You can make journal pages much more interesting by layering multiple images and text. There are many ways to transfer an image onto a page….so I’ll be doing several posts with different techniques. Below I’ll show you how to use clear Con-Tact paper (the stuff used for drawer liners and textbook covers). Many people use packing tape for this same technique, but I think it is too limiting because it’s size.
Below are three journal pages where I used Con-Tact paper to place an image or text as a layer.
Materials needed:
Clear Con-Tact paper
A photocopied image (inkjet will not work)
My photocopy is a quote written by Sabrina Ward Harrison in one of her books. I love her handwriting!
Cut out your Con-Tact paper to cover the portion of the photocopy that you want to transfer.
Peel the backing off the Con-Tact paper…..
……and place on your photocopy.
Use your fingernail or another object (I’m using a bone folder in the photo) to burnish the top of the Con-Tact paper to make sure it adheres well.
Cut off the excess paper surround the image.
Place the photocopy/Con-Tact paper into a bowl of warm water……
…and gently begin rubbing the wet paper off of the Con-Tact paper.
The photocopied image will be left behind.
To adhere it to your page or canvas you can use matte medium, clear glue or modge podge. I use matte medium in my journals because it doesn’t cause the pages to stick together over time. I put some matte medium directly on the page and then spread it out using a paint brush.
Then I placed the transferred image on the page……
….and brushed the excess matte medium over the top and made sure to push out any air bubbles.
Finished! An easy and foolproof way to make those pages more interesting.
(My mother is going to LOVE that I have this photo of her in a swimsuit when she was younger on my blog…..but she was Miss Teenage Maryland, I think she should show it off!)
Other image transfer tutorials to check out:
What an awesome idea! I always wondered how they did that! Thank you! -Kelsee
Who knew it was so easy? Thanks for sharing. You're going to convince me to journal yet. LOL!
that is beautiful!
Cool!!! your mom looks great 🙂
You're the best! Fabulous idea 🙂
This is so cool. I don't think I've ever told you how in awe I am of your paintings. I think they are so so gorgeous. You are so gifted. Thanks for sharing!
Shut. Up. That is soooo coool. You are "da bomb".
ps- the "I'm-not-really-rude" disclaimer… I didn't mean shut up in a bad way… it's the new way to say "groovy" I think. 😛
how great is that. love it!!!
That's a great idea… and your mom looks adorable and should be very proud!
Girl, how in the world did you ever figure that out? That is totally a project I'm using.
Do you think it would work on vintage children's book pages???
Whoa, way cool! You always give such great instructions! Thanks so much, I'll be linking.
I love this! It's such a great idea!
I've used this technique with packing tape before, but it never occurred to me that it would work with contact paper! So excited, thanks!
Courtney
Love this idea!! I think I have some contact paper in my cupboards~ 🙂
i love this idea — and LOVE your blog. a friend recently introduced me to it and i think your projects are great. i featured your con-tact paper trick in a post on my blog today: http://the-stationery-place.blogspot.com/2009/08/con-tact-paper-transfers.html
keep up the great work!
This is exactly what I was looking for to make my Ouija board Halloween party invitations. I will be sure and link to your fantastic tutorial when I post the invite on our site.
I like this a lot. I want to try it.
If inkjet photocopies don't adhere what do you use?
Thanks,
Gita.
Props for keeping all those drinks down;)
You can do this with packing tape to. Just put it over the photocopy and submerge in water.
TFS. Yours is great for bigger projects
wow, thank you for sharing this!
i will definitely try that out!
super great idea! ho man! thanks for posting it – it’s art right up my alley!
If only i knew it was that easy, who knew? crazy! Thats awesome that is now on my shopping list of things to buy!
♥
FINALLY!!! an easy transfer … that I can do NOW ~ I have loads of extra contact paper from the begining of the school year book wrapping craziness! Thank You!!
Just loved reading your tutorials on Art Journalling and I hope you don’t mind but I linked your blog and tutorial on mine…thank you for sharing such great tips with clear and wonderful photos/instructions 🙂
What an amazing idea!! Thank you for sharing!
This is really cool! So what kind of copies do you make since you don’t use inkjet? -Shayla
Amazing idea.. can’t wait to do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is clever, but aren’t you leaving the tape behind? Or does the tape come off and only the toner stays?
Hey! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to look it over.
I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my
followers! Great blog and terrific style and design.