (don't tell anyone that you rushed and didn't center it, it looks great!)
ReplyDeleteSusan
Homeroad.net
Awesome! I shall now go forth and make onesies for every baby that I know. Which is approximately 1 million.
ReplyDeleteIf I were to do use this on a shirt would it just wash off? or would it bond good enough with the fabric? and does it matter how long you wait between printing and transferring? or does the dry ink still transfer well? Awesome idea and thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI also want to know if it is washable when done on fabric...
ReplyDeleteThank you for the cool idea
ReplyDeleteDoes the ink bleed out when washed?
ReplyDeleteDoes the ink bleed out when washed?
ReplyDeleteDoes the ink bleed out when washed?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to know this, too. Maybe we just need to test it to see?
DeleteI made my child a shirt that says only child expiring feb. 2013 and i had bought hanes cotton t's to transfer the image to. it took me 3 shirts and i finally got it but i washed the other 2 RIGHT AWAY in attempt to get it back to a white tee. and it didnt fade it at all. i used laundry soap, fabric softner and bleach in my washer with them. and the first 2 i did the ink had bled so now i have one good one and 2 with splochy ink in that saying. haha! i think i will be tye-dying those. =) hope that helps!
DeleteIt may depend on the printer. I have a Cannon Artisan 830 and the ink dries waterproof on a photo almost immediately. I tried to wet one once for effect and it would not smear. I had an older HP that would wash off with water.
DeleteOnce the transfer is dry I would iron it to set the image. I use to do this on painted t-shirts.
DeleteFound your project on Pinterest. So cool! Thanks for sharing. I will repin.
ReplyDeletehttp://cinnamonpink.typepad.com/
what kind of printer? ink or laser?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!! Thanks for this great tutorial.
ReplyDeleteGreat job explaining! Very clear.
ReplyDeleteGreat job explaining! Very clear.
ReplyDeleteGreat job explaining! Very clear.
ReplyDeleteGreat job explaining! Very clear.
ReplyDeleteSuper excellent! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous!! Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeletethis is a great project! feel,free to stop over and join in with it at my linky party on friday!
ReplyDeleteI want to make a shirt... Do I need to wet te shirt too??? Do I follow the same steps you did???
ReplyDeletewhen you do the next tutorial, would you do it in video?
ReplyDeleteI'm just trying to understand... So, you cut out the freezer sheet and on the non-waxy side you spray the adhesive? What is the purpose of that? And when you rub the spoon to transfer, does the spoon have to be warm? Thank you for any extra help :) I'm wanting to make a shirt for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteif i understood correctly, you spray the paper side of the freezer paper to adhere it to a regular piece of paper, to feed it thru the printer
Deletethats looks easy. thanks
ReplyDeletethats looks easy. thanks
ReplyDeleteI came here from Karen's at The Graphic Fairy DIY site and I just cannot wait to try this on flour sacks to make pillows with. Your tutorial was great and very clear to understand...I'm gonna come back and check out the rest of your site! Thanks for sharing this great tutorial!
ReplyDeleteCrafty Hugs,
Pendra
pendrasplace.blogspot.com
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this transfer method! I have spent many late night hours trying to find a way to transfer a pattern to fabric that didn't involve an Xacto blade and/or stenciling! I can't wait to try this out!
ReplyDeleteNot sure if anyone has mentioned this already, but this method WILL NOT WORK if you are using a laser printer. You need to be using a photo printer.
ReplyDeleteI figured this out the hard way, but hopefully I can spare others a similar fate with this message.
Oh, and I would also recommend using a credit card or something similar instead of a spoon for pressing the image on. It applies more even pressure.
DeleteLove this - Will have to do this some day.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cool Idea!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I can hardly wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much.
What a simple but great idea, I will be trying this craft very soon
ReplyDeleteI just tried this and after several attempts got it to work without smearing or having the paper get jammed in the printer. I like it overall but the image seems very light. I did dampen the fabric. Any other suggestions to make it darker?
ReplyDeleteThe rope edge looks very uncomfortable. Looks like it would irritate your wrist alot.
ReplyDeleteI'm a quilter and we use freezer paper all the time. But never heard of this.
ReplyDeleteI'm a quilter and we use freezer paper all the time. But never heard of this.
ReplyDeleteMost of these types of projects (tutorials) say right away 'not for inkjet' type printers but laser type makes better transfer for this type of project.
ReplyDeletesaves the reader (who wants to try the project) a lot of wasted time and materials!
Which was used for this project?
Thank you so much for the tutorial. Your project turned out great.
ReplyDeleteFTI of your readers. In the event they required a transfer that calls for a laser copy; they can TRY putting their inkjet copy into the freezer for a few days prior to using it. Apparently by doing this, it fixes the ink so it does not bleed when a finish is applied over the completed project to seal it. ie: A decoupage project. -Brenda-
Its really a great art to transfer images in this way.
ReplyDeleteCleanTech Patent News
Thanks so much for sharing this idea! I'm going to use it on Burlap to give it an antique feel.
ReplyDeleteWas this printed using an inkjet printer?
ReplyDeleteThanks for this great tutorial. What a great way to use your inkjet printer.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this great tutorial. What a great way to use your inkjet printer.
ReplyDeleteI started with the Citrasol method (dislike having to go out and find a toner copier) and moved on to the freezer paper method. Neither are quite as easy as I imagined them to be.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this tutorial! I've had it pinned for a while, and just got the chance to try it out on a small burlap banner project.
ReplyDeleteIt worked out perfectly, and I'm very happy with the results. (Since I was doing letters on a dark colored burlap, I went over the letters with a black Sharpie to get my final result.)
www.journeyswithjuju.blogspot.com
Will this method cause the image to be shiny?
ReplyDelete