Underglaze Transfer Process

Underglaze Tissue Transfer Process

Check out the Videos page for more information on how to work with underglaze tissue transfers.

Apply the tissue transfer to the clay by either rolling it with a brayer or burnishing lightly with a soft rubber rib. The red and yellow Sherrill Mudtools Polymer Ribs work great for burnishing. This first step helps to keep the transfer from smearing later on.

Once applied, very lightly rub with your finger or sponge the backside of the transfer with water if needed. If the clay or slip is on the wetter side, you may not need to sponge with water and burnishing with a soft rubber rib or rubbing with your finger is enough to transfer the image.
NOTE: Do not mist the ink side of the tissue transfer.

Keep in mind that tissue transfers are somewhat fragile and will tear if you get them too wet or burnish too hard.
Stop burnishing if you start to see the transfer smearing and wait a little longer for the clay and transfer to lose some of its moisture before continuing.

Once the tissue transfer is fully transferred, gently peel away the transfer until the entire image is revealed. If the transfer tears during this step, it usually comes off with the help of an exacto knife or pin tool. If some of the transfer remains, gently tap it down into the clay. It should burn off during the bisque fire.

Finally, touch up where needed with underglaze using a small brush.
NOTE: Be aware that you are going to get some folding and wrinkling in places as you apply the transfer to your clay, especially around curves if your piece is already formed. That folding and wrinkling is part of the process and creates a look that can be one of the highlights of the image transfer technique.
NOTE: Tissue transfers are meant to be used directly on bare clay, or on clay that has been painted with 1 or 2 coats of slip or underglaze. Let the slip or underglaze dry to a dull sheen before transferring. Do not use anything on the tissue transfer other than a slightly damp sponge on the backside when transferring.

You can apply tissue transfers to bone dry clay or bisque by wetting the clay first before rubbing the backside of the transfer down with your finger and very lightly sponging if needed.