Shopsmith Forums

I've been considering ways to stamp or mark my "works of art" and I came across a fairly simple method.
I had considered burning a stamp with a branding iron, but having investigated this path-it seemed expensive and
difficult to change your brand without more $$.

I came across a youtube video which used an inkjet or laserprinter and wax paper that you then transfer the image
onto your workpiece. The wax paper is pressed onto a wet surface , either polyurethane or (what i used) a gel medium. Details here- if nothing else-Crafsman is fun to listen to You can see some leftover gel medium in the hole in the wood-it dries clear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7FKdW5ndLw

The result isnt too bad..good contrast, good tack, no bleed. he shows pretty amazing results on color transfer even which is pretty cool.

I have tried going directly onto the wood, and also on a dried polyurethane layer-both seemed to work. As well, once dry-you can overcoat again with polyurethane. A lot cheaper than a branding iron !

I think the outlay was about $20 for the paper and gel medium-plus some time to get it right on the PC and print it.

b

Thanks. This looks very interesting. Any idea how long it might last? I know pictures printed on inkjet printers have a limited lifetime and will fade with light exposure, but if this is used for logos that are often hidden underneath then it will probably last for a very long time. Much easier than getting a logo dialed in for a branding iron and you can easily change it at anytime.

I think if the ink is the top layer, it may be subject to degradation-or more forms of degradation - scratches/dings/and smudging.

With a top coat protecting it like a polyurethane-you would still have the potential solarization degradation (inks for ink jets especially color-tend to fade under UV/Blue light exposure over time) ..but this may not be a big issue for just black.

b

Thanks. Good points. Poly should definitely protect it.

Thanks for posting this. I'll have to give it a try.