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Solvent Transfersby djeucalyptus on January 15, 2007

Table of Contents

Solvent Transfers  .............................................................................................................

Intro: Solvent Transfers  ......................................................................................................

Step 1: Materials  ...........................................................................................................

Step 2: Taping down  ........................................................................................................

Step 3: Apply solvent  ........................................................................................................

Step 4: Burnishing  ..........................................................................................................

Step 5: Lift paper and check progress  ...........................................................................................

Step 6: Remove paper and let dry  ..............................................................................................

Step 7: Additional cautions and suggestions  ......................................................................................

Related Instructables  ........................................................................................................

Comments  ................................................................................................................

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Intro:  Solvent TransfersEvery time I use this technique, people always ask how it's done, and I've always had a bit of difficulty explaining it. They say a picture's worth a thousand words.Hopefully this will help a bit.

The applications for this technique are nearly limitless. I've used and seen it used on business cards, journaling, book covers, I created an entire book "typeset" usingmethod (and most people thought it was actually done with letterpress). Explore.

Step 1: Materials

The list of materials:

- Paper (or other porous surface to transfer on to)- Paper with the desired image/text to transfer- Masking Tape- Solvent- Burnishing device

For the paper, I used Rives BFK, a neutral, smooth surfaced thick paper. Thicker, more absorbent paper will take the ink better, and the smoother the surface, the moevenly the transfer will lay down. Interesting effects can be had with different surfaces.

For tape, I usually use white "artist's tape" which is acid free and generally the least adhesive. Any masking tape will do, and it's possible to transfer without tape, but ttape makes it a ton easier.

For the solvent, the easiest and simplest way to go is with a blender pen, designed for blending when using markers. I used a Chartpak Blender (P-0 201) a link for inbut can usually be found locally at a good art supply store.. Despite the nontoxic seal on the pen, the blender pen is filled with Xylene, which means it should be used very well ventilated area, and with a respirator if you're sensitive. Any other solvent can be used (i've heard of good results with Citrus-solv) but Xylene seems to workbetter than anything. If you plan on doing an extensive amount of transfers, you can purchase a can of Xylene at the local hardware store for not much more than the

price of a blender pen. Use a glass jar (Xylene can destroy plastic) and a brush to apply.

And lastly, for the burnisher, if you have a Bone folder (traditionally used for bookbinding and other book-arts) it works as the best tool as you can achieve the greatescontrol and precision. again, a link, but one can usually be found at a good art supply store. A spoon or other hard object will work as well.

The first photo shows all possible materials you could use, while the second photo shows the basic materials, which are more portable, cleaner, and a bit safer to use.

Image Notes1. The bone folder, used for burnishing, and available at art supply stores with abookmaking section.2. Chartpak blender pen.3. Generic metal spoon to use in place of a bone folder for burnishing. Don't useany plastic or other synthetic spoon, as Xylene often eats through plastic.

Image Notes1. This is the simple and portable solvent transfer kit, with all you really needfor the process.2. masking tape3. paper (or other surface) to transfer to.4. image to transfer

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4. paper to transfer onto.5. Glass jar to hold the xylene if not using a blender pen. Be sure to use glass, asXylene will eat through many plastics.6. Brush for applying xylene if using straight (without a blender pen)7. Straight Xylene, available at hardware stores. Use caution, as Xylene isdamaging to skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Take precautions when using.8. masking tapes. White artists tape and blue painters tape. I prefer white, butnearly any tape could be used.9. Paper with image to transfer.

5. Bone folder6. Blender Pen

Step 2: Taping downTo ensure proper registration and to make things generally easier, it helps to tape down the paper you're transferring from, face down (ink side down). In many cases,when possible, it helps to tape down the paper you're transferring to as well.

As i mentioned in materials, I usually use white "artist's tape" as it's easy to work with and safe for all papers, but just about any tape should work well.

Image Notes1. Both sheets are taped down to the work surface to ensure nothing moves during the transferring process.

Step 3: Apply solventCarefully apply the solvent via a blender pen or brush. Several thin coats work best, but be careful not to over-saturate the paper, or the ink will bleed.

Image Notes1. ChartPak blender pen. Note you can see where solvent has been applied by the translucency of the paper.

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Step 4: BurnishingUsing the bone folder or spoon, rub the back of the paper after applying the solvent to transfer the ink onto the paper. Apply firm pressure in a smooth and even mannToo fast may cause the solvent-saturated top paper to either rip or move, blurring the transfered image.

Image Notes1. burnishing with the bone folder. Note you can see where the solvent has been applied, as it often makes the paper translucent.

Step 5: Lift paper and check progress

To check your progress ( proper amount of solvent, pressure, etc.) gently and carefully lift up the untaped corners of the paper to visually inspect the transfer. Repeatsteps 3 and 4 where needed.

Image Notes1. lift gently and slowly so as not to unsettle the toner or mis-align the papers.

Step 6: Remove paper and let dryCarefully lift the paper, remove the tape, and set the transferred image aside to dry in a well-ventilated area. Note that the image pictured is not necessarily the perfectransfer - merely a test to help illustrate the possibilities.

That's all there is to this simple process, but there are nearly limitless applications of this method to create a variety of effects. Play around and see what you can comup with.

Be sure to read the final step for notes and cautions on images.

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Image Notes1. The semi-finished project. Note the variations in saturation controlled by both solvent application and burnishing pressure

Step 7: Additional cautions and suggestionsWith this process, ink-jet prints are almost always unsuccessful. Toner works infinitely better (copiers and laser printers), and other printed materials like magazines annewspapers will work to a varying degree.

If you make the copies / prints yourself, it's suggested to let the pages sit for at least a day or two to give the toner time to set fully into the paper. It ensures a cleanertransfer. Fresh toner (and toner oversaturated with solvent) will often dissolve and release into the air in almost feather-like fragments, which can cause streaks and lin

(as seen in this image).

Oversaturation of solvent will also cause the toner to bleed, as seen in certain areas of this image. Experiment to see what works most effectively.

Image Notes1. whispy, hair-line toner marks from fresh toner, and from pulling the paper away fast without thorough burnishing. Sometimes a desired effect.2. blurriness caused by oversaturation of the solvent.

Related Instructables

EmbroideryFrom DigitalArtwork (viaAcetone Toner

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Packing TapeImage Transfers

bythreecheersfornick

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fearme36 Save YourPaintbrush in

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TimAnderson

plastic bottle tokeep a wet paint

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Created aPrinted Pillowfrom Scratchwith Transfer

Paper by nick3pg

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Comments

40 comments Add Comment

 melonbee says:  Oct 4, 2007. 2:40 PM REP

Can I do a transfer onto fabric, like a T-shirt?

 DrCoolSanta says:  Nov 6, 2007. 5:09 AM REP

You want to transfer it on T-Shirts, you need transfer on T-shirt paper, which costs around a dolar, print the image left side right, you should have thisoption in printer settings, and then iron the paper on you clothes, and peel of the white paper.

 threecheersfornick says:  Mar 24, 2008. 6:46 PM REP

Sorry, but that's not all true. Normal paper, xylene/blender pen and an inkjet/photocopied image will work fine.

 DrCoolSanta says:  Jul 19, 2008. 10:36 AM REP

Well, atleast we don't get xylene pens in here

 beehard44 says:  Nov 21, 2010. 6:19 AM REP

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons glycerin5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon rubbing alcoholuse that and just dab a cotton soaked with the refill recipe (that)

 cpotemkin says:  Jul 10, 2009. 11:43 AM REP

A little lesson from when I was learning this process... be sure to mirror your image before printing. Otherwise, the image (or text) will come out backwardson your receiving material.

 beehard44 says:  Nov 21, 2010. 6:01 AM REP

but using the reversed image on the paper, you can use that to generate your final image by repeating the same stuff as above

 mdog93 says:  Jun 24, 2009. 11:56 AM REP

can you transfer onto a t-shirt, im guessing yes but it will wash off. is that right? mdog

 djeucalyptus says:  Jun 27, 2009. 4:50 PM REP

theoretically it could work... I've seen it done on fabric several times. but the process doesn't really give any sort of permanence. maybe some sort offabric fixative? if you try it and figure something out, let me know!

 mdog93 says:  Jun 29, 2009. 9:05 AM REP

cool, sp can you buy proper fabric fixative? I know of some homemade fixatives that you can use like salt and stuff but i don't know how affective thare.

 killerjackalope says:  Jun 27, 2009. 5:30 PM REP

It would work really well as a guide, followed by fabric ink added on, alternatively it's possible the ink may be soluble aswell, in which case you coulprint on to paper by refilling a cartridge with fabric ink, if the consistency's right. Then using this process...

 mdog93 says:  Jun 29, 2009. 9:08 AM REP

is fabric ink the same as fabric paint or is the ink thinner. and i have never trusted refilling cartridge becuase i worry they might leak or block upyour printer and ruin it or something. I would worry the fabric ink might do something bad to my printer.

 killerjackalope says:  Jun 29, 2009. 9:26 AM REP

Well it could ruin a set of cartridges but the right consistency would make it fairly trustable, A cheapo printer might be a better optionconsidering the cost of cartridges...

 mdog93 says:  Jun 29, 2009. 11:22 AM REP

yeah but i wouldn't wana buy a printer just to try this because if it doesn't work I wouldn't want to do it again but if it did work i might maklots in batch and sell them or sumthin.

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 gkalem2011 says:  Dec 17, 2008. 4:13 PM REP

does this work with photos too. Like family pictures in color or black in white

 djeucalyptus says:  Dec 18, 2008. 12:02 AM REP

yup. it will work with anything as long as it's toner  from a copier. Actual photographs (or inkjet prints) won't work... but anything from a copier will do thetrick.

 stbride says:  Sep 1, 2008. 3:10 PM REP

I have used this technique for years -- see http://www.ietextiles.com/houses.htm (and other artwork in the gallery also). Just a few months ago I tried to buytoner for my old dual-process copier on which I created original images for use in my artwork and learned it is no longer available.

I am musing about other ways to get a simalar effect..

Brigid Manning-Hamiltonwww.ietextiles.com

 spinach_dip says:  Jan 17, 2007. 7:21 AM REP

Can ink from gel pens be transferred?

 threecheersfornick says:  Jul 19, 2008. 11:41 AM REP

10 seconds, I'll try.

 threecheersfornick says: Jul 19, 2008. 11:44 AM REP

Djeucalyptus is right, it only sort-of works.

 threecheersfornick says:  Jul 19, 2008. 11:51 AM REP

Ahem. I was wrong. It doesn't work at all. HOWEVER, you can sort-of get a transfer if you write and then burnish really fast. The ink stays wet fa little while, and you can transfer it while it's wet. But I suppose you probably don't care anymore, since you asked over a year ago.

 djeucalyptus says:  Jan 19, 2007. 10:22 AM REP

I haven't tried, but given the nature of the gel, I'm not sure it would transfer cleanly. It might be worth a shot - could be interesting.

 UltraMagnus says:  May 15, 2008. 5:33 AM REP

ok..... i must admit, at first i thought "wtf did he not just print onto the good paper in the first place" but, i can see how it would be useful to transfer onto wooetc now.... perhaps mention that the beginning of the instructable?

 deadwhale says:  Jan 15, 2007. 9:46 PM REP

I've used essentially the same method to transfer graphic designs to copper. Once transferred, the design made a great resist for etching.

 Marche says:  Apr 1, 2008. 7:34 PM REP

Bold is NOT cruse control for cool.

 threecheersfornick says:  Mar 24, 2008. 6:47 PM REP

Great instructable. It's just dissapointing that you got around to it before me.

 Carlsburg

 says:  Aug 24, 2007. 5:39 PM REP

To do a turpentine transfer, make copies of text on a Xerox machine (Note: If you want them to appear in the right direction, you'll need to write the wordsbackwards or have them reversed by computer or other means). The cheaper the Xerox machine, the better your transfer will be. Take your Xerox copy anlie it face down on the collage or on another piece of paper and apply a good amount of turpentine to the back of the sheet. Rub down using the back of aspoon and slowly peel away the copy. The turpentine melts the ink of the Xerox onto your surface creating a great effect for any collage or mixed mediapiece.

 hooloovoo33 says:  Jan 15, 2007. 6:55 PM REP

Im sorry....but im not sure exactly what you use this for? Except maybe for art.

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