How To Use IOD Products
IOD Transfers
IOD Décor Transfers are a little delicate, need a little extra care, but are so worth it. With a little instruction, they are easy to use and add instant style to your projects. ( Make sure to check out our new White Transfers for a beautiful design on your deeper richer colors! )
Preparation is key
Keep your transfer with its backing sheet until you are ready to apply. Keep free of dust or debris, which will interfere with adhesion. Do not allow the adhesive side of transfer to touch anything prior to application. When handling the transfer, avoid letting the adhesive side touch itself (don’t do in a windy environment). Do not store transfer in extreme temperatures or humid conditions, which can affect adhesion
Application
Start with a clean, dry, matte surface. If painted, make sure it’s well cured, and if you have sanded the paint make certain there is no residual dust. All of these things will interfere with adhesion.
Carefully remove the transfer from its white backing. Slowly and carefully lower the transfer onto your intended surface, making sure that it does not touch until the placement is correct.
Use small pieces of low tack tape to hold it in place.
Using the provided tool, or one of your choice, start at one end of the transfer and rub firmly to adhere the image to the surface. Do this until the entire image is transferred. You are welcome for the free arm workout as well. If any parts aren’t transferred when you lift, simply lay it back down and rub more on that portion.
After it is transferred, with a clean dry hand, smooth down any bits that aren’t flatly adhered.
We recommend sealing with a water based (or not harsh solvent based) sealer (waxes created for chalk type paints also work well if they don’t contain harsh solvents).
IOD Moulds
The IOD Décor Moulds are made from food safe materials (do not use the same set for food and crafts), and can be used to transform and create baked goods, furniture, soaps, jewelry, and just about anything you can think up in that creative brain of yours.
DIFFERENT MEDIUMS.
IOD Décor Moulds can be used with many different mediums. We will cover the two most common here. Every medium has its own characteristics, challenges, and virtues.
Air dry clay, or paper clay: IOD paper clay is an air dry medium, and one of our favorites. Like most paper pulp based air dry clays, some shrinking, warping, and cracking is inherent. We like these qualities for a distressed, authentically vintage look. Our favorite way to apply moulded pieces is to remove them from the mould while still moist, and adhere to the surface with the appropriate glue so it conforms well. For vertical surfaces, use a piece of low tack tape to hold it in place so it doesn’t slide.
Casting resins: There are some great pourable resins available. These have completely different qualities than the paper clay. There is no shrinking or warping, and the castings are more consistent. Depending on the project, these qualities can be helpful. If you need to conform them to a curved surface, this can be done if removed from the mould before it’s completely hardened.
On releases: We find that most of the time a release is not necessary and the casting will come out without the use of a release, however, if you are having trouble with the material sticking (more common with clays than resins), a light dusting of simple cornstarch or arrowroot is a great choice.
IOD Stamps
For anyone who hasn’t used the IOD Décor Stamps, they are essentially what they sound like. A stamp. Similar to a stamp that you might’ve used as a child- but magical. The IOD Décor Stamps have the power to transform an item that you found on the side of the road to an item that you will have to convince your husband you didn’t spend your entire monthly budget on. Yeah, that good.
But wait- there’s more.
The IOD décor stamps aren’t just for furniture and home décor, you can use them to transform your food art as well! The stamps are made from a food safe material (do not use the same sets for food and paint ;)). But be warned- they are not for high heat applications. Do NOT put in dishwasher, they will melt at extreme heats. And then you will be extremely heated too.
PREPARATION IS KEY.
Before removing from backing, condition your stamps with very fine sandpaper, scuff the surface in two directions. This helps the mediums stay put, and not bead (which some types, like ceramics glazes, tend to do).
Remove stamps from backing when ready to use. This takes some force, but don’t worry, the stamps are strong.