Timed perfectly to coincide with the release of my new book “The Art of Polymer Clay, Creative Surface Effects” comes this crushing news...in the inkjet transfer techniques, I recommend using Epson Glossy Photo Paper.  This paper was like “Old Faithful” always made perfect transfers, reliable, solid as a rock.  Well, Epson has just changed the paper  and the new paper will not transfer images onto clay. Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience this might have caused.

It seems paper companies frequently change their papers.  As the process of producing inkjet transfers relies on the characteristics of the paper, the search for suitable inkjet papers may be a continuous search.  I will update this page as the need arises or when I receive new recommendations.

Direct Transfer process:

1.  cut printed image from paper.

2.  apply a light coat of Kato Clear Medium

3.  place face down on light (white for maximum detail) raw clay.

4.  trim and remove excess clay from around paper.

5.  bake for 20 minutes at 300 F.

6.  drop cured piece in water and rub backing paper away.

JetPrint Imaging and Photo Matte Paper - this paper was recommended to me by artist Kathy Dewey.  In my experiments, I found it most like Epson Glossy Photo Paper.  The image transfers well to clay and I could not scratch the image from the cured transfer.  I tried to scrape it off with my fingernail and I couldn’t.  It’s also inexpensive, 100 sheets for 10.00, sold at WalMart.  You can print on both sides of this paper. The image did, however, yellow slightly.   Please check my blog “transfers a la kathy dewey” for her recommendations and the process she uses to transfer inkjet images onto clay. 

HP Brochure and Flyer Paper - Susan Turney tried this paper, it came with her printer!  The image transfers very well onto clay.  The ink is, however, quite easily scratched off after it is cured.  You could coat it with liquid clay and cure to protect it.  You could also press a very thin sheet of translucent onto it and cure again to protect the ink.  This is also a two sided paper, make a mistake on one side, just turn it over and print on it again. Of the three, the image reproduced on clay was the best.  I bought this paper at Office Max - 50 sheets for about 14.00.

Canon GP 502 - While the ink did transfer onto the clay and the backing paper was very easy to rub off, the dry transfer developed a heavy film.  I could reduce the haziness by working KCM into the film - not dabbing, working it into the film.  Even so, the image quality wasn’t as good as the Jet Print or the HP paper.  I could also easily scratch the image off the cured transfer.  For those reasons, I don’t think I’d use Canon GP 502.

FYI, Jeanne Rhea has another way to make inkjet (and also toner) transfers.  Her tutorial is definitely worth a look.  Here’s her link:

http://www.heartofclay.com/page39.htm