How To Use Your Vintage Photos For Image Transfers

In this art class, I will discuss how to use your vintage photos to create successful image transfers with Gelli printing. Then I will give you a demonstration of my easiest technique.
View full Skillshare class - skl.sh/3qJ73iH
You will learn how to prepare your photos for the image transfer process, and then we will discuss the materials that you will need to use. First, I’ll show you the simplest technique for the image transfer, and then we will look at how to create a two colour monoprint with gel printing.
You will learn how to create image transfers with your vintage photos and we will experiment with the effects of using stencils on the gel plate. You will love this! There is nothing so deeply satisfying as using your own photos to create beautiful artworks. You can use photos of your family, friends, kids, cat, car, holiday, whatever it is that you treasure.
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View Skillshare Class - skl.sh/3qJ73iH
Art supplies that I used -
Gelli Arts 8 x 10 Gel Printing Plate - amzn.to/3dbLMLP
Speedball Brayer 6” - amzn.to/3oZWac5
Speedball Brayer 4” - amzn.to/3Paef1D
Liquitex Basics 48 Tube Set - amzn.to/3Qb7sGr
Liquitex Basics 12 Tube Set - amzn.to/3zAhxFL
Liquitex Basics Metallics Paint Set - amzn.to/3SAAmkP
Some of my product links are a part of the Amazon Associates Program, which provides a small commission for recommendations on Amazon.com. There is no added cost to you when you use those links. Thanks for supporting my art, cheers Froyle.

[@kdsrbaldwin4621]

Brilliant idea to use scrapbook paper to transfer. I am just learning about gelli plates and this is a GREAT tutorial with lots of helpful explanation. Thank you!

[@FroyleArt]

Wonderful! 😍 Happy creating, cheers

[@EC-lq3qw]

Froyle, thank you for this. I have so many old photos from my mum's wartime RAF service and even an 1890s photo of her gran. Will have to do some serious editing on some of them, but what a fun rabbit hole to go down! I would love to end up with a modern image made from such old nostalgic family history. Here goes the next couple of months ☺

[@FroyleArt]

Make sure you get good quality laser copies, happy creating, cheers

[@auldburdlaughin]

@@FroyleArt Thanks for that tip, I shall do that ❤️ from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@LavishHim]

I just found you recently here on YT, and I have been transformed! I did 3 collages last week in a different style, and now I’m ready to step higher! Thank you! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎨 I was a realistic painter for many years, but this is way more fun and expressive!

[@FroyleArt]

Haha! Yes I think so! Liberation! Woohoo! Thanks for joking me, happy creating! 👍🏼😘

[@danyaldonovan338]

This is a great work.. I love it so much, It's an antique style of pictures, Easily takes me to the elsewhere I'm going to do this with one of my photos... Thank you for this, with all the support💐

[@FroyleArt]

Happy creating! 😘 cheers

[@carolynking642]

Love you, Froyle!! You are SO FUN as well as so well verse. You are a great teacher!!

[@FroyleArt]

Thank you so much! 😘👍🏼 cheers Froyle

[@gayneels5169]

Fabulous information & fabulous result, thanks so much for sharing!

[@FroyleArt]

My pleasure 😘

[@diannesupperstone8500]

Very helpful guidance and your Aunty Dawn print is beautiful

[@FroyleArt]

Thank you 😘 it is so much fun, I just love it!

[@blacksheeparts5083]

Great advice on the colour technique!! Love the prints. Thanks for sharing. XXB

[@FroyleArt]

My pleasure, all the best, Cheers Froyle

[@anadickinson3868]

Thank you so much! Very informative!

[@FroyleArt]

Thank you! 😘 Happy creating! Cheers!

[@katherinepatti2865]

I always love your art, and the information about your techniques! Funny comment about young people & actual photos - it would be funny to see what someone from the digital age thinks of the old family TINTYPES I have!!! 😂

[@FroyleArt]

Haha! Right!!! All the best, Cheers Froyle

[@PlanetCreativeStudios]

Great tips, Froyle. I haven't been able to successfully transfer an image YET. I don't have my own laser printer, so I'll collect a few images and test it out.

[@FroyleArt]

All the best with your creative adventures, cheers Froyle

[@evaaniela5717]

thank you, I sure will try this

[@FroyleArt]

Please do! All the best, Cheers Froyle

[@jennrowsell7868]

❤

[@FroyleArt]

So much fun! 😘 cheers

[@gabrielleevans8925]

Brilliant! Now I know what I’m doing wrong!

[@FroyleArt]

Fantastic! I hope this really helps you! Cheers Froyle

[@paulabreyter1669]

Genia !!!

[@madhabitz]

I've watched a lot of image transfer videos over the years and this is one of the most successful - you're a good teacher. :) Both the color laser machines and the black/white lasers are basically using the same technology, so your idea that the color copy works for you while the black/white doesn't makes me wonder if it's the paper used that is making the difference? I worked in a copy shop many moons ago, when digital copiers first came into their own. I remember that the paper used for the color copies was way better than that used for the black/white -- the surface was hardened (calendar rollers used) to an extent that it was less porous and it had coatings on the surface that the black/white paper didn't have. Have you tried transferring photos laser-copied onto photo paper yet? (lol.... the experiments never end, do they?)

[@madhabitz]

Update: Just did a little research, where I learned that photo paper for inkjets likely wouldn't be a good idea, but that the glossy paper meant for laser copiers/printers might be the ticket. Still and all, the idea of using inkjet photo paper has begun to intrigue me-- it's properties must have some good uses, eh? :)

[@kathydick8796]

@@madhabitz I have a Lexmark monochrome laser printer and whether I use laser printer paper or regular printer paper, the image does not transfer to the gelli plate. I can do image transfer on a painting (with gloss medium) with my printed images, but not the gelli plate technique. So maybe the colour is important?

[@kathydick8796]

Update: after reading a comment further down from Froyle, I tried printing multiple times. Twice didn't work, but 3 times did work - on regular copy paper. So it may not be colour, but how thick the ink is on the paper.

[@madhabitz]

@@kathydick8796 Thank you for your input and the update you provided - it's all good input that helps everyone. :)

[@suefalls1600]

Thank you🥰

[@FroyleArt]

So much fun! 😘

[@45andSingle]

Love your videos. I'm new to gelli printing and recall you mentioning (in another video) where you get your copyright free images online. Could you share again? Thank you.

[@FroyleArt]

I like unspash.com but there are a few royalty free websites you can use 👍🏼 all the best with your creative adventures 😘 cheers Froyle

[@45andSingle]

Thank you so much, I just bookmarked it.

[@Martha8h]

Looks great, however I haven't been able to do a successful trnsfer. Does the original image have to be on lazer printer , would ink jet printer work. w what type of comptuer print paper used?

[@FroyleArt]

It has to be a laser print, I have the images printed at my local office shop on standard paper, in colour! Cheers Froyle

[@norbertgross688]

Hi from Luxembourg,IT is amazing what you make ohne gelli.One question i habe...How Do you make IT on canvas after the print?

[@FroyleArt]

I glue the print onto canvas with matte gel medium 👍🏼 easy! Cheers Froyle

[@user-cz4nl9te7o]

if anyone has never told you are amazing

[@FroyleArt]

Oh thank you so much! 😘 You made my day!!! 😍

[@jaimiegordon2065]

what paints do you think work best for image transfer from laser copies? I have had alot of issues with liquitex, --so you think the golden fluid acrylics are better than the open? Or do you think the amsterdam standard series are best? Have you tried the essential royal and langnickel?---what is your feeling about best metallics? thanks for the feedback...

[@FroyleArt]

I have used Liquites basics and they work well, Golden, both full body & fluid. I haven't tried the others you mentioned. I think the amount of paint is more important than the brand, Not too much! Cheers Froyle

[@tempeststudios]

How long exactly between print placement, rubbing, and peel?

[@FroyleArt]

Straight away, print down on wet paint, rub for 10-15 sec, pull up print 👍🏼 cheers

[@perprzem]

awsome

[@FroyleArt]

So much fun! 😘 cheers

[@rinisunarini9057]

What kind of paper you used to print the photo? And what type of printer? Laser?

[@FroyleArt]

Colour laser copy on standard paper from an office shop 👍🏼 cheers!

[@Jalleur14325]

Can you do the transfer directly with Matt medium?

[@FroyleArt]

Yes, do you mean rubbing the paper off the back?

[@shawnaustin9040]

Can you use fabric instead of paper? And can you use a print from home printer?

[@FroyleArt]

I haven't tried it on fabric, that would depend on the paint you use and the types of fabric, I think? Absorbency would be important. It doesn't work well with ink jet printing at home, it can work with a laser home printer, but I have heard you sometimes need to run the print through twice, to enable it to transfer. It needs the toner to repel the paint so it will stick to the gel plate. I use colour laser copy from my local office shop & I have found this to work the best!

[@giselesirois9224]

Bonjour joyful lady … can I transfer photos to a canvas ? Thanks for answering my request… from Montreal

[@FroyleArt]

Bonjour to you! I haven’t actually tried it! There is no reason it won’t work, only that the canvas may not be as absorbent as paper or tissue. But you should definitely try it!! Maybe I should add it to my list to try! Happy creating! 😘 cheers Froyle

[@giselesirois9224]

@@FroyleArt Thanks sharing your expertise I am an Art Therapist always interested in new ways to help my patients in this often abstract world. Your enthousiasm is contagious ! Have fun with your art!

[@billwebster9175]

Coming late to the game but when I try this none of the painters stays on the gelli plate. It all comes off on the laser print. Any ideas?

[@FroyleArt]

It’s your print copy. Try somewhere else to get it printed or if you are at home run it through the printer twice. You have to build up the toner on the print 👍🏼 watch my latest video all about this subject 😍 cheers!

[@billwebster9175]

Wow. Didn’t actually expect a response to and older video. Thank you! I actually use a local print shop for my other projects. I’ll take the photos to them and tell them what you recommend. Thanks!

[@peacelove4445]

What kind of paper are the photos printed on? Does that matter? Glossy, Matt?

[@FroyleArt]

You need good quality laser prints on standard paper 👍🏼 I get them from my local office shop 😍 cheers!

[@peacelove4445]

@@FroyleArt thank you! Can’t wait to try this - supplies will arrive in a few days👍

[@williamwalicki6337]

Should vintage cityscapes work with ?

[@williamwalicki6337]

Would Vintage Cityscapes work with this , thanks so much very informative.

[@FroyleArt]

It all depends on your image. It must have strong contrast, good light & dark areas & be a colour laser copy 👍🏼 Happy creating, cheers

[@havefunbesafe]

Will this work if printed out on a ink jet printer?

[@FroyleArt]

No, you need good quality colour laser prints 👍🏼cheers Froyle

[@isazaza1277]

Hi, what is the geoplate please?

[@FroyleArt]

Gelli Plates are reusable printing plates that let you make monoprints without a large, expensive press. They look and feel like gelatin plates but don't use animal-based gelatin. Gelli Plates come in a variety of sizes, and they're durable and long-lasting if cared for and stored properly. I love using them for printing because they are soft, easy to use, clean up and very durable. Here is the type I use -Gelli Arts 12 x 14” Gel Printing Plate - amzn.to/3LeKHlu Gelli Arts 5 x 7” - amzn.to/3vKXrY0 Gelli Arts 8 x 10”- amzn.to/3dbLMLP

[@gri7]

Have you attempted photo images with lots of halftone dots

[@FroyleArt]

No I dont think so? Have you? What do you mean? 🤗

[@gri7]

@@FroyleArt I meant for like gray tones I do a lot of Screen Printing and if you convert it to half-tone dots where instead of Shades of Gray you just have all these micro dots to get more depth and shading

[@JayDee-po5bc]

I'm just wondering why this doesn't work with ink jet printers?

[@FroyleArt]

You could try it, but I don’t think it will work. The print will just suck up your paint. It’s the toner in the laser print, it resists the paint so it sticks to the gel plate & creates the transfer 👍🏼 cheers Froyle

[@JayDee-po5bc]

@@FroyleArt Thanks for your reply. As there is nowhere near me where I can get laser prints, I shall try my ink jet printer. I'll let you know how it goes.

[@beverlyhayshouston2770]

I just tried glossy laser paper and had no success getting my photo to transfer. I’m thoroughly disappointed. Wasted twenty dollars on that paper.

[@FroyleArt]

Was it printed on a home laser printer or commercial?

[@beverlyhayshouston2770]

@@FroyleArt home laser printer.

[@beverlyhayshouston2770]

Maybe I need to try Amsterdam paints. Regular craft paint is not working.