Easy Ink Transfer Cards
Create Ink Transfer Image Cards with Rubber Stamps
Speciality tools and products make ink transfer an easy option for card making. Norma Anne Chattin demonstrates how easy it is to create depth and dimension in card art.
Create depth and a weathered feel to your stamped art cards with the use of ink transfer techniques on rubber stamped images. Collage and scrapbook artists have been doing lots of ink transfer with photos and clip art, but the rubber stamp has been neglected.
Previous ink transfer techniques were so time consuming, the thought of using a rubber stamp seemed redundant. However, with the help of Stewart Superior’s transfer ink and the Wizard™ die cut and embossing tool the process just got easier.
Let the Tools do the Work
To create the card pictured the Penny Black™ image (3075F A Bunch of Love) was stamped on plain white paper in black dye ink and colored with brightly hued watercolor markers. This is the base image—don’t be put off if it looks harsh or overdone, it will transfer beautifully. Spray the base image with the transfer medium and lay it on the prepared shipping tag (see full card assembly instructions below).
Apply pressure to the base image as it rests on the shipping tag to transfer the image. Use the Wizard™ from www.spellbinders.us to apply plenty of pressure with the standard embossing plates. The image will transfer beautifully in soft shades with depth and it all happened in moments. The Wizard™ applies 3000 pounds of pressure as you pass the item through the machine. If you don’t have a Wizard™ you can try several other pressure techniques such as using a different type of press, a pasta roller, rubbing vigorously and sitting under heavy weights.
Assembly guide for the entire card:
Assembly guide for the entire card:
Step One: Tan cardstock base folded to 4.25” by 5.5”
Step Two: Cut print paper matte by Me & My Big Ideas™
Step Three: Large shipping tag sprayed with Walnut Ink and edged with bronze paint pen by Krylon™
Step Four: Use chalk finish inks in yellow and pink to create a background on medium shipping tag and outline with bronze paint pen by Krylon™
Step Five: Stamp the word Love on pink oval die cut and punch holes before attaching with brads to medium shipping tag
Step Six: Use inked string and pink ribbon to tie the tags together and glue to matte paper
There are other transfer mediums on the market that can work effectively for this type of project. Jen Lowe Designs sells a spray on solution and Golden’s Gel Medium is a popular transfer solution as well. You can use clip art and photos with this same technique, but be sure and use a laser printer or professional color copies for best results.
When working with ink transfers, don’t neglect your rubber stamps. The color variations and dimensions are perfect for transforming bold images into treasured artifacts.
Artwork and Photo by Norma Anne Chattin, The Artful Tourist, copyright 2006
