Fusing Photo Paper

You can turn your family pictures into a piece of art by printing them on fusing photo paper and enclosing them in glass. It is a terrific way to give a personalized gift.

Fusing photo paper comes with ten pieces in the package. You can transfer your photographs, or other images on to this paper.

This paper does require the use of a special printer and cartridge to accomplish. This procedure requires these items. It can not be accomplished by stamping on the decals, or by using any other laser jet printer.

Before you spend a lot of money on the paper and a printer contact HP to make sure that the printer you are interested in purchasing has a cartridge with a high iron oxide toner. Some suggested printers are: HP Laser Jet 1020 which has approximately 60% iron oxide and HP 2300 with a compatible toner.

It's not the carbon you want it's the iron content. HP laser printer toner is reported to have the highest iron content. A simple explanation of how laser printers work is that the toner has iron in its content. The printer uses an electrostatic charge to stick the toner to the paper. When using the fusing photo paper, the pigment in the toner burns out and leaves just the iron. The iron is what produces the sepia colored image. Cartridges that are used to print numbers on checks are the best for this purpose.

The paper is not what goes in the kiln. There is a decal that slides off the paper when soaked in distilled water. The picture seems to lighten as the temperature goes up, so it is suggested that you only fuse to about 1350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Use only a black and white image for printing. When fused, the image will turn a brownish sepia tone.

It is also suggested that you use COE 96 glass when using this photo paper. COE 96 glass has a smoother texture and this helps to eliminate bubbles.

2. Heat the printer first by running 4 to 5 test blank sheets on regular paper. Before printing your images, be sure you know which side of the paper your individual printer prints on. Remove all the regular paper from the printer. Peel the protective sheet off of the fusing photo paper, and put the prepared decal paper into the printer. The shiny side (protected side) will be the side that is printed on.

3. Cut out the printed image, leaving only a little if any of the paper around the shape. Cut close to the image.

4. Cut the designated glass to the desired shape and size.

5. Clean all the glass. Remove any fingerprints, grease, oil from cutter and dust particles. Any residue will leave marks, or cause bubbles.

6. Prepare your work area. Set up paper towels, the glass, dryer, a clean container filled with distilled water and the squeegee.

7. Place image face down in the distilled water for about 30 seconds. It helps to have the water at room temperature or a little warmer. You can test to see if the decal is ready by gently sliding it between your fingers.

8. Carefully slide the decal off the paper and onto the glass, making sure to avoid wrinkles and bubbles. Image should be face up on the glass.

9. Blot image with paper towel, smoothing out image and removing any excess water.

10. Use the small squeegee at a 45 degree angle. Use a paper towel to hold one side of the image while using the squeegee. Carefully and gently squeeze out any excess water and bubbles. This decal paper is very thin, so gentle manipulation is necessary to avoid tearing and ruining your piece.

11. Allow image to dry completely. This can be accomplished by allowing the image to sit and air dry (about 15-20 minutes), or use a blow dryer, or heat gun. If using a heat gun start at about two feet from the image and slowly move dryer closer in a circular motion.

12. Fire without capping, or cap with clear glass before firing. These can be fired again and capped at that time.

13. Place glass in kiln and close the unit.

14. Heat kiln to approximately 1350 degrees for best results. Heating these images too high will have a tendency to burn out the image. So watch the piece carefully.

Fusible paper is another fun and creative way to make your fused glass projects more personalized. Create wearable artwork with photo paper and preserve them in glass forever. What a wonderful and long lasting family heirloom this fused piece will make.

Colored Photos

Here are a couple of suppliers:

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