Acrylic Image lifts are photographic if you use photos. It will work on
any paper - magazine, newspaper, but the best i have found is Xerox. So, I have
my students take a photo (B&W or Color) then take it to the copy store and get a
copy made. Next buy some semi gloss acrylic medium (what you mix with acrylic
paints to extend them) and a small foam brush. Trim your paper to the size you
want. A little larger actually to tape or pin it in place (I push pin mine to
paper covered foam core). Take your brush and dip it in the mediun. Brush in one
direction (top to bottom or left to right) a thin layer of medium over the whole
surface of the image. If the medium is too thick, add a little water to thin it,
but not so much water that the paper starts to saturate and really curl. Let it
dry (I put it under a desk lamp). Brush on another coat going the opposite
direction (to strengthen the final product). Do this about six times. Then let
it dry 24 hours.
After 24 hours place it in warm slightly soapy water for about 10
minutes (acrylic will get milky looking). Start rubbing your finger in a
circular motion (after having taken it out of the water and on a stable, even
surface) on the BACK of the image. The paper will start to seperate from the
image. Keep it up, dipping it in water from time to time. Eventually you will
have a transluscent "decal" of the image left. To get rid of the white paper
pulp left over either use a soft nail brush at the end (somewhat successful) or
after the image is completely dry, coat that side of the image with a thin
coating of acrylic medium and let dry again.
While still warm, this decal can be stretched to about 30%. You can use
the acrylic medium to adhere it to many surfaces, including paper. IT lookes
very nice.
Good luck,
Ginger