Image Transfer to Fabric

Transfer a Digital Image Using Inkjet Transparencies and Gel Medium

Thanks to Jessica Sprague's Computer Tricks for Cards class, I learned a new technique while making this card for my hubby's birthday.

It took me awhile, but once I figured out the fine points of Using Gel Medium to Transfer Inkjet Transparency Images to Fabric, I was off and running.

The vintage Photoshop brush by Danielle Thompson is one of many from a camera-themed kit available in the Jessica Sprague store. I'll be using these often!

The poem inside my card is an excerpt from "This Man I Love" by Cherie Burbach from her latest book New and Selected Poems.

Image Transfer Materials

• 5 x 7-inch tightly woven fabric scrap in a neutral color to coordinate with the paper of your card
• Inkjet transparency sheet
• Image editing software like Photoshop or Photoshop Elements
• Digital brush of your choice for the image to be transferred (See the selection printed onto the transparency sheet in the photo.)
• Heavy gel medium such as Liquitex
• Foam brush
• Bone folder or other paper smoothing tool

Instructions for Image Transfer

The image for this project will be about 3 by 5 inches. An inkjet transparency sheet is 8 ½ by 11 inches. So as not to waste any of the transparency, think ahead to other projects.

Create a new 8 ½ by 11 inch document with resolution 300 psi in your image editing software.

Use black to stamp various artistic brushes across your 8 ½ x 11-inch design space, leaving enough border around each so that you can cut the images apart and use separately.

Reverse the image horizontally (especially if there are words in the design) as you would for a t-shirt transfer. In Photoshop or Elements, the commands are Edit>Transform>Flip Horizontal.

Print the reversed image onto the rougher side of the inkjet transparency and set aside to dry.

When the ink is dry, cut the brush images apart and store the ones you're not using today in a labeled envelope.

Use the foam brush to spread a thin layer of gel over the fabric area that will accept the image transfer.

Lay the transparency image, ink side down, onto the gelled area. Press it gently into place with your fingers. Use a smoothing tool to burnish the image into the fabric. Gently lift a corner from time to time to see how you are doing.

Keep rubbing until you've transferred as much ink as possible to the fabric (leaving the transparency almost clean).

Remove the transparency sheet and allow the gel to dry completely.

Read Mixed Media Card Making Fun for a way to put this technique to work.