Laser Transfers

Powderhorn · Apr 12, 2009

I have had several people PM me, on how I do Laser transfers. So here it goes as an attempted tutorial.
a. I am going to assume that you have artwork ready to go, and a Laser printer, and computer.
b. That you have either some of Tom Whites solution, or some of the homebrew by Mike Cirelli.
c. Make sure your printer is set for single pass print only, not double sided printing.

1. You will need Reynolds Baking Parchment, and Tan masking tape. (some people, say glue sticks work)
See PIC #1.

2. Open the paper drawer in your printer, and mark the top of the sheet closest to you.
See pic #2.

3. Close drawer and print your pic, check and see where your mark came out on.
See pic #3.

4. Tape a piece of parchment down over your printed item, don't skimp on tape, but you only need to tape the leading edge.
See pic #4.

5. Place your paper back in the paper drawer with your mark orientated, as when you first marked it.
See pic #5.

Powderhorn · Apr 12, 2009

Transfer Cont;

6. Print your design again. If you did it wright, it will have printed on the parchment. Peel off the parchment.
See pic #6.

7 Coat your metal with the transfer solution, and let dry for a minute.
See pic #7 & 8.

8. Using masking tape, tape your design down over your plate and burnish it down.
See pic #9.

9. When you are burnishing it down, you should see the design disappear from the parchment, you should have a 100% transfer.
See pic #10, #11 & #12.

Powderhorn · Apr 12, 2009

I tried to post the pics with the statements, but could not, so please muddle thru with it. I have had very good luck with this type of transfer. Some people have also been top coating the transfer with hair spray. I hope this helps you with your transfers. For a printer, I use an older model HP, that is a monochrome printer ( HP Laserjet 2200), also you can use the cheap Samsung, or Brother's, that are around $59.00 at Office Max.

soj · Apr 13, 2009

Thanks Everett, that is very helpful.

John B. · Apr 13, 2009

Well done, Everett.
Thank you for a clear tutorial.

Best,

bobkeyes · Apr 13, 2009

Thanks Everett. I do exactly as you outlined except I use a spray fixative. It is simply called "Fix-it". I think I got it at WalMart or Michael's.

Very nice tut. Thanks again.

Sam · Apr 13, 2009

Everett: Many thanks for the excellent tutorial. I've added it to the Tips Archive.

Sam

santos · Apr 13, 2009

Hi Everett,

Very helpful tutorial,

I’ve heard of parchment paper before but I can’t found it here . Looking at your first photograph I am happy to found it in my own kitchen

Thank you….

Jean

canadian · Apr 13, 2009

Everett,

Thanks for a great, clear and very helpful tutorial.

Boris

monk · Apr 13, 2009

excellent presentation. i do the parchment once in awhile, but i find i don't have to do anything at all in the way of hairspray. perhaps it's the type ink i have (hp #92) but it goes right off the parchment directly onto the bare metal, no cirelli sauce or anything else. sometimes i'' put a white ground down to cut glare, but it isn't needed to grab the image from the parchment.

ian morrison · Apr 13, 2009

transfer solution?

What is the transfer solution? Where do you get it?

Powderhorn · Apr 13, 2009

Ian;
You can buy it form Tom White at, http://users.commspeed.net/ttwhite/xtransc.htm

Also you can homebrew your own following Mike Cirelli's recipe,
10 mil of Damar Varnish
80-90 mil of Zippo lighter fluid.
mix well and keep capped.

I have heard of some people using Acetone, or Alcohol, for the thinner. I haven't tried them so I can't say anything about them as a thinner. Also some have mentioned mixing in some White out, to give it more of a matte background. Again I have not tried that, so I can't say anything about that method.

Louis Levy · Oct 2, 2009

Thanks. Lou

Laser Transfers

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