Making Transfers and Decals with Fimo Gel
by Jeanne

Note:  I used the decal transfers between two slides.  They work very well as the printing is very clear on one side and the other side is s satiny print, but still clear.  The bad thing is if there is any text, then one side will be backwards.

First print the picture using an inkjet printer in photo mode or best printing onto the Epson Glossy Photo Paper.  (If making decals you do not have to reverse for printing, but if applying to clay then you will need to be sure text is printed backwards.)

• Cut out around the image leaving a small border around edges---at least one side.
• Lay on a small tile or piece of glass.
• Brush on a layer of Fimo Decorating Gel. Try not to get any Fimo Gel on the back side as this may make it hard to peel the transfer off the paper.
• Allow to sit until no bubbles showing. This usually does not take long. I do not put on a really thick coat---but at least so it covers well.  The thinner the coating of Fimo Gel, the more fragile the decal transfer will be.
• For decal like transfers, leave the photo face up on the tile.
• Cure in an oven at about 275 for 20 minutes.
• While still hot, peel off layer of cured Fimo Gel.  Your transfer should come off with a very good image showing and little color left on most photo papers.

If transferring image to polymer clay...

• Roll out a layer of polymer clay.
• Coat the polymer clay with a thin layer of Fimo Gel.
• Turn over the image that was printed onto the Epson Photo Glossy Paper.
• Rub from the center out in all directions to be sure there are no air bubbles between the clay and the image.
• Cure in oven for 30 minutes at 275 degrees.
• Remove paper and image will be transferred to the clay.

If you are using translucent liquid Sculpey, it will work - although not nearly so well as the Fimo Gel. Also, the paper is as important as the liquid medium used.

 

Here are samples of transfers---not onto glass, but these can easily be put on glass. I transfered some directly onto the white Premo clay using the Fimo Gel also. The photo paper I used was Epson Glossy Photo Paper (Do not use premium). I used photo mode on my inkjet copier.

 

 

 

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Copyright 2005-2006 Jacqueline Fitzgerald Graham
Last revised: May 16, 2006.
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