Spent this past Saturday at the Harvey Milk Center with the Counter Photo Collective. Cecelia Mignon led a photo transfer workshop.
Basic steps were:
Print image off using a laser/toner printer (AKA a Xerox)
Set image down on paper to be transferred to (printed-side touching the new paper).
Apply solvent (I was using a Chartpak blender/colorless marker) to the back of the Xerox in a 2x2” square.
Burnish (rub) the back of the paper (I used a bone folder)
Repeat 3-4 on new sections until finished.
You can do layering with this technique. The image above is actually a macro shot of a flower and a self-portrait set ontop.
I’ve done a similar transfer before in a printmaking class. That was using a degraded black-and-white image, but instead of a harsh solvent we used gum arabic. May want to try that again.
Overall, had a lot of fun.