Image Transfer on a Can

I am loving the acrylic gel medium. Remember my garden stakes? That was my very first project - I transferred an image on to wood. This is my second project using this medium - transferring an image on a tin can. So basically, this gel medium transfers the ink because you take the paper off - although it does take some work getting the paper off. But what you are left with is a paperless photocopy on objects like a tin can - it is so neat. I love how vintage this can looks! Here is how to do it....

1. Prepare the can - you will need a laser copy of a label or some kind of art work. I used a pumpkin label from Graphics Fairy. There are so many neat labels on that blog that you can find. I am going to do a few more cans. Make sure you flip or reverse the printing before you print out the label if it has printing on it. Oh yeah - the can I used was a HUGE tuna can. It is almost the size of a large coffee can but not as tall. 

2. Tape around area of the label. To do this I taped the label on and taped around it, and then took the tape off the label. 

3. Prep the can with gesso. I experimented with putting a transfer directly on a can, or using gesso, and using the gesso helped the image stick better. I put on a thin layer of gesso and let it dry for a few hours.

4. Paint over the gesso. I used silver so it looked like tin. After painting remove masking tape.
5. Using the same technique I used with my garden sticks - put the acrylic gel medium on the ink side of the label. Get out as many air bubble as possible. Let dry over night.
6. Wet down the paper - and slowly and gently take it off. Because this label had a lot of black - it took a lot of scrubbing to get all the white of the paper off. When it is cleaned to your liking and dry - spray with a clear paint to protect.

I am going to plant something in this can - but you can use it for all sorts of things. I hope this gives you some ideas!

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking to...
Graphics Fairy - Brag Monday