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Read Thread: I'm sorry but...

I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Nov 24, 2006 5:00pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Ok I know this has been talked to death but ... I recently received the PZ cut Orange and White and I was wondering the best method for transferring images.

I normally use mastercarve (it's all I can find in my town) and I use acetone to transfer... but with the PZ cut, the acetone eats it a little bit.. I tried using and iron on the white PZ cut and ended up melting it a little ( I used a paper towel between the iron and the compound) and the image was VERY light.

Any ideas? I would appreciate the help... I've had the itch to carve but don't want to waste more stamp stuff.

HELP!!

Team Springamajack
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52543 by Team Springamajack
Nov 24, 2006 5:43pm
Thread (disabled) Board
If you look back somewhere, there's a thread about using the printer to print on transparancies (like overheads from school). It doesn't work well on mine, because I have a laser jet, but the ink jet folks swear by it.

You might go searching for that.
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52543 by Team Springamajack
Nov 24, 2006 6:51pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote I tried using and iron on the white PZ cut and ended up melting it a little ( I used a paper towel between the iron and the compound) and the image was VERY light.


Hmm... I usually use another sheet of copier paper to keep the iron off the carving block, but the iron method is my personal favorite for image transfer. It sounds like you may have had the iron too hot, or held it on the block to long to cause melting - but I think the image should still have transferred for you and that's what puzzles me. Of course, the quality of the toner on your copy does make a difference in the darkness of the transfer, but if you have been having success with acetone transfer on Mastercarve, then you should have a decent toner-based copy that should also work for PZ Kut. Any acetone transfer lovers have thoughts? I thought I understood that acetone softened the block a little and then worked its way back out of the block over time. Is that right? I can't use acetone because the fumes make me sick, so I don't have any experience to share about that method.

Webfoot
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52585 by Webfoot
Nov 24, 2006 7:00pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote but if you have been having success with acetone transfer on Mastercarve, then you should have a decent toner-based copy that should also work for PZ Kut. Any acetone transfer lovers have thoughts?


I pretty much only use acetone transfer, and I have never had a problem with the PZ Kut softening after the transfer. But then again, I don't usually start to carve right after I transfer either. I also try not to soak the paper too much - it causes the image to run and become blurry.

TG
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52590 by Trekkie Gal
Nov 24, 2006 7:01pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Okay...lol...for us who do things the hard way, please explain the acetone method and the iron method.
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52591 by Jenni P McD
Nov 24, 2006 7:06pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I can only explain acetone transfer - I have no idea how to do the iron method.

1. Find your image and either print it out on a laser printer or copy an ink-jet image on a copy machine.
2. Take the copied or laser-printed image and place it face down on the carving medium.
3. Soak a cotton ball with 100% acetone, squeeze out the excess, and dab the cotton ball all over the paper.
4. Peel up a corner of the paper. If the image looks good, peel the rest of the paper away. If it is still a little light, repeat step 3, trying not to soak the paper.
5. Carve, carve, carve!

TG
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52595 by Trekkie Gal
Nov 24, 2006 7:14pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Sounds easy enough. Thanks. I'll probably give it a try at least once!

Now, let me be devil's advocate and ask about the ink left on the stamp after carving. How do you remove that?

Since I think it was Webfoot who mentioned iron, I'll ask her directly....and I even think my iron is still hot!


Jenni P McD
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52585 by Webfoot
Nov 24, 2006 7:15pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Web,

How's this iron thing work?

I'd like to give it a shot, but a little prep goes a long way with me, or I'll have melted carving medium on my new iron board (and hubby will be VERY ticked, since I made him brave WalMart and buy it the night before Thanksgiving)

Thanks!

Jenni P McD
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52599 by Jenni P McD
Nov 24, 2006 7:19pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote Now, let me be devil's advocate and ask about the ink left on the stamp after carving. How do you remove that?


Several people have asked this question, and it always baffles me. Why do you need to remove it? I have never done anything to remove the transferred ink from an acetone transfer.

TG
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52585 by Webfoot
Nov 24, 2006 7:29pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I just tried the "inkjet on transparency" method on some orange PZKut yesterday, and it worked PERFECTLY! I was SO thrilled, because I have had no luck with any other method. I tried ironing (hint: if you put something between the iron and the paper, make sure it ISN'T your hand). I tried acetone (is the fingernail polish remover SUPPOSED to remove the polish by removing the fingernail?). I even tried the Dixie method (don't worry, my eyebrows have almost grown back). I finally tried the transparency method. Well, more accurately, I didn't use transparency, I used a sheet of mailing-labels with the labels removed (leaving just the slick part). The problem, of course, is that now I have all these stickers stuck to various parts of my anatomy... don't really want to waste them... I suppose I should take this oportunity to actually LABEL all my body parts, just so I don't forget what is what.

Ok, that certainly went in a different direction than anticipated. But the transparency thing works on Orange PZKut, at least.

-wassamatta_u
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52610 by wassamatta u
Nov 24, 2006 7:30pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote The problem, of course, is that now I have all these stickers stuck to various parts of my anatomy... don't really want to waste them... I suppose I should take this oportunity to actually LABEL all my body parts, just so I don't forget what is what.


Oh PLEASE post a picture of that! ;)

TG
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52604 by Trekkie Gal
Nov 24, 2006 7:31pm
Thread (disabled) Board
So, let's say you have a portion of your image you want yellow....the remaining ink toner on the stamp doesn't make the yellow dirty or dingy? And, I'll take your word for it, but I guess the idea of that black ink mixing with the colors is what concerns me.

Thanks!

Jenni P McD
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52599 by Jenni P McD
Nov 24, 2006 7:32pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote Now, let me be devil's advocate and ask about the ink left on the stamp after carving. How do you remove that?


Okay - here's what I do for the iron transfer. First, I find an old printer or copier that uses toner (rather than inkjet or bubblejet) and make my print. Then, I put that face-down on the carving block and take a fairly warm (cotton/wool setting) iron and rub it over the back of the paper a few times and check to see if the toner has moved to the block yet by peeling up a corner of the paper and peeking underneath. If not, then I put it back down and iron some more. (repeat as necessary...) Once the image is on the block, peel the paper off and let the block cool before carving (put it into the refrigerator if you're impatient!!). :)

As for the toner that is left on the block after I have finished carving? I just leave it there! It actually seems to condition the stamp nicely so it takes ink very well. I also leave my pencil transfers on the block, though -- I don't really worry about what the block looks like, as long as it makes a good print!!

I hope that helps a bit! Ask away if anything is unclear!

Webfoot
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52599 by Jenni P McD
Nov 24, 2006 7:33pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote Now, let me be devil's advocate and ask about the ink left on the stamp after carving. How do you remove that?


Napalm ;)
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52612 by Trekkie Gal
Nov 24, 2006 7:33pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote don't worry, my eyebrows have almost grown back


a picture of this one would be rather interesting as well!

JPMCD
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52600 by Jenni P McD
Nov 24, 2006 7:34pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Oh, and one more thing -- make sure that your iron never touches the block directly. (I know this from unfortunate experience...) I usually put an extra piece of paper over my image, if it's on a small scrap, just to make sure that the metal doesn't come in contact with the carving block. (Imagine a melted, sticky mess all over the bottom of your iron -- one that doesn't really want to come off...)

Webfoot
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52615 by Webfoot
Nov 24, 2006 7:35pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Sounds plain enough! I"ll be trying this one too.

Now the one Wass talks about with the regrowing eyebrows? That is apparently Dixie's method. What's that about, and do I dare even try it?
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52617 by Dixie
Nov 24, 2006 7:37pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Hence, Wass's regrowing eyebrows?
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52614 by Jenni P McD
Nov 24, 2006 7:38pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote So, let's say you have a portion of your image you want yellow....the remaining ink toner on the stamp doesn't make the yellow dirty or dingy? And, I'll take your word for it, but I guess the idea of that black ink mixing with the colors is what concerns me.


Nope. The yellow will come out yellow. The transferred toner doesn't seem to come off like that. You could remove it if you wanted to with some more acetone, but you would have to be VERY VERY CAREFUL not to use too much. If you do, you will wear away the edges of your carving and ruin it. This is the voice of experience talking on this one.

Just to be sure, I took a stamp I'm working on, colored it with a yellow marker, and test-stamped it. Just yellow, nothing else. :)

TG
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52620 by Webfoot
Nov 24, 2006 7:38pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Definately good to know!

Thanks!

JPMcD
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52625 by Trekkie Gal
Nov 24, 2006 7:39pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Cool Beans, and definately a good thing to know!

Thanks for sharing!

JPMcD
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52621 by Jenni P McD
Nov 24, 2006 7:39pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote That is apparently Dixie's method. What's that about, and do I dare even try it?


I didn't dare. Dixie will have to clue you in on that one. I figured that if acetone makes me sick, her napalm would probably put me in the hospital! ;-)

Webfoot
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52629 by Webfoot
Nov 24, 2006 7:42pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I hear ya, but her carves are really good. I finally got out to the cemetery and found her's here last weekend. Excellent carvings. So, she's doing something right! :-)

But, I don't know if I"m that brave. :-o

JPMcD
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52610 by wassamatta u
Nov 24, 2006 7:51pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote if you put something between the iron and the paper, make sure it ISN'T your hand; is the fingernail polish remover SUPPOSED to remove the polish by removing the fingernail; don't worry, my eyebrows have almost grown back; The problem, of course, is that now I have all these stickers stuck to various parts of my anatomy... don't really want to waste them... I suppose I should take this oportunity to actually LABEL all my body parts, just so I don't forget what is what.


wassamatta_U,

You crack me up!

J
of JBBK2006
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52610 by wassamatta u
Nov 24, 2006 7:55pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote ... I suppose I should take this oportunity to actually LABEL all my body parts, just so I don't forget what is what.


*snickering*
please tell me you didnt have to use the Avery 5167.....
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52642 by Alyson Wonderland
Nov 24, 2006 7:59pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote please tell me you didnt have to use the Avery 5167.....


Ok, are those really big or really small? ;)

TG
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52610 by wassamatta u
Nov 24, 2006 9:01pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Do you use an iron with that... or ust slap it down REALLY fast before it dries?
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52669 by Team Springamajack
Nov 24, 2006 10:02pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote Do you use an iron with that... or just slap it down REALLY fast before it dries?


I am assuming you are asking about the "transparency" transfer method, and NOT the labeling of body parts? Because I can assure you, I do NOT use an iron on the vast majority of my body parts, and in fact there are only a few that I slap really fast.

As for the transfer method - neither. No iron necesary, and the ink doesn't dry on the slick paper (or at least, not quickly). I would say it was at least 2 or 3 minutes between when I printed and when I put paper to rubber, and there was no problem at all with it drying out in that time.

I believe Kirbert's webpage goes into a good deal of detail into this method - you might want to look that over as well. (http://www.nettally.com/palmk/TransferringRubberStampImage.html ... go down to the "Inkjet Printers" section). Hope Kirbert doesn't mind me putting that link here, but since these Message Boards are where he pointed them out to me (and others) in the first place, I figured it was pretty safe.

Good luck!

-wassamatta_u
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52670 by wassamatta u
Nov 25, 2006 6:33am
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote As for the transfer method - neither. No iron necesary, and the ink doesn't dry on the slick paper (or at least, not quickly). I would say it was at least 2 or 3 minutes...


I've left it overnight, it still transfers, still wipes clean off the plastic when done.

I do recommend leaving it at least a few minutes before transferring. If you look at it, you can see the ink being sort of shiny when it first comes out of the printer on the plastic sheet, and in a couple of minutes it gets dull-looking. I think you want it dull-looking before attempting the transfer.
Re: I'm sorry but...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #52610 by wassamatta u
Nov 25, 2006 7:43am
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote I suppose I should take this oportunity to actually LABEL all my body parts, just so I don't forget what is what.


That might be a good idea after the acetone AND carb cleaner fumes.

Shiloh