Transfer templates from paper to metal using laser printer

[vitti]

I found a paper that works perfectly with this method today. HP Glossy Presentation Paper. It looks and feels like magazine pages. It's very thin and very glossy.

I don't have a laser printer so I took a USB drive with some template pdf's to my local Office Depot and asked them to print it on a glossy paper stock. They only charged me $.11 per page. I had 5 copies of each made so I don't have to go back anytime soon.

The paper released very easily and quickly and didn't lift the toner at all just running it under hot water in the sink for about 30 seconds.

I'm hooked now, no stencil can match the accuracy.


On another note, be wary of using an iron with a coated surface with this method. The edges of a hacksaw blade, even the factory edges, will scratch the coating.

[StabbyJoe]

Just a thought... would this method work with printing onto a OHP sheet with the laser printer? I'm trying to think of something that can be re-used or is cheaper than photo paper, because I'm cheap =P

Problems I can see are that the toner may not be able to separate from it, as it cannot get soaked through, and maybe it won't handle heat from an iron well...

any other cheap options? I heard mention of magazine pages earlier on... would a random page from inside a magazine work reasonably well? (better than normal printer paper?)

[savs2k]

good thread. Don't use normal paper it comes out like crap. Ive done it a few times the image rubs off easily. I have yet to use glossy photopaper but now I know where i went wrong. Even doing it wrong with a bad transfer i was still able to see the image and sharpie the parts that didnt transfer over and it came out ok.

[bldiener]

I did the same thing as vitti at my local office max they charged .15 c so it is a little more but it worked out great

[totos]

about the glossy paper:
I think that the glossy thing stickers are on when you buy them should work nicely.

[adrenalynn]

Old thread [sorry, noob traversing stickys here] - but kudos on the guide, as well as a suggestion:

Has anyone tried iron-on transfer paper intended for crafting? Works great with Inkjet, and is less expensive than circuit board transfer (but lower res) and can be used hot or cold.

I have used it for transferring patterns to metal in my robotics work, as well as to wood and plastic: http://www.printonit.com/Inkjet-Iron-on ... r-s/51.htm

That's one example, but I've found it at Walmart, Target, and similar.

[Darrylportelli]

Hey you CAN do a toner transfer with normal paper. all you got to do is WET the paper before ironing it. I ve had wonderfull results. I mean full images transfered to materials!!!

[octel]

I have experience with laser toner etching from my electronics hobby, so I thought I'd chime in.
Regular paper works well, as does photo paper and even pages removed from a glossy magazine.

The best method with almost guaranteed results is to use a special kind of transfer film called Press n Peel Blue (PnP) made by Techniks. This can be found online everywhere and maybe at Radio Shack. Look for hobby stores in your area.
It's a bit pricey when compared to glossy paper, but it comes off really easily so you don't lose toner while removing the film.

Have a look at the tutorials here and here.
Hope this helps!

[grymoire]

A warning from someone who learned the hard way.

Do not use Inkjet paper in a laser printer. Some Inkjet papers contains a material that comes off on the rubber rollers. This can cause the laser printer rollers to be coated with clay, and paper will slip and jam on the rollers. I had to replace the rollers to repair the printer.

[pipescope]

Perfect the way u laid it out .........Awesome for the Newbie

[subver]

Got a quick question - does it matter how soon you transfer the ink onto metal? I want to do this but I only have a laser printer at work.. wasn't sure if it could sit on the paper for a few hours before transferring or not.
Thanks!

[mechanical_nightmare]

Wow I wish I had seen this post when making my picks. I rarely use templates anymore, if I need to make a pick I just eye it out and get pretty good results, but the way I used to do it was way more complicated and prone to error. Excellent guide !

[brandonlee79]

I started with sticker paper. It worked but it always came off or tore. Now I generally go by eye. I'll hold it up to a template to check my lines. But, I find it easier and quicker freehand. Thx

[KarkarnRed]

This is great, I can see i'm gonna be busy trying to make my own picks for a while. Thanks you for the information

[Jacob Morgan]

Saw this old thread and it rang a bell with me. In the December-January 2012 edition of Machinist's Workshop there was an article by R.G. Sparber titled "Laser Printing on Any Clean, Smooth Surface." The author has his own website and has a PDF of an update of the article: http://rick.sparber.org/ttm.pdf He shows several variations of doing this. One thing I'll add in is if one is using the paper transfer method and uses parchment paper like he does, try to find some cut parchment paper (not rolls from the grocery store)--King Arthur Flour (do a web search) sells packs of pre-cut parchment paper for half-sheet baking pans. May be pricey unless one also has need of them (they are great for baking cookies), but they are dead flat.

The Machinist's Workshop magazine is the sister publication of [url]Home Shop Machinist[/url], both good magazines for home workshop metal working. If I had more money I would subscribe to them, but I always browse through them and buy the more interesting editions when I visit the local book store.