Transfers

[tdelewis]

Transfers seems to be one of the most mentioned topics on the café. Mike Dubber sells a transfer system with the designs on them. I have seen them but have not used them. The sheets are very clear not like the Pictorico sheets and I would guess the transfers are first class or Mike wouldn't be selling them. My question is what kind of sheets are the transfers printed on and how are they printed? I would guess that the designs are vector designs.

Perhaps this is a trade secret and he wants to keep it under raps.

 

[Brian Marshall]

I think you meant "wraps"...

The image of Mike Dubber "rapping' came to mind, and now I can't seem to get rid of it.

Ah well, dental surgery in a coupla hours will take its place...


Brian

 

[monk]

perhaps the designs were cut or pressed into the sheet to facilitate charging with wax or pigment. i know mr. dubber has shown fotos of "master plates" he engraves. charging them with wax for a quich transfer is a quick way to do the basic spines.

 

[Brian Marshall]

You can engrave a metal (brass or steel) "master" plate with standard or repetitive patterns - and transfer from it indefinitely, with smoke, inks, powdered pigments or homemade concoctions - using clear tape as the carrier.

Years ago, based on what Lynton McKenzie showed me, I made several of these with grids or angled lines that I use daily to layout script lettering. I also have one that has several versions and sizes of my signature. They save a lot of time...

All of this can now be done with computers, scanners and printers, BUT, by the time I get up from the bench and go through the ritual to print it - I've already transferred it right at the bench.

Don't toss out all the "old ways" or "old tools" before making a careful comparison.


And I may have given another example somewhere on the forum regarding layout?

Say you have a moneyclip. You need an oval frame into which you are going to engrave a monogram. These days you'd take measurements, get up from the bench, go and open your preferred program, "draw" your oval, "draw" your monogram, print it and go back to your bench to transfer it...

I would reach into a bench drawer, find a plastic oval template with the right size and degree oval, scribe it and draw the monogram I'm going to cut with a pencil. (eewwww!)

Probably be half done with the engraving by the time someone dependent on the computer/printer/transfer method gets back to the bench...

Granted, I have a fairly large collection of templates by now, but I always recommend you start your own collection. (add the cost of each template into the job until you've built your own collection, they are only $3 to $15 - and you will have them forever)

Simple common sense & convenience can still beat the newest and best electronic widgets and technology - sometimes...


Brian

 

[Tim Wells]

Those kits he sells for the various gun patterns are to get folks started with a good design that they can then transfer and cut as is or modify as desired. They are printed on transparency film sold my Tom White, who actually had them made to his specs and to my knowledge is the only source for them if you want blank sheets for use in your own printer.

 

[truehand]

Don't toss out all the "old ways" or "old tools" before making a careful comparison.

Brian

There's a pearl of wisdom if I've every heard one! Pairs well with the quote by Havelock Ellis; "What we call 'Progress' is often the exchange of one nuisance for another nuisance"

 

[tdelewis]

Engraving plates to transfer frequently used designs or patterns is something new to me. Great idea! I am currently studying Western bright cut. Using a metal plate with engraved backbone scrolls of different sizes and directions would facilitate quick layout, especially those go through scrolls. The time to get that perfect backbone scroll involves a lot of erasing and redrawing for me. I'm going to get on this and see if it is a time saver.

 

[monk]

mr marshall is not only comical, but commonsensical as well. i began making templates years ago on my laser. except for the mini french curves, i don't use any of them. the standard ovals, circle, hex, and so-on are at hand for quick use. it's true. an oval panel can be traced in less than a minute. going thru all the computer crap- maybe 5-7 minutes. the ones i avoid are the scroll spines. i find direct drawing is not only more enjoyable, but easier as well. there's just some things where a template or transfer just doesn't work too well.