A way to personalize and decorate your living space is to put an image onto a glass objectIf you find an image in a book or magazine, you can transfer it from a laser printer.Attach packing tape to the image you wish to transfer.After soaking the image and tape in warm water, remove the paper and stick it onto a glass object.You can use a gel transfer medium to transfer an image to a glass surface.
Step 1: You can print your image from a laser printer.
You will need to print the image if you want to transfer it.If you want the best results, use a laser printer.Do not transfer an image that has been printed.You could transfer an image from a magazine page to a newspaper page.If you are printing an image at a Kinkos or other printing shop, make sure the printer they use is not an inkjet.
Step 2: Put packing tape over the image.
Cut off a piece of packing tape and apply it to the photo.Make sure the piece of tape is completely covering the image you want to transfer.If your image is larger than the packing tape, you won't be able to transfer it.Re-print the image so that it is a bit smaller than packing tape.
Step 3: Place the edge of a credit card over the tape.
Remove the edge of the credit card from the taped image so that bubbles can be worked out.There will be gaps in the image once it is transferred to glass if there are air bubbles between the paper image and packing tape.You can use your driver's license if you don't have a credit card.
Step 4: Use a pair of scissors to remove the image.
Cut away excess paper from the photo.Carefully cut out the image.If the image has curves or sharp angles, cut around them so you can only hold the tape-covered image.It will be relatively easy to cut the image if it is square or rectangular.A utility knife will work if you don't have scissors nearby.
Step 5: Take the image and put it in a glass of warm water.
The water will help the image transfer.The image should be soaked in the warm water for 5 or 6 minutes.The water should be warm to the touch.The tape and image may be damaged by hot water.
Step 6: The paper should be removed from the back of the tape.
Pull the taped image out of the water and place it on your work surface.Rub the paper side with your index and middle fingers until it comes off the tape.If the paper doesn't rub off completely, re-submerge it in the warm water and let it soak for another 2 or 3 minutes.Pull the image out and rub the paper with it.
Step 7: Use a blow dry to dry your image.
You will be left with a strip of packing tape when you remove all of the paper.Pull out a blow dryer and use it to dry the tape.When the tape is dry, one side becomes sticky again.Set the piece of tape on your work surface if you don't have a blow dryer.It will take about 30 minutes to dry.
Step 8: The image should be firmly against your glass.
You are ready to apply the image to the glass.Lower the image until it rests against the glass surface.Press the tape firmly onto the glass with your fingers.To avoid air bubbles under the tape, start at the top or bottom and work your way to the other side.If you find air bubbles after applying the tape, smooth them out with the edge of a credit card.
Step 9: There is a layer of gel transfer medium on the glass.
To spread the transfer medium, use a craft brush.The image will be applied to a section of glass with a generous layer of transfer medium.Gel transfer medium can be purchased at hobby-supply stores.The containers of transfer medium are marked.
Step 10: The image should be firmly pressed onto the glass surface.
Carefully position the image over the glass you want to apply it to.Use your fingers to flatten the image onto the glass after setting it down.If you pressed the image into place, avoid sliding it around on the glass surface.
Step 11: Air bubbles can be seen under the image.
The image won't transfer fully if there are air bubbles between the paper and glass.To get rid of air bubbles, gently slide a squeegee over the image.A squeegee can be purchased at a hardware store.
Step 12: As long as the product instructions are followed, the transfer gel should dry.
If you attempt to remove the paper before the gel has dried, the image transfer will be ruined.The gel needs more than 24 hours to dry if you live in a humid climate.Depending on the type of transfer gel you use, it may have different drying directions.Follow the directions to transfer the image.
Step 13: Put a sponge in the back of the paper.
There is a sponge on the back of the paper.You can rub the paper off of the glass with the water.You should wring out the damp sponge before applying it to the photo paper.Don't use a soaking wet sponge.
Step 14: Rub your thumb over the paper to get rid of it.
You can remove the paper from the glass after you damp it.Make small circles with your thumb to loosen the paper by working over it.You can see the image stuck to the glass as the paper comes off.As you finish rubbing off any remaining patches of paper, the Mod Podge image should remain on the glass.