Customize
Frames with Decals and Transfers
By DiAnna Tindell
There are many ways to duplicate the decals, transfers, designs, patterns and
other distinguishing marks of an object onto a picture frame. After much trial
and error, we have found that state-of-the-art technology provides us with the
flexibility to customize a picture frame in such a way.
Using the right type
equipment, the possibilities for customizing a picture frame with images
matching another object are endless. And just think how customized frames could
enhance any interior decorating plan!
The design on an object will often be
delicate and complex in detail. The skill needed to duplicate such detail by
hand can sometimes present too great a challenge. But with the aid of a digital
camera or by an actual scanning of an object, a complicated design can more
easily and quickly be duplicated.
Once sized and placed on special types of
decal paper, a detailed design can be readied for placement on the surface of a
frame in a way that will provide a more exact image than perhaps an accomplished
restorer could achieve through hand-painting efforts alone.
To offer a brief
background of transfers, the printing process began about 1756 and was developed
by John Sadler and Guy Green of Liverpool, England, to be used on porcelain. It
was also adopted by Josiah Wedgwood, who used it on his own ivory based
"Creamware".
Transfer printing is the process by which a pattern or design is
etched onto a copper or other metal plate. The plate is then inked and the
pattern is "transferred" to a special tissue. The inked tissue is then applied
to the object to be fired again. "Underprinting" was developed later as the
first transfers could easily wear off. Additionally, another technique called
"clobbering" was done as a combination of transfer and hand-painting by an
artisan.
If you study the detail on a transferware pattern with the aid of a
jeweler's loop, you can often see the tiny dots that make up these images. To
reproduce the same image by hand, it would be necessary to duplicate the exact
pattern of the tiny dots. This is a slow and tedious process.
With the new
decal capability, which allows us to copy a desired area of an object, the
duplication of an image as a decal copy can be applied to the blank area(s) of
most picture frame surface types.
If the restoration of background
colorations have been airbrushed on nicely and any other surface preps
accomplished correctly, a decal copy can also be layered on that existing
surface as well. Some fixatives may require an additional top coating, along
with possible gloss or dull glazing, as a final finish over the decal
area.
So what if you don't have the detail of the transfer readily available
from any like object? If that object is documented collectible and photographed
well within a book, there is still hope. An image as small as a postage stamp
can be scanned from a photo source within a reference book or other
source.
This scan can then be worked within various computer art/photo
software programs to customize use for a much needed decal. This decal can then
be placed on the frame surface of a work in progress.
The processing
described thus far doesn't begin to describe the many uses for this type of
technological breakthrough. This process is flexible and can be used to transfer
any number of images onto many different surface types.
Decals are not
limited to just frame types such as porcelain, glass, wood or metal. Special
decal papers come in a variety of types, like high gloss clear, matte and white,
to name a few. There are also transfer patterns that can be customized or
pre-formatted in gold leaf or other leaf colorations.
Some challenges unique
to decals relate to the size of the image needed, the curve of the surface, the
need for exact linear alignment, metallic design and level of mirrored surface.
Special looks can be achieved with such mixed mediums by additional hand
painting and/or airbrushing over the applied decal.
Sometimes the decal can
serve as a stencil guide for a more complicated hand painting project. This
technology also provides numerous opportunities for "fun" projects, since any
image can be projected on the decal paper and placed on almost any object.
DiAnna Tindell is a master
restoration specialist and founder of Tindell's Restoration Schools in
Nashville, TN. Inquiry for conservation or restoration resources and more
details about this article, please visit the website: www.TindellsRestorationSchools.com. Send mail to: P.O. Box 292633, Nashville, TN
37229-2633.
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