For some time now I've been trying to find a way of successfully transferring digital ink-jet images for mixed-media artwork. There's lots of information out there on how to do it, and I'd been diligently experimenting with every different method and medium I came across, with at best patchy results. I suspect you need to get the combination of the printing paper, printing ink, receiving paper and medium, right in order to get success.
I read one source which recommended alcohol sanitising gel, which if nothing else has the advantage of being cheap. So I duly went and bought some. Used with Epson matt photo paper, and ordinary cartridge paper, the result was reliable and pretty good, with a contrasty, grainy image that I quite liked. I also tried it with Inkjet OHP film, and that was in some ways even better, giving a softer, almost pastel like image. These are good enough for me, and while I won't stop experimenting, it at least allows me to achieve some of the ideas I had.
The images below show you the results - they don't really do them justice - a lot of the subtleties are lost, but I think you can still just about see the difference.
 |
| Original Photograph |
 |
| Inkjet transfer from photograph, using alcohol sanitising gel and Epson matt photo paper. A grainy, contrasty effect is achieved. |
 |
| Inkjet transfer using OHP inkjet transparency film with alcohol sanitising gel. A softer, more romantic feel is achieved here. |
