I know you can just do a transfer using printed material [usually from a copier...not necessarily an inkjet printer] and acetate...but I'm not honestly sure how well that works on bristol...nor how easy it would be to color over afterwards.

Yeah, I could just do the inking digitally and try printing it out on some mega tough printer. Or I guess I could make the image lines a very light gray color and try inking over that on printed paper? Hmm, I don’t know, I’ve done any of this before.

Well, to do a tranfer the way I was describing, you would just need to print the image on a copier [which you could do at any office supply store or your local library]. Only reason I have to stick with that is because I don't honestly know if it will work with printer ink. You lay the printed image face down on the bristol and then very VERY carefully pour a little acetate on the back. Make sure you're in a ventilated area though as that stuff has a powerful fume. Then take a decent sized object...something like a text book or a rolling pin and run it back and forth across the image. More acetate can be applied if the image isn't coming through completely.

But that -should- cause the image to transfer over pretty cleanly to the bristol. The lines should hopefully be clear and crisp and wouldn't require much touching up at all with the microns.

The only ways I know involve tracing every line. :( I dunno if there is any other way.

I agree with the above poster; that is the only way you could possibly do this without doing what you already are..

The only other way I can think of is the old fashion way of COMPLETELY shading the back of the paper with drawing pencils and tracing over the image; it will make a light transfer that you can ink over but that would probably be double the work :| That is the method I had to use in art class.

the old fashion way of COMPLETELY shading the back of the paper with drawing pencils and tracing over the image

This would still be laborious but I like the idea because carbon paper lines are much too dark and difficult to erase without damaging the paper. Thanks for the advice!

Your welcome! Just be careful not to press down on the paper too hard; it should give enough of a guideline for you to see with not much pressure. Glad to help <3

Unfortunately I still do it similar to the way described here -- only I complicate things by taking a very soft graphite pencil, scribbling all over it, and using it as carbon paper. I've never found a better way --- although Kediil's method sounds worth investigating (and a most unique use of Gin too - if it doesn't work I can just drink the leftovers and forget it ever happened :D )

Print it inverted left to right, then turn it face down on the bristol and go over the back until it is almost sopping using a blender marker. This will melt most printer ink (you can test on another print-out easily).

It will be spotty and uneven, so you WILL need to ink over it, but at least you won't need to trace it THEN ink over it.

Oh, this has potential, I just need to get a blending marker. Have you ever tried this technique personally?

strathmore smooth bristol, 300 series? Have you TRIED printing with it already? Maybe your printer sucks to the point you need a new one so why not try it anyway? I dunno, just suggesting stuff here but..

The only way I SEE is cutting down your 9x12 to an 8.5x11, then reprint it after having resized it in photoshop and let it dry properly before using markers. My printer sucks and can take that thickness.

otherwise, as others have suggested, you might need to go to a printing place and ask them to print your img on the paper.

Yeah, my printer totally blows, I’ve tried putting the Bristol paper in but it jams. Doh!

So then you could use markers over it and it wouldn't smudge/fade?

a lightbox and more tracing :S

I’ve thought of trying a light box instead of carbon paper, but still with the tracing! Poor hand abuse!

i guess, but how does the carbon paper react to the alcohol in the pens? just curious

The "tracing" made by the carbon paper does smudge some when I go over it with the markers. I try to erase the carbon lines as much as possible after inking/before coloring with markers but there always is a bit of smudging that happens.

A way without tracing. This will take a couple things. You can do a transfer, there's an alcohol based substance where you put the paper print side down and apply the liquid which results in a reversed transfer of the ink. Best prints come from a laser printer print. Check with a good art shop or two, tell them the way it works, and they should know what the stuff is. You may be able to do it with straight alcohol, I haven't done it for a while and don't recall exactly. I'll look around online and see if I can find more on it.

Oh, this sounds very interesting!

Here you go

This particular instruction thing is oriented for transfer onto polymer clay, but it works putting it onto paper as well. Make sure to tape the papers together so you don't get any double transfers. ^..^

A second tutorial with A LITTLE LESS SHOUTING!! XD

Worst case scenario, you get a 30 cent print from somewhere with the right printers and toners.

Thanks so much for the links! That method looks like it has a ton of potential, I’d like to give it a try. Says you should use laser printers that use toner though, mine is an inkjet. Wonder if it would still work, especially if it was fresh? Hmmmm…

It might, it's worth trying. Otherwise, a print at a FedexKinkos would only cost you, what, 30 cents max? I went in for two 17"x12" prints and paid 68 cents. ^..^ It's more than worth the detour. ;p

Do let me know how it goes. ^..^

This is the blender pen technique plus heat. So you could also do the blender pen thing then gently iron, most likely.

Most blender pens contain alcohol or some other weak solvent.

I'm amazed that there is nobody coming up with the two easiest variations.

1: print the lineart onto an overhead projector foil (there is a variety which works well with inkjets) borrow an overhead projector, pin the paper to the wall and projectize (sp?) the image in desired size onto it, then retrace.

or

2: use a video projector which works with laptops, and do the same. you'll have to make sure the image is shown in a vertical angle to the wall or it will be warped.
on second thought, go for the video projector. most OHP tend to warp images anyway. :)

I hope that helps without endangering your health!

I've never tried that out but it sounds quite feasible. :3

naja, es ist irgendwo das naheliegendste. kennst du diese hausverschönerungssendungen, wo sie jemandes haus renovieren udn umbauen, während die familie im urlaub ist? manchmal wurden da bilder an die wand gemalt, wobei die vorlagen mit OHP an die wand geworfen wurden. ^^

Another option is Graphite Paper. Same deal as carbon paper in that you sandwich the Graphite Paper between the surface you want to transfer to and the image you want to trace and get tracing. The best difference is that being graphite it can be erased and the lines can be made quite light or heavy depending on what you want.

Graphite Paper is sold in boxes just like Aluminium foil or Cling wrap. You should be able to find it at Michaels (if you have one in your area) or order it online. Its not too expensive and can be used again and again.

Also the projector idea of Anbessa is worth looking into as well.

Good luck!