Pattern Transfer Using Transfer Paper

[hivemind]

So I'm finally undertaking a carving project I'm not comfortable just freehanding - I need to match the design of an 8" embroidered patch - and I wasn't sure how you carving folks get your patterns onto the leather. A little research showed me this stuff called "transfer paper". So I ordered up a couple sheets, along with the ballpoint stylus, and they arrived today.

I'm a little hazy on the exact procedure for using this stuff. Do I trace the design onto the paper then flip it over on the leather? Or just trace it again, and some chemical in the paper transfers the line with wet leather and pressure? Does it matter which side I trace onto?

Also, this ballpoint stylus I got from Tandy isn't completely smooth on the ball. It's a little rough, maybe from bad plating or casting. Seems like that would be rather detrimental. Should I smooth this thing off with the Dremel polishing wheel or something first?

Any help is appreciated...

[dirtclod]

If you can draw on the paper ( i've never used transfer paper ) i would use a pencil to trace the pattern and the stylus to trace on my leather. I would polish out the burr on the stylus before i used it. The paper i use it dosen't matter which side you use. It is the traceing film you can get from Hide Crafters and i'm sure other places as well. Trace it on your leather the way you want to be seen.

[ClayB]

I normally use the tracing film that you can get from Tandy. I trace the pattern I want onto the film, then with the leather damp, I set the tracing film on top of the leather and trace the lines from the tracing film onto the leather. Keep the side of the film that you drew on with a pencil "up" to keep from getting the lead onto the leather. There may be times when you want a reverse image of your pattern and I will just flip the film upside down and use it that way. You might get some lead transfer, but it usually gets hidden pretty well by the time you cut and bevel the lines. You can also use several other things instead of tracing film like plain paper, wax paper, vellum. I know some people that put plain paper in a plastic page protector to keep it from getting wet when it comes in contact with the leather. There are lots of ways to get to the same end point. If your stylus isn't smooth, it's going to cause you trouble. I'd try and smooth it out like you said or use a piece of emory cloth or something similar and then polish it on your strop.

Charlie Davenport is doing a step by step lesson on Tandy's blog and todays entry on the lesson was on how he transfers the pattern. You might want to check it out here.

[hivemind]

I see, so I'm essentially just scribing a shallow line right in to the leather, there's no mimeographical xeroxing magic going on. It makes sense now, and I feel vaguely retarded for not understanding - I've done the same thing with paper before. I thought there was some magical process I was missing - I mean, you should have seen my face the first time I saw a strap cutter...

Thanks guys!

Edited December 23, 2009 by hivemind

[hivemind]

Anyone ever tried running transfer paper through a laser printer?

EDIT: HAH! Just did, and it works fine, once you've cut yourself a letter paper sized piece of film! Talk about a time saver...

Edited December 23, 2009 by hivemind

[DG Leather]

i discovered an awesome trick...trick to thi samatuer...

I ussually take an image thats on paper and put it on the cased leather and trace it with a stylus (smooth one)

now for the trick:

I put packing tape on both sides of the image...making it laminated with pa cking tape.....thiks allows me to get crisper more concise lines, the paper dont rip cuz its wet and i can re use the image if i like...

[Dwight]

Another trick I use, . . . the stylus needs to be sharp. Not sharp enough to go through the plastic, . . . but sharp enough to make a good indentation in the plastic.

Take your time the first time you trace the project, . . . being careful to get some really good pressure all over the lines.

Next time you want to use that pattern, . . . simply lay it on the leather, . . . take a flat plastic scraper, . . . rub the pattern, . . . voila, you have it transfered to your dampened leather. It will not be very deep, . . . but it beats having to trace it all over again, . . . especially on bigger stuff.

May God bless,

Dwight

[leatheroo]

When i took a class with peter main (the master) he said he just uses plain old printer paper...print out your design, lay it on the cased leather....make some anchor points outside the finished area....do this by using a stylus to make some deep dots...this way if your design moves you can replace it in exactly the same position..use a normal ball point pen or pencil to trace the pattern...with the pen you can see where you have been...when you have finished just throw away the printed pattern...voila!!!

[tashabear]

Printer paper and packing tape works well, but I use printing vellum -- made for inkjets, tough, and translucent so I can see where I'm positioning my design. I just got through making... um... seven designs for some book covers I'm making.