Decoart Media Matte Medium Image Transfer onto Fabric

Today I am sharing a technique for image transfer onto fabric using DecoArt Media Matte Medium. For this tutorial I have used cheesecloth but have also had success using this technique on cotton and t-shirt material.

What you will need:

• Laser or inkjet printed image which has been reversed (note both printers can be used but crisper results are achieved with a laser print)
• DecoArt Media Matte Medium
• Flat brush
• Material (I used cheesecloth)
• Brayer
• Sponge
• Water
• Heat tool

The image I have used is Study of a Woman's Head by the great Leonardo da Vinci and can be found as a free download on my website here.

Here's how to create your transfer:

1. Lay your fabric on a non-stick surface, I am using a Teflon sheet.

2. Apply a generous coat of matte medium to the fabric.

3. You want to cover an area just slightly larger than the image you are using.

4. Apply a coat of Media Matte Medium to the printed side of your image and dry with a heat tool.

5. When the matte medium on the material has turned tacky, apply a second coat to the printed side of the image. 

6. Immediately lay the image in place on the fabric, face down as shown.

7. Brayer over the surface, removing any air bubbles or excess matte medium.

8. Peel the material away from the non-stick surface.

9. Leave to dry over night or alternatively place in front of an electric fan heater on high for a couple of hours (not too close!).

10. Once dry moisten the surface with water using a wet sponge and leave to soak in for 1 minute.

11. Take your wet sponge and start rubbing the surface gently using circular motions to remove the paper.

12. Continue doing this until all the paper is removed, dry with your heat tool. If you see any white paper remaining after drying continue with the sponge to remove it.

13. You should be now left with a very flexible image transferred piece of material to use in your mixed media projects - you can even use it for sewing.

I would recommend if attempting to wash the fabric that you do so by hand in cool water.

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial - if you make something with this technique please do share it with me in the comments below.

See you soon,
Andy