Citra Solv Transfer Method
This weeks project was inspired by antique European grain sacks! These are so all the rage right now, but quite pricey for the real deal, I thought it would be fun to create a project that simulated the motif, and then use it on some kitchen towels. I also made some matching placemats as well. Both of these were made using a fun transfer technique using a cleaning product called Citra-solv!
Grain Sack Printables
Click HERE for the Front Facing Grain Sack Printable
This is the design motif that I used for the project. Yes, those are my initials, but really when you buy the antique ones you get somebody elses initials anyway, right?! Keep in mind that we will actually need to use a mirror image of the pattern for this project.
Click HERE for the PDF of the Reversed Printable of the Grain Sack
This is the version that you will need for this project.
I’ve included a supply list and instructions below:
Citra Solv Transfer Method Supply List:
1) Solid Color Fabric Kitchen Towels – I like the ones at Ikea, because they have red stripes and also, because they are super cheap! (Just keep in mind that the tighter the weave on the fabric the better. Loose weave fabrics just don’t work well, as the pattern will bleed. Sorry ladies, but I doubt burlap would work for this!)
2)Citra-solv – This product comes in Lavender or Orange, I found mine at my local Health food store.
3) Photocopy of the download – Take you printed PDF to your local copy place and have a photocopy made. Not all black and white copiers work, it must be a toner based image. I made some copies at Staples and they did not work, but the ones that I copied at my local grocery store did. All of the big box copy places use laser, so don’t try any of them, you want to find an older machine, so try your local privately owned printer shop, library, bank etc. And test it first to make sure it works!
4)Paintbrush
5)Painters tape or pins
6)An Iron
7)Also- an old metal spoon, a glass jar, an old towel, some newspaper and some rubber gloves.
Step 1: Print the PDF, make sure you usethe mirror image version found HERE. Next take it to your local photocopy place, and have a toner based copy made.
Step 2: Position your copy face down on the towel and then tape or pin your image into place.
Step 3: Lay some newspaper onto your work surface (use a fairly thick stack of newspaper, you want to be able to have a little give under your fabric) and put your fabric on top of the newspaper. Put on your rubber gloves (The bottle says to protect your skin) and pour some Citra-solv into your glass jar. (Careful, it will come out quickly!) Then use your paintbrush to lightly apply the Citra-Solv. You want to get the paper wet, but don’t over soak it, or your print will bleed. (you may want to open a window, as there are fumes involved. They are pleasant, but strong. The bottle does not say they are harmful but, still… use caution!)
Step 4: Use the back of your spoon to burnish the design. Make sure you burnish the whole design, it doesn’t take super long, maybe 2-4 minutes to get a good burnish. Oh and
don’t peek!! if you peek you will not be able to get everything lined back up exactly, and you will have a big blur! Better to practice on some scrap fabric first to get the hang of it, then to peek! As soon as your done burnishing you can take the paper off and then wait for your fabric to dry.
Step 5: After your image is dry, lay the old towel down on your ironing board (so you don’t get citra-solv smell on it) and then iron the image to release the trapped citra-solv.
That’s it! You can see the design on the towels is not perfect, that’s because the weave was a little to loose in this fabric. And well… also because there was a bit of a crease in the newspaper under my towel, when I was burnishing. Personally, I like the rustique look of it all and think it makes it look older.
The placemat had a tighter weave and came out picture perfect. It might be fun to tea dye your towels too for even more of an old world look. From what I understand the image is permanent and will not wash out. It’s also super soft and no shiny sheen, very natural looking! I hope you enjoyed this fun transfer technique!
I hope you enjoyed this Citra Solv Transfer Method and the Grain Sack Printables. Be sure and check out my 12 Easy Transfer Methods post for more fun ways to transfer images onto nearly every surface imaginable!
Want more Printable options for your Towels? Check out my selection of Free European Inspired Printables, that are perfect for your DIY Projects!
P.S. … many thanks to Jane from Outside of the Crayon Box for turning me on to this technique!
Welcome, I’m so glad you’re here! Browse around to find thousands of Stock Images that you can use in your projects or designs! I post new Vintage images every day, as well as projects and DIY’s too!
Lynn says
I’m a little confused…about the prints. You say not to use a laser printer, but laser printers are toner based. I own a laser printer and have made transfers successfully. I know an ink jet printer won’t work for this type of transfer… Am I missing something here?
graphicsfairy says
Hi Lynn,
I am so glad to hear you have had success using your laser printer. I have not so was just speaking to my personal experience 🙂
SaskiaB says
If you use an image from a printer (ink jet) you can get the same results by using an acid solvent (I use white vinegar). You get the best results if you print on transparancy paper (printable overhead sheets).
Karen Watson says
Thanks for the tip! I’ve been wanting to try out that transparency technique for awhile now!
paulette says
I have been trying to understand….ink jet laser printer AND toner based INK JET printer?? After researching and more researching, and then talking to my husband, the way it was explained to me….there is NO “ink jet laser printer” and NO “toner based ink jet printer”!!!! Ink jet is a LIQUID that prints your image and does NOT HEAT UP……and TONER is a POWDER THAT WILL HEAT UP for your transfers!! So all printers that have POWDER cartridges will work. If you have a printer that has INK… LIQUIDS as cartridges, they will NOT work to transfer an image!!! I have been VERY confuse….. maybe its just me?? I hope this helps everyone!!! It sure has helped me!! We have several printers in our home, and they all have POWDER cartridges!! The ink jet…LIQUID cartridges were VERY EXPENSIVE to replace!! Thanks, and again, it sure has helped me to understand!!!
Karen Watson says
Hi Paulette, When we talk about Toner based copiers on this site, we are talking about commercial machines used in copy shops. They are not printers, and they are not ink jet. They are stand alone machines used to make copies. I hope that helps!
Maia says
Finding an old copier should work best. I used a similar technique for a punk-inspires art project I did in undergrad. One note, I researched Citra-Solv a bit, and it looks like it has some nasty warnings in terms of health-effects in humans (e.g. carcinogenic), so I don’t know if I’d use it for anything besides decorative items. Also, any solvent should work for the technique. I had used a paint-thinner to do xerox transfers onto paper, so be willing to experiment a little.
tru leigh says
Citra-solv has a website that supports all sorts of artist uses for their product.
http://www.citrasolv.com/art/index.html
Michelle says
can the item be washed afterwards. I was thinking of putting a design on a pillow case and obviously would not want ink or citra solve on your skin
Teri Smith says
I have tried this 5 times on 5 different towels and while they look fantastic after they are done the image washes almost completely off when you wash. Anyone else have this problem and if you did were you able to fix it?
Anna says
Yeah, I’m thinking about putting an image onto a pillowcase or tshirt and it would be quite disappointing if it washed off…. Does anyone have an answer?
Lauralee says
I can’t get the pdf in step 1
I get this error
Sorry, you’re trying to access a feature that is no longer supported.
Gosia says
Thanks for sharing
jj says
Learned a lessen today.
Everyone says to iron the design in order to get rid of the Citra-Solv smell, etc. I did a double sided project. The first side did real well. I took it back to the ironing board and iron. Turned it on and ironed it. Great. I left the iron on low and everything set up, went back with the second side to iron and it smeared the design. The design wasn’t quiet dry enough. The extra minute or two on the first side gave it just enough time to dry. IF YOU IRON IMMEDIATELY IT WILL SMEAR. Do yourself a favor and wait just a bit before you iron.
JazeGirl says
Going to do this method to create personalized Santa sacks for my kids with a vintage feel. Quick question for Karen or anyone else that has done this method… when you iron to release the trapped Citra-Solv, do you iron directly on the image? Do you put a towel over the top when you iron it? Just wondering if the image is safe to iron directly over the top…? Thanks.
debbie says
Karen, Do you think this would work on the tops of painted furniture? I am lookin for a way to get some graphics on there without the extra film from the avery sticky paper or painting it by hand. Is there any way at all. Thanks Debbie
Anonymous says
Ditto to all the thank yous for the terrific sharing. Looked all over my city yesterday and found Citra Solv at Whole Foods like you said. Got copies made at FedEx. The guy told me it was a toner machine but not sure I believe him. Will try the library if not. Got flour sack dishtowels at Target but love the IKEA red stripes so gotta get those – then hope to try! Thank you!
gaelle says
Karen You are so great! I love your site and you are sooo generous to all of us and patient with our questions. I have wanted to find an affordable (and quick) fabric transfer technique forever! Now if only I can find a toner based copier! Thanks so much. ~g~
FarmGoneAmuckChick says
…………. You are beyond generous, kind & thoughtful in your labor of love,talent & time to all of us artists & crafters !! Feel the warmth of our hugs ,sweet one , g.