May Tart Kit: TAP

This month the Tart kit gives you materials for trying Transfer Artist Paper (TAP) with non-traditional surfaces. In addition to Lutrdur, metal sheets, and mica, you have received a sheet of images, acrylic paints, and parchment. TAP works great on fabric and certainly can be used in a project if you choose. But try it on these other surfaces and keep the results in your "might want to use later" file.

 Because these materials are non-porous, they will take a little more fiddling and your results won't be as crisp and clean as an image transfered to fabric. TAP will also work on wood and glass. Images can be printed onto the TAP or you can draw or paint with many coloring mediums. Be careful that you don't create holes with a sharp point or use too much water in the paints. Try using markers, colored pencils, paint, crayons, or charcoal.

Use the included images to copy to the TAP with your inkjet printer or find your own. The images can be colored with the acrylic paint, markers, or colored pencils before printing or before transfering. You will be doing your work on the white side of the TAP, not the purple side.

When you are ready to transfer, cut around the image. The white polymer of the TAP will show on non-white surfaces. Place the TAP face down onto the surface you want the image, cover with parchment, and press firmly with a hot iron for a short time. You can't overiron the TAP. When the image has transfered, peel the backing paper away while the paper is still warm. TAP will stick if you wait for it to cool.

The Lutradur is probably the easiest to use. We printed a black line drawing onto the TAP and colored it with the acrylic paints.

The metal sheets and mica take extra care. They are heat resistant and so might require a little longer press with the iron. As the TAP polymer melts, it can slip on these surfaces, so take care with your iron. These materials will be warm after pressing so be careful not to burn yourself. Lift the TAP carefully while it is still warm.

Being able to transfer images onto interesting surfaces will give you lots of flexibility in designing your art quilts. The Lutradur and metal can be sewn with your machine or by hand. If the mica is thin enough you may carefully sew it by hand or use glue to adhere the piece to your quilt.