Anyone know anything about transferring photos to polymer clay?

Answer 1

There are a LOT of ways to transfer images (your own images or those you've found) to polymer clay, using many different materials, types of copiers/printers, etc., and there are also lots of variables for each method and type of material/equipment to keep in mind.

The transfers you can get can also look quite different depending on the materials and methods --from vibrant and detailed to soft and less saturated, glossy to matte, no visible edges or edges that need to be covered with clay "frames," etc.

Another thing is that transfers can be done "directly" to polymer clay (baked or raw) sometimes using a helper-solvent like liquid clay or heat, etc., or they can be done as intermediate "decals" too. Special papers of various kinds are often used, but sometimes just photocopies on plain paper are used, etc.

You can read about all the methods (with lessons, etc.) on this page of my site since it's too much to write here:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/transfers.htm

P.S.
If you want a fairly foolproof way to do a transfer onto clay as sort of an introduction to what can be done, look under the subcategory on that page that describes doing a "magazine" page transfer... simple and fun! (this particular method will "use up the image" though)


Diane B.

Answer 2

Polymer Clay Photo Transfer : metallic cardstock method

Transferring a photo to polymer clay before baking leaves a soft, distressed image permanently emblazoned into the final product. Found in craft stores under brand names such as FIMO, polymer clay is best known as a medium for making beads, jewelry and sculpture. But its durability and ease of use has given it a place in the scrapbooker’s closet as well, where it’s pulled out to form tags, plaques, decorative photo corners and other dimensional page embellishments.

Photo transfers into polymer clay work best when the image doesn’t have too much fine detail, since some will be lost in the transfer. This partial loss of detail can lead to lovely, vintage or shabby chic distressed effects though…so don’t be afraid to play! Since the method discussed here involves printing copies of photos on an ink jet printer, NO photos will be harmed in the making of these polymer clay treasures.

Supplies:
Ink jet printer
Digital image or scan of the image to be transferred
Metallic cardstock by Prism (NOT the ‘regular’ cardstock – you need the surface to be resistant to absorbing the ink. You might try using a transparency or vellum, if that’s what you have on hand.) Polymer clay

Also:
Oven (home oven or toaster oven)

Condition the polymer clay following directions on the package. I knead FIMO Soft with my hands for a few minutes. Roll out clay so that you have a smooth surface, the same size or a little larger than the image you wish to transfer. Trimming to your final shape can be done now or later – I wait until the image is down. Use your photo editing software to size your image.

Print your image onto a sheet of metallic cardstock, using a high-ink setting (ie, ‘better’ or ‘best’ photo instead of ‘draft’ or ‘text’. The ink on the image will be wet when it first comes out of the printer, so take care not to smudge the image while removing it from the printer. Wait a minute or more for the ink to dry somewhat. Transferring while the ink is wet will give a muddy image. The ink will take on a duller sheen as it dries. If printing was done on a large sheet of cardstock, cut more closely around the image to make it easier to handle. Then, carefully lay the rolled-out clay on top of the cardstock, using fingertips to press the clay firmly onto the cardstock.
Carefully turn the clay over, without shifting the cardstock. Making sure not to let the image shift as you work, burnish the back of the cardstock with a finger or bone folder. Make sure to burnish the entire surface; parts that are not burnished may ‘miss’ the clay and leave a hole in the image. Gently peel back the clay to reveal the transferred image. The colors will change in baking, but you should have a good idea of what the final image will look like.

If you wish to bore holes for function (ie stringing wire or thread) or decoration, do so at this stage.
Bake clay following manufacturer’s directions. (For reference: FIMO soft, which I used, bakes at 275 degrees for about half an hour at the thickness I chose.) After clay has cooled, the image may be finished with gloss or other accents. This sample shows Craf-T Metallic Rub-ons coloring the sides and outer edges of the transferred image. Polymer Clay images can be used to add ‘vintage chic’ to tags, page embellishments, or even pendants for personal wear. Enjoy!

Answer 3

Don't ever use your photos, they are too valuable. Always make a copy to use instead. Do a web search for photo decoupage instructions. You'll get more information there.

Answer 4

no