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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 : )
Now that all the paper is removed…place it on a flat surface and allow it to dry.
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.
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!
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!
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
For more fun Image Transfer Methods and Techniques be sure and check out the post Easy Image Transfer Methods HERE!
Delaney says
Hello,
I was wondering if there was a way to make this permanent? Will it come off if you wash it?
Karen Watson says
Hi Delaney, sorry but no you can’t wash with this, it’s essentially like a decal.
Sandy says
Hi I was wondering if you just print pictures and such off the printer? What paper do you use? Maybe if you have time you can email me. Thank you.
Karen Watson says
Hi Sandy, You print them out and then take them to your local copy place to make a laser copy. Inkjet won’t work. I hope that helps!
jennifer says
Thanks for this post! I think there would be less confusion for this article if it was titled “How to Make a Clear Sticker”. It’s really not transferring an image using package tape 😉
Karen Watson says
Hi Jennifer, You are in fact transferring the image from the paper to the tape. But I see what you mean. I can’t change the title now though, since it will break the link.
Jess says
Hi! Thanks for the tutorial. Just to be clear… You are actually creating a sticker that sticks to and stays on the glass, right? Technically you are not transferring the image to the glass? I’m a little confuse, lol!
Karen Watson says
Hi Jess, Yes, you are essentially transferring the image to the tape (so technically it is a transfer technique) and then you get a sticker for your glassware. Normally you buy decals to do this, and they can be expensive and then there is still a bit of a process. (I purchased an expensive brand of printable decals and after printing on them, the ink rubbed right off.) This is cheaper and easier!
Frida says
Hi, I just tried this project. Althought very pretty ,it does not work with inkjet…at least not with my inkjet printer. What I’m thinking is : use gesso over the glass then paint with acrylic and then apply the sticker. Finger crossed.
Lovely project !
Karen Watson says
I Frida, that’s correct, it does not work with inkjet. We do have the instructions for using Laser or Toner ink, bolded out in the first paragraph. So sorry you missed that part! Just take your printed image to your local copy place and for a few cents you can get a laser copy for your project. 🙂
Magdala jabouin says
Very smart. I just love smart ideas and the people who share them with others. Thanks and I will try this soon and make sure to post them. Be blessed! !!
Karen Watson says
Thank you Magdala! We hope you enjoy this technique!
Ann Williams says
That is amazing! I can’t wait to try.
Jessica says
With ink jet printer I cut freezer or wax paper to 8 1/2 x11 adhere it to card stock for stability print it the either apply and remove tape like a sticker image now on tape or if it’s a porous surface like wood or fabric barnish directly to. Item. Your printer sheet can be used over and over since you transfered picture!!!
Karen Watson says
Thanks for the tip Jessica!
Detra says
Thanks for sharing! I just bought some adorable white ceramic soup bowls with handles for a wedding gift and have been wondering what to do to add a personal touch. What a perfect idea. I’ll probably spray a clear coat over the image so it stays on in the dishwasher.
Karen Watson says
Hi Detra,
No, it won’t work in the dishwasher. This is best for decorative pieces only.
Joanne A. says
This looks simple enough and perfect for a centerpiece idea i am thinking about. Does this work as well with color images or only black&white? thanks!
Karen Watson says
Joanne, we haven’t personally tried with color image, but one of our readers said that she has done it successfully. Just make sure that you are using a laser or toner copy.
tillie says
I will be labeling my new clear acrylic makeup containers to say “Mine”…. Lol
Thank you
*looking out the window for UPS man
Karen Watson says
Haha! Great idea!
Cynnamama says
I tried twice and the ink came off. I have inkjet which I don’t think it’ll work. :/
Karen Watson says
Hi there, if you check out the instructions in the first paragraph, you’ll see that you want to use Laser or Toner copies. 🙂 So just print off your designs and then have copies made. I hope that helps!!
Lisa says
What a great idea especially for making personalized gifts.
Sharon says
Question: I have an ink jet printer – what if I print the design and then copy it? Will that work?
Karen Watson says
Hi Sharon, yes, that’s exactly what you want to do! Just take it to your local copy place and have a laser copy made.
Cheryl Sullivan says
You have given me a fantastic idea for a Crucible Candle for my son who is in Marine Corp Recruit boot camp training right now. The have what is called a Crucible. It’s 54 hrs, 45 mile hike with full gear, 36 stations to complete and 29 teamwork stations with 6-8 hrs sleep with 4-5 meals. So we burn a candle during this time for them and pray they make it. They enter this part recruits and exit it Marines!
Karen Watson says
Great idea Cheryl! Wishing him the best! My step son just went through something similar in the Army, very grueling, but a huge confidence booster!