Materials
Tumbled marbled tiles, unfinished
Golden matte medium
Golden matte gel medium
inexpensive 1" brush and/or foam brush
Wooden brayer or rolling pin or any other device for smoothing out wrinkles
acrylic paint (optional)
dampened cheese cloth or rag for cleaning tiles
Color or blank and white photocopies NOT inkjet. Don't make the image too dark or any paper not rubbed off will show. REVERSE THE IMAGE IF USING TEXT!
1/8" felt feet
Directions
Step 1 Wipe off the tile with a dry towel. Because the tiles are unfinished they are covered with dust. Paint the top and sides each tile with light coating of matte medium. I have slightly tinted the medium with a light brown color. I emphasized the crack and surface imperfections by working the colored matte medium into the cracks. Wipe the tile with the dampened cheese cloth or rag to remove brush strokes. Allow the matte medium to dry , approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
Step 2 Spread the matte GEL medium to the image to be transferred. The gel medium is the consistency of cold cream. If you leave a paper border around the image, you can hold on to the paper while you are spreading the gel medium. It is thick. AVOID getting gel medium on the back of the paper image.
Step 3 Place the tile face down on the image. It is easer to center the tile if you look down on the picture.
Step 4 Immediately flip the tile over and flatten the image with a wooden brayer, pressing firmly from the center outward to the edge. Let the coaster lie flat to dry for 4 hours or place in the oven for 15 min at 150 degrees, allowing to cool for 15 minutes or more.
Step 5 Spray the back of the transfer with water or dampen with a sponge to wet the paper. Let set for a few minutes until the paper becomes translucent. As the paper comes off, you'll see the mage on the tile. Let the tile dry and you'll see a white haze of paper fibers not yet removed. Dampen and gently rub again. Be more careful at this stage, as it is easier to tear the transfer as the paper is removed
Step 6 You can add stamped images and words or hand color the tiles with inks, chalk or matte medium tinted with paint. Be careful if you use a water soluble inks. Seal with a coat of matte medium . (Not gel) Let dry for 30 minutes. Add a second coat.
Step 7 Turn your coaster upside down. Apply felt feet to back of tile. Step 8 Give as a gift or keep for yourself!