Transfer Laser Prints to Wood

Bill Ritchie uses transparent spray lacquer to transfer his laser prints to wood. Sometimes it's for decoration or labels for his Halfwood Presses, sometimes for certain artistic or design effects. Watch this 3-minute tape, but be aware that spray lacquer has fumes that are dangerous to your health; use it with plenty of ventilation.

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Education

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• Bill Ritchie

[TheRealJohnnyJaymes]

You are such a nice sounding man, and thank you so much for the video. Here I've been trying a whole different way that only resulted in my slumped down in front of the keyboard feeling like a loser. I am going to try something similar to this, unfortunately I don't have an awesome little press like that, but I have a feeling this time, with what I'm thinking my project will be possible.

[halfwoodpress]

@TheRealJohnnyJaymes Glad you liked it but I don't use lacquer spray any more - it's so nasty! Now I iron on the laser print. I used a hand iron set on high; then I bought a hot tool made for the purpose at a hardware store, or maybe it was a woodcraft store. It works better and it's sorta like a wood burner so you can use it that way too. Keyboard? what's the deal are you both musician and .... ?

[halfwoodpress]

You're welcome, I'm glad you liked it, but I must add that I don't do it this way as often as I used to. Now I prefer a nontoxic, more sure-fire way which is to use a hot transfer tool I found. It's like a woodburner hobby tool, but it has a small, smooth coin-sized end on it. Plug it in, let it heat up, and then put the laser print face down on the wood and press the hot tool on it. It's a little tricky; if the art moves, it blurs. I tape it down lightly. You get better with practice.

[halfwoodpress]

I find a finish that doesn't dissolve laser toner - shellac, for example. Waterbase acrylic, a clear varnish in that line, would probably work. Or a neutral sealer, or even a stain-sealer, too, would probably work. The only finishes that dissolve the toner are those containing acetone, MEK, or lacquer thinner. Clear spray lacquer, for example, will make the image dissolve. Plain oil, like teak, linseed, or tung oil would be fine, I think. Thanks for the question

[tanariacarey]

Beautiful... Thanks for the video!

[jawadsaadi]

Nice tip, but then how do u finish the wood if it gona be part of a project without messing up the print

[beamprimary]

the press is called a halfwit lol, pervert lmao