Packaging Tape Transfer Prints

I posted on Instagram a picture of my students hard at work creating Packaging Tape Transfer Prints. This is a technique that I love to show my students because they often will go home and use this skill outside of class. That is always a win for me! 

When I posted on Instagram, I had people inquiring how to create a transfer print using packaging tape.  Well, here is my answer... I have several videos below of how I have instructed students, how I manage the classroom as well as other videos that I have added with a little different twist so you can get a good feel of how to bring this engaging process into your classroom.

Here is the BIG ah-ha's this time I taught this lessons... 

1. I gave each student one magazine.  They were asked to find two pages with an image on it that they found interesting. They were asked to RIP THE WHOLE PAGE OUT and give the magazines back to me. This allows me to keep my magazines nice and neat without a lot of cut out images and by handing the magazines back to me, they stay dry and can be used a second time! 

2. I then bring them back for the instruction of the packaging tape.  I show them how to help each other when cutting packaging tape. How to press the take on nice and firm.  I also don't allow students to do two pieces of packaging tape together for their first time through this process. They press the take on REALLY hard. 

3. I also had one shallow container of water at each table by this time.  Students were asked to place their magazine in the water before coming back up to find out the next step of the process. This allows the paper to soak for at least 10 minutes as the students are learning.  That helps break down the paper giving students a more successful transfer print. 

4. I show them how to remove the paper using a paper towel under the tape. This catches most of the paper and I would say the kids did a really nice job cleaning all the paper up after class.

5. I had a scooper to strain the excess paper into the water before dumping it down the sinks. I know this will help prevent clogged drains. One of the videos on the playlist above shows this action.

6. Finally, we did not have time in the hour to use the prints so I had some plexiglass that I asked students to place their work on the sheet labeled with their color table. The tape still has a little adhesive on it so it will stick to the plastic well, and then dry so that we can use it in class next art visit.

I have taught this process for years and you can see all the new ideas I had to make this process smoother. We are ever, ever growing in this profession as long as we allow ourselves to do so! I hope this post allows you to grow a little too :)