Glass Transfer Class

Tips and How-To's from Chelsea's Glass Image Transfer Class

Thanks so much for being in class with me! If you've forgotten a few things we talked about in class, here are some refreshers. And if you have a question, please feel free to email me!

What to Do with Your Unfinished Pieces from Class

You've got your finished pieces from class, and they're great! But how were you supposed to finish up the other ones we did in class? Here are the steps:

- get the paper on your glass wet. We did this in class with a spray bottle and put the towel over it. If you don't have a spray bottle, just dampen the towel, place it on the paper, and press lightly by hand. It should not be super wet, but make sure all of the paper is saturated before moving on to the next step.

- peel off the top layer of paper by hand. Then use your damp towel to gently rub off the first layer of paper. You don't have to get it all this time around - that's what the next step is for.  Once done, leave the glass for a few minutes to dry. You want to see the white of the paper left on your glass, but it should not be completely dry.

- now, get a small part of your cotton towel a little wet and gently rub off the rest of the paper.  You may need to let the glass dry again to make sure you've gotten all the paper off, and you may need to use your fingers to feel any paper left behind and remove the last bits. This will probably take several passes to get all the paper off.

- once all the paper is off and your wood has dried, you can seal it with either the polycrylic or glass paint. Apply a thin layer in smooth, even strokes. Let this dry for 10-30 minutes minimum, 24 hours for a full cure for the polycrylic (read the glass paint instructions for curing directions)

- apply the rubber feet or hanging hardware, and you're all finished! Now admire your beautiful work!

-Clean up: you can rinse your brush in water and reuse, and your towels can be washed in the washing machine. All the materials we use are water-soluble and non-toxic.

How to Start a New Piece

Got one of those kits from Chelsea after class, or purchased your own supplies? (Scroll to the bottom for supplies list) Here's how to get started:

- make sure you are starting with a clean surface by wiping with rubbing alcohol

- pre-treat the glass with either the Glass & Tile Medium or 1-2 layers of polycrylic (let each layer dry in between). Make sure this is completely dry before moving on, usually 8-12 hours for the glass medium

- have your prepped image ready to go (remember, laser-printed, mirror image if on top, normal if on bottom, high resolution, non-glossy paper)

- dip your foam brush into the polycrylic (remember to stir) and apply a thin layer to the glass (on top of the dried layer of glass medium) in smooth, even strokes. You want enough poly so that you'll get a good transfer, but not so thick that the paper will wrinkle. If it starts to dry before you're finished, let it dry for a few minutes and then start with a new layer

- position your glass, poly-side down, over your image. Once it's aligned, push the glass onto the paper and then turn over so the paper's on top. Smooth the paper with your hands, then use your burnishing card - laying flat - to smooth out and push down the paper. Don't forget about the edges! (If you use the burnishing card on its side, you'll squeeze all the poly out, which is not what you want). Remember, you need to get those edges and corners quickly, before the poly dries!

- let this dry in a warm place for at least 6-8 hours. Then start on the instructions for what to do with your unfinished piece from class (above)

Products List

Want to purchase your own supplies to do this at home? Here's what we used in class (please note, these links take you to Amazon's online store - buying through here does give me a little cash back, or you can find these at most local arts and crafts or hardware stores)

You can also email me about purchasing materials directly from me

- Transfer Medium: Polycrylic - I use Satin or Matte (not polyurethane)

- Sealant: Same Polycrylic or Glass paints (metallics here)

- Foam brushes: 2 inch or 3 inch (we used 2" in class; 3" are nice for larger pieces)

- Glass: we used 3.5" or 4" in class. Contact me if you'd like to purchase treated or untreated pieces (prices vary). You can also check your local craft or hardware stores for varying sizes.

- Towels:
dry fine-weave towels for rubbing off paper

- Finishing hardware: triangle hooks for hanging on the wall, or try an edge-grip standoff, rubber feet for coasters, or contact me for wood stand for all 4, or clear acrylic stand for 1