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!
Miyoka says
This is so awesome! Thanks. I tried it and I think I may have rubbed off too much. The sticker only sticks in the middle. Any suggestions?
Jude Dealy says
Just found this project. Will be trying it soon. Congratulations not only on your ingenious idea but also your patience!
Karen Watson says
I hope you enjoy this technique Jude!
Teneil says
Does it matter if I print the image using a laser printer or inkjet printer?
Teneil says
Nevermind! I see that it must be laser or toner based
Karen Watson says
🙂
Angela Croissant says
This is fantastic! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Karen Watson says
Thanks Angela! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Janice says
You can also use colored magazine pages that are clay based (will smear when wet). Use the same process, tape to picture, burnish, soak (I used soapy water) use your finger on the sticky sided (where the picture transferred to) and rub until the paper is released and most of the residue is gone. Let it dry and apply like a sticker. I DO believe that your method (printer ink) would work very well perhaps better than the option I suggested. It is fun to try either way. No major costs involved.
Karen Watson says
Thanks for the great tip Janice! That sounds like fun!
Ben says
Thanks for the tutorial. I have one question, will these transfers wash off? Thanks again.
Karen Watson says
Ben, it works like a decal. So I would use it for decorative projects only.
Jen says
I did this today in color & black & white and it worked perfectly
Karen Watson says
That’s great Jen! I’m so glad it worked for you!
Bertha says
I wonder if you can do it with Dollar Tree Contact paper? Then you can make larger one.
Karen Watson says
Hi Bertha, Yes, we have a post for that here! https://thegraphicsfairy.com/clear-contact-paper-transfers/
kathyb says
brilliant!
Karen Watson says
Thanks Kathy!
Angie says
So once the tape is on the glass. This is NOT dishwasher safe right, only hand wash.
Karen Watson says
Yes, exactly Angie!
Claudia says
What a great idea. And so easy to change for another style if wanted. Thank you, Andrea.
Dawn says
To Melissa with the autistic son: If you have him draw his design with a Sharpie, you can photocopy his drawings and use the photocopies (because they are printed out with toner) as the image to stick your tape on. My 9 year old daughter did this and had a ball designing her own stickers!
Also, if you want to do a big design (I am hoping to transfer some old photos to the glass in a picture frame to use as decor pieces), I have read that you can do the same method on clear contact paper (buy at an art supply or crafts store) so you don’t have to piece and line up your packing tape!
Karen Watson says
Great tips Dawn!
Rona says
do you leave the sticker on? if i understood correctly its a sticker not a transfer right?
Karen Watson says
Hi Rona, the image is transferred to the tape and then you use the tape like a decal. I hope that helps!
Carlijn says
Nice idea! Work really well with colours as well 🙂 I’m using it to make stickers for my home brewed beer!
Karen Watson says
Good to know! Thanks!
Tamara says
I’m doing it right now ^^ (How to spend a nice sunday ? ^^ )
I’m waiting for the tape to dry, I hope it’ll become sticky again…
The print is IN the tape, but still a little white too… I hope it’s enough !
Will tell you the result ^^
Karen Watson says
Have a fun crafting day Tamara!
Tamara says
So ! To let you know, pages from old books don’t work x)
And the second try was great !! I might clear it better the next time, there were few pieces of paper left that I didn’t see when it was wet.
Thanks ^^
Karen Watson says
Thanks Tamara! If you want to use old book page, just make laser copies of them, and then you can use them!