Wednesday 2 September 2015

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

26 comments:

  1. Excellent! Thanks for the tutorial! I've achieved mixed results with image transfer in the past, but this is a new technique and I'm eager to give it a try.

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  2. I'm so going to try this! I love it!

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  3. Definately trying this. Love the cheesecloth look. Where can I get the picture?

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    1. Hi Lisa, It's here on my website: http://www.andyskinnercrafts.com/image-transfer-statues.html

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  4. Can you help get this on Pinterest? I'd love to save it but can't seem to pin it from here. Thank you!

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    1. I was able to pin it: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/117938083969203767/

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  5. Fabulous .... Can't wait to try x

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  6. Fabulous! I love image transfers, this looks really awesome. Have to have a play :)
    ~kim

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  7. Looks so beautiful - will see how it goes with my inkjet!
    Alison x

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  8. I love you Andy Skinner. lol Thank You xxx

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  9. Great tutorial, thank you! I have tried this a, few times, with no success what so ever. But yours is different, you coat the fabric once and the image twice. thanks for the tip

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  10. I'm also a quilter/seamstress so thanks Andy I've so got to try this

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  11. I'm also a quilter/seamstress so thanks Andy I've so got to try this

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  12. I agree with Elly - just awesooooome!
    Many thanks for sharing with us!

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  13. The image is so clear, I love it. :) x

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  14. Thanks for the tutorial. I will try this method of transfer. =)

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  15. LOVE THIS!!! Your transfer is flawless.....thanks for sharing this technique. Definitely worth the trouble to figure it out as your finished results are truly beautiful!

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  16. yes tried this but 2 things different 1. i left it for 2days as was away 2.i used lightweight material not cheesecloth. Happy enough with result, Interested to try on other materials.

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  17. Can i use something else than DecoArt Media Matte Medium, because i can't find this product in my country.
    Thank you !

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  18. Fthank you for sharing this fabulous idea. As one mentioned above in the comments your technique covering both the fabric and the image might give a better result. Gonna try your idea..
    It looks fabulous.. Thanks a lot for sharing.
    Hugs from Monica... Spain

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Your comments are always read and very much appreciated.