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Re: Heat Transfer
Board: Tools of the Trade
Reply to: #76968 by Mama Cache
Mar 8, 2007 6:37pm
Thread (disabled) Board
To use your method:

1- Copy image on toner/laserjet copier.
2- Put carving medium in refrigerator. Never tried this first. I go with room temperature medium, either Speedy-Stamp (pink stuff) or PZ Cut, depending on the image detail.
3- Plug in iron with setting on low steam. Mine is a 0-8 setting -- maybe high 3, low 4. Somewhere 'round there.
3.5 - Attach image to medium so it doesn't move around while ironing. I've used binder clips in various sizes, but the pink stuff tends to melt a little bit if I keep them on throughout the ironing. PZ Cut and binder clips do much better. At least the PZ doesn't melt.
4- Place medium under towel. I've got an old handtowel I'm using. Not plush by any means, but not threadbare, either. One layer.
5- Iron ... 5-10 second pulses until image transfers. With the steam, the paper will actually get a little damp, so that the paper sticks to the medium and the binder clips can be removed without the image shifting. After 3 or 4 pulses, check to see if the ink is on the medium or on the paper by pulling up a corner. If it's not completely transferred, replace the paper and the towel and pulse some more. Repeat until image is transferred. If the image transfers correctly, the majority of ink should be on the medium and the paper should be akin to white and new (just damp).

DO NOT iron paper and medium without the towel. The ink gets sucked back into the paper, rather than the medium. There's a faint image on the medium that you can work with if you absolutely must, but I don't like it.

6 - Place medium in the refridgerator for 5 minutes to allow it to firm up again, and for the ink to set. I think that's where I was getting the "flaky" ink before -- because I carved directly from the ironing board.

Obviously, I'm no expert in transferring (still haven't figured out acetone), but this is what I've learned with trial and error over the past week. Guests at the From River to Sea Gathering can tell me if they can tell the difference.

Being Shielded
Re: Heat Transfer
Board: Tools of the Trade
Reply to: #76974 by Being Shielded
Mar 9, 2007 8:10am
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote DO NOT iron paper and medium without the towel.


I never use a towel and have never had a problem... but I use a laser printer and no steam. Works like a charm!

When using a medium that is very soft, like Mastercarve, I have found that it is best to carve when frozen though because the image will smudge when room temp. So I just carve a little, freeze a little, carve a little, freeze a little... =o)

Rhea
Re: Heat Transfer
Board: Tools of the Trade
Reply to: #77062 by The Gillespie Tribe
Mar 10, 2007 4:47am
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote When using a medium that is very soft, like Mastercarve, I have found that it is best to carve when frozen though because the image will smudge when room temp. So I just carve a little, freeze a little, carve a little, freeze a little...


To avoid smudging, don't touch the medium with anything but the tip of the tool when carving! Set up a clipboard on a couple of blocks so it is suspended over the medium, and lay your arm on the clipboard while carving.
Re: Heat Transfer
Board: Tools of the Trade
Reply to: #76974 by Being Shielded
Mar 13, 2007 8:42am
Thread (disabled) Board
I'm several days late in thanking you for the post. Of all the aspects of carving, transferring the image without complications has been the most challenging. I'll try to test your method soon. Thanks again.

Mama Cache