Types of Pyrography Transfer Paper & Why Should You Use Them?
Generally, there are two types of transfer paper: carbon paper and graphite paper. But you can consider any other paper as PYROGRAPHY TRANSFER PAPER as long as it helps you with wood burning. For example, vinyl cutout papers are also called transfer paper as they help you create outlines, just like stencils.
A great number of pyrographers, especially learners and beginners, prefer using the pattern transfer method for their wood burning projects. Even professional pyrographers regularly use these papers to ensure flawless wood burning artwork.
If you need a better idea regarding these, you can give the article a go. It will take only a few minutes, but you will find all the necessary information you need regarding wood burning transfer paper.
Types of Burn Art Transfer Paper
When someone talks about pyrography transfer paper, two things come to anyone’s mind: carbon paper and graphite paper. While both types of papers work in a similar way to transfer design, there is a slight variation in their convenience. And there are other types of transfer papers that are not like traditional transfer papers but work in a similar way. So let’s learn about all of them.
Carbon Paper
- Carbon paper is known as just transfer paper by many people.
- This paper is used for copying things over, especially written stuff.
- It is fully applicable for pyrography pattern transfers.
- Carbon paper is popular because it’s cost-effective and easily accessible everywhere.
- Besides, you can erase the mistakes when you trace the design and transfer it on wood using erasers. However, erasing carbon tracing from any surface can be quite challenging, and it may end up creating a mess. But for any kind of trouble you are facing, you have troubleshooting ideas for burns here.
Graphite Paper/Pencil To Paper Transfer
- Graphite paper is similar to carbon paper in most ways.
- However, unlike carbon paper, graphite paper is made solely for artistic purposes.
- It is more effective in transferring design on various surfaces. Graphite paper is also cost-effective, and you can erase the mistakes using an eraser without making a mess.
- Other than graphite paper that you find in stores, you can make your own graphite paper and use it as a transfer paper. For that, you will need a graphite pencil. Just take a piece of paper and cover it with graphite, and you will have your DIY graphite paper for pyrography.
Here’s another video on graphite paper as transfer tool.
Printed Vinyl Cutout Paper
- Some people do not consider cutout vinyl paper as transfer paper.
- But I would say anything that helps you transfer design is a transfer paper.
- It is a comparatively expensive option, time-consuming and more hassle.
- But using a cutout sticker can also help you transfer the design on wood by tracing the pencil, like a stencil.
How To Use Carbon/Graphite Transfer Paper?
Since carbon and graphite transfer papers are more commonly used and the best option for all, let’s stick to them. So, do you know how to use these papers? The process is pretty simple, and you can do it in 3 simple steps.
Step 1: Cutting The Transfer Paper
Carbon and graphite paper come in larger sheets. So if you are working with smaller pyrography pieces, you can cut the sheet into the required size based on the design or template you are using.
Step 2: Attaching It
You must place the carbon/graphite paper under the template you are using. Yes, this type of transfer paper is used only when transferring patterns or designs on a surface.
Step 3: Tracing Over
Finally, you must trace the design outlines and details on the upper side of the paper. You can use a pencil to do that. The same rule is applied to transfer paper made with graphite pencils.
Why Should You Use Carbon/Graphite Transfer Paper For Pyrography?
Most pyrographers choose to trace the design on the pyrography material directly using a pencil. Some don’t even need tracing before burning wood. Yet, why should you use transfer paper for your pyrography projects? What benefits do you get from them?
Well, here is the answer.
Convenient
- Transfer papers, such as carbon and graphite paper, are very easy for you as you have already read.
- All you have to do is cut the right size from the sheet, place it under the design template above the pyrography material and trace over the design using a pencil.
- There is no need to have prior experience to do that.
Reusability
- Carbon and graphite transfer paper are both reusable.
- You don’t need to throw the piece of sheets away after each use.
- With enough carbon or graphite left over from the paper, you can use them multiple times, depending on the design.
Easy To Clean & Fix
- Graphite transfer paper is more suitable for artistic design transfer.
- As a result, when it comes to erasing and fixing mistakes, you can rely on this paper more.
- Carbon paper tracing lines are also fixable but most of the time, they leave a mess.
Time-Saving
- With these transfer papers, you can copy a design from template to wood very quickly and effortlessly.
- Thus, it saves time and energy and, most importantly, ensures perfect design transfer on any surface.
- And if you are a beginner, you don’t need to go through the trouble of design transfer by wasting much time.
Drawbacks of Using Printed Cutout Transfer Paper
Printed cutout vinyl transfer paper often works like stencils and you can also use it to transfer design for pyrography. But there are some drawbacks.
- The cutting machine is not easily accessible and not available everywhere.
- You can use them only for basic outline pyrography projects.
- They are not suitable for transferring detailed artwork.
- Creating such transfer paper is pretty expensive.
FAQ
How do I transfer a design for pyrography?
You need to place a carbon sheet face down on the wood. Then place the pattern (printed on a tracing paper) face down onto the carbon paper. Align it with the wood in the center and then tape it down. After that, and trace the pattern. Make sure to follow the lines properly.
Final Words
Modern pyrography has brought so many tools and equipment to make this artwork more affordable and less complicated. And pyrography transfer paper plays a vital role in making wood burning effortless and suitable for all types of pyrographers.
If you don’t mind spending more money and time, you can surely go for creating your cutout transfer paper and use it like a stencil to transfer design. But if you would go for something low-cost, easy to work with, and quick, carbon paper and graphite paper are your best options.
