New From Old
Waste not, want not. Make new art from old by reusing what you were going to throw away. Bet by now we have you afraid to throw away anything!
This technique can be done using either a copy machine or scanner.
Step 1
This is a fun way to use your leftover inkjet transparency film. Take several leftover transparencies, cut them up and layer them together on the bed of the copier/scanner so they overlap each other. You may want to add an interesting paper on top of them. The paper becomes a background when the whole grouping is printed.
Step 2
Print out your new image using a laser or toner printer. Laser/toner copies are not water soluble; they are set with heat and this enables you to make a gel transfer that won’t smear.
Step 3
At this point you can use your newly printed image as collage paper, use it as a transfer or continue altering it as desired.
TIPS
• You may get some smearing when using an inkjet printer to make a gel transfer. If you only have access to an inkjet printer and you absolutely have to try this right now, spray the printout first with a workable fixative. You may have to spray several times for best results. (Visit createmixedmedia.com/mixed-media-revolution for more on gel transfers.)
• If you don’t apply the gel on perfectly, your transfer can be more random—which isn’t necessarily a bad thing!
• Your transfer should be moist—not wet. If it is wet, you could end up with unwanted wrinkles. But, again, those wrinkles could add a bit more visual interest, too.
• For a full photographic step-by-step demonstration of a gel transfer visit createmixedmedia.com/mixed-media-revolution.