I have a really quick and oh so easy tea towel project for you today. This is an image transfer process using CitraSolv. I mean this is the easiest quickest project I’ve ever done…in my life! It took me longer to write this post than it did to do the project.
How To Image Transfer using CitraSolv
1. You need CitraSolv which I found at my local art supply store also here on Amazon.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon and/or Etsy, which means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in this post. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.
It’s an eco friendly cleaner/degreaser that comes in orange and lavender. I bought the lavender because a few people said the orange leaves some color behind. Since I had a choice I bought the clear which is lavender. (maybe someone that uses the orange one can let us know if it really matters) UPDATE: lavender is no longer available but CitraSolv customer service says “We know that people use the orange for the transfers – and that there are ones that preferred the lavender. But if you are washing the towels afterwards, the Citra Solv should wash back out. There isn’t any dye in the product. ”
2. I used my favorite Ikea cotton towels – I have a bunch of these. They’re so French looking with the red stripe (and cheap). Any solid color will do. You also need cotton balls, craft stick or spoon, something to put under your towel to protect your surface and an iron to heat set it all when done.
3. You need photocopies of what you’re going to transfer. It can be one image or you can collage several images. However, they need to be printed by a copier that uses toner. That’s really important. I used my library’s copier and it worked great and was cheap! Or try Kinko/Staples/Office Max etc.
I used the “Farm Fresh 3 Hens” image from my daughter’s etsy store Digital Downloads and forgot to ask her to reverse the image so that the words “Farm Fresh” would be mirrored. So I couldn’t use that part (you’ll see why). So if you buy this image from her and are planning on using it as a transfer and not just to frame, just ask her to send it to you reversed if you don’t know how to do it yourself. Anyway, I didn’t have a car the day I did this project so I couldn’t run out and make another copy so I just cut the “Farm Fresh” out – but it would have been cute!
5. Work in a well ventilated area – it’s a bit smelly. Lay your image copy side down on your towel and wet a few cotton balls with the CitraSolv. Rub the wet cotton balls all over your image. Now you can see why letters need to be printed in reverse. (if you look at the photo above this one you will see that the rooster is on left – it’s now on the right). I let it sit for a few seconds.
6. Take your craft stick or back side of a spoon and rub over your image making sure your image doesn’t move (I just held it down with one hand while rubbing with the other but you may want to tape it down). You are transferring the ink onto the fabric.
7. Carefully remove your image. I let it dry for 1/2 hour.
8. Heat set the image – by ironing over it a good 30 seconds.
9. Wash in cold water and dry to remove any CitraSolv residue still in the fabric.
Here it is after being washed. I can’t remember how much the CitraSolv cost, but one bottle will last you forever in using this transfer method (plus you can clean with it).
This process has been around for years, but this was my first time doing it. It’s really easy and I know I’ll be making lots of pillows & tea towels using this technique.
Just think of all the pretty presents and things for your home that you could make with 1 bottle of CitraSolv and free graphics from the Graphics Fairy!
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Great idea – thanks for sharing!
Very pretty, Manuela! I use my library to make my copies for different transfer methods, too. Love those Ikea towels.
Very cute, Manuela! I’ve heard of this stuff, but have yet to use it.
Brenda
It’s so easy Brenda! You could make some really cute tea towels for your Etsy shop by just adding some fun trim and ruffles which wouldn’t be too much sewing so hopefully it would bother your hurt leg.
Oh! I love this! I am headed to Amazon to see if they have the degreaser as well!
xo
Andie
What a cute project and yes, would make great gifts. Thanks for the idea. Enjoy your evening dear Manuela. Hugs
The towel is adorable, Manuela, and thank you for the tutorial too! I’ll try to find some of that stuff.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Thank you Sheila. I’m sure you already knew how to do it 🙂
Very cute idea!
Hi, Manuela
This turned out great. I am going to have to try this next. Thanks for sharing.
Vanessa
Manuela! I love this… so cute an farmy!!!! I’ve been wanting to make some things with ink transfers!
Thanks so much for sharing this fun project!
xo Deb
What a great little projects. I really like your chicken towels. I’ve bookmarked this into my projects folder.
What a wonderful project! I love that the Citrasolve is ecofriendly too 🙂 Thanks for sharing this great tutorial and photos of your gorgeous results! I would love to have you share this on The HomeAcre Hop if you have a chance. 🙂
The current hop is here:
http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/01/the-homeacre-hop-4.html
Hi Lisa,
Thank you! Glad you like this project! It’s super easy and I think it looks expensive so I plan on using it to make some gifts this year. The tea towels are great because you don’t even have to sew!!
Manuela
Citrasolve is now on my health food store grocery list!
Thanks for the reminder to get some of this CitraSolve! I saw a tutorial on this a couple of years ago (somewhere, can’t remember) and went to my craft stores and grocery stores and couldn’t find it anywhere, so gave up. Good idea to try to find it at a health food store or on Amazon! I’m gonig to Amazon right now! I have wanted to do transfers but several other methods just don’t turn out well. Also, I tried using my own inkjet copier and it doesn’t work very well at all. Going to the library is a good idea! Your project is darling and I love Graphics Fairy too!
Just a note….. I just went to Amazon.com and they do carry it! both in orange and lavender! Going to order some now!
Hi Marilyn,
Yes Amazon has it. I found the price at my local healthfood store to be better and it’s right down the road. But I know lots of people have trouble finding it locally, so Amazon is a great option! Can’t wait to see what you do with this technique!
Oh my! I love this. I just ordered the Citra-Solv from Amazon. Cannot wait to try this out! Thanks for the tutorial!
This is cute. Love the chicken/rooster motif !
I saw that WM has it. That is the closest store to us, that would probably carry it in our area…Unless Ace has it. It’s kind of pricey. But you say it lasts. Others were saying Amazon carries it. I’ll have to do some price checking 😉
Do you think DIY orange citrus cleaner would work the same way? (has anybody tried that?)
I love little projects like this. Thanks for showing it.
Pat
I know somebody tried Googone (?I think it was that) and it didnt’ work. I don’t know about the homemade citrus cleaner. But if you have some it’s worth a shot – all you have to lose is one copy.
I found my healthfood store was cheaper than Amazon so that’s where I got mine. But Amazon is great if you don’t have anywhere local to get it.
Hey girl! I loved this project so much I shared in my facebook page today! Thanks for such inspiring and easy projects!!! Love!
Deb
Thanks for the great post, easy instructions! I’ve heard of this process, but didn’t understand how to do it! I love the design you choose and I plan to make some towels and pillows too!
Cool, I just pinned it. I will have to try it. Thanks xox Clarice
I have my CitraSolv ready and waiting for me to be brave enough to try it again. The first time I used an inkjet copy and put the Citrasolv in a plastic cup. The cup melted and the image did not transfer. Learn from failure! Thanks for the tips.
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