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!
Amanda Thompson says
I have tried this over and over with different types of tape and the same thing happens every time. The image transfers to the tape just fine, but the tape loses all its stickiness so I can’t do anything with it. It won’t stick to the glass. Can you help?
graphicsfairy says
Hi Amanda, this was actually a guest post from Andrea over at The Cottage Market. She does state in her instructions to make sure you are using laser or toner based prints, other that that I am not sure why it isn’t working for you. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help. Here is a link to Andrea’s site, maybe she can assist you, https://thecottagemarket.com/ Have a great day!
QweenButterflyy says
This absolutely worked! Im excited because now I can finish customizing my husband’s mug for his birthday! Thank you for this easy tutorial!!
graphicsfairy says
Oh yea! Good luck, I am sure he will love it!!
Sara says
Thanks for this ! Worked perfectly. Is there any way to stick just the image without the tape ? Is there any way to take the tape away and just keep the image there ?
graphicsfairy says
Hi Sara,
There are so many different ways to transfer images, here is a link to some of my favorites, https://thegraphicsfairy.com/12-easy-image-transfer-methods-for-diy-projects/ I hope that helps 🙂
Christine says
I’ve been doing this for some time. Since I do a few at once I’m pressed for time so I use a hair dryer to get some or all of the moisture out quicker. Dry it on the tacky side. I also find that the heavy duty tape and the cheaper versions both have their strengths and weaknesses. The cheaper versions are not too tacky so the paper comes off easier provided you did your burnishing thoroughly. The heavy duty tapes are easier to work with if your prints are small. For larger projects I use clear self adhesive rolls. The sticky back type to cover school books with.
donshay says
hey Im doing this on a plate, but having guest sign the plate with a marker I know to have the maker dry i have to put it in the over. Do you think its safe to put the sticker in the oven?
graphicsfairy says
I am not sure about that, the oven may melt the tape, perhaps try it on a sample piece first to test it out. Good luck 🙂
Liz says
Ok, I tried it again and this time it work perfectly, not sure what I did wrong the first time. I spent about 5 minutes rubbing and pressing the image with a ruler and then I submerged it in warm water and let it soak for about 2 minutes. The white paper peeled off easily without damaging the black ink. Thank you! 🙂
graphicsfairy says
Oh yea!! So glad you were persistent, sometimes it just takes a few tries 🙂
Paula Iacono says
When you wash the vessels, does the image come off?
Liz says
It did not work for me, did everything as shown. The whole thing peeled off. Will try again…
Heidi says
This worked beautifully – thanks for a great DIY!
graphicsfairy says
Oh yea! I am so glad you liked it Heidi 🙂
Gisell says
Hey, I’m sorry to say that this don’t work. I tried it many time. Got 2 pages of each of pictures for wine glasses and it didn’t stick. Tried it on a champagne glass didn’t work, tried it with mod podge didn’t work. IF you can suggest another method I will highly appreaciated. Thanks
~Gisell~
graphicsfairy says
I am sorry it didn’t work for you Gisell, we have so may readers who have shared their projects using this method, but here is a link to some of my other favorite transfer methods you might like, https://thegraphicsfairy.com/12-easy-image-transfer-methods-for-diy-projects/ Good luck 🙂
Edward says
Wow! The end products look pretty cool.. It’s really a great idea. I’m going to try this for sure.. Thanks for sharing!! 🙂
graphicsfairy says
Thanks Edward, enjoy!
Dawn McKinney says
ok, so these aren’t transfers.. these are removable decals, because you are not “transferring’ the image to the item, only to the adhesive side of the tape.. you are making a decal out of the tape, and adhering it to the item. I think what is confusing people is the term “transfers”… thinking the image itself is being transferred to the item using the tape adhesive as the medium.. when actually, the tape is being made into a decal.
JB says
Brilliant idea. I will try that one especially the transferring of the image into a glass.Thanks!
Rebecca says
I have to admit, I was sceptical about this at first. I’m making come candles for my wedding so figured I’d give this a go as it might look less messy than my previous attempts. But wow I was so impressed – and I only used regular sellotape to test it first time round!
Now I just need to find a good method to transfer to wood without confusing things with American products which I don’t have access to.
graphicsfairy says
Yea!! So glad it worked out for you 🙂 Congratulations on your wedding!
Albert DAgostino says
After reading the comments above, there seems to be confusion over a number of points:
1) You must use a LASER printer and NOT an ink-jet. Laser images are of a WAX substance which does not dissolve in water. Ink-jet inks are a DYE and WILL dissolve and smear in water.
2) You must burnish the tape and the paper with a lot of pressure. This is dome to insure that the wax image of the laser print becomes imbedded deeply into the GLUE of the packing tape – this is the point of transfer.
3) The paper must then be separated from the tape by soaking in warm water. Do not rub the paper to hard because you may remove some of the glue on the tape. This would destroy of remove some of the image.
graphicsfairy says
Thank you so much Albert for taking the time to explain in such detail and so accurately!!! Have a wonderful day 🙂