Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Contact Paper Transparency Tutorial....

A couple of you asked yesterday how I made my wings for the botanical piece, so here is the technique. I am not sure where I first learned this method of making a transparency, but it was either from Somerset Studios magazine or Ms. Claudine Hellmuth's Collage Discovery Workshop book. Both highly recommended by the way:)

Supplies Needed:

  • laser or toner print of image
  • clear contact paper
  • scissors
  • spoon (or if you are fancy a bone folder:)
  • bowl with warm water
Step 1 Choose an image that you would like to turn into a transparency. It works well with images that are not too dark. You must make sure that the copy you are using is NOT an ink jet copy, but a laser or toner copy. Ink jet copies do not work with this technique. Believe me, I learned the hard way:) I get mine copied at an office supply store.

Step 2 Cut out your image and cut a piece of transparent contact paper that is slightly bigger.
Step 3 Place the image face down on the sticky part of the contact paper. I then use a spoon ('cause I'm usually in the kitchen) to burnish the back of the image to assure it is completely adhered to the contact paper surface.


Step 4 Place image in a bowl of warm water until the paper is saturated. I leave it until the white paper turns grey.
Step 5 Remove from the water and begin to gently rub and roll the paper off the contact paper with your finger. This takes some time, but don't rush it or rub too hard because you can rub some of the ink off the transferred image. Sometimes once the image has dried there is a white residue visible. Just wet your finger and rub it away.

Step 6 Trim your image and use in your art project. You can glue it down, sew it, use eyelets anything you wish. I glued my wings down yesterday. Easy! You can also use packing tape to make transparencies, but you are limited by it's size. I like the contact paper because it can be sized to fit any image.

18 comments:

The Feathered Nest said...

Dear Jamie, thank you so much for your sweet compliment on my little paperclay things. The painting is a little cartoonish but I'll try harder next time to have a softer look...How nice of you to share such a neat tutorial, I've heard of this but the pictures make it so much better. Thank you again & I love visiting your blog! Take care, Dawn

Lori said...

What a great tip!! I was wondering how you did that. Thanks for that. Oh, I do have a bone folder but would HARDLY consider myself fancy!!:)

Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

Jamie this is fabulous!! Thank you for the tutorial. I have seen in it my art books but I find yours even more helpful....it's succinct and your photos are great. Plus knowing pitfalls you've encountered helps too. I am going out to get some of that clear contact paper and have some images copied so I can give it a go!
XO

FrostingsNSparkles said...

Wow, Jamie, that is very cool! They look so fantastically pretty when they're finished. Thanks for sharing!

lindaharre said...

Thank you so much for your wonderful comments on my blog! You are SO SWEET!!!! I think my grandkids are cute, but it always nice to hear it from someone else:) Also, mag in car......I like that! Why didn't I think of that? I am going through your tutorial now and want you to know how nice it is of you to take time to do this.......hugs, Linda

Stephanie said...

Just found your blog this morning. I was looking at all the May Day baskets from the swap....anywho...I am glad I found it. I love your style.

Susan Tuttle said...

Jamie,
Thanks so much for sharing your technique! This piece is so darling!

Susan
xo

Lori said...

You have been tagged my dear, come and see me if you want to play.

wheatgerm said...

sounds like art to me

Pam Aries said...

Thank you Dearie! I have done thi technique with packing tape...thi looks better! Hey..Spoleto is coming.............

Anonymous said...

I love your transparencies! I've heard of this technique but never knew how to do it.....Thanks for showing us!

Anonymous said...

You are a delicious piece of candy for sharing this wonderful tutorial!!!
Yah, the fanciest I ever got was doing transparencys with clear packing tape. LOL LOL!!

jessielavon@yahoo.com said...

hi darling,come on over and see what I have going on,a swap box with a piece of my art.

Anonymous said...

Wowee! Patience is a virtue! Thanks for sharing your techniques!!

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

Oh, thanks so much for the trick!!!!!

Anonymous said...

wow! this turned out beautiful!! love it, thanx 4 sharing~

whenever I try transfers, they never turn out~ darn! I'll have to give it another try :)

xo!! ~Bella

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing. The pink butterfly image is gorgeous.

My name is Cindy said...

Just googled for a tutorial on this - and within five minutes have completed my first tape transfer. Thanks for this great tutorial, will be off to the copy shop tomorrow!!

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