Studio SN : How to Do a Packing Tape Transfer

A video tutorial showing how to make a packing tape transfer with a color photocopy and water. Packing tape transfer shown on a handmade card. Video by Sara Naumann.

[@lindagass1349]

So neat! Love this 🥰 thank you for sharing 💕

[@SaraNaumann291]

Hi Stan! It really should be a color copy-I've tried with photos printed on my laser printer and while you can get an interesting look, it's not as crisp or nice looking. The ink sometimes just floats off with the water. There's something about the ink/printing method at the copy shop that does the trick!

[@sharon94503]

A good quality light spray adhesive should do the trick.

[@SaraNaumann291]

That's a great suggestion, Sharon. Thanks!

[@rebeccabrown3898]

Would the tape work with images and/or photos printed from an inkjet printer?

[@xinixxagnix201]

No only laserprinter

[@heidiwilkes1]

I keep mine submerged in the water and peel the paper off all at once, it's so fast and easy and it works in only 30-50 seconds, especially if I am using warm water. I hope this tip helps :) Your project turned out beautiful and thanks for the great tutorial!

[@SaraNaumann291]

That's a great tip, Lura! Thanks for sharing!

[@heidiwilkes1]

You're very welcome :D

[@chantalcollin465]

Does paper thickness matter

[@forevermarcia]

Can you use glue to hold the picture if the sticky backing doesn't hold?

[@kanishk7067]

Hi Ms. Sara, please say hi to your daughter from me her friend from 4b Your Mishi

[@kanishk7067]

Nice video

[@margaretfrench7120]

Whenever i do this this the tape immediately comes off. Am i usj g the wrong tape.

[@SaraNaumann291]

Hi Margaret! Are you using regular packing tape (like the kind you get at a hardware store or even grocery store)? That's the kind I use. Also, very often there's not enough "stick" left on the tape, in which case you can add some adhesive in the areas that are darker on your photo. You can also use brads or other paper fasteners for a mixed-media style. Hope that helps! :)

[@rushirajgor8136]

Nice

[@brennagabrielle8877]

and will anything VERY major happen, if it goes down the drain? Not a ton..

[@d.abhinav201]

Good job from india

[@lurkerrekrul]

Have you ever tried this with clear contact paper? If it works, the larger size would allow you to do larger images without having visible tape seams.

[@SaraNaumann291]

I haven't tried that-- clear contact paper isn't widely available where I live. But it would be great to try it, since I *think* you could get a pretty cool effect! :)

[@lurkerrekrul]

@@SaraNaumann291 I have some somewhere, but I've never tried doing anything like this with it.

[@SaraNaumann291]

@@lurkerrekrul If you do, I'd love to hear how it goes! :)

[@AnsonChowAnAn]

i tried this method for over 5 times today with my printer and it dosent work every time i try to rub it it comes off with the paper scrap is there anyth9ing that i could have done wrong causing this

[@SaraNaumann291]

Hi Anson, make sure you're working with a laser copy, not an inkjet print of a photo. I have mine made at a local copy shop...I print off my images at home (on my inkjet printer), then they're color copied as laser prints. That's usually the issue!

[@AnsonChowAnAn]

oh no wonder why i failed thankyou

[@pinkpanther280]

Thanks so much for this!! I love this idea!! Can't wait to try it

[@conishkee]

01/16/2020: Okay, I did it and I'm amazed. Got a pic from one of my Bazaar magazines and it came out wonderful. Thanks again for sharing this technique. I can't wait to make more. It's on now, Ms. Sara, WHOO-HOO!!

[@NACHOXVALLE]

Everything i saw here is brillant. Thx a lot for share!

[@SaraNaumann291]

Ignacio Valle Glad you liked it! Thanks so much for watching!

[@craftycrafter1960]

i do find this works best with lazer copies and such. It doesnt transfer just anything.

[@cozzyinternet4706]

so inkjet printouts are a bad idea.....

[@bluecatblz]

Hi! I am having difficulty getting all of the paper off of the tape. I always am left with a hazy film, even after a few rounds. I think I'm afraid to rub the ink away by mistake. Is that a risk or should I just rub away? For a school art project - help! Also, great video, thank you. :)

[@conishkee]

01/16/2020: Good gosh, heck yeah I enjoyed this Ms. Sara. What a wonderful technique. I can't wait to try making one RIGHT NOW! TFS!!

[@TheNanaweaver]

Are the pictures on photo paper

[@SaraNaumann291]

Hi Joyce, they were printed on a home printer and then I took them to a copy shop to have them color copied. Photo paper doesn't do well with this technique!

[@shiranui498]

Hi! Just curious, would this work on plastic models such as model cars, trains, planes, etc They're usually made out of Polystyrene or ABS

[@SaraNaumann291]

Hi Jerald, for transferring photos onto non porous materials like model trains, etc, I'd recommend Lazertran. This is a printable paper onto which you print your photo, then soak in water and place the piece onto a surface to transfer. You might check Lazertran.com and see if that's the kind of thing you're looking for. I think it would be better than doing it on the tape, which doesn't always retain its stickiness and therefore is hard to apply to a surface, especially a curved one. Hope this helps! Sara

[@shiranui498]

So they are water slide papers, nice :D Thank you for the recommendation!

[@nasushll]

I think I have seen this done with gel medium?? With having to pay a copy company then fail., I would not like that much.

[@janetssmiles]

Love this idea. But, is the paper you printed the color photos on photo paper or just regular cardstock?

[@shannjorentwins]

That's a really nice work! I've learn so much from you today by watching some of it videos! Btw can I use a normal photo? :)

[@eleanorm3356]

Just a little tip, instead of spraying it with a spray bottle, you can just simply soak it in a bowl of water for 1 minute or depending on until it's soaked. Hope this helped :)

[@SaraNaumann291]

You're right, Eleanor, and that's a great tip. I'd suggest you soak it in the bowl, then remove it and rub off the paper onto a craft sheet so it can easily go into the garbage. You don't want to dump a bowl full of water and paper in the sink, unless you love your plumber! :)

[@robertawills7219]

I found a 6” wide packing tape on Amazon. So what you are doing is making a customized sticker? Amazing that the inks transfer to the packing tape! Thank you for an easy to watch video with clear explanations

[@SaraNaumann291]

Hi Roberta, yes it is a bit like making a sticker... only the tape won't be quite so sticky after the water and handling. That's why I suggest you use additional methods of securing it down. THere will be some stickiness, though. :) So glad you found some tape and enjoy your crafting!

[@lesliesauceman8093]

Would this method work for transferring onto wood?

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Sara, this is so awesome I really love 💕 the idea 💡 and it makes a stunning focal point. Thank you so much xx Mags

[@SaraNaumann291]

Hi Janet! I printed my photos onto regular printer paper...not cardstock, since cardstock is thicker and would take a lot of rubbing to get off.

[@eh2179]

Sara Naumann I did this too into a colour inject printer and the whole image just rubbed off the tape 😥 what did I do wrong?

[@ohhanichan]

This worked! Thank you so much! God bless

[@anitageiges]

the transfer clear tape from dollartree works great or at dollarama

[@TLRB86]

Can you do this with regular pictures? Like a picture you get printed at Wal-Mart or cvs?

[@SaraNaumann291]

Hi Lovey-- thanks for asking. Photo paper is pretty thick and I'm not sure that it would work well. I have mine made at a local copy shop...I print off my images at home (on my inkjet printer), then have them color copied as laser prints. You want to use regular copy paper, not photo paper or glossy or cardstock. Hope that helps!

[@SaneLiesbuster]

How do you make the packing tape seam "invisible" ?

[@SaraNaumann291]

Hi Sane, there's no real way to make it completely invisible. Usually for cards, I choose an image that fits the width of the tape (my tape is about 2" wide). If it is a little bigger, I make the seam as far to one side as possible, rather than right down the middle. I often cover the seam with a ribbon or some other border element. Hope this helps!

[@SaneLiesbuster]

Sara Naumann Wow ! Ma'am that was real fast ! Thank you for the quick response. It was a great help ! I had hoped there was some magic 😝

[@katieschmuck803]

Pretty! Packing tape transfers are a blast and so versatile!

[@leettajyarlot1444]

Excellent video. Thx

[@odetomy]

That is so cool! Thanks so much for sharing that!

[@ファービー偽物]

hi. I am writing because I have tried this many times on packing tape but it just doesn't work. the image is never on the tape when I rub off the paper. please help!

[@SaraNaumann291]

+ファービー偽物！ Hello and thanks for watching! One thing is to make sure you're using a color copy of a photo, not a real photo and not one that's printed with an ink jet printer. There's something about a laser print or copy-store print that works, whereas an inkjet print doesn't transfer. Another thing is to make sure you really burnish the tape and photo really well. Hope this helps! :)

[@juliapinkerton5635]

I tried this about three times with computer paper and Scotch packing tape in color and black n white, used a credit card to make sure tape was adhered ..... I sprayed one and put one in a bowl of water......the whole thing came off the tape, was not happy...Am I doing some wrong? Do I need special paper or different brand of tape?

[@SaraNaumann291]

Julia, are you making sure it's a laser copy, not an inkjet print? I have mine made at a local copy shop...I print off my images at home (on my inkjet printer), then they're color copied as laser prints. Whenever I've tried with inkjet, the photo just slides off...so I suspect that's what's going on with you. And do be sure it's packing tape, the kind you seal up packages with, not a standard clear tape. Hope this helps!

[@juliapinkerton5635]

That would be it, must not have caught that on the video. The tape is wide packing tape Scotch brand. I'll go to the local library. Hope it works, My son's wedding coming up and wanted to make some gifts for the bride with their engagement pictures. Thanks.

[@AkuaOkodie]

Does it ever come off

[@laineygardner5211]

Wonderful tutorial!

[@SaraNaumann291]

Thank you, Lainey and thanks for watching! :)

[@Sharperthanu1]

You may also want to try putting the image transferred onto clear plastic on top of a piece of laser foil.

[@SaraNaumann291]

Oh, that sounds interesting! :) Thanks for the idea!

[@carlaboeren8421]

Kan je het ook doen met originele foto's?

[@berniceseigel6482]

What printer is used when you take your photo to the store. Is it on a laser or jet ink?

[@SaraNaumann291]

Hi Bernice, it's a laser printer.

[@juliebergacker5680]

Awesome👍

[@jude1515]

Excellent tutorial!

[@sheilaperl4155]

Beautiful!

[@simplybjscreations3115]

Can I use my regular cannon printer and get same results?

[@SaraNaumann291]

Hi Betty, it depends on a couple of things: You'll want to make sure you're working with a laser copy, not an inkjet print of a photo. I have mine made at a local copy shop...I print off my images at home (on my inkjet printer), then they're color copied as laser prints. You also want to use regular copy paper, not photo paper or glossy or cardstock. Hope that helps!

[@MashaSuralmasha878]

Ty so much for sharing! Can i do the same with the stamp image instead of printing?

[@SaraNaumann291]

+Masha Fromrussia Hi Masha, you probably could depending on the ink you're stamping with...although it might just work as well to stamp directly onto the tape?

[@MashaSuralmasha878]

+Sara Naumann TY! I will try that. have a great day! Hugs

[@cherylmccool1284]

What kind of paper is best to put the pictures on

[@SaraNaumann291]

Cheryl, I print my photos onto printer paper. Nothing too thick, since that takes a longer time to rub off. Then I layer it onto any kind of paper I want-- sheet music, patterned paper, it's up to you. :)

[@cybersecretary]

thanks! beautiful.!

[@Dr.Stein99]

Hello. Just curious. If you are going to office supply to pay for color laser prints, just order them on overhead transparency - instead of paper.

[@SaraNaumann291]

That would be interesting! Would you then use the transparency on your artwork? If so, you could also print them onto transparency on your own computer. (Grafix is a company that makes printable transparencies.) It will give you a different texture on your piece and you'll need to affix it with staples, stitching s or brads rather than stick glue or white glue. Curious to hear if you try it!

[@Dr.Stein99]

Sara Naumann Any office print shop (staples, kino fedex, etc) will print on overhead transparency color or black laser, for extra cost. You can just buy transparency and print yourself - but the inkjet is a little messy and definitely not as good as laser. It is also possible to transfer laser prints to anything else if you print on wax transfer paper and iron-heat them together.

[@SaraNaumann291]

Oh, great tip! Thanks for sharing and hope you have fun with your transfers!

[@chantalcollin465]

Does paper thickness and matte or glossy matter?

[@SaraNaumann291]

Hi Chantal, I had mine color copied at the copy shop and didn't request a special type of paper. The one I've used is a regular copy paper, which is not terribly thick and it's matte rather than glossy. Hope that helps! :)

[@jude1515]

Beautiful. Great tutorial!

[@piglet0091]

I need helps i try this the ink just come off do i put sticky of the tape on the picture

[@SaraNaumann291]

Hi Tammy, you need to put the sticky side of the tape on the picture, yes. You also need to make sure you're working with a laser copy, not an inkjet print.

[@piglet0091]

oh that it was not working thank you

[@ritarendon1607]

Can you put it on candles

[@SaraNaumann291]

Hi Rita, I haven't put it on candles and would be cautious about it burning. But you could for sure try it on a glass candle holder. I've only ever done it on paper, so you might need to experiment a bit!

[@beachgirl453]

very cute, simple and fun project

[@SaraNaumann291]

Glad you liked it, Crystal. Thanks for watching! :)

[@blackitten2]

Your photo made a beautiful card. Nice demo! TFS

[@SaraNaumann291]

+blackitten2 You're so very welcome. I have a black kitten at home so I'm partial to your name! Thanks for watching and for your kind words.

[@pamelacunningham7196]

Great tutorial easy to follow thanks for sharing .

[@SaraNaumann291]

So glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@shartrawa]

contact paper should work to right? It's like packing tape.

[@SaraNaumann291]

You know, I've never used contact paper with this before...it sounds like a great idea! I imagine it could work. As with any experiment, I'd try it with an extra photo just in case. Thanks for sharing your idea, next time I'm out I'll look for contact paper and try it myself!

[@javillanten511]

I did it and everything worked perfect, just one detail: after transferring the image and drying the wet tape, it wasn't sticky anymore. Any idea why?

[@SaraNaumann291]

Java de pilsen Glad you enjoyed the technique and everything worked perfectly-yay! As for the non-sticky tape...well, I guess after adding paper, water and lots of handling, the stick sort of gives up. Sometimes there's a bit left, but I still plan to attach my transfers with brads or staples. Thanks so much for watching! :)

[@man_art2202]

goood👏👏👏👏👏

[@vamps_rock]

I can't wait to try this! Your project is lovely. TFS x

[@SaraNaumann291]

+Vamps Rock Oh, it's a super fun technique so do let me know how you get on! Thanks for watching! :)

[@kineticpsi]

Thank you! I did this technique on an image of a tiger and a butterfly. I soaked the paper and tape in a measuring cup full of water for a few minutes and the paper peeled off very easily. It was glossy magazine paper though, so that may have helped with the removal.

[@SaraNaumann291]

Sounds beautiful! Great idea to soak in water before peeling, too! :)

[@cyndiduke6626]

Does this need to be laser printed, or I'll it work with inkjet?

[@SaraNaumann291]

+Cynthia Duke-Hobbs Yes, Cynthia, it does need to be laser printed. Ink jet ink just sort of washes off. If you have a laser printer, you can use that...i usually take my inkjet-printed images to a copy shop and they make color copies with a laser printer. Hope this helps and thanks for watching.

[@cyndiduke6626]

+Sara Naumann thank you so much for replying so quickly. Looks like I will be taking a trip to an office supply after my next dr visit. I might try the wax paper method first using the backing for labels. I've seen that used for inkjet but haven't tried. I thought that your tape idea was awesome because the tape also seals the image. I've seen done with a glue stick as well, but for a simple stamped image. I'm wanting to transfer a photo onto tin boxes. It appears that that there are several options, but the majority require laser printing. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas and caring enough to answer questions.

[@SaraNaumann291]

+Cynthia Duke-Hobbs You're welcome! One thing: Since you're wanting to transfer onto a tin box, you might try Lazertran. These are waterslide decal papers-you print your image on to the sheet (I use my inkjet printer) and then soak in water and then you have a translucent image, which can be glued to any surface. Take a look at lazertran.com and see if that might be a better option! Good luck!

[@cyndiduke6626]

+Sara Naumann Thanks again. I've seen those done as well, but I wanted to try the other method first so that it appears to be etched or embedded into the tin as opposed to being a decal effect. Not sure which direction I will go, but I'll let you know how the results were and which method I use. I can't remember the artists name, but she suggests putting the aluminum or metal in the dishwasher. And used that slide off process in her artwork. She also has her own medium that she uses that after the transfer, you soak in a tub of water for the "slime" to wash off. The finished piece was gorgeous. I think her brand is DAS but my memory isn't great and I watch early this morning when I couldn't sleep. I will go back through my history later and let you know. It seemed like way too advanced for what I am trying to do. The tins I am using are preprinted, therefore do not want to put in dishwasher, and I have 9 of them to do for my dad and 6 of his brothers and 2 brother in laws.