Instructions
Make sure your gourd is clean and free of any dirt or skin.
Masking the gourd
The masking material, is sticky on the back and will adhere to the gourd. Carefully remove the mask shape you wish to use from the backing paper. The Masked shapes are cut from a material intended for a one time use. However if, you are careful in removing them once the color has been added to the gourd, placing them back on the backing paper, you may be able to use them again.
Note: The masking material is very sticky and you must be careful not to let it stick to itself while lifting it from the backing material. In most cases if the material does become stuck to itself, as long as you have not pressed down on the material. It can be separated by carefully using a craft knife.
Small shapes can be lifted using a craft knife. For larger shapes (the Fern shapes), as you start to remove the masked shape from the backing paper keep it close to the palm of your hand and turn your hand up as you remove the shape. This will help keep the shape flat and make it easier to work with an apply to the gourd. For intricate designs you may want to use Transfer Tape or Masking Tape to lift the designs from the sheet.
Applying the masking shapes to the gourd
To apply the mask shape, allow the tip of the mask touch the gourd and roll your hand down to the surface of the gourd, applying the mask.
The mask can be adjusted by lifting it using a craft knife. Position the mask where you want on the gourd and carefully smooth out the mask. Pay attention to the edges of the mask, making sure they are smooth so the color does not run under the edge.
Continue to add more masking shapes until the pattern is what you want.
Once all your masking shapes have been applied, look at each one and make sure all the edges are flat to the surface of the gourd.
Color can now be added to the gourd using: Alcohol Ink on an applicator, thinly applied acrylics or watercolors. I do not recommend using Alcohol Ink by dripping or being applied from the bottle. An excessive amount of alcohol can cause the masking material to lift on the edges.
How to Apply Car Decal
- Clean the area thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Do not use Windex or similar products because it will leave a residue behind that will prevent the sticker from adhering well.
- Prepare the sticker for application by firmly rubbing a squeegee or credit card across the clear transfer tape. This removes any air bubbles that may have formed and makes the sticker cling to the transfer tape
- Peel the blue paper backing off the sticker. If the sticker clings to the backing, slowly replace the paper backing and repeat Step 2.
- Slowly lower the sticker onto the surface and rub it in place firmly with a squeegee or credit card.
- Slowly peel the clear transfer tape off at an angle. Be careful not to pull the sticker off the surface. If sticker pulls away from the surface repeat Step 4
How to Use Transfer Tape with Vinyl Designs
Clear transfer tape is used to move an adhesive vinyl design from the vinyl backing to the surface where it needs to be applied. The transfer material sticks to the front side of the vinyl lifting it off the vinyl backing so it can be applied.
- Remove transfer tape from backing paper
- Apply transfer tape to vinyl
- Firmly rub transfer tape to adhere to vinyl
- Remove vinyl and transfer tape from vinyl backing paper
- Apply vinyl and transfer tape to cleaned surface
- Firmly rub transfer tape to adhere vinyl to cleaned surface
- Remove transfer tape leaving vinyl on cleaned surface
Note: You may be able to use Transfer tape more than once as long as it is still sticky