Create a Photo Transfer With Packaging Tape
Make a transfer of your favorite image using clear packaging tape! This is a fun, economical way to create uniquely themed paper and embellishments for scrapbooks and other projects. With just a little amount of work, you will see your photo appear in vibrant color on the tape.
Steps
- Place a strip of packaging tape across the part of the color copy that you would like to transfer.
- Rub the tape down in both directions with the long edge of a ruler, eliminating bumps and bubbles.
- Apply more tape where desired and repeat.
- Soak the taped image in a bowl of warm water for at least five minutes.
- After five minutes, vigorously rub the white side (the back) under running water in a circular motion with your thumbs to remove all the paper. If no running water is available, continue to rub the paper off into the bowl of warm water.
- Blot dry to reveal the transferred image. It will closely resemble the image you had originally, but will have a transparent quality.
Tips
- Try this transfer technique with newsprint. Only the words and photos transfer to the tape, making the entire piece transparent! Place the transfer on unique paper. You will see the paper through the transparency, under the words.
- Cut shapes, letters and designs out of the transfer. This will give a neat, one-of-a-kind pattern to any project.
- Instead of using packing tape, try a piece of transparent contact paper available from many stores where they sell shelf paper. With contact paper, you can transfer much larger pictures.
- Adhere your transfer to colored cardstock or paper using an adhesive roller. The color of paper/cardstock you select will be visible through the transparent areas on the transferred image.
Things You'll Need
- Packaging tape
- Color copies of the photo(s) you want to transfer (must be from a copy that uses toner)
- Bowl of warm water
- Ruler
- Scissors
