Firefly Shot Glasses

[peps]

I guess this is the right place for this post, since the technique involves a transfer.  I thought I'd post them here since there isn't a whole lot of info on lasertran paper on Craftster.

So, without further ado, here are three shotglasses with images from the TV show "Firefly" that I just made for a swap.



I used the regular lasertran paper with a color laser printer and did the bake-on application method.  At first I tried to heat-set the decals in the oven, like it says you can do in the instructions, but it was a disaster - all of the ink pilled up and the images were super spotty.  So, I tried again and this time I used a heat gun and it made all the difference in the world!

The first glass (on the left) is one I made with one of the first decals (the pilly oven-set ones), and I didn't like the way it looked, but didn't want to waste the shot glass, so I baked one of the better second decals over it.  I was worried about baking it twice, but it turned out okay - but maybe a little more bubbly than I would have liked.  The second glass is made with two of the good decals stacked right on top of each other (but baked once) and the third glass is just one of the first (pilly) decals just baked once.  You can really see the difference in the intensity of the color between the first two shotglasses and that third one.  Layering the decals makes a big difference!  (Special thanks to Craftster DogGrrl for that tip!)

One more tip from my experience: the square design on the second glass ended up a little warped because of the shape of the glass.  I would recommend sticking to a circular design like in the third glass for a more even look or even one like the first glass that is still square but doesn't have real defined edges.

Thanks for looking!  I hope these tips are helpful to anyone who might want to try transferring images to glass!

[Jillie]

I've never heard of that type of transfer before!  Maybe because I don't have a laser printer..

Great glasses.

[peps]

They have a inkjet version of the paper as well, but it's white instead of clear, but I think there's a way to make it clear.  Debba Haupert talks about it in The New Book of Image Transfer.

[xJillian182x]

I think these turned out really well! It would be a great gift idea

[peps]

Yeah, these are fun for gifts.  Once you invest in a pack of the paper, they're not terribly expensive.  I got my shot glasses for $2 each at the kitchen store, but I'm confident that I could have gotten them cheaper if I had looked around more.  (Ikea sells shot glasses 6 for $1.99, but they are textured so I couldn't use them)

[dearyorick]

These are terrific! I love Firefly, and these would make great gifts as well. Where did you get the Lasertran paper? I know I've seen it online, but do any stores carry it?

[peps]

I bought it online from Dick Blick.  If there is a store in your area they might carry it, or at least order it in (for free?)

I just went the easy route and ordered it online, but I considered checking out a few hobby shops since hobbyists need decals for their "scale replicas".  A well-stocked scrapbooking store might carry it as well.  In Utah you can't throw a stone without hitting a scrapbook store.

None of the big box craft stores carry it, as far as I know.

[dearyorick]

Thanks so much for the quick response, I would never have thought of a scrapbooking store. There is one in my area, and I just called them and they have it! Heading over there after work to pick some up and try this out. This will be my first time ever doing transfers, wish me luck!

[peps]

Awesome!  I'm glad you found it.  Have fun with the transfers - there are limitless ways to use them.  You should check out the new art of image transfer - she has a lot of great ideas of stuff to transfer images to - including a filing cabinet.  I just think that's neat.

[Ducky2010]

That is awesome! I've never even heard of that stuff. Any ideas on where to find a color laserjet if you don't have access to one? I suppose I could do some B/W ones with the one I have maybe...