Transferring photos into a glass object-such as a glass, mason jar, mirror, or window-is a way to both personalize the object and decorate your home. You can transfer any type of photo that has been printed on a laser printer or that you find in a book or magazine. To transfer the photo onto a glass surface, apply clear adhesive tape to the surface of the photo you want to apply. Soak the photo and duct tape in warm water, then clean the paper and glue the photo to a glass object. Alternatively, you can use a gel transfer medium to transfer the photo directly onto the glass.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Applying Tape to the Photo Surface
Step 1. Print photo on a laser printer. If at this time the photo you want to transfer is still in digital form, the photo must be printed first. For best results, use a laser printer. Do not try to transfer photos printed with an inkjet printer.
- Alternatively, you can transfer photos from printed magazines, newspapers, or photos.
- If you are printing photos at a local photo studio, make sure the printer they are using is not an inkjet.
Step 2. Place a piece of clear duct tape over the photo
Cut the widest piece of clear duct tape and glue it directly onto a printed photo or a photo from a magazine. Make sure the duct tape covers all the photos you want to transfer.
If the photo is larger than the width of the tape, you won't be able to transfer it. Reprint the photo with a size slightly smaller than the width of the tape, which is about 7.5 cm
Step 3. Smooth the surface of the duct tape with the edge of the credit card
Gently press and slide the edge of the card across the photo to allow air bubbles to escape from the sides of the tape. If any air bubbles are trapped between the photo paper and the duct tape, a gap will form after the photo is transferred to the glass.
If you don't have a credit card, use something similar like a driver's license
Step 4. Cut out the photo
Discard any remaining paper on the printed photo (or from a magazine). After that, cut out the photo object. If the object is curved or has sharp corners, carefully cut out this section until you are leaving only the object in the photo.
- If the photo is rectangular or rectangular, cropping will be relatively easy.
- If you don't have scissors, just use a cutter knife.
Part 2 of 3: Soaking and Transferring Photos
Step 1. Immerse the photo in a bowl of warm water
The water will help the photo move to the adhesive surface of the duct tape. Soak the taped photo in warm water for 5 or 6 minutes.
The water should feel warm to the touch, but not hot. Hot water can melt or damage the duct tape and photos
Step 2. Rub the paper from behind the duct tape
Remove the tapered photo from the water and place it on the table. Rub the photo paper back and forth with your index and middle fingers until the paper curls and peels off the duct tape.
- If the paper doesn't peel off completely, soak it in warm water again and let it rest for 2 to 3 minutes.
- After that, lift the photo and continue scrubbing the paper until it's clean.
Step 3. Dry the photo with a hairdryer
Once all the paper has been peeled off clean, you now have a piece of duct tape containing the photo object. Take a hairdryer and use it to dry the duct tape completely. Once dry, you will notice that one side of the duct tape has become sticky again.
If you don't have a hairdryer, just put some duct tape on the table and let it air dry. This process will take about 30 minutes
Step 4. Adhere the sticky side of the photo firmly to the glass surface
Now you are ready to apply the photo to the glass. Position the duct tape over the glass and apply the photo adhesive until it sticks to the surface. After that, press the duct tape firmly with your finger.
- Start at the top or bottom of the duct tape and work your way up to the other side so that no air bubbles get trapped under the duct tape.
- If there are air bubbles after the duct tape has been applied, smooth it out using the edge of a credit card.
Part 3 of 3: Using Mod Podge's Glue
Step 1. Pour a layer of transfer gel medium over the glass
Use a craft brush to spread the transfer medium to keep your fingers clean. Apply a sufficient amount of craft media to the area where the photo will be pasted.
You can buy transfer gel at a craft or hobby store. Transfer media containers are usually labeled “matte gel” or “Mod Podge”
Step 2. Press the photo firmly onto the glass surface
Place the photo carefully over the designated area of the glass. Adhere to the glass and use your finger to press and align the photo into place.
After the photo is pressed and stuck to the glass, take care not to let the photo slip down
Step 3. Remove any air bubbles from under the photo
If there are air bubbles between the paper and the glass, the photo cannot be transferred in its entirety. Use a squeegee (a glass cleaner made of rubber) over the surface of the photo to remove any air bubbles.
You can buy a squeegee at your local hardware store
Step 4. Allow the transfer gel to dry for the amount of time recommended on the label
The photo transfer process can be damaged if you try to remove the paper before the gel has completely dried. If you live in a humid climate, the gel will take more than 24 hours to dry.
The type of transfer gel you use may differ slightly from the others in terms of drying instructions. Follow these instructions to make sure the photos are transferred correctly
Step 5. Wet the back of the paper with a sponge
Place the wet sponge over the back of the paper. The water will soak into the paper so you can rub it off the glass.
Squeeze the sponge before placing it on the photo paper. Do not use a soaked sponge
Step 6. Rub your thumb over the paper in a circular motion to remove it
Once the paper is wet, you can clean it from the glass. Clean the paper by making small circular motions using your thumb to break and loosen the paper.
Once the paper is removed, you can see the photo stuck to the glass. The Mod Podge photo will stick to the glass once all the paper has been cleaned
Tips
- If you transfer the photo onto a drinking glass or mason jar, do not wash the glass in the dishwasher. Wash the inside of the glass with soapy water and just wipe the outside with a rag.
- If you transfer photos using Mod Podge, be aware that the transferred photos will be reversed. This is especially important if you want to transfer text. Make sure you invert the text (mirror it) in a word/photo processing program on your computer before printing it.
