Polymer Clay Transfers - Specific Tips

About the original and the clay
- If you can't obtain a reversed original you can try using translucent polymer clay and then turning it over. Your image will then face the right way. However, the clay will now be on top of the image and the image may not be as clear; remember, this clay is translucent, not transparent. It is possible to use liquid clay for transfers. Generally the process works the same way, except that you'll need to use the heat method; you won't be able to remove the paper before baking.

- There are some types of transfer paper that will work with inkjet printers and polymer clay, but you may have to try them out first. This can get expensive, though. In the long run, you may save money by using a copy center.

- If you're using a copy center for your originals, remember its added advantage: It can change the size of the image. If your image is too big or small for your intended clay piece, it can be reduced or enlarged while it's being copied.

- It's been suggested that you may be able to get a decent image for transfer by rubbing a piece of packing tape over the original. I'm not sure this will work - I haven't tried it yet - but even if it does, there are a few problems. The biggest might be that your original will be destroyed - unless you're using a laser- or inkjet-printed version of a computer file, in which case it might be hard to get the paper off the tape. Also, I'm not sure what the heat of an oven will do to the tape. You might want to see if you can get the image to transfer (with alcohol or water) before you put the clay in the oven.

- Remember that the color of the clay may affect the appearance of the transferred image, especially if the colors on the original aren't that dense. But playing with your clay color may be a good way to get some really interesting effects.

About the transfer process
- There are some colored pencils that may not work with the transfer process because they aren't oil-based - for example, watercolor pencils. Check your pencil package for information on the pencils' composition before you try them.

- If you're doing a heat transfer it may help to put some pressure on your original while it's baking. You can do this by placing the piece face down in the oven (so the clay is on top of the paper) or by adding something moderately heavy, like a piece of glass or ceramic tile, to the top of the clay.

- Usually it's best to wait for the clay to cool before removing the paper original, but depending on the clay you use you may find it difficult to get the paper off then. If that's the case, try removing the original while the clay is still warm; just do it gently and make sure the image has completely transferred.

- You may not need to use alcohol. Some people find that plain water works just as well to remove the paper while leaving the image on the clay.

About finishing
-If you're concerned about the stability of the image and would like to protect it with a little varnish, make a test piece first to be sure the varnish doesn't smear or otherwise damage the image.

These are just a few of the different ideas people have come up with for making transfers onto polymer clay. If you decide to get serious about this process you'll probably develop a few of your own techniques. Then be sure you tell the world, so you can add to what's already known about this fascinating process.

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Additional source: "Coloring Book Beads" by Marie Segal, Polymer Cafe, Fall 2005, pp. 32-33.