The vinegar method will smudge. When I experimented on
white plastic erasers and pink carving medium, the
glossier the medium, the more it smudged. Letting the
transferred image dry completely for a few hours,
thereby curing it, seemed to help. Also, in response
to Leger De Maine's issue of the paper disintegrating,
I dabbed rather than rubbed plain old copy paper with
the inkjet image face down with a cotton ball
saturated in vinegar. Perhaps card stock might work
better? I will also try Leger De Maine's suggestion to
wet the carving medium with vinegar, applythe image
and press. That sounds like a workable solution as
well.

I am wondering what other readlily available liquids,
both solvent and non-solvent based, might work and
leave a more permanent image that won't smudge. Any
chem majors out there who have insight?

I also wonder if there is a way to de-gloss the medium
without eating it up so as to make it more receptive
and less likely to smudge. My sense is that the
glossing is more likely due to the
manufacturing/cutting/curing process and not a coating
applied to make the medium more attractive in its
finished state.

I sent a message to April who owns Stampeaz here in
Connecticut and who does very intricate carvings and
is always most helpful. I asked her if she would be
willing to share her technique(s)for transfering her
images to the carving medium. When she responds, I
will post here.

As an aside, I am writing from my other "home" near
Ithaca NY. Found the Sapsucker Woods (Cornell
Labratory of Ornithology) and Cornell Plantations
Letterboxes yesterday. The Plantations are lush and
green and full of color right now. Both places are
gems...even without letterboxes to find...and well
worth a side trip.

Have a great weekend all.

Linda a/k/a Ms Alafair (CT)


--- "A.D." wrote:
> Nah, not the only one. I tried the acetone transfer
> method and really didn't have good results. My best
> results come with the good ole graphite transfer- I
> use a graphite art pencil rather than a regular one
> for darker lines. So far so good, although one must
> be careful not to smudge the image. I'm thinking of
> trying the vinegar method- is there smudging with
> that?
> --- moonstone_baby wrote:
> > gee, am I the only one still using tracing paper?
> > no chemicals for
> > me and works like a charm. I feel so old fashion!
> >
> > moonstone_baby
> >
> >
>
>
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