Petit a Petit Furniture Transfer - Kacha Furniture

 

How To Apply Your Furniture Transfers

Our 'Redesign with Prima' and 'Belles & Whistles by Dixie Belle' furniture transfers are not exactly stickers but more of a glue design. They can be applied to transform many surfaces such as wood, walls, glass, mirrors and fabrics, along with many more surfaces, using our easy to follow instructions to create unique styles.

Always ensure you apply to a clean dry surface. If you are applying your furniture transfers to painted surfaces, allow at least 48 hours for your paint to fully cure before applying the transfer (remember though you may need to wait longer if you are working in cold conditions as this will extend the drying times).

The transfers consists of two parts, one is the matte release paper and the other is a transparent film containing the printed adhesive transfer image.

Always handle carefully when removing from packaging and placing on to the desired position as transfers are extremely thin and sticky and, once adhered, will be impossible to remove without tearing.

It's easy to cut your designs into smaller pieces using scissors, keep both parts, the film and backing paper together while you cut out your designs to size.

Some of our transfers include a wooden application tool which you can use to rub down the design onto the surface. Although we recommend using our double ended Redesign Transfer Tool which is especially useful for our larger transfers.

Step 1

With the release paper still attached, experiment with where you want to place the transfers sections on your project

Pro Tip

When working on furniture it is often very helpful to lay your piece on its back so that the front is facing upwards and remember to check where your hardware will go, so that you don’t end up covering over a piece of the design you want on show when you replace handles etc.

Step 2

Carefully and gently pull back the release paper 1 to 2 inches from the top edge of the transfers. If working with a large design, you can use masking tape to secure the top released corners of the transfer to ensure that the rub-on stays exactly in place while doing the transfer and prevent slippage.

Then slowly and carefully remove the rest of the release paper and tape down the corner and edges every few inches of the transfer

Pro-Tip 

Use Low Tack Frog Tape is best rather than cheaper alternatives to use to eliminate pulling paint when applying transfers over painted surfaces

Step 3

Work from the top to the bottom of the transfers, rub off the design using the wooden stick provided or the Redesign Transfer Tool, ensuring as you carefully pull away the transparent film that the transfer has fully released and none of the small details have been left behind on the film. If anything has been missed, lay the transfer back down and rub over the area again.

Step 4

 Once the entire design has been transferred, make any touch ups desired and gently smooth down any bubbles or edges by rubbing gently with a soft cloth.

Sealing your Furniture Transfers

Once you have finished applying your design, you will need to seal it. We recommend using one of our Dixie Belle Clear Coats, which are available in 3 sheen levels, or Fusion Tough Coat, available in 2 sheen levels.

When using on glass and mirrors you do not seal them.

Pro-Tip

If you want a really durable finish and want to use either our Dixie Belle Gator Hide or Extra Coat over your design, then first apply one of our Clear Coats to seal your design and once dry apply the Gator Hide or Extra Coat. (you cannot apply either the gator hide or extra coat directly to your transfers)

Troubleshooting Furniture Transfer Application Problems

Incomplete Areas

Occasionally especially on exceptionally detailed furniture transfers, after applying, you might encounter slippage to tearing and find that you have a small area that is not complete. This can be corrected by finding an unused piece and patching it in. Another way of correcting an incomplete application, is to fill in the missing area by painting the missing part of the image in.

Air bubbles

If after application you notice any air bubbles in your furniture transfers, first try pressing down carefully with your finger. For persistent air bubbles, prick with a pin and then press down with you finger. We find use of our brayer particularly good for removing air bubbles and also for ensuring transfers are will stuck down.

Glue Halo

You may notice that sometime the furniture transfers once applied have a halo of glue around your finished design. This generally disappears when you apply a satin sealant. Do not leave your transfer unsealed as dust particles will attract to the glue around the edge of your design and cause a visible dark outline.

How to Remove a Transfer

If you ever need to remove your transfer designs, gently scrape off with your transfer tool. It may also help to soften the adhesive by use if a hair dryer or hot air gun used gently at a distance.