• Home
  • About
    • About Crafts by Amanda
    • Visit Our Recipe Site
  • Work With Us
  • Join
    • Free Newsletters
    • Join our Facebook craft group
↑
  • Tutorials
    • Tutorial Index
    • Adult Crafts
    • Crafts for Kids
    • Crafts for Seniors
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Seasonal Crafts
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Free Printables
    • Craft Collections
  • Adult Crafts
    • Bath & Body
    • Beach Crafts
    • Clay Pot Crafts
    • Crafts for Seniors
    • Decoupage Crafts for Adults
    • DIY Gift ideas
    • Garden Crafts
    • Home Decor Projects
    • Kitchen Crafts
    • Light Bulb Crafts
    • Luminary Crafts
    • Mason Jar Crafts
    • Needlework
    • Photo Display Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts for Adults
    • Wearable Crafts for Adults
  • Crafts for Kids
    • Animal Crafts for Kids
    • Back to School Crafts
    • Beach Crafts for Kids
    • Camp Crafts
    • Cardboard Tube Crafts for Kids
    • Decoupage Crafts for Kids
    • Easy Crafts for Kids
    • Nature Crafts for Kids
    • Other Kid’s Crafts
    • Paper Plate Crafts for Kids
    • Recycled Crafts for Kids
    • Slimes, Doughs, & Clay
    • Wearable Crafts for Kids
  • Holiday Crafts
    • 4th of July Crafts
    • Christmas Crafts
    • DIY Gift ideas
    • Earth Day Crafts
    • Easter Crafts
    • Father’s Day Crafts
    • Halloween Crafts
    • Memorial Day Crafts
    • Mother’s Day Crafts
    • New Year’s
    • Other Holidays
    • Patriot Day Crafts
    • St. Patrick’s Day Crafts
    • Thanksgiving Crafts
    • Valentine’s Day Crafts
  • Seasonal Crafts
    • Winter Crafts
    • Spring Crafts
    • Summer Crafts
    • Fall Crafts
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Crafts by Amanda

crafts for adults and kid's crafts

  • Tutorials
    • Tutorial Index
    • Adult Crafts
    • Crafts for Kids
    • Crafts for Seniors
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Seasonal Crafts
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Free Printables
    • Craft Collections
  • Adult Crafts
    • Bath & Body
    • Beach Crafts
    • Clay Pot Crafts
    • Crafts for Seniors
    • Decoupage Crafts for Adults
    • DIY Gift ideas
    • Garden Crafts
    • Home Decor Projects
    • Kitchen Crafts
    • Light Bulb Crafts
    • Luminary Crafts
    • Mason Jar Crafts
    • Needlework
    • Photo Display Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts for Adults
    • Wearable Crafts for Adults
  • Crafts for Kids
    • Animal Crafts for Kids
    • Back to School Crafts
    • Beach Crafts for Kids
    • Camp Crafts
    • Cardboard Tube Crafts for Kids
    • Decoupage Crafts for Kids
    • Easy Crafts for Kids
    • Nature Crafts for Kids
    • Other Kid’s Crafts
    • Paper Plate Crafts for Kids
    • Recycled Crafts for Kids
    • Slimes, Doughs, & Clay
    • Wearable Crafts for Kids
  • Holiday Crafts
    • 4th of July Crafts
    • Christmas Crafts
    • DIY Gift ideas
    • Earth Day Crafts
    • Easter Crafts
    • Father’s Day Crafts
    • Halloween Crafts
    • Memorial Day Crafts
    • Mother’s Day Crafts
    • New Year’s
    • Other Holidays
    • Patriot Day Crafts
    • St. Patrick’s Day Crafts
    • Thanksgiving Crafts
    • Valentine’s Day Crafts
  • Seasonal Crafts
    • Winter Crafts
    • Spring Crafts
    • Summer Crafts
    • Fall Crafts
Craft Tutorials | Adult Crafts | Home Decor Projects | How to Use Transfer Paper
Home Decor Projects

How to Use Transfer Paper

Author by Amanda Davis on September 5, 2014 Updated on December 8, 2020

122 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • Email

Ask any tole painter what transfer paper is and chances are they have used it many times over. However, for many crafters, this is a little gem of a tool that most hadn’t considered or didn’t even know was available.

It’s called transfer paper, or graphite paper; though you may remember something similar called carbon paper. It’s not carbon paper though, as its finer and more precise.

How to Use Transfer Paper for crafting, painting, etc! Amanda Formaro of Crafts by Amanda


 

Transfer paper, shown here in grey and white, can be used on several different surfaces to easily transfer a pattern.

How to Use Transfer Paper for crafting, painting, etc! Amanda Formaro of Crafts by Amanda
Grey Transfer Paper || White Transfer Paper
A package like this costs around $10. However, it will last a really long time!

For instance, if you are making a sign and want to transfer your favorite font onto your wood, you can! Simply print out the pattern or words you want to use, slide the transfer paper underneath it and trace over your design with a ballpoint pen, or if you have one, a stylus.

How to Use Transfer Paper for crafting, painting, etc! Amanda Formaro of Crafts by Amanda

When you remove the design, your pattern will be on your surface!

You can find transfer paper at the craft store, or like this on Amazon (affiliate link). You can also buy a stylus which makes things easier if you are going to be doing a lot of pattern transfers. I always had a stylus on hand when I did a lot of tole painting years ago. They are also available at the craft store.

How to Use Transfer Paper for crafting, painting, etc! Amanda Formaro of Crafts by Amanda

For many years I tole painted and often used pattern books for the designs I chose. This blue child’s stool is a great example. I found the pattern in a book I bought and used transfer paper to trace it onto my stool.

How to Use Transfer Paper for crafting, painting, etc! Amanda Formaro of Crafts by Amanda

I also painted many jars over the years (yes, before painting on jars was cool!), like this one of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse I painted in 2003. After painting my base coat and allowing it to dry, I used transfer paper to get the outline of the design onto the painted glass. I would often draw out the design first then transfer it to the glass with transfer paper. This allowed me to make multiple jars for my store without having to freehand all of them.

Things to keep in mind when using transfer paper:

  1. Choose the color that will show up best on your surface
  2. Keep in mind that if you are painting with a light color, using black transfer paper is not a good idea as you will have a much harder time covering it, choose white instead
  3. It can be cut into smaller pieces and used multiple times before it’s spent
  4. Keep it stored either in its original package or in a plastic storage bag

Transfer paper is a great tool to keep in your craft room. Check the artist’s section of the craft store, as that’s where you will likely find it. It can be very handy for all sorts of projects!

More How To Tips

  • How to Paint on Plastic
  • How to Paint on Glass

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Amanda Davis
Amanda Davis is the crafty, entrepreneurial mother of four children. She loves to bake, cook, make kid's crafts and create decorative items for her home. She is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years.
Latest posts by Amanda Davis (see all)
  • Spring Scavenger Hunt - May 9, 2025
  • How to Make Lip Scrub - May 2, 2025
  • How to Make Lavender Soap - April 22, 2025
122 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • Email

Filed Under: Crafts for Seniors, Home Decor Projects, Miscellaneous Tagged With: adult, adult craft ideas, adult crafts, adults, craft tips, crafts for adults, how to use transfer paper

Reader Interactions

Free CraftsBy email every week

Latest crafts straight to your inbox!

Comments

  1. Karen says

    November 12, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    I have a question on how you did the light house with multiple colors. Did you just trace it on and then paint the certain areas by hand?

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      November 16, 2014 at 11:32 am

      Hi Karen. Yes, I traced the basic pattern, then painted it.

      Reply
  2. [email protected] says

    October 30, 2014 at 11:23 am

    Great tips! Thanks!

    Reply
  3. Joe says

    September 10, 2014 at 8:22 am

    Is there a video on the birds on a branch painting. I read your instructions, but seeing it adds so much more to it. I want to do it on 16×20 canvas panel.

    Thanks,
    Love your work,
    Joe

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      September 12, 2014 at 7:23 am

      Hi Joe! My friend Colleen did a similar painting, though I’m not sure if she has a video (I don’t). You could ask here here http://justpaintitblog.com/2013/01/birds-on-branch-painting-and-class-2/

      Reply
  4. BECKY HOPKINS says

    September 5, 2014 at 9:37 pm

    LOVE THIS. I BOUGHT SOME TRANSFER PAPER. I’M TRYING TO PAINT ON GLASS CANDLES=HOLDERS, BUT CONFUSED ON APPLYING THIS GLASS PAINT. IS IT SUPPOSE TO GO ON THICK OR THIN? THE BLACK LEAD IS HARD TO GET OUT OF THE BOTTLE.

    Reply
    • PAM says

      September 7, 2014 at 8:46 pm

      If the glass is empty you can put your design inside the glass, and tape it and then paint the outside. The transferred lines should come off with an eraser or carefully with alcohol, but be sure not to touch the paint with alcohol as the paint will come off. Hope this helps

      Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      September 9, 2014 at 7:46 am

      Hi Becky

      What glass paint are you referring to? I’d be happy to help, but am not sure which brand or type you are using. :)

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate This Project




The maximum upload file size: 640 MB. You can upload: image, video. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop files here

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I’m Amanda and I’m the founder and head designer of Crafts by Amanda. I have spent over 25 years creating projects to share, but it’s not just me anymore! It’s turned into a complete family affair. Come and meet the Creative Team!

Free CraftsBy email every week

Latest crafts straight to your inbox!

All Time Favorites

snowy pinecone candle jar luminaries

Winter Luminaries: Snowy Pinecone…

Make pretty winter luminaries that appear to be covered ... Go To project

Make this wonderful deco mesh pumpkin wreath to hang on your door this fall!

Deco Mesh Pumpkin Wreath…

Adorn your door this fall with a pretty deco mesh ... Go To project

Learn to make these adorable ladybug painted rocks. use special outdoor paint for this adorable garden craft so you can keep garden ladybugs all summer!

Ladybug Painted Rocks…

I'm going to show you how to make these adorable ... Go To project

Reuse those empty prescription pill bottles in all sorts of ways. From organizing to making cookies. Yes, cookies! See how to use your empty pill bottles!

20 Uses for Prescription Pill…

You've been collecting prescription pill bottles for ... Go To project

Meet the Family

Amanda

Founder and Designer

Kristen

Editorial Manager

Lindsay

Social Media Manager

As seen on:

Footer

Favorites

  • Jar Photo Frames
  • No-Sew Roman Shade
  • Paper Flowers
  • How to Make a Scrunchie
  • Mermaid Slime

About

  • Home
  • Meet the Creative Team
  • Work with Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Contact Us

Images/text copyright Amanda Formaro 2020. To feature a post from Crafts by Amanda, you may use one photo credited and linked back directly to the project post.

Free CraftsBy email every week

Latest crafts straight to your inbox!

Copyright ©2025, Crafts by Amanda. All Rights Reserved.
Design by Pixel Me Designs