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!
PAT says
LOVE YOUT RANSFER GOOD DIRECTIONS ETC CAN YOU MODPODGE OVER THIS STICKER IF YOU ARE DOING A PLATE OR GLASS I JUST DISCOVERED THEY MAKE A DISHWASHER SAFE MODPODGE THANKS
graphicsfairy says
Thanks Pat, I am sure you could 🙂
Anabela Castelao says
Hello, thank you for sharing this transfer technique with tape. Please inform if the images to be transfered to glass can be printed to normal fotocopy paper from in normal inkjet printers. Won´t the ink blur when the images are put in water? Thank you.
graphicsfairy says
Hi Anabela,
The post states, “the one thing you have to remember is that you MUST use prints that are either LASER or TONER based. ” so that they won’t blur 🙂
Anabela Moreira says
Right. Sorry. Only saw that indication after sending my question. I suppose buying a good quality tape is important. Not the one we buy here in Portugal at the chinese shops. It didn´t work very well.. Not enough gluing power. Will try again with a good brand. Thank you for sharing.
Another way of transfering these prints is with the decall paper from Crafty Computer Paper in England: http://www.crafty computerpaper.co.uk. Just print in laser printers or inkjet at home and in this case applying after a spray sealer and when it´s dry just place it in cold water and the motif comes off with an excellent adherance on anything. Ther´s white and transparent decall paper. Disadvantage: a bit expensive postage price, but really quick and resistant.
graphicsfairy says
Thanks so much for the info Anabela!
donna says
Didnt work for me, either. The water was definitely warm, and I burnished it to death. The image floatd off in the wter 🙁
graphicsfairy says
Hi Donna,
I am sorry you are having problems with this technique. This is a guest post from Andrea over at The Cottage Market, one thing she stresses in her tutorial is, “the one thing you have to remember is that you MUST use prints that are either LASER or TONER based.“
Annabella says
Hi!
This looked really neat so I tried it straight off. Problem is, all the paper didn’t come off and left the transfer looking cloudy. Stuck it on a white canister and it looks o.k.ish but… Tried it a few times, same result; any advise? Love the site!
graphicsfairy says
Hi Annabella,
This is actually a guest post by Andrea over at The Cottage Market, I can’t really think of why it isn’t working for you if you followed her instructions exactly. I can only suggest, make sure the water is very warm and to burnish super well. You might hop over to The Cottage Market and ask Andrea 🙂
Kristin Jennings says
I am wanting to use this on a silicone to go coffee mug. I saw you can’t wash it but do you think it would hold up hand washing it (ex just rinsing the outside?)
graphicsfairy says
That should be just fine Kristin 🙂
Gaqulin says
that’s nice though I know this method I wanted a new way to transfer photos into objects without the transparent tape …
graphicsfairy says
Hi Gaqulin,
Here is a link to my favorite transfer methods, maybe you will find one you want to try 🙂 https://thegraphicsfairy.com/12-easy-image-transfer-methods-for-diy-projects/
Leslie Newman says
This is a really great project! I tried this with a wine glass and it came out nice! I also blotted with a paper towel and it had an opaque look to parts of the sticker so I trimmed it away. Also, I had to trim very close to the edges of my image so that there aren’t any bubbles and its easier to smooth out around the glass’ rounded edges. I also applied a little semi-gloss gel medium on the sticky part and around the edges of the image since I think my tape was a little weak on the stickiness- it sticks nicely anyway but I wanted to make sure it stayed there!! It came out great and I can’t wait to try them again! Thank you!!!
graphicsfairy says
Wow, such great ideas Leslie! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Leslie says
Thanks! Question: one of your pics has a candle with one of your tape stickers… did you shrink wrap the candle first and apply the sticker on it, or was this heat embossed?
graphicsfairy says
Hi Leslie,
You apply the tape directly to the candle or whatever else you want to use. If you read the tutorial, Andrea takes you through the process step by step. Good luck 🙂
Yia Vang says
People are confused but it is so easy ! And it should have been added that if you do not have a laser printer, you can still print your own design on your regular inkjet printer and take your print to the shop to make a photocopy. Then use the photocopy for this project. Inkjet does not work because it dissolves in the water. Also, if you need a better way to understand how to do it, marthastewars.com has the same thing explained. She has an article about it made like 10 years ago.
Nancy VanderHave says
I have a question. I have made little snowmen out of clay pots (painted white). I want to put the grandkids names on them. Will this work on white paint?
graphicsfairy says
Hi Nancy, I think it should, maybe try it out on a sample piece of something first just to be on the safe side 🙂 good luck, it sounds adorable 🙂
raquel guerrero says
Simplemente maravilloso apenas lo leí y me puse a hacerlo, y ya! en unos minutos está hecho, muchas gracias por compartir .
graphicsfairy says
Eso es maravilloso Raquel! Disfruta 🙂
Theraisa Fleig says
Huh, interesting! Its kind of like those temporary tattoos you can get for kids. I will have to give this a try. How does the tape hold up to heated surfaces, like being on glass from a lit votive/tea candle? Does this process work on other surfaces? Like plastic, metal, wood, etc.?
graphicsfairy says
Hi Theraisa,
This is a guest post from Andrea over at The Cottage Market. It should hold up fine to the heat of a votive or tea candle with no problem. She mentions transferring to canisters, but as for other surfaces, you may just need to give it a try 🙂 Let us know if you do and how it worked out! Good luck 🙂
Shelley says
Help! When I put my paper and tape into the water, the paper immediately separates from the tape with no image. Is my water too hot?
graphicsfairy says
Hi Shelley,
This project was a guest post from Andrea over at The Cottage Market, she is taking the summer off so we can’t ask her advice. One of the things she does mention in her post is “the one thing you have to remember is that you MUST use prints that are either LASER or TONER based” She also recommends that you use heavy duty packing tape. I don’t know about the water temperature. Maybe give it another try with cooler water and see if it makes a difference. Sorry to not be able to be more specific 🙂 Good luck!
Christina says
Great post! I have a quick question, after I laid my stickers to dry, the tape is kind of cloudy and white, but yours are so clear. Do I need to do a second rinse of the sticker to get it to be that clear? Thanks so much!
Tammy says
I have the same question 🙂
graphicsfairy says
Hi Tammy,
So sorry but I don’t have a good answer for you 🙁 This was a guest post from Andrea over at The Cottage Market and she is taking the summer off. The good old “practice makes perfect” maybe 🙂 Sorry couldn’t be more helpful!
Christine says
Just leave the milkyness. Its there because of the moisture contained in the gum after you dunked it in water. Use a hair drier on the sticky side and see it disappear almost instanty. Use caution, I use the highest heat setting and get burned often or use something to weight your stickers down while you blast it.
Lynn says
I wiped my back side of photos off with paper towel now it won’t stick to my glass .what can I use to make it stick to my glass.thanks
graphicsfairy says
Hi Lynn,
This tutorial was done by Andrea over at The Cottage Market, you mention photos, in her instructions she says , “the one thing you have to remember is that you MUST use prints that are either LASER or TONER based.” is your photo laser or toner based? I hope that helps 🙂
Smytha says
I dont know what I am doing wrong, but this isnt coming out the way you have pictured at all 🙁 I printed the images, mostly black and white, and then I put the tape on them and burnished. I put them in water and waited….either the paper dosent come off all the way or the ink fades to almost invisible, and neither are very sticky after.
graphicsfairy says
Hi Smytha,
I’m so sorry you are having issues with your project! This is a guest post from Andrea at The Cottage Market, unfortunately, Andrea has taken the Summer off due to Health issues. Did you try using the brand of tape that Andrea recommends in the supply list? You can click the link to see more info about it. Here is a link to my Top Tip for working with transfers post, https://thegraphicsfairy.com/top-tip-for-working-with-transfers/
I hope that helps 🙂