Since I got some questions about it, I thought I'd share a bit more information about the Thermofax printing process today.
You can take any image you want. For this example, I painted a quick quote with some watercolor and then photocopied it. (You need a toner-based image in order to burn the Thermofax screen.)
I cut the copy down to size…
…and then cut a piece of Thermofax screen to match.
I created a sandwich of cardstock, photocopy, and mesh, and fed it into the Thermofax machine.
When it came out of the machine, the screen was attached to the photocopy in the places where the toner was.
I peeled the screen off of the photocopy and you can see that the design has been burned into the screen.
I used duct tape to frame my screen.
When I print, I like to use a padded surface. I have a piece of quilt batting with some fabric on top of it. Then I simply use acrylic paint and an old room key to pull the paint through the screen.
You can usually make more than one print from a single application of paint. So, I grabbed my art journal:
When you're done with a screen it's a good idea to get it into water immediately because you do not want the paint to dry on the screen. Later you can take it to the sink and get rid of any excess paint with an old toothbrush.
I made two other brand new screens yesterday. One from an image in a National Geographic magazine:
Kind of creepy, but fun.
The other from a photo of me:
You can see how easy it is to get great images to play with!
Some Resources:
- If you're interested in purchasing Thermofax supplies, I buy my stuff from Welsh Products.
- Ebay also has many sellers who are offering Thermofax machines. Just be careful that they actually work.
- You can buy pre-made Thermofax screens on Etsy (just do a search for Thermofax).
- You can even buy custom made Thermofax screens on Etsy! You simply e-mail in your image and you get a screen back in the mail! And it's cheaper than you'd think — maybe $10-$15!
Thanks for stopping by!
—
P.S. Thanks for all of your nice comments on my collages. I have to say that my favorite is #3, mostly because it's so minimalist — not my usual style!
P.P.S. Several people e-mailed me asking if you could buy prints or cards of the collages and the answer is yes! Find them here. You can even get an iPhone case!
There's FREE shipping through Sunday!
If there's artwork of mine that you've seen and would like to purchase as a print or a phone case, do let me know. I'm just starting to fill my shop! :)
P.P.P.S. Don't forget! My webinar on "Building a Better Blog for Artists" is happening tomorrow at 2pm EST! See you there!
Wow, I like a lot, what you show with this technology! Thank you so much!
Wow, I like a lot, what you show with this technology! Thank you so much!
Wow, I like a lot, what you show with this technology! Thank you so much!
Wow, I like a lot, what you show with this technology! Thank you so much!
Wow, I like a lot, what you show with this technology! Thank you so much!
Wow! Fascinating!! I’m going to have to try this!! THANKS!
Wow! Fascinating!! I’m going to have to try this!! THANKS!
Wow! Fascinating!! I’m going to have to try this!! THANKS!
Wow! Fascinating!! I’m going to have to try this!! THANKS!
Wow! Fascinating!! I’m going to have to try this!! THANKS!
Wow is right – you made this so easy to understand and took all the mysteryt away. I am not afraid to try thermofaxing anymore. Now to find a machine… !! Thanks so much!
Wow is right – you made this so easy to understand and took all the mysteryt away. I am not afraid to try thermofaxing anymore. Now to find a machine… !! Thanks so much!
Wow is right – you made this so easy to understand and took all the mysteryt away. I am not afraid to try thermofaxing anymore. Now to find a machine… !! Thanks so much!
Wow is right – you made this so easy to understand and took all the mysteryt away. I am not afraid to try thermofaxing anymore. Now to find a machine… !! Thanks so much!
Wow is right – you made this so easy to understand and took all the mysteryt away. I am not afraid to try thermofaxing anymore. Now to find a machine… !! Thanks so much!
wow this is pretty cool!
wow this is pretty cool!
wow this is pretty cool!
wow this is pretty cool!
wow this is pretty cool!
Thanks for the lesson, very interesting. Love your new collages as well!
Thanks for the lesson, very interesting. Love your new collages as well!
Thanks for the lesson, very interesting. Love your new collages as well!
Thanks for the lesson, very interesting. Love your new collages as well!
Thanks for the lesson, very interesting. Love your new collages as well!
Hi,
Do you know if there is any one in UK who will create screens for me? Thanks. Lynda
Hi,
Do you know if there is any one in UK who will create screens for me? Thanks. Lynda
Hi,
Do you know if there is any one in UK who will create screens for me? Thanks. Lynda
Hi,
Do you know if there is any one in UK who will create screens for me? Thanks. Lynda
Hi,
Do you know if there is any one in UK who will create screens for me? Thanks. Lynda
Thanks for explaining it so that I can understand it Julie.
How cool that you have your store filling up with your new art work! Congrats.
Thanks for explaining it so that I can understand it Julie.
How cool that you have your store filling up with your new art work! Congrats.
Thanks for explaining it so that I can understand it Julie.
How cool that you have your store filling up with your new art work! Congrats.
Thanks for explaining it so that I can understand it Julie.
How cool that you have your store filling up with your new art work! Congrats.
Thanks for explaining it so that I can understand it Julie.
How cool that you have your store filling up with your new art work! Congrats.
Looks easy-peasy with awesome results! Thanks for the heads-up about your shop and the cool offerings of your art pieces! And, looking forward to your webinar tomorrow. 🙂
Looks easy-peasy with awesome results! Thanks for the heads-up about your shop and the cool offerings of your art pieces! And, looking forward to your webinar tomorrow. 🙂
Looks easy-peasy with awesome results! Thanks for the heads-up about your shop and the cool offerings of your art pieces! And, looking forward to your webinar tomorrow. 🙂
Looks easy-peasy with awesome results! Thanks for the heads-up about your shop and the cool offerings of your art pieces! And, looking forward to your webinar tomorrow. 🙂
Looks easy-peasy with awesome results! Thanks for the heads-up about your shop and the cool offerings of your art pieces! And, looking forward to your webinar tomorrow. 🙂
WOW, how awesome these came out, love the one of you!
I picked #3 as my favorite too, yea!! How fun that we can buy them and your phone cases with art on them, WAY TO GO JULIE!
You ROCK!!
WOW, how awesome these came out, love the one of you!
I picked #3 as my favorite too, yea!! How fun that we can buy them and your phone cases with art on them, WAY TO GO JULIE!
You ROCK!!
WOW, how awesome these came out, love the one of you!
I picked #3 as my favorite too, yea!! How fun that we can buy them and your phone cases with art on them, WAY TO GO JULIE!
You ROCK!!
WOW, how awesome these came out, love the one of you!
I picked #3 as my favorite too, yea!! How fun that we can buy them and your phone cases with art on them, WAY TO GO JULIE!
You ROCK!!
WOW, how awesome these came out, love the one of you!
I picked #3 as my favorite too, yea!! How fun that we can buy them and your phone cases with art on them, WAY TO GO JULIE!
You ROCK!!
I really will have to investigate this…. thanks for the demo.
I really will have to investigate this…. thanks for the demo.
I really will have to investigate this…. thanks for the demo.
I really will have to investigate this…. thanks for the demo.
I really will have to investigate this…. thanks for the demo.
Sure hope that is a copyright-free photo you used from Nat’l Geographic!
Sure hope that is a copyright-free photo you used from Nat’l Geographic!
Sure hope that is a copyright-free photo you used from Nat’l Geographic!
Sure hope that is a copyright-free photo you used from Nat’l Geographic!
Sure hope that is a copyright-free photo you used from Nat’l Geographic!
It doesnt have to be. Im not selling it. Its for personal use.
It doesnt have to be. Im not selling it. Its for personal use.
It doesnt have to be. Im not selling it. Its for personal use.
It doesnt have to be. Im not selling it. Its for personal use.
It doesnt have to be. Im not selling it. Its for personal use.
I dont. Have you tried googling or one of the etsy sellers?
I dont. Have you tried googling or one of the etsy sellers?
I dont. Have you tried googling or one of the etsy sellers?
I dont. Have you tried googling or one of the etsy sellers?
I dont. Have you tried googling or one of the etsy sellers?
Very cool!
Very cool!
Very cool!
Very cool!
Very cool!
Interesting. I am thinking though… could one achieve the exact same effect re: the portrait, by using Photoshop on a photo and then simply printing it onto cardstock or transparency? Of course this silk screen method allows for placement on any material and any size of material. Nice technique. Straight forward. Good tutorial. Gotta love that Duct tape.
Interesting. I am thinking though… could one achieve the exact same effect re: the portrait, by using Photoshop on a photo and then simply printing it onto cardstock or transparency? Of course this silk screen method allows for placement on any material and any size of material. Nice technique. Straight forward. Good tutorial. Gotta love that Duct tape.
Interesting. I am thinking though… could one achieve the exact same effect re: the portrait, by using Photoshop on a photo and then simply printing it onto cardstock or transparency? Of course this silk screen method allows for placement on any material and any size of material. Nice technique. Straight forward. Good tutorial. Gotta love that Duct tape.
Interesting. I am thinking though… could one achieve the exact same effect re: the portrait, by using Photoshop on a photo and then simply printing it onto cardstock or transparency? Of course this silk screen method allows for placement on any material and any size of material. Nice technique. Straight forward. Good tutorial. Gotta love that Duct tape.
Interesting. I am thinking though… could one achieve the exact same effect re: the portrait, by using Photoshop on a photo and then simply printing it onto cardstock or transparency? Of course this silk screen method allows for placement on any material and any size of material. Nice technique. Straight forward. Good tutorial. Gotta love that Duct tape.
Thanks for sharing this Julie!
Thanks for sharing this Julie!
Thanks for sharing this Julie!
Thanks for sharing this Julie!
Thanks for sharing this Julie!
Well, that is just pure fun! Now I know how you did the photo of yourself in tomorrow’s post. (I read that one before this one)
Well, that is just pure fun! Now I know how you did the photo of yourself in tomorrow’s post. (I read that one before this one)
Well, that is just pure fun! Now I know how you did the photo of yourself in tomorrow’s post. (I read that one before this one)
Well, that is just pure fun! Now I know how you did the photo of yourself in tomorrow’s post. (I read that one before this one)
Well, that is just pure fun! Now I know how you did the photo of yourself in tomorrow’s post. (I read that one before this one)
Loving your iphone cases and skins! Thanks for info on Thermofax!
Loving your iphone cases and skins! Thanks for info on Thermofax!
Loving your iphone cases and skins! Thanks for info on Thermofax!
Loving your iphone cases and skins! Thanks for info on Thermofax!
Loving your iphone cases and skins! Thanks for info on Thermofax!
Thank you for sharing this information. You always present things so clearly, I really appreciate that. Thank you also for including the info about buying custom screens on Etsy. As an artist with ADD, I get “enthusiasms” that can end up costing a lot both in $$ and in time, trying to find where to put the new stuff! Getting images made for me is a perfect solution. Am picking out a few family photos to copy, that I have wanted to be able to use in my artwork, in a more graphic way. Thanks again Julie.
Thank you for sharing this information. You always present things so clearly, I really appreciate that. Thank you also for including the info about buying custom screens on Etsy. As an artist with ADD, I get “enthusiasms” that can end up costing a lot both in $$ and in time, trying to find where to put the new stuff! Getting images made for me is a perfect solution. Am picking out a few family photos to copy, that I have wanted to be able to use in my artwork, in a more graphic way. Thanks again Julie.
Thank you for sharing this information. You always present things so clearly, I really appreciate that. Thank you also for including the info about buying custom screens on Etsy. As an artist with ADD, I get “enthusiasms” that can end up costing a lot both in $$ and in time, trying to find where to put the new stuff! Getting images made for me is a perfect solution. Am picking out a few family photos to copy, that I have wanted to be able to use in my artwork, in a more graphic way. Thanks again Julie.
Thank you for sharing this information. You always present things so clearly, I really appreciate that. Thank you also for including the info about buying custom screens on Etsy. As an artist with ADD, I get “enthusiasms” that can end up costing a lot both in $$ and in time, trying to find where to put the new stuff! Getting images made for me is a perfect solution. Am picking out a few family photos to copy, that I have wanted to be able to use in my artwork, in a more graphic way. Thanks again Julie.
Thank you for sharing this information. You always present things so clearly, I really appreciate that. Thank you also for including the info about buying custom screens on Etsy. As an artist with ADD, I get “enthusiasms” that can end up costing a lot both in $$ and in time, trying to find where to put the new stuff! Getting images made for me is a perfect solution. Am picking out a few family photos to copy, that I have wanted to be able to use in my artwork, in a more graphic way. Thanks again Julie.
Julie – Just wanted to compliment you on the thermofax portrait of yourself – you’ve looking lovelier than ever. I only heard of themofax a few days ago and now I can’t get enough… maybe someday after I get my Gelli plate and play with that a bit…
Julie – Just wanted to compliment you on the thermofax portrait of yourself – you’ve looking lovelier than ever. I only heard of themofax a few days ago and now I can’t get enough… maybe someday after I get my Gelli plate and play with that a bit…
Julie – Just wanted to compliment you on the thermofax portrait of yourself – you’ve looking lovelier than ever. I only heard of themofax a few days ago and now I can’t get enough… maybe someday after I get my Gelli plate and play with that a bit…
Julie – Just wanted to compliment you on the thermofax portrait of yourself – you’ve looking lovelier than ever. I only heard of themofax a few days ago and now I can’t get enough… maybe someday after I get my Gelli plate and play with that a bit…
Julie – Just wanted to compliment you on the thermofax portrait of yourself – you’ve looking lovelier than ever. I only heard of themofax a few days ago and now I can’t get enough… maybe someday after I get my Gelli plate and play with that a bit…
What kind of thermofax film do you use?
Thanks!
What kind of thermofax film do you use?
Thanks!
What kind of thermofax film do you use?
Thanks!
What kind of thermofax film do you use?
Thanks!
What kind of thermofax film do you use?
Thanks!
Thank you for sharing all this info. You’ve demystified the process and prepared me for my class.
Thank you for sharing all this info. You’ve demystified the process and prepared me for my class.
Thank you for sharing all this info. You’ve demystified the process and prepared me for my class.
Thank you for sharing all this info. You’ve demystified the process and prepared me for my class.
Thank you for sharing all this info. You’ve demystified the process and prepared me for my class.
Tust discovered Thermofax. Thank you so much for you wonderful, informative, tutorial.
Tust discovered Thermofax. Thank you so much for you wonderful, informative, tutorial.
Tust discovered Thermofax. Thank you so much for you wonderful, informative, tutorial.
Tust discovered Thermofax. Thank you so much for you wonderful, informative, tutorial.
Tust discovered Thermofax. Thank you so much for you wonderful, informative, tutorial.
This is great, just saw it on your site. I just happen to have a Thermofax machine and a roll of mesh collecting dust in my basement. I’m going to haul it out and play. Thanks for the inspiration.
This is great, just saw it on your site. I just happen to have a Thermofax machine and a roll of mesh collecting dust in my basement. I’m going to haul it out and play. Thanks for the inspiration.
This is great, just saw it on your site. I just happen to have a Thermofax machine and a roll of mesh collecting dust in my basement. I’m going to haul it out and play. Thanks for the inspiration.
This is great, just saw it on your site. I just happen to have a Thermofax machine and a roll of mesh collecting dust in my basement. I’m going to haul it out and play. Thanks for the inspiration.
This is great, just saw it on your site. I just happen to have a Thermofax machine and a roll of mesh collecting dust in my basement. I’m going to haul it out and play. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hey Julie,
at first thank you for your videos about the brother ScannCut, they inspirated me, to buy one 😉
But now a suggestion about thermofax-prints. I’ve found a more simple and cheaper way to work with this, and hope you and your follower are interested:
http://stampede-ch.blogspot.ch/
Have a nice printing-day
-ekk-
Hey Julie,
at first thank you for your videos about the brother ScannCut, they inspirated me, to buy one 😉
But now a suggestion about thermofax-prints. I’ve found a more simple and cheaper way to work with this, and hope you and your follower are interested:
http://stampede-ch.blogspot.ch/
Have a nice printing-day
-ekk-
Hey Julie,
at first thank you for your videos about the brother ScannCut, they inspirated me, to buy one 😉
But now a suggestion about thermofax-prints. I’ve found a more simple and cheaper way to work with this, and hope you and your follower are interested:
http://stampede-ch.blogspot.ch/
Have a nice printing-day
-ekk-
Hey Julie,
at first thank you for your videos about the brother ScannCut, they inspirated me, to buy one 😉
But now a suggestion about thermofax-prints. I’ve found a more simple and cheaper way to work with this, and hope you and your follower are interested:
http://stampede-ch.blogspot.ch/
Have a nice printing-day
-ekk-
Hey Julie,
at first thank you for your videos about the brother ScannCut, they inspirated me, to buy one 😉
But now a suggestion about thermofax-prints. I’ve found a more simple and cheaper way to work with this, and hope you and your follower are interested:
http://stampede-ch.blogspot.ch/
Have a nice printing-day
-ekk-
Thanks, this is on my wishlist to do for 2017. You are my favorite fabric artist, I follow all parts of your webpage, because I think you are the most inspirational artist on the web.
Thanks, this is on my wishlist to do for 2017. You are my favorite fabric artist, I follow all parts of your webpage, because I think you are the most inspirational artist on the web.
Thanks, this is on my wishlist to do for 2017. You are my favorite fabric artist, I follow all parts of your webpage, because I think you are the most inspirational artist on the web.
Thanks, this is on my wishlist to do for 2017. You are my favorite fabric artist, I follow all parts of your webpage, because I think you are the most inspirational artist on the web.
Thanks, this is on my wishlist to do for 2017. You are my favorite fabric artist, I follow all parts of your webpage, because I think you are the most inspirational artist on the web.
Where do you get your screens now that welsh products stopped selling them?
Where do you get your screens now that welsh products stopped selling them?
Where do you get your screens now that welsh products stopped selling them?
Where do you get your screens now that welsh products stopped selling them?
Where do you get your screens now that welsh products stopped selling them?
Hi Julie
I have a thermofax machine buth in the netherlands its Very difficult to het the good thermofax mesh to make them by myself. Can you help me for a good webshop.
Thank you
With kind regards
Suze
Hi Julie
I have a thermofax machine buth in the netherlands its Very difficult to het the good thermofax mesh to make them by myself. Can you help me for a good webshop.
Thank you
With kind regards
Suze
Hi Julie
I have a thermofax machine buth in the netherlands its Very difficult to het the good thermofax mesh to make them by myself. Can you help me for a good webshop.
Thank you
With kind regards
Suze
Hi Julie
I have a thermofax machine buth in the netherlands its Very difficult to het the good thermofax mesh to make them by myself. Can you help me for a good webshop.
Thank you
With kind regards
Suze
Hi Julie
I have a thermofax machine buth in the netherlands its Very difficult to het the good thermofax mesh to make them by myself. Can you help me for a good webshop.
Thank you
With kind regards
Suze
Pingback: Mindset Shift: Finishing Artwork Isn’t the Goal - Balzer Designs Blog