Alternative Processing 101: Ink Jet Transfers

Usually when I am bored at home and looking for a project I turn to this easy (but rewarding) concept of making prints. 

You don't need any fancy chemicals, glass, or film for this process - but they look pretty damn cool.

What you need:

• a photo file on your computer
• a FULL ink cartridge in your printer
• well.. a printer
• a waxy type of paper [an empty label sheet works perfectly!]
• damp sponge
• paint brush [or Q tips]
• watercolor or sketch paper

The process:

• make sure that the photo you picked isn't super detailed... simple close ups and landscapes work best
• with even strokes, damp the watercolor paper using the sponge
• print off your photo on the waxy paper BE CAREFUL! the ink won't stick to the paper but will stick to things like your hands, the carpet, walls, etc.
• act fast! before the ink dries, carefully press the paper ink side down on the damp watercolor paper. smooth it out with even pressure
• carefully pull the wax paper off
• TADA! ink jet transfer.
• If the print is kind of grainy and you want it to look softer - use the paint brush or q-tips and blend the colors a bit.

Its kind of like a temporary tattoo. Same idea.. you learned this at Chuckie Cheese in the 2nd grade.

Ink Jet Transfers

I was really into Van Dyke printing in 2007.

Sans technology - all thats needed is paper, chemicals, water, and sunlight.


The process:

+ The chemical formula is a mixture of silver nitrate and some other acids/chemicals that I can't remember off the top of my head. There are a ton of different 'recipes' to use, but all of them include the same ingredients.

+ The formula is then painted on to paper. Anything works, really, but I always used watercolor paper.. it can handle the moisture without wrinkling. Let the paper dry.

+ Now you've got some old school photo paper. Its not Kodak high gloss but it WILL get exposed to light, so I keep mine in an old cardboard portfolio folder.

+ A negative is then set on top of the paper - which are both sandwiched between glass.

+ Add a few minutes of sunlight (or in my case of a tanning bed or homemade UV bulb concoction due to overdue portfolio deadlines and michigan winter gray skies)

+ Bring inside, rinse immediately, BAM! You've got a Van Dyke print.

The process isn't precise, and it takes a ton of trial and error experimentation. As a photographer you lose a lot of control. I think this is what I like best, though, it makes things exciting.

Van Dyke Printing