To any artists out there.. How do i transfer printed images onto paper(fabriano)?What kind of solvents?

Question

I've done this before,but seem to have forgatten how. I want to transfer a photocopied image onto Fabriano (watercolour) paper and still be able to work over it with ink and bleach.does it mater if the image is as laser print? this does seem to work. are there different kinds of photocopy inks? I've tried turpentine, should i use thinners?How can i get the best quality ink transfer? Exhibition is in two weeks. Please help... Thanks, Rory.

Answer 1

Yes, your image should be laser printed. You can print it yourself if you have a laser printer, otherwise have it xeroxed -- copiers use toner, not ink, just like laser printers.
Then you lay the image face down on the paper and coat the reverse of the image with the solvent of your choice -- you can use acetone, toluene-based markers, wintergreen oil, or citrus-based solvents.
You can also buy water slide transfer paper which also comes for use with ink jet printers. You print the image directly onto the transfer paper, cut it, soak it in water, then slide it off the backing paper onto the Fabriano paper that you will have previously prepared with one or two coats of acrylic medium.
But if you want to work over it with ink and bleach, the first technique is better, I think.

Answer 2

I used to do this too, then I got a new printer with different ink! Aagh - old method doesn't work.

Eventually I found that Orange Glo cleaner, from Lakeland works. Place image face down onto fabric, spray the back of the image with the cleaner and rub with the back of a spoon, check, if it's not transferred, spray again and rub again. It's not brilliant but it is fine for working with.

I found this method and others here:-

Answer 3

make sure the image is printed out with toner (either a photocopy or a laser printer). to transfer the image into the fabriano, you can use thinner or white gasoline, it works great. make sure you are in a well ventilated area when working with this solvents...