How to Transfer an Inkjet Image onto Polymer Clay | Easy Tutorial Demo with Extra Tips

This simple tutorial will show you how to transfer an inkjet-printed image onto polymer clay using just an OHP inkjet transparency/acetate sheet.

Apart from a printer and an acetate sheet, you will just need clay, an oven and your regular clay-working tools. In this lesson, I use a ceramic tile as my work surface, a straw, some protective top coat spray, a cookie cutter and an acrylic roller to work and roll out my (Fimo soft) clay.

It's a very quick and easy process; the only thing you have to watch out for is the ink 'beading' on the plastic surface...but I offer tips about how to solve this in the video. Plus, always remember to reverse your image before you print it (if it's not symmetrical).

You can even re-use the acetate sheets after use, so it's a cost-effective technique too.

I hope you find this video useful. Thanks for watching :)

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[elessar]

Thank you - this is exactly what I was looking for! Also this might sound obvious but reminder to everyone that when you transfer you will get a mirror image.. so if you are printing text, mirror image it before printing.

[merryclicker]

It sounds so much easier than all the other methods, so I'll have to try it. The one you did for laser prints worked well, so I believe it's worth a shot.

[mylifemyrules]

This is the 2nd video I've watched and I subscribed because you have great instructions. You talk clearly and concisely. I appreciate that you have tested things and told us what works and what doesn't. Thank you!

More videos please.

[twilliams]

Thank you for posting this. It was exactly the technique I needed to create a marquee for a miniature sign in polymer clay

[KatsMeyow]

Very clever idea. Thanks for taking the time to find a method that works well with ink jet printers.

[KP-nxlo]

Using water decal paper or film works even better!

[FoxySparkles]

WOW this is fantastic, I just ordered the inkjet acetate sheets to try out. And you can reuse them too you said, WOW. WIN WIN thank you!

[CreatedbyRuby]

Thanks again. I'm a convert from fondant...new to this stuff so still learning. You've been very helpful.

[lilasolnick]

Brilliant! Thank you so much for producing this video. Great tutorial!

[marigeobrien]

Thank you! I just checked and I DO have an inkjet printer. This would be great for transferring photos to REALLY personalize something, don't you think? Like a picture of a couple onto, say, a vase for an anniversary gift, or a favorite pet or a home.

[chanceinhell]

Also high gloss photo paper does the same thing, you just can't see the image, but it works in a pinch.

[dixiegal]

Did you see the optical illusion? Nicely done😊.

[CreatedbyRuby]

Thank you for the reply. I am going to give it a try. Have you ever tried putting text onto baked clay, if so what method did you use? Hope you don't mind all the questions

[peteredwards]

I think inkjet transparency sheets have one side coated for printing, the other is smooth.

[maureengreen]

Very good video, thank you!!
Have you tried to modge podge a picture onto the clay?

[ztrek]

I use inkjet T-shirt transfer paper to do image transfers onto PC. As I just found out printing on OHP transparencies will only work if your printer supports it otherwise the ink just smears so back to using T-shirt transfer paper. I was really hoping transparency method would work for me.

[patriciaweaver]

Lovely this was exactly what I wanted. Can you tell me where to get the acetate sheets. Thanks for the wonderful video ❤

[mckenzie]

Can I ask what brand of sheets you used? Also, weird question: would this method work the same if I drew something on the acetate sheet, or do you know? Like with a permanent marker or something similar?

[hollylewis]

Hello there! I bought paper with this description: “Uinkit Inkjet Transparency Film 50 Sheets 8.5x11 OHP Overhead Projector Film for DIY Crafting 100% Clear Transparency Paper For Inkjet Printer” and polymer clay (sculpey premo) but it didn’t transfer at all. Is this the wrong type of paper?

[carimacdonald]

I don't have acetate paper at home so I'm going to try to print on some parchment I have in the kitchen.