Grafix Rub-Onz Transfer Film

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Reported by Jessica Ripley

One of my favorite things to do while crafting is to create my own unique embellishments to add that extra special something to a project. There's just something about that personal touch that really makes it my own, and gives me just a little more satisfaction, you know? So when I ran across Grafix Rub-Ons Transfer Film on a stroll through the art store, I just knew I had to give them a try. I mean, make your own rub-ons? How awesome is that?!

The package I picked up came with ten 8 1/2" x 11" transfers (though they come in packages of 4 or 25 as well). There are 10 sheets to print, write, or stamp on, as well as 10 sheets which contain the adhesive to make the magic work. The package also comes with easy to follow instructions and the good old standard Popsicle stick to be used once the rub-on is ready. It's also worth mentioning that the transfer sheets are acid free. The instructions state that designs can be created by hand, using an ink-jet or laser printer, or by stamping an image. I decided to give all three a try.

First and foremost, I decided to give the hand-drawn option a whirl. I couldn't quite picture how the adhesive would pick up pen ink to turn it into a rub-on, and wasn't sure it would work, but wow was I pleased! I decided to use my Cricut to draw a few designs on the matte side of a transfer sheet to start (I'm not the best at sketching you see):

Next, I hand colored in those images with Sakura Glaze Pens (coloring I can do):

I let the ink dry a bit (about 20 minutes) before attempting the next step, which was to apply the adhesive sheet to the inky side. This step is easy, the backing peels away from the adhesive cleanly. Applying it to the transfer sheet is a bit trickier however, but just go slow and be sure to smooth out any air bubbles.

Once the adhesive is down, it is permanent, not moving, now way, no how, so do go slow and take your time with that step. Next I trimmed the leaves as closely as possible to the design (which the directions recommend to prevent a "halo" effect), and applied them to my tag. Peeling off the very thin layer between the now sticky ink design and the backing is just a tiny bit difficult and takes some patience. I found that tweezers helped get it going, and it was best to start in an inconspicuous area if at all possible just in case the design was slightly wrinkled. However once it was started, it worked just as well as a traditional rub-on.

I love how the ink from the Sakura pens look as a rub-on!

For my second project, I chose to try the stamping technique in order to add some ghosts to the Halloween jar below. These transfer sheets are an excellent way to use a stamp around a curved area where normal stamping just wouldn't work.

First the images were stamped onto the matte side of the transfer sheet, it is just a little slippery so use care when doing so. It's about the same as stamping on vellum:

Next, the backing was pulled off an adhesive sheet and applied over the inked side of the transfer sheet. This was done after trimming both down to size too, which was easily done with a paper trimmer, in order to use only what was needed for this particular design. With the stamping and hand-drawing options available, no scrap of these sheets will go to waste.

Then I trimmed the ghosts and applied to the jar. The adhesive stuck them to the glass surface just fine.

And here's the finished project. You can see the color of the transfer shows here as I didn't cut out the middle of my ghosts, it's just slightly opaque.

Extremely happy with how the transfer films performed so far, I had one last test to perform. Using my ink-jet printer, I decided to create one large rub-on to apply to an 8" x 10" canvas I had on hand, just to see how it worked. First I created the design in Photoshop Elements:

(Digital Stamps By Leah F. from Funkyplaygrounddesigns.com)

It's important to note that when using text with these transfer films, it must be reversed or the final design won't be readable, unless you look at it in a mirror. That is just a minor draw back when it comes to working with stamps or handwriting, it can't be done unless the text is reversed.

And if you can write backwards, well more power to ya.

After the design was set, I printed it out and followed the same steps. Attaching the adhesive sheet, and then pulling that off. That's where I hit a little snag:

My rub-on was much, much to big and it wrinkled right down the center. The final film before applying the design is quite thin, and of course sticky, so it folded in on itself a bit. However that was entirely my fault, and still, it attached to the canvas beautifully:

We'll just call it a happy disaster as it still gets the point across.

In summary,

Pros:

• The ability to create self-designed rub-ons in three ways, hand-drawn, using a printer, or stamping.


• Easy to follow instructions that have you creating your own rub-ons in minutes.


• The adhesive stuck well to three test surfaces, including canvas, which means that it will stick well to just about anything a traditional rub-on would.

Cons:

• When using text, it must be printed backwards. This can limit use of stamps or handwriting designs.


• The adhesive film is a little difficult to begin to pull off the attached rub-on, and it takes some patience and possibly tweezers to get going.


• Transfer film is a bit slippery, so use caution when stamping.

All in all, I was extremely pleased with these Rub-Onz Transfer Films from Grafix. They do exactly what they say they will, are easy to use, and above all really, really fun. I just know I'll be reaching for them again and again to add those personal touches to my projects that I love. I give them a 10.

How about you? Have you used them before? We'd love to see your projects! Leave us a comment and let us know!