Wax Paper Transfer

Today, we’re looking at another easy transfer technique perfect for transferring onto mediums like paper, wood or linoleum.

The supplies needed for this project:

• Printer

• Design

• Wax paper

• Credit/rewards card

• Something to transfer onto

• Printer paper (to trace as a size guide)

• Pencil

• Scissors

• Tape

• Spray fixative (optional depending on surface)

For this transfer, I used the Picture Stencil Maker to create a clean version of my scanned sketch. I also used the reflect tool to flip my design as I will be printing this lino cut and stamp needed to be flipped.

With a file ready to print, let’s prepare the wax paper. Using the standard 8.5x11” printer paper as a guide, cut out a piece of wax paper this size. You can trace the outline with a pencil and then carefully cut it out as closely as you can.

Once cut, ensure it’s completely flat, if there are any wrinkles, try to smooth them out or cut another piece.

Make sure as it prints it feeds smoothly. If you printer is a little older, try adding a piece of regular printer paper behind it to act as a guide. Let ink on the print dry for one minute in the printer tray before removing.

Once the design is printed, place it ink-side down onto the surface you want to transfer onto. Tape it down to ensure the design doesn’t shift as you make the transfer.

Take a credit/rewards card and scrape evenly across the design. Once you have gone over the design several times thoroughly, lift a corner to ensure the design transferred. If you’re satisfied with the transfer, peel away the wax paper and voilà!

The surface of my linoleum is quite slippery, unlike something like wood, it has very little grip. With that in mind, I plan to spray a couple of coats of spray fixative onto my design to ensure the transfer is secure while I carve out the design. If you’re printing onto a dryer surface or don’t plan to touch the design after transferring, the fixative is unnecessary.