Photo Image Transfer onto Polymer Clay Using Toner or Laser Copies

Answers to all Your Polymer Clay Photo Transfer Questions:

Over the past weekend (actually from Friday to Monday – 4 days), I opened up free access for everyone to view another video tutorial in the Polymer Clay Members Library. It coincided with the recent changes and improvements to my weekly email newsletter.

If you don't yet know about these changes and improvements, you can find out here: Special Surprise Every Week For Polymer Clay Newsletter Subscribers

Whenever I allow limited free access to member videos, my only request is that you leave a comment. And that is exactly what happened this past weekend over at the Volume-006-1: Polymer Clay Image Transfer Video [Vid #77].

A lot of those comments came in the form of questions… which I'll address in today's article. Only the comments (or parts of comments) that included a question are re-posted below. To see all of the feedback, tips, ideas and opinions, please click on the link in the previous paragraph to go to the original article.

Q1: So, do I first use my inkjet printer and print off some images, and then take that paper to a print shop (like Kinkos) and ask them to make a copy with their toner printer? Will I need to print the image in reverse on my own printer to start with? ~Cindy Erickson

A1: Since this particular technique only works with images printed using toner ink your suggestion for printing on your inkjet printer and taking to Kinkos is a great idea. Reverse printing at home first is also a good idea since the image gets flipped when transferred.

Q2: I'm also reading about burnishing tools. What is the best burnishing tool to use for the process of transferring an image. I'm worried that if I push too hard on the clay that it will stretch or disfigure the image. ~Lisa Cobb

A2: In the video I show you how to use a small square of paper as a burnishing tool. You will find with light pressure this is all you will need to burnish the image onto the clay.

Q3: Is there any fixative/sealer you can recommend? ~Monelle Richmond

A3: I like to use Future Floor Finish or Varathane as a sealer.

Q4: Do you use just regular paper for this? And a normal photocopier? (I'm in the UK!). Does the image on the paper have to be freshly printed? ~Sally

A4: Normal office paper is perfect as well as a normal copier or laser printer. I don't really know how fresh the ink has to be. I've done it without a problem with images that were a few weeks old, but haven't tried it with really old images yet. [BTW: Toner ink in normal photocopiers and laser printers is the powdered ink in a cartridge and it is set with heat. But Inkjet printers which are more commonly used in homes, use liquid ink that is sprayed onto paper. Inkjet copies don't work for the toner image transfer technique described in the Vol-006-1 Video Tutorial].

Q5: How would one tint the image after transfering it to the clay? ~Ken

A5: After the image is baked you can tint your image with alcohol ink, but a really cool technique is to color the photocopy before transferring with watercolor artists pencils like Staedtler's Aquarell pencils. Practice first on scrap clay though, because the pencil can smudge a little if you are not careful.

Q6: I am anxious to try this transfer technique. I tried the ink jet printer on parchment paper but haven't found the right parchment paper yet I guess, as the ink just beads up and then smears. I will keep trying though. ~Lori

A6: The inkjet on parchment paper transfer technique you are talking about is really easy but you're right, you will need the right type of parchment paper. Here's that article if you missed it: New Polymer Clay Image Transfer Technique That Works with InkJet

Q7: Just wanted to ask that maybe in the future you could teach how to do the ink jet transfer. I enjoyed the toner, but I have a inkjet and can't find out how to do them. ~Theresa

A7: Try the parchment paper technique I linked to just above and see if that works for you. And be sure to read through all the comments at that other article page for more even more valuable tips.

Q8: To tent the piece, can foil be used instead of parchment? Does this work with COLOR laser copies too? What type of tile do you use for baking flat items upon? Just one from a DIY store? Glazed or unglazed? ~Lori

A8: I prefer not to use tinfoil to tent my beads as it will conduct the heat and may cause a temperature spike. Yes the technique works for colored laser and colored photocopies too. Any tile glazed or unglazed will do as long as it is perfectly smooth.

Q9: I think that it looks very easy, but does it work with HP inkjet printers? ~Janet

A9: No, it only works for laser printed or photocopies. You can try the parchment paper transfer technique I have linked to several responses above, and see if that works for you. Or you can take images you print from your computer and take them to a copy place.

Q10: Is there a way of recognizing an image as a laser or toner print. A certain surface finish perhaps to indicate this is the correct image for me to use in attempting to transfer onto polymer clay. ~Maggie Ellis

A10: I'm not positive but I think inkjet printed images run their color when they get wet. Laser copy ink does not run, I do know that. If your printer uses liquid ink in the small cartridges then it is an inkjet printer. Laser printers and photocopiers use powdered ink in large cartridges which has to be heat set with hot rollers to work. Take a look inside your printer to see the type of ink it uses and you will have your answer.

There you have it. Feel free to ask any follow up questions in the comment section below. To see all of the feedback, tips, ideas and opinions, besides the questions posted above, please click here: Polymer Clay Image Transfer Comments

For those who have just discovered this site and would have loved to have seen the photo transfer video, be sure not to miss out on the the next special bonus surprise. Subscribe today: Polymer Clay Tutor Newsletter

And if you want to purchase the Vol-006-1 video that we have been disussing today, you can do that here: Polymer Clay Toner Image Transfer