Gel Medium/Caulk Image Transfer

Gel medium or caulk transfer

1. Use gloss medium or clear caulk for this method. Matte gel may be used after the transfer is completed if less gloss is desired.

2. Choose images from a laser printer or copier or non-coated images from magazines. New Yorker images transfer very well, color or black and white. Images from catalogues with similar paper also transfer well. Other magazine images may as well. Experiment.

3. Ink jet prints are not recommended for this process. However, you may want to experiment. Sometimes they work just fine.

4. Images transferred with gel medium or caulk will be mirror image. If desired, particularly if you are transferring text, you might want to scan and flip the image before printing it. When you lay it down on your substrate, it will reverse once again, bringing it back to its original form.

5. Images should be high contrast and if you want imagery from your substrate to show through, there should be areas of white on your transfer picture. White does not transfer and will peel away, leaving whatever is underneath to show through.

6. Lay down a smooth, thin layer of gel medium or caulk on your substrate. Let it dry thoroughly. This may take several hours or can be hastened with use of a heat lamp or hair dryer. When dry, your work will no longer feel cool to the touch.

7. When your substrate is thoroughly dry, paint a smooth, thin layer of gel medium or caulk on the picture or text side of your transfer image. Lay it immediately onto your substrate, image side down. Rub it with your fingers or use a brayer to assure good contact between the substrate and the transfer image. Avoid getting gel medium on the back of your transfer image. Allow your work to dry thoroughly, as described above.

8. When your piece is dry, wet the back of your transfer image and GENTLY rub with your finger, a soft cloth or a paper towel. Your transfer is delicate at this point. If your piece is not thoroughly dry or if you rub vigorously, you risk removing pieces of your transfer. DO NOT, DO NOT put paper rubbings down your sink drain.

9. Allow your piece to dry again. You may need to repeat step 8 more than once to remove any residue. If you are unable to get it all off, a coat of gloss medium will make the remaining paper less noticeable.

 Per DAVIDA F. - 10/7/2017