Image Transfer - Oh Happy Clay

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The Ceramic Surface: Image Transfer
The ceramic surface is rich with possibility and limiting students to a few glazes is
restrictive. I hope that this section on image transfer will open up the world of
surface for you and your students.
Linoleum Block
Linoleum blocks used for printmaking can always be used on clay. You carve
the block and press relief into the clay. You can also use the bray to roll
underglazes on the print block and then lightly press on the clay. The linoleum
provides a bendable material that can be pressed directly into slabs that can
be later transformed or rolled around an already developed form. This is a
simple technique that could be used at any grade level.
Stencils
Stencils provide a simple way to transfer designs onto clay. Students can cut out
stencils in paper providing a one-time use transfer (Figure 1 & 2). I recommend
coating the paper with acrylic gel medium before cutting so you can get
several more uses out of it. I suggest small designs for this kind of work because
the larger stencils will be hard to mange and bend over forms. Also, tyvec or
acetate last quite a bit longer than paper but will be a bit more costly. If you
can collect enough used priority mailers you can do it all for relatively cheap!
Figure 1 Image Transfer: paper stencil
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The Ceramic Surface: Image Transfer
Figure 2 Image Transfer: paper stencil
Stamping
Stamping offers a plethora of opportunities ranging from making your own
stamps out of clay or potatoes, burning designs in sponges, to simply using a
collection of found objects that can be pressed into the clay.
Nonfired Full Color Decals
Lazertran is a product that allows you to produce your own full color decals with
either a color copier or inkjet printer. I recommend creating your images using
Photoshop if accessible or in a Word document. Use as much space on your
paper as possible because the paper is expensive. Once printed, first trim as
close to the edge of the area you want to transfer and applying water to the
glaze fired clay surface where you hope to transfer. Once the soaked decal is
ready the decal papers will begin to separate and will easily slide apart. Place
the image on the ceramic surface and adjust as needed. This process is simple
in that it does not require a separate firing, but it also can be frustrating as the
finish can be easily damaged. The supplier recommended covering the surface
with turpentine in a well-ventilated area for a more permanent finish. You should
not use Lasertran decals on a functional ceramic surface because they are not
food safe. This can be used to transfer to anything so use your imagination!
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The Ceramic Surface: Image Transfer
Inkjet Transfer
Inkjet transfer is similar to the Lazertran. It is also a non-fired type of image
transfer that can be transferred to almost any surface. I do not recommend
functional wares. Bel Decal can provide the paper needed for this process. After
printing it is suggested that you spray a clear coat of spray paint, transfer the
decal, and spray again for a more permanent transfer.
Commercial Decals
Commercial decals are readymade and designed. You have no choice in the
content and design, but you do have a choice in the arrangement and
placement of the designed paper by cutting them up and using them in a
collage manner. I recommend In Star Decals or Chinese Clay Art for purchasing
these. These fire to about cone 018.
Laser Decals
Laser decals are printed on decal paper using a laser printer. The paper is
available for purchase from Bel Decal. Decals can be personally designed using
Photoshop, Illustrator, or images could be imported in any document. These
decals print on 8.5x11 paper from any laser printer with ink that contains iron
oxide. The decals should be cut around the image and placed into water.
When the paper and the decal begin to separate slide the decal off onto the
ceramic surface. Position the decal in place and remove and air bubbles under
the surface. Let the decals dry over night before firing. I highly recommend
testing this before you do this with a class because the printer needs to be high
in iron for the decal to work. These decals should be fired anywhere from 4-6
cones or 230 degrees Fahrenheit below the firing temperature as the glaze.
Laser Printer Transfer
Laser print transfer with slip is an exciting and easy process with quick results. Any
laser print or photocopy machine should do the trick. You need to prepare
some deflocculated slip (To deflocculated the slip add a small amount of
Darvan or sodium silicate until it is thinned out) , thinned under glaze, or one part
mason stain, one part gersley borate/ bentonite. You can purchase Darvan
from any ceramic supplier. A few common ones are Brent, Laguna, Amaco, or
Columbus Clay. It only has a life span of about a year, so only buy it in small
amounts, as you will not need much. (1/2 pint) The transfer process includes
using a paintbrush to apply the slip/ under glazes. If the liquid is the right
consistency, it should absorb in the paper and be repelled off the black printed
area (Figure 3). This is a great process for patterns and images. Try making the
inverse of an image and see what it looks like both ways. If you become an
expert at this, try it with multiple layers and colors see what you can come up
with!
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The Ceramic Surface: Image Transfer
Figure 3 Image Transfer: laser printer
Screen-printing
Figure 4 Image Transfer: screen-printing
Screen-printing is an advanced but fun
process worth exploring if you have
facilities for doing it. You can find
supplies at multiple places online. I
have found silkscreensupplies.com to
be reliable. If you have screens, test
them out and see what results you get.
A 110 mesh 24x20 inches with a metal
frame works best with slip. You can
design or draw any image on the
screen. When designing an image,
Photoshop works great so long as you convert your image to black before you
print. If you print on paper, the exposure time will be quite a bit longer. I found it
easiest to print on white transparency paper if you have it available. The
exposure time for paper is 250 light units and 80 light units for transparency.
When printing you can print right on the clay, newspaper (Wall Street Journal),
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The Ceramic Surface: Image Transfer
or even better, Tyvec. The transfer process involves painting slip on both
surfaces, waiting for it to lose its sheen, and then pressing them together (Figure
4 & 5). For this portion your slip should also be deflocculated. For every 1,000
grams of dry material, add 1/4 tsp. Darvan. I recommend the flexible red rib
from mudtools.com to smooth out the surface. Once the smoothing is complete,
pull apart the screen and your image will have transferred. Pull slowly so that if
the image hasn’t completely transferred, you can place it back on and press
again. You may have to spray it with water and rub it again with the rib.
Materials that work well through the screen are thick slips or thickened
underglazes (you can thicken them by pouring them out on glass and blow
drying them for a few minutes). If you do not have the facilities then this would
pose quite the task and I recommend the ezy screen that I will talk about next.
Figure 5 Image Transfer: screen-printing
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The Ceramic Surface: Image Transfer
Ezy Screen
Ezy screen is a simpler form of screenprinting that could be used in the high
school classroom. It does not require a darkroom and uses natural light to burn
the image. The cost of the screen is costly as they tend to be about $8 each
and can be purchased from ezscreenprint.com.
Bibliography & recommended readings
Petrie, K. (2011). The new ceramics: Ceramics transfer printing. Westerville, OH:
The American Ceramic Society.
Scott, P. (1994). Ceramics and print. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania
Press.
Wandless, P. (2006). Image transfer on clay: Screen, relief, decal & monoprint
techniques. New York, NY: Lark Books, A Division of Sterling Publishing, Co., Inc.
Online Resources:
www.beldecal.com
www.ezscreenprint.com
www.instardecals.com
www.chineseclayart.com
www.silkscreensupplies.com
www.mudtools.com
www.clayprints.ning.com
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The Ceramic Surface: Image Transfer
Artists of Interest:
Lesley Baker www.lesleybaker.com
Sandy Blain www.mudfire.com/sandra-blain-constructed.htm
Richard Burkett www.richardburkett.com
Jason Burnett www.jasonbigeburnett.com
Andrew Cho www.theandrewchoartshow.com
Charlie Cummings www.claylink.com/charliecummings/index.html
Israel Davis www.israeldavis.com
Erin Furimsky www.erinfurimsky.com
Andrew Gilliatt www.andrewgilliatt.com
Rain Harris www.rainharris.com
Anna Calluori-Holcombe www.annaholcombe.com
Meredith Host www.meredithhost.com
Les Lawrence www.leslawrence.com
Kelly McKidden www.kellymckibben.com
Tara Polansky www.tarapolansky.wordpress.com
Elizabeth Robinson www.elizabethrobinson.com
Kelly Schnorr www.kellyschnorr.com
Paul Scott www.cumbrianblues.com
Nan Smith www.nansmith.com
Victor Spinski www.victorspinski.com
Paul Andrew Wandless www.studio3artcompany.com