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Omni Gel Transfer Method – Make Vintage Number Coasters
A couple of weeks ago one of my readers had requested additional number graphics, from the pair of numbers that I used in this post here. I decided I would offer the numbers here, but also thought it was a good opportunity to use them in a fun project as well. I used the graphics to make this cute set of Vintage Number Marble Coasters and I used a fun Transfer Medium Product!
I’ve included instructions below.
Supply List:
1)Light colored 4″ square tumbled marble coasters (you can find them at Lowes & Home depot for just under $5.00 for a box of 9)
3)A roll of adhesive backed cork sheet
4)Paintbrush
Step 1: Go HERE to download the PDF sheet for this project, and print it out on your computer. Next, you will need to have a Photocopy made of this ( inkjet printers do not work with this process.)
Step 2: You will need to brush on 3 coats of the Omni gel Transfer Medium. Brush the first coat in a horizontal direction, let dry completely. Brush the second coat in a vertical direction, let dry completely. Brush the 3rd coat in a diagonal direction, and again let dry completely.
Step 3: Sorry forgot to photo this step! Cut image to the size of the coaster and then soak in a bowl of water for 10-20 minutes.
Step 4: While paper is still wet, rub the paper backing with your fingers in a circular motion to remove all of the paper leaving just the gel transfer behind.
Step 5: This is what your left with. The ink is trapped inside of this vinyl looking piece. Pretty cool!! At this point you can trim this up with scissors if you have ragged edges like I did here.
Step 6: Use more of the Omni Gel as a glue to adhere the transfer to the tile. I coated both the top of the marble and the back of the transfer.
Step 7: Press the transfer down and smooth out to get rid of any air bubbles. If you have a brayer this would probably work even better. I have one but… couldn’t find it. Oh well!
(The image will look a little cloudy at first but will dry clear after a day or 2.)
Step 8: Roll out the adhesive backed cork and lay the tile on top. Then cut to fit. I used a utility knife for this one, but scissors work just as well. This cork is made by “contact” and it has a nice grid on the back, which makes it easy to get it just right!
Step 9: Smooth down the cork with your fingers.
Now your done!! I’m storing mine in a small antique Ironstone tureen for now. I hope you like this easy project. These would make a great gift for the holidays, I think they would also be a good item to sell at craft shows etc.
XXXOOO
Christine @ Great Oak Circle DIY says
October 13, 2009 at 2:09 amThese are so cute! Great job!
Dragonfly Treasure says
October 13, 2009 at 2:11 amWhat a cool idea! They turned out great! Thanks for sharing
*hugs*deb
Annette says
October 13, 2009 at 2:31 amThis is such a wonderful idea! I have never heard of this product, but it looks like something else I could use for making glass platters. Thanks so much for sharing.
Mary Green says
October 13, 2009 at 2:33 amCool project – they came out so nice. I’ll have to try the Omni Gel. Thanks for the tip!
ClassyChassy says
October 13, 2009 at 2:43 amWhat a super project! So nice of you to share your talents with everyone!
[email protected] says
October 13, 2009 at 2:48 amFabulous! And great instructions…I would love to make some of these for Christmas gifts. Thanks for sharing the inspiration :o)
Debashis says
September 11, 2013 at 3:32 pmI think so. I will also try.
Mandy says
October 13, 2009 at 2:50 amSO CUTE!
A Rose Without A Thorn says
October 13, 2009 at 3:00 amA really great project and I learned something as well, thanks……
Beachbrights says
October 13, 2009 at 3:08 amI love these and your tutorial looks so easy!
Thanks for sharing-
XOXO
PS. Love your BOOst comment. Clever 🙂
Jane says
October 13, 2009 at 3:30 amSuch a great project and I LOVE the number graphics. I made coasters like this using vintage images of my grandparents…they made great gifts for family members. Love all of your graphics and ideas…I need to get busy in the studio again….I’ll try and get something done for next week’s Brag Monday.
Jane
Jen R. says
October 13, 2009 at 3:31 amI love this idea! I am sooo doing this!
Nancy @ Live love laugh says
October 13, 2009 at 3:36 amWhat a great Idae! I actually use my leftover backsplash tiles as coasters, but never bothered with the cork or decoration! So much nicer!
~Nancy
chicroses says
October 13, 2009 at 4:26 amHi Karen, Just wanted to let you know that I used your header and wall paper of the crow. I am not computor literate and this was so easy. Now if I could figure how to put my blog label on the header.Hope you can take a peek at my blog. I did mention your blog in my post. Thankyou again. Sally
Sheri says
October 13, 2009 at 11:15 amI have those! Except mine have my initials on them. A friend made them a few years ago using permanent pigment ink and stamps! Very cool.
If you haven’t alredy please head over and link up: http://theshadesofpink.blogspot.com/2009/10/room-month-monster-dominoes.html
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
October 13, 2009 at 12:04 pmWhat a fun little project…I like those rub-on letters, but haven’t ever tried a coaster. Good idea. 🙂 Thanks for the visit!
Baba says
October 13, 2009 at 12:05 pmGood morning Karen, what a great idea.. I used one of your graphics for my post today..come over and visit .. I will be sharing more of your graphics later..have a good day. Baba
[email protected] Something says
October 13, 2009 at 12:24 pmWhat a great look! Those WOULD be perfect gifts! Great job…and thanks for the PDF!
Dresser Girl says
October 13, 2009 at 1:54 pmLOVE IT!! I am sooooooo making these for someone this Christmas!
Miss Mustard Seed says
October 13, 2009 at 4:22 pmOh my! I LOVE your blog. This is just whatI’ve been searching the internet for. Thank you for offering all of the these wonderful graphics for free. I’ve become a follower and I’ll be sue to link to your blog as a source when I use a graphic in one of my projects. I have a few up my sleeve. Thanks!
Delightful Dwelling says
October 13, 2009 at 4:51 pmThese are so fun, I love them!
Phyllis AROUND THE HOUSE says
October 13, 2009 at 5:32 pmI love the coasters, they are just so cool, you are just so creative..Numbers are just so hot right now, I loved the way you have used them…I am a new follower and I will be back…come visit..
Rosemary says
October 13, 2009 at 5:38 pmGreat project Karen!!
Love the numbers!
Rosemary
[email protected] Charm says
October 13, 2009 at 7:02 pmOh how cute! Luv what you have done here and thanks sooooo much for sharing…you have an awesome blog!
Blessings,
Linda
Suzanne says
October 13, 2009 at 8:32 pmI had no idea that could be done. I’m always learning something new here! Thanks for the pictures and directions.
Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden says
October 13, 2009 at 8:53 pmI love these! I have been looking for coasters and hadn’t been able to find any.
It’s my first time to your blog! I’m a follower!
nannykim at spindle cottage says
October 14, 2009 at 12:05 amIt is cute; seems everyone is going number crazy!!
Amy {The Red Chair Blog} says
October 14, 2009 at 12:32 amThese are terrific! Great tutorial too.
Kimm at Reinvented says
October 14, 2009 at 1:27 amOh my goodness, those are fabulous. Thanks for the great directions, I’ll give this a try!
Socrates says
October 14, 2009 at 2:11 amAwesome! These numerals are great, and I’m dying to try transfers, and here you are, making it look so easy. I’ll try and definitely be back. Thank you for posting the technique. Your results are an inspiration. Sox
northern cottage says
October 14, 2009 at 2:12 amFantastic!! Love this idea!
Jenn says
October 14, 2009 at 2:59 amWhat a great idea!! That gel medium stuff looks way cool!
rochambeau says
October 14, 2009 at 9:54 pmWowza!! Such a great project, with attention to detail. This is Brilliant Graphic’s Fairy. You are a clever girl and a giving Fairy!! Merci bien.
xox
Constance
Anonymous says
October 15, 2009 at 9:28 amLooks like a fun project for our group. When you say a “photocopy”
does this mean the copy must be on photo type paper or done on a printer other than an ink jet. thank you.
Norma Lee @ Norma Lee Good says
October 15, 2009 at 8:14 pmThis is a great idea for “recession friendly” Christmas gifts. Oh it would be great for those “surprise gifts.” I know what I’m doing this weekend!
I have been following you for awhile but just started my blog. Come by and see me at http://www.normaleegood.com
Thrifty Miss Priss says
October 16, 2009 at 3:10 amKaren This is a great idea! And it would work with ANY of your beautiful graphics! Oh the wheels are turning!
Thanks!
Robin
Nicoleigh says
October 16, 2009 at 3:08 pmFantastic! I have been putting stamps on coasters, but this is something new and fun. Thanks for sharing!
Kari @ Ucreate says
October 19, 2009 at 4:42 amThese coasters are so amazing! I’ll be featuring tomorrow!
GeorgiaBabydoll says
December 6, 2009 at 9:50 pmGreat idea. I continue to be amazed at all the great projects crafters do and how caring and sharing they are! Thank you so much.
Pat
Pam says
December 10, 2009 at 2:10 amI just made these and they turned out so cute!! Thank you, thank you for making my Christmas giving easier this year. 🙂
Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says
January 7, 2011 at 1:42 amJust wanted to let you know I featured this project in my latest post on great ideas for using vintage prints!! Oh and I also said you were the go to source for vintage images!!! 🙂
Anonymous says
August 3, 2011 at 9:35 pmHi there, I’ve just found your amazing blog and I love this craft project! However I wonder if anyone out there could help me? I’ve started to make it myself however I need some help… I’ve got as far as rubbing the paper off the back of the gel medium but it still looks quite “cloudy” Is this how it should look or should it be more transparent? Thanks Anita
Ms Muffin says
November 4, 2011 at 11:57 amI love those numbers and tried to download them for a project … however the link leads me to a google group and even if I become a member there is nothing to download.
Am I doing something wrong or does the link not work anymore?
Would really love to use those numbers … also would show you if you would like that. 🙂
Love,
Ms Muffin
Karen- The Graphics Fairy says
November 5, 2011 at 5:29 pmMs Muffin,
Thanks for letting me know about the link! I just fixed it, so it should work for you just fine now!
Ms Muffin says
November 7, 2011 at 7:51 pmOh, thank you so much! Worked just fine now! 🙂
I am not sure yet when I will get to do what I planned … but I will let you know when I finished it. Might take a bit though. 🙂
Love
Ms Muffin
Mel says
March 8, 2012 at 10:06 pmKaren, have you tried the Omni gel on glass? I want to do something similar but with labeling jars in my kitchen(that can be hand washed).
Karen- The Graphics Fairy says
March 9, 2012 at 1:25 amHi Mel,
I have not tried it on Glass, but I just checked the bottle and it says you can use it on glass!
Lisa says
June 15, 2012 at 1:09 amHi, I was wondering if anyone else had trouble with the image in the gel ripping as you were trying to get all the paper off the back? I’ve tried 3 times, making the gel layers thicker each time, and no matter how gently I try to remove the paper, it rips. Any suggestions?
Lisa
Karen Watson says
June 15, 2012 at 9:23 pmHi Lisa,
Hmm, I’m not sure why that’s happening. What type of paper are you using? I just use regular printer paper.
Nancy says
July 7, 2012 at 5:48 pmLove these! I think I’ll make some coaster sets for some gifts! Great directions! I suspect I could even use something similar on EEEBCI projects on my DIY page (Easy Enough Even Bill Can Do It) Better known as husband craft tested for easiness! Thanks.
rkramadh says
August 27, 2012 at 8:05 pmHi Karen, I have been wanting to try something like this with some bird images from your site. Unfortunately I have not had any luck finding Omni gel in any of the Michaels stores in my state. Do you know if Liquitex Gel Medium would do the same? I hope the answer is yes since I have been wanting to make these for a long time now. Thanks!
rkramadh says
October 4, 2012 at 4:31 pmI have an update. I found Omni Gel on Overstock (yes!). What I discovered is that if the image has white parts to it and I apply the transfer to an ivory colored tile, the whole tile takes on a antique look, not bright colors. Yours look great because the numbers are black. I will try this again with some brighter images. Thanks again for the great inspiration!
Karen Watson says
November 22, 2012 at 12:04 amThanks Rkramadh! You can also find it at JoAnne’s!
Anonymous says
August 29, 2012 at 5:44 amHi Karen, I love these coasters and can’t wait to try this project. I am not familiar with omni gel and I have a question about it. When the drinking glasses leave rings of moisture on the coasters, does the gel ever become soft again? T
Anonymous says
August 29, 2012 at 5:47 amHi Karen, I love these coasters and can’t wait to try this project. I am not familiar with omni gel and I have a question about it. When the drinking glasses leave rings of moisture on the coasters, does the gel ever become soft again?
brianarenee51 says
December 5, 2012 at 12:40 pmHi Karen, I’m getting ready to make these coasters as Christmas gifts for a few people on my list. I wanted to know if I should use a sealer on them after they are put together to help with condensation to protect the image. Thank you
Nicole N says
November 25, 2013 at 3:28 pmDid you ever put a sealer on them? If so what kind?
Oline-Marie says
December 15, 2012 at 3:15 pmApparently no one at Michaels, AC Moore, and JoAnns have heard of Omni Gel…can only find it online.
The Shabby Owl says
March 3, 2013 at 9:15 pmDoes any type of sealer need to be used on them to protect them from moisture from the drinks?
BTW, I absolutely LOVE your site.
Nancy says
October 7, 2013 at 10:33 amI have the same question about photocopy. What does that term mean? I have a laser printer and just bought an ink jet printer, would the laser printer work? What kind of paper? Anyone ……..??? Thanks!
Nicole N says
November 25, 2013 at 3:27 pmThese are so cool! Love them! A question I have is, can you use a picture with color in it?Or will that not transfer? I noticed all of the images are black and white images. I am guessing the color would not transfer well, but was curious.
Thanks so much!
Denese winterscheidt says
September 29, 2015 at 8:01 amThanks so much for the download will use them with waterslide decal paper, will use the sealing sheet so it will be washable. Going to put them on the drawers of my grandaughter dresser i am doing. Thanks so much for sharing your work.
Ginger slate says
October 6, 2015 at 8:21 pmWhat kind of brush should I use for the omni gel because I have brush stroke marks on my image and how to I disguise the border of the image when I place it on a piece of furniture so that it looks painted on and not just glued on??
Karen Watson says
October 7, 2015 at 5:47 pmHi Ginger, it’s been awhile since I’ve used this technique, but I think I used a foam brush. The best way for it to look natural, is to take the product all the way to the edge, so that you have an even sheen all over. I would stick to small pieces of furniture, as you will go through a lot of product with larger pieces using this technique. I hope that helps!
Tess Grace says
November 9, 2015 at 11:54 pmHello,
You say that inkjet printers will not work for.this method… what printing do you recommend?
Also what should the graphic be photocopied onto, normal paper?
Many thanks
Karen Watson says
November 10, 2015 at 4:36 pmHi Tess, Just make a photocopy of it at a copy shop, like Staples or Office Max. The standard paper that they use in the machines work just fine!
Anthony says
December 9, 2015 at 9:53 amI am VERY excited to make these for my wife as a Christmas Gift. One question I have seen conflicting advice on…Do you use the actual image or do you use the mirror image? I think it is the regular image, but don’t want to make a mistake.
Thank you!
Karen Watson says
December 9, 2015 at 11:33 amThat’s great Anthony! The Omni Gel is reversible! Since it’s clear you can use either side. I think one side is more shiny and one site is more matte, so you may want to play around with a test piece and see which side you prefer.
Anthony says
December 10, 2015 at 9:54 amThank you so much for the quick response! I will experiment with the shiny/matte options.
I understand that you recommend just working with the “full sized printable PDF” image as opposed to the “reversible printable PDF” option you have on your site.
Is that correct?
Thank you!
Karen Watson says
December 10, 2015 at 7:46 pmHi Anthony, You can use either one, depending on the type of project that you’re doing. They are both the same size and quality.
Hannah says
April 5, 2017 at 5:57 pmCould this be done on wood??
graphicsfairy says
April 6, 2017 at 9:05 amI’ve never tried it on wood Hannah but don’t see why not. I am a firm believer in giving it a practice try on a piece of scrap material first before trying it on your real project piece! Give it a try and let us know how it turned out 🙂
Lisa says
September 22, 2017 at 6:46 pmHas anyone sealed these? Should they be sealed?
graphicsfairy says
September 24, 2017 at 4:31 pmHi Lisa,
They do not need to be sealed but you can if you choose to 🙂