By: Lynda
art journals, craft product reviews, crafts, fabric, mixed media, paper, tutorials, , , , , , ,

Easy Image Transfer with Citrasolv

I’ve been itching to transfer some images for some time now. I came across some information about using Citrasolv, a natural cleaner and degreaser, and thought I’d try it. Citrasolv is sold at health food stores.

I picked an old picture from my stash and printed it out on my laser printer. (Ink jet prints will not work.)

My print ready to be transferred.
My print ready to be transferred.

I then turned it over, put a little of the Citrasolv on a cotton ball, rubbed it across the back of the print. Immediately, the print appears.

Rubbing the Citrasolv over the back of my print.
Rubbing the Citrasolv over the back of my print.

After rubbing the complete image back and forth, I lifted it up and here is the print on my journal page.

Image transferred to journal
Image transferred to journal

That was ok, but I wanted to try it with a different picture.

I chose this one I took in my garden a year or so ago.

My original print
My original print

I printed out of my laser two images – one color and one black and white so I could compare. This is how they turned out in my journal.

Both image transfers
Both image transfers

I really like both of them, although the black and white one seems a bit more interesting.

Now to move on to other materials. I tried transferring on fabric. I think the black and white print would have worked better. Also, I should have stretched and taped my material down.

Color image transfer on muslin
Color image transfer on muslin

Then on to canvas.

Image transfer on canvas
Image transfer on canvas

Not as clear of an image and again I would have liked the black and white copy better. When I first lifted the print up, I couldn’t even see an image but after it dried it appeared.

On to tyvex. This is the material that some envelopes are made of. I bought this tyvex online for a class I was taking. Really interesting material.

Color Image transfer on tyvex
Color Image transfer on tyvex
Black and white transfer on tyvex
Black and white transfer on tyvex

I really liked both of these.

Last test was on vinyl material.

Color image transfer on vinyl
Color image transfer on vinyl

On vinyl, the image is transferred on one side and you look at it through the other side. I have it sitting on a piece of white card stock so you can see the design.

After it dried I turned the vinyl over to the back side where I’ve transferred and painted over the design with a white paint.

Vinyl sample
Vinyl sample

Now you can see the transfer better, but I’m not done with this yet. There will be more painting on this medium. I’m not finished with the other samples either.

Now for steps for this process. [print_link]

  1. Use a laser or a photocopy of your image. Ink jet will not work.
  2. Put image side down on your printing surface (material, paper, etc.)
  3. Put a little Citrasolv on a cotton pad and rub over the back of the print. You don’t need to use a lot of this cleaner.
  4. Rub up and down and around a little more.
  5. Remove the print and you’ll see your transfer!

Some tips:

  • You might want to tape down your print so it doesn’t move on your surface. Stretching fabric with tape would probably make a better print.
  • This cleaner smells good at first. However, if you do as many transfers as I did in a closed room, it gets to be real stinky. I’d recommend doing this in an open area or open the windows. The smell will leave the transfer.
  • You can draw or color on your print before you transfer.
  • Experiment with color and black and white prints.
  • Transfer on printed fabric for a layered design.
  • Paint in and draw on the transfer.

I really loved this technique. If you’ve tried it, I’d love to see and hear about your results and any suggestions you might have.