Sunday, June 29, 2014

Acetone Image Transfer

I read that you can transfer a photocopy image onto wood with acetone. This intrigued me as I wanted alternative transfer method besides using Mod Podge since it shows the paper.
I chose to try the method on this table I got at an auction for $1.

I won a few samples of American Paint Company clay/chalk paint from a blog giveaway. I used the Beach Glass color and it took two coats to cover the table.

This paint is much different than homemade chalk paint. It is thicker and needs 24 hours to dry between coats. You need to wait the 24 hours otherwise the first coat comes off while you try to paint the second coat.

Once it was dry, I used this mason jar image to transfer to the table top.

  • I did this outside away from the house. Acetone STINKS!
  • I placed the image, ink side down, on the table top and then taped the corners down with painters tape to keep the image from shifting.
  • Used a piece of paper towel that I kept soaking with the acetone and wet the paper. You can see the image once the paper is wet to know where you have gone over.
  • It is best not to move the paper at all until you are done as you take the chance you shift it.
  • Try not to wet your paint directly with the acetone or soak the paper too much, it will melt the paint off.
And here is my result!
It doesn't completely transfer the ink, so unless you go over it with a Sharpie, it will be very rustic looking.
But I love the way it came out! I always distress my pieces, so for the image to be rustic and not perfect makes total sense.
My thoughts on this technique:
  • You can do this on any color paint because all that transfers is the ink, not the actual paper (like what happens with the Mod Podge transfer). 
  • It only worked with copies from Staples, not printouts from my laser jet (definitely not from an ink jet).
  • Did I mention the acetone stinks? Like even worse than ammonia and the smell lingers, so do it outside--far from your house.
  • Always practice on something else first. I learned my lesson the hard way. It just takes a few minutes to paint a scrap piece of wood while you are painting your main piece to give the technique a try.
  • I bought a quart of acetone from Lowes for about $7.50, but I think you could test it out with nail polish remover if you don't want to invest in the quart.

I hope I have inspired someone to give this technique a try.


You can see where I used the same Mason Jar image, but applied it with Mod Podge over on The Pin Junkie.

Linking to:
DIY Showoff | Silver Pennies | Craft-O-Maniac | I Should Be Mopping The Floor | Homecoming | The Dedicated House | Coastal Charm | Cozy Little House | A Stroll Through Life | Love Grows Wild | Table For Seven | Kammy's Korner | VMG206 | Not Just A Housewife | The Winthrop Chronicles | Elizabeth & Co. | The DIY Dreamer | Power of Paint | Home Stories Z to Z | Art Is Beauty | Savvy Southern Style | Fluster Buster | Polka Dots On Parade | The Real Housewives of Riverton | The Happy Housie | Lamberts Lately | I Gotta Create | Domestic Superhero | Living Well Spending Less | Just Between Friends | Redoux Interiors | The Thrifty Groove | Liz Marie | Miss Mustard Seed | The Pin Junkie | Craft Dictator | Crafty Allie | Lovely Crafty Home | Remodelaholic | Today's Creative Blog | DIY Vintage Chic | Funky Junk Interiors | Too Much Time On My Hands 

30 comments:

  1. I Love your table and the color with ball mason on it is great, so cute. Lucky buy for $1 for that great little table.
    Oh yeah, need to try this technique. Love that image doesn't come out perfect with acetone. Maybe I will try it first with nail polish remover. Get a bottle at dollar store first. Haven't really tried too many transfers except iron on ones so it's time to venture out. I will have to get the copy at Office Depot as we have no Staples in our town. Did you have them make it bigger for your table?
    Not proud of it but am digitally challenged and a chicken so don't try things as much as I should. I'm still trying to figure out how to reverse words to transfer. Duh. Please don't judge me, just an old lady, lol. Happy summer days

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by the blog! I did have the image enlarged at Staples. I email it to them and let them know exactly what I want. You can even ask them to reverse the print. I am sure Office Depot has the same service. Definitely give it a try!
      Thanks!

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  2. Great job! I still haven't tried this transfer method, but good to know how well it works and to get some tips. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Looks awesome! I also love the rustic look. And I just got some chalk paint. Perfect!
    Sami
    http://www.brightsunshinydays.com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! Maybe try it out on your next craft night?

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  4. Beautiful, love the distressed look. This method is intriguing, I'm pinning this so I can come back when I'm ready to try it. Thanks for sharing your tips.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! Maybe try it out on a sign to go on the deck with your updated plastic chairs?

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  5. This table is so cool...I love it!! Never heard of the acetone transfer...but might have to try it.

    Pinning it!!
    Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Oh I think it turned out great and thanks for all the good advice and instructions .
    I have wanted to try this on a table I painted a silver metallic

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  7. Very cute and would be perfect to sit in the corner of a kitchen or family room!

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  8. How much did the copy cost from Staples and what size did you use? Thanks. Have a happy and safe 4th!

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    1. I originally set the mason jar to print on an 18"x24" engineer print and I used it on the table that I transferred with Mod Podge (at the end of the post). It was $1.79. But for some reason, when Staples first printed it, they didn't make it the size of the paper so this print that I used on the blue table was smaller and since it was the mistake, I got it for free. Click on the post for the Mod Podge transfer and you will see how I size it in PowerPoint for Staples to print. If you are not able to do that, you can just email the file and tell them to do it for you.

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  9. super cute - nice job & tutorial

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  10. So this isn't laser jet or inkjet? What's different about Staples? Do you ask for a particular kind of copy? Looks great. I want to try it.

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    1. Thank you! I honestly thought the laser jet copy would work since that is toner, but for whatever reason it just didn't. The copy at Staples is toner and maybe just has more of it on it? I don't really know. The actual print is an engineer print so it is larger than regular paper, but I practiced with a smaller print out first that was just a regular black copy. I think maybe the laser jet copy just works on unpainted wood. It's definitely something to experiment with to see how it works. I did try it on paint I had already waxed and it didn't work.

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  11. I never thought to try this with Acetone! It looks awesome. What a great idea. Thank you so much for sharing at The Handmade Hangout!

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  12. This looks so awesome! I highlighted you tonight in centerpiece Wednesday :) http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2014/07/centerpiece-wednesday.html

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  13. Your table looks great! I can't believe you got it for only a dollar, super good deal. I love the transfer and I actually have thought about trying it but the strong odor would be a no-no for my migraine prone brain. Thanks for the heads-up!

    Gigi @ Old World Patina

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! Yes, it is the worst smell ever and it does linger for a little while. Although it didn't make the table smell like it.

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  14. Great technique! Will have to give it a try :)

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  15. Susan - I love your creative little heart, this table is just perfect!! I'm a newbie at the transfer game. How do I download an image, what do I want to download it on and how do I make it larger? If you have time...

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