How to Transfer

First off, let me apologize for the delay in this post. This post is to show you how to create text on wax paper on transfer onto anything from fabric to wood. This was the essential key to a lot of the custom elements that we made for our wedding day. See DIY Wedding Sign . In this post you will see how I created guest wedding bags but this can easily be used for the wedding sign as well.

Items you will need for this project:

Wax Paper (can be found in rolls at grocery store)
Printer 
Computer
Computer Paper
Scotch Tape
Thick Credit Card
Item you would like to transfer onto (I used canvas bags from Hobby Lobby (4 for $3)
inDesign (if you want to get really creative)- I used this also for our wedding programs, ring bearer banner, custom stickers, monogram, etc.

Sounds simple right? IT IS! But fair warning you will need patience as paper sometimes gets jammed- but rest assured this will end up costing you far less and will only take a few hours to complete a unique DIY project for your guests.

This all started when we wanted to create our own wedding sign with our own custom wording without paying someone to do it. But having it look professional. So we found a font we liked and would transfer it on to the wood to give it a beautiful and classy look that was effortless and left little room for errors!

After the welcome sign was done, my husband and I wanted to create custom wedding bags for our guests. We thought of sourcing from a printer---NO GO that was outrageously priced and you needed a minimum of 100- we only needed 60. A stencil with paint just sounded like  pain the the you know what. So we thought why not do what we did for the wedding sign? They turned out fabulous and truly unique to us.

Instructions:


Make design --the following is one that I created- choose a SIMPLE image place your names and date creatively in it in inDesign or other program such as Publisher. Message me if you have any questions or if you'd like me to create one for you! This is what ours looked like (it's mirror imaged for printing purposes--will talk about further on):

1. Use 8 1/2 x 11 printer paper and cut wax paper to the size- doesn't have to be perfect just make sure width is same . * I made all at the beginning otherwise can be more time consuming if going back and forth between printing. **Another tip standard magazine's are this size as seen in photo--helps to have something sturdy and thick to cut against.

2.  Tape with a small piece of scotch tape the top of one piece of plain printer paper to slick side of wax paper (small 2 inch piece will do the trick) place so that half is on slick side of wax paper and half is on printer paper.

3. This step is CRUCIAL to having your image print correctly when using text. When in inDesign highlight with your cursor the entire image including text then simply click the button in the toolbar highlighted below:

4. Now that you have done that your image should be reversed.

5. Now you are ready for the FUN part--printing. Make sure that you have a hard surface to work on when transferring and credit card ready. Lay out your (in my case bag) item to be transferred on and  make sure that it is flat. Insert paper (depending on printer) wax side down while feeding the tape side in. You will want to hold it while the printer takes it to ensure a steady grip. This is the part that requires patience. You will have many that come out perfectly--but some the printer will choose to have "had enough" and destroy.  Just keep persevering-each successful transfer is such a joyous moment!

6. The time after the print has finished is crucial. You will need to gently remove wax paper from printer paper. Then put wax paper down onto the bag (or wood plank) INK SIDE DOWN.  Now while keeping paper still and secure run the credit card over paper many times. You can peek underneath to make sure that all has transferred. You can also line back up if it didn't transfer in one spot.

7. Voila! 60 hotel bags that cost much less and are so perfectly personalized!