Image Transfer

[USAIR]

I have always tried to find different ways to print and show my photos.
I print on all types of paper,canvas,paper bags, and anything else that I could pass through my printer.

While watching Miami Ink and Inked on TV ...I ‘m fascinated by this shows and don’t know why. :huh
I watched while they put a stencil on to give someone a tattoo.
I thought wish I could do that with some of my photos.
So off to Google I went and sure enough, someone was doing the very same thing.

So here is my version of how to do this.
First, I started with my HP printer got real close to getting this to work then the printer messed up.
Went out, bought a Cannon printer, and had to start all over again.
The new Cannon inks were more durable then the old HP inks.
So this meant they were harder to cut.
What I found was rubbing alcohol would do the trick.

Start with a photo you would like transfer.
In Photoshop do all adjustments, crop and resize to fit onto the new “canvas” whatever is going to receive the photo.
Also make sure you flip the photo so you have a mirror image…this is very important if you have any print in the photo it will come out backwards.

Print it out on transparencies…I use Hammer Mill 5 mil Clear Window Decals and also Staples Clear Window Decals both work just fine.
Other types should work fine also. But must be Decals not Transparences
Transparencies don’t seem to work real well it just won’t let go of the image.
http://riverbend.smugmug.com/photos/60026086-M.jpg
Then paint on some rubbing alcohol onto the surface of whatever is going to receive the image in my case a piece on wood.
Soak it pretty good…after you do a few of these you will figure out how much to use.
Then lay the printed image face down on the wood and lay another piece on wood on top (like a sandwich) and clamp for 15 minutes.

After the 15 minutes, carefully remove the top piece of wood.
Then just peel it off.

Then you might want to sand or stain and seal the whole thing with some spray sealant.
No two are the same and different woods make the image look different.
I also some times have to do touch ups with water color pencils.
And fill color around the image.

Here's some I have been messing with.

This one is about 5.5" x 5.5"
http://riverbend.smugmug.com/photos/60024239-M.jpg

This one is a pano of Cincinnati it's 24" x 5.5"
http://riverbend.smugmug.com/photos/60025442-M.jpg

This one of an old contry farm house is about 5.5" x 7.5"
http://riverbend.smugmug.com/photos/60025729-M.jpg

Thanks
Fred

[cmason]

very cool thanks for that, will have to give it a spin.

By the way, how do the decals look? I might be interested in just the decals, but worry that they would smear and get ink all over everything?

[USAIR]

very cool thanks for that, will have to give it a spin.

By the way, how do the decals look? I might be interested in just the decals, but worry that they would smear and get ink all over everything?

The decals work great for what they are designed for.
Just make sure you print them on the correct side...if you don't you will have a little mess.
I used these on two different HP printers and a new Cannon print and all worked great.

Thanks
Fred

[David_S85]

WOW! Great tutorial, Fred. And interesting.

[wxwax]

Absolutely fascinating.

Thanks for the tutoral, Fred. You have a bit of the artist in you! This would be a nice way to do a little personalized home decorating. I imagine someone, somewhere is doing this and selling the finished artwork at flea markets etc.

[USAIR]

Thanks everyone
Was not real sure if this belonged here on a photography forum
But it is fun to do different things with your photos.

Fred