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DIY Transfer Paper!

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DIY Transfer Paper

Hi, I’m Gina! I’m a blogger and crafter and you may know me from my blog, The Shabby Creek Cottage. This week, I’m sharing a pretty simple project for making our own DIY Transfer paper for an InkJet Printer. You are going to love this simple easy technique that uses Freezer Paper! {I love this awesome technique!} I started with this table runner (you can learn how to make it over at my blog, you can find the link at the bottom of this post for that.) You could make one too … or a store bought one is also fine. Ikea can be a great resource for simple linens that are inexpensive, so keep that in mind.

DIY Transfer Paper
Of course you don’t have to make a runner, this technique will work with any fabric project. Just keep in mind that the ink won’t be washable so make sure you use it on decorative projects only and not on wearables. Throw pillows, fabric ornaments or soft Junk Journal covers would all be great uses for this technique too.

I used a French Transfer, which you can find at the bottom of this post) for this project but you can use any graphics or artwork that you like.

DIY Transfer Paper Step by Step Tutorial

cutting out the DIY Transfer Project Paris Printable

Supplies:

Table Runner or other Fabric Project

Image of choice (find the transfer that I used in this project, at the bottom of the post)

Freezer Paper

Inkjet Printer

Scissors

Cardstock

Please Note: I have not tried this with Laser Printers so I do not know if it would work or not, I would be concerned that it might damage that type of printer

Step 1: First you need to cut your freezer paper to the size of a sheet of paper. I had cardstock on hand, so I used it as a template and cut with scissors. You could also use a mat and cut it 8 1/2 x 11. Either way works great.
feeding the transfer into the printer

Step 2: Now put the cut piece of freezer paper in your home printer – you’ll want it so that the plastic side will receive the ink. {Please excuse my messy cabinet!} Make sure you stay close to your printer so that you can guide it through.

Printing on the wax paper with home printer

Step 3: If you are using an image with text or Typography on it then print your image in reverse, and be careful not to touch the ink. It will stay wet until the next step and you don’t want it to smudge.

Ironing the wax paper
Step 4: Carefully lay the printout down on the fabric where you want the graphic and iron it down with your household iron. Make sure your iron is set on NO steam. I ironed about 60 seconds, just to make sure that everything was in place.

smoothing out the transfer with a wooden spoon
Step 5: After you’ve ironed it down, put the runner on a hard surface (like a table) and use something to burnish down the paper even more. (I used a wooden spoon for this) I did it with and without this step – it really does make a big difference! Just rub, rub, rub and make sure that you’ve went over all of the graphic.

Pulling the wax paper off of the runner
Step 6: Then peel off the paper – and you are done! It’s like magic! The ironing makes the paper grab to the fabric, so it will be a bit like peeling off tape.

DIY Transfer Project close up of table runner

I love the imperfect, slightly vintage look of this method. And this DIY method is a lot cheaper than using iron-on transfer papers that you purchase, although you will probably get more of a professional look with the commercial transfer papers.

Transferred Runner with bowl of green Apples

Want the graphic? We’ve got two versions of the printable used in this project below. One is front facing (like in the picture) and the second one is reversed, or mirrored. You can Grab them both below!
Paris Address Furniture Transfer
I hope you enjoyed this fun DIY Transfer Paper Tutorial! It’s such a great technique! See ya next time for another project!
You can find instructions for sewing the table runner on my blog Here. 
Gina
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Comments

  1. Trayne1837 says

    Oh, this is fantastic. I do lots of things for the theatre… and I can use this method for transferring a pattern and then using the dimensional paints… so great

  3. Becky Green says

    WOW! You ladies are GREAT! Asking ALLL the RIGHT QUESTIONS! I don’t have any now!!!!!!!!!! LOL 🙂 Thank you for the printable & reverse! 🙂 (P.S. If you’d add the URL thingy to your Graphics Fairy blog, I’d leave you comments there too! 🙂 ) LOVE your blog!!!!!!! 🙂

  4. Anonymous says

    Is wax paper the same as freezer paper? We have different products in canada, just like i can’t find CitriSolve for doing transfers and was wondering if other orange solvents will also work.

  7. William says

    Great to have another fabulous crafter showing off all the wonderful images that Karen shares with everyone. Said it before-this is the BEST site out there for artists/crafters. Amazing that we have this resource.

  8. Karen- The Graphics Fairy says

    Hi everyone. Gina used an inkjet printer that uses waterproof ink. I use a similar type of printer. If your printer does not use waterproof ink, then I would make sure to only use this technique on projects that you won’t be washing. This method works great on wood too!

  11. Sherrie says

    Hi girls! Love your collaboration! Genius!
    Gina did you use an inkjet or laser jet printer?
    Can’t wait to see what you come up with next :0)

  12. Gina Luker says

    Hi Anon,
    The type of ink your printer takes determines whether or not it is permanent. My printer is permanent, but there are a few brands out there that are not. A quick google search can tell you if yours is.

    Thanks so much!

    • sarah says

      There is a liquid you can buy that you can use to make inkjet printer ink permanent. From memory you soak the fabric in the solution for 5 minutes and then let it dry, then do the image transfer as per this tutorial, then let that dry and then you wash it to remove the solution residue and it is permanent. I actually make labels for my business using this solution.

    • Judy Burrington says

      Any Inkjet printer will work wonderfully. You just have to iron over the applied ink for a minute to set it permanently.
      This doesn’t not work with laser printers, it must be an inkjet.

    • Gina Luker says

      Hi Sarah, I found mine at Walmart, in the area where the aluminum foil is. You can also try your local grocery stores, too. I found it “hidden” on the very bottom shelf 🙂 Hope this helps!

    • Kimberly says

      Costco has a big roll of freezer paper (we use a lot of it for quilting) for around $40 give or take. You can also get it at grocery stores in smaller rolls or walmart in smaller rolls – it will be with the foil and saran wrap. It is great for applique patterns because you can iron it over and over using the same pattern many times.

    • Anonymous says

      Wal-mart does have it. You’ll find it in the area where the canning jars are. I found some there. THe freezer paper is not with the freezer bags, etc. Their way of stocking just blows my mind!!

      • Judy Burrington says

        Wax paper would work, but it is waxed on both sides so you need to set your iron hotter and put thin material between the wax paper and the iron so you don’t ruin your iron. I’ve read that freezer paper works best, but I have not tried them both to know for fact.

      • Judy Burrington says

        I think wax paper would work much better for transferring onto wood. I tried the freezer paper method on wood and didn’t like it because the ink looked smeared and the ink is too light so I ended up having to paint the letters. But, at least the freezer paper method did make a wonderful stencil template for me to paint over. Which is really great because you are guaranteed to have your letters spaced evenly.
        As for printing on fabric if the fabric is thin I apply Wonder Under to it, cut it out to regular paper size and put it right in the printer and print directly onto the fabric. I absolutely LOVE this method, the ink is nice and dark this way. Then iron it for a minute to set the ink permanently. That is how I do my clothing labels and quilt labels. The Wonder Under has a peel off backing so you can iron your printed fabric onto something else, like quilt, clothing, towels, etc. It is found in the fabric section of the store.

      • CeeJay says

        Wax paper has more of a waxed surface. Freezer paper has a plastic surface. When you iron freezer paper the plastic melts and adheres to the fabric but doesn’t melt INTO the fabric like wax will. Wax paper WILL work but freezer paper works best.

  14. Anonymous says

    This is so cool! Is the ink permanent? How does it stand up in the wash? Thanks for sharing!!

    • Nancy Humble says

      I love this method of transfer but cannot find any way to make it permanent. I’ve looked for information on permanent ink cartridges and can’t find anything. I want to make purses with this method but the ink rubs off. Help!!!!

    • Judy Burrington says

      The ink will not stand up in the wash and is not permanent unless you do this: after you have applied the lettering to your fabric let it sit for about 10 minutes, then go back over the fabric with an iron on the cotton setting for about a minute, don’t let the iron sit in one spot for more than two seconds, though, to avoid burn marks. That sets the ink permanently.

  15. Ms. Redo says

    Love your table runner, Gina – and such a great clear tutorial, I think I will finally try to make a transfer onto fabric. Thanks so much for sharing, can’t wait to see what you’re making next week. Mary

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