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DIY Packing Tape Transfers!

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Packing Tape Transfers

Hi everyone, it’s Andrea from The Cottage Market. Today I have another quick and easy DIY for you and I really think you are going to enjoy it…we are going to do do DIY Packing Tape Transfers, this is a great technique for transferring onto glass.  In case you haven’t done them before and are a little hesitant…do not fear…I just learned and guess what? It really works and it really is easy! What I really like about them is that there are a million and one uses for them. Our examples are on glass so you can see how they are transparent but I know that you will love using them to decorate a package to making a label for a canister! I used black and white but it does work with color also…the one thing you have to remember is that you MUST use prints that are either LASER or TONER based. You can visit The Printable Transfer Section for these graphics and MANY others that are perfect for this project. If you don’t have that printer you can always go to your local office supply store and get your prints made for pennies on the dollar : )  Let’s go see how we do this…

DIY Packing Tape Transfers

How to Transfer Images onto Glass

You will need Heavy Duty Packing Tape (you can use regular…but the heavy duty tape works better and is easier to work with), scissors, a burnisher (you can purchase one or use a craft stick), images of choice and your vessels.

How to Transfer Images onto Glass

After you trim your image it is time to apply the packing tape…remember one important thing…whatever is white will be transparent. Just lie your image down and center the package tape over it evenly and press. Then cut the tape.

Packing tape plus glass votives photo

Now it is time to burnish it…make sure to press heavily over the entire space it is very important. I went over it a few times to be sure…from corner to corner…end to end to insure a great finished product.

Bird and Wreath Transfer Image with smoothing tool

Now get yourself a bowl with very warm water in it and place your packing tape burnished image into the bowl and allow to soak about 2-3 minutes.

Transfer in bowl of water

Then removed it from the bowl and place it in between your thumb and index finger and begin to rub back and forth with force…you will see the paper coming off…continue to dip it into the water and keep working it till all the white is off. DO NOT WORRY about the sticky side…it will be just like new when it dries. Also there might be a tiny bit of white residue on your tape…that too is ok : )

Rubbing off the paper backing

Now that all the paper is removed…place it on a flat surface and allow it to dry.

Transfers after rubbing off paper

Once the stickers are dry it is time to apply them to your surface…it couldn’t be easier…it goes on just like a sticker…it is that easy! Make sure to smooth it nicely. If you have stickers that you are not going to use…just place them on wax paper for another day.

Image transfers on glass votives

Dress us any glass piece you have…clear or color! I was thinking of making small ones all different and using them as wine glass charms…just place them on the glasses and then remove them at the end of the night when you do the dishes. They are so inexpensive you can choose new graphics each time you have a party! Dress up a package…label your canisters…with all of the graphics at The Graphics Fairy you can have different graphics for years!

Round glass votives with Birds

You can make tiny ones for small votives or you can double your package tape making sure that the edges but and cover the entire image for larger ones. SOOOOO many possibilities!

Packing Tape Transfers DIY

Sure hope you have tons of fun with these packing tape transfers…the more you do it the better you get at it!!! I will see you again really soon and if you want to visit in the mean time…come and see me over at The Cottage Market…it’s where I hang out. Here’s wishing you all a very HAPPY…Safe…Wonderful…Loving…Compassionate…Healthy NEW YEAR!!

Hugs…Andrea

12 Easy Image Transfer Methods sign

For more fun Image Transfer Methods and Techniques be sure and check out the post Easy Image Transfer Methods HERE!

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Comments

  1. Pam says

    I’m having a difficult time figuring out how the image sticks to the glass after the tape has been stuck to the paper, wetted, and then scraped. How does the sticky stuff last and not get gummy? And how long will it last on the glass? And what about the shine from the tape and the edges? Is the glass safe to wash after the image is on it?

  2. Andrea says

    I made some yesterday and I’m one who has to try something before I totally “get it.” The next batch will be perfect. Look for glass objects with flat surfaces if using anything larger than an inch or so. My round Mason jar didn’t come out too well with a 2″ design. Great fun though.

  4. wilhelmina says

    Thanks for sharing with all of us. Always wanted to put nice stickers on my pamper hamper gifts. Enjoy a wonderful and peaceful 2016.

  6. J. Mac Neal says

    Thanks for this! Great transfer technique to know. I have a laser printer, too, so it should be a technique I’ll certainly try out. But I do have a minor question….

    Are extra stickers you’ve created placed sticky side DOWN on the wax paper? Either up or down, maybe it would be best if waiting-to-be-used stickers were contained in something with a lid till you’re ready for them another day. It’s always something to consider if you have kids and/or pets. I live with a fluffy cat and a forced-air heating system, lol. There are ALWAYS stray dust particles and cat hair around to contend with when I do a project that involves exposed sticky tape, drying paint, or glue. Sigh.

    • Karen Watson says

      Hi J, yes, sticky side down. Imagine a bandaid with the papers on it to protect the stickiness until you are ready to use it… same principle. 🙂

  7. Marie says

    That is a fabulous “how to” in the 1st weekly newsletter! Thank you so much, Andrea! I will definitely be trying this! I also think this transfer method would work on china!

  8. Ange says

    I tried this technique today and it was a lot easier than I thought it would be. The only thing I did wrong was after the white paper came off I dried the tape with a towel. Which was a wrong thing to do because it left fuzzies on the tape. Thanks for sharing this cool project.

  9. Marie G says

    I’m thinking that you did this using a laser printer? It seems that inkjet print would dissolve in the water.

      • rkramadh says

        What a fabulous project. I bought this tape last year and promptly forgot about it. I just bought a white pillar candle to decorate with printed tissue paper. Instead, I will use this idea to decorate the candle. Thanks so much!

    • Sass says

      Yep, I think laser only.
      She says, ” I used black and white but it does work with color also…the one thing you have to remember is that you MUST use prints that are either laser or toner based. You can visit The Furniture Transfer Section for these graphics and MANY others that are perfect for this project. If you don’t have that printer you can always go to your local office supply store and get your prints made for pennies on the dollar : ) “

  10. Sonya Blacker says

    I’m a little confused. What do we print the picture on to start? After it dries, how does it stick to the item? Do you leave tape on? I’m sorry..I have fibromyalgia and brain doesn’t function sometimes.

    • Karen Watson says

      Hi Sonya, You print the image on paper. Then you stick the tape to the paper and then you rub the paper away, but the ink stays on the tape, it gets trapped there. I hope that helps!

      • Sonya says

        When you are ready to transfer..is it just the image that stays or does the tape stay on there too or does it peel off?

      • Sharon says

        My tape comes off in the water, why, I am using warm water and paper isn’t sticking in the water? Help

        • graphicsfairy says

          Hi Sharon,

          Did you burnish (press down heavily)your tape to your image? , Andrea over at The Cottage Market, who posted this technique stresses this step. “ burnish it…make sure to press heavily over the entire space it is very important. I went over it a few times to be sure…from corner to corner…end to end to insure a great finished product.” I’m not sure other than are you using the proper packing tape? I would suggest re-reading Andreas instructions, and try again. Practice makes perfect 🙂

  11. Cathy says

    I have a question… once you apply the tape to th4e object, do you pull the tape off and does the image remain behind, or do you need to leave the tape on the item? I get confused there! Thanks!

      • Lisa says

        When I rubbed the paper off from the tape, a lot of the ink was also removed. Can you please tell me what I did wrong?

        • graphicsfairy says

          Hi Lisa,
          This is actually a guest post from Andrea over at The Cottage Market. One thing she stresses is , “the one thing you have to remember is that you MUST use prints that are either LASER or TONER based.” Perhaps that is the reason? You may want to re-read her instructions just to be sure and give it another shot, I find practice makes perfect! Good luck 🙂

  13. Lauren says

    This is totally amazing!!!! I cannot wait to try! Thank you for sharing! What an awesome new transfer method! 2016 is going to rock!!!!

  15. Ірина says

    О . дякую! Це чудова ідея! Я дуже давно читаю ваш блог, дякую за ваші прекрасні роботи!

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