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Image transfer techniques

Hi All!

I am plotting out my first CBG build. With my minimal experience with woodworking , I am trying to understand if there are any techniques I can use to transfer Images to the box. Mark introduced me to a brilliant technique using decals + lacquer spray. I am also looking at gel medium , but it seems to involve going to the water park (which I am trying to avoid). So are there any techniques you guys turn to to add a personal touch to your CBG?

Many thanks!

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on July 7, 2013 at 3:17pm

this is what i do on most of mine , it gives it a rustic / weathers look , and takes a bit of practice .. but it works .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qli-2VNODN8

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on July 7, 2013 at 3:18pm

edit.. works best on light color wood !

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Permalink Reply by Dan Trommater on July 8, 2013 at 1:43am

I learned a very simple technique while in photography school. You'll need some solvent and a laser printer. You could probably just get a bottle of xylene, but it's pretty nasty stuff so I suggest that you go to an art supply store and get yourself a Chartpak Colorless Blender marker. - http://www.amazon.com/Chartpak-Ad-Markers-Colorless-Blender/dp/B002... . This "marker" is actually just a felt tipped marker body filled with xylene.

Print whatever you like on the laser printer. If there are any words in your design, be sure to adjust the print settings so the image prints backwards (mirror image). Cut out the design to within 1/4 inch, then use masking tape to stick the paper (image down) onto whatever you're transferring.

In small sections, apply the xylene to the paper, then rub with the back of a spoon. The xylene melts the laser toner and the rubbing adheres it to the surface.

I've only ever tried this with B&W laser prints, but it may also work with color.

You can see this in process in this image - http://instagram.com/p/VSE55GkDVZ/

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on July 8, 2013 at 2:07am

That's pretty slick!

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Permalink Reply by tdq on July 8, 2013 at 2:38pm

It is pretty slick - so I ran out and bought some of those pens, as this is something I've been trying to figure out. Didn't work at all - then I realized I have an ink jet, not a laser, printer. Dang.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Trommater on July 9, 2013 at 1:08am

You may still be able to make that work, but you'd have to use water. Let us know how it goes.

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Permalink Reply by tdq on July 9, 2013 at 10:02am

I tried that too with no success. I only need a hint of the outline as I'm intending to ink/paint it manually. I'll keep experimenting.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Trommater on July 9, 2013 at 1:09am

I should mention that the transferred image is pretty fragile, so you'll likely need to seal it with a varnish or polyurethane.

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Permalink Reply by Nine Tails on July 8, 2013 at 11:40am

Those are both techniques which I'll try for sure... many thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Piht Bull (Delta Dawg Guitars) on July 8, 2013 at 1:38pm

I use this for really clean images .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diRb7jseUCw&feature=share&li...

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Permalink Reply by Clarky on July 11, 2013 at 10:38pm

On my recent ones I've got into woodburning, so similar to above I print off what image I want, reverse it, then I get the iron and just iron on the image, and then go over the lines with the woodburner. Had great results so far.