Wintergreen Oil

From RISDpedia

General Overview
Wintergreen Oil can be used to transfer printed images onto other surfaces. It works by loosing the toner off the page.
Tips, Tricks & How-Tos
Photocopy images or print images to be transfered using a black and white laser printer for best results. Place the image to be transfered image side down on the paper to receive the transfer. Using a cotton ball wetted with the oil, rub the back of the image. Make sure to rub the entire image, rewetting the ball if it it becomes dry. The back of the image being transfered should become translucent from the oil. Remember to reverse-photocopy when using text. A way to do this is to photocopy the text onto transparency/acetate, then turn it over to photocopy onto paper(reversing the text). 1) Cut around your photocopied images leaving a space for handling. 2) Moisten a cotton ball with wintergreen oil and apply to back of image. The paper will become translucent so that you will be able to see the image clearly. 3) When the whole image is soaked with the oil, place it face down on the cardstock. 4) Rub firmly with the back of a metal spoon or burnisher making sure that you cover all area. 5) Lift a corner to see if the image has been transferred. Be careful not to move the paper. Continue rubbing if image is not fully transferred. 6) Lift and discard the paper and see your image transferred on your cardstock. You may find it easier to place the image face down on the receiving surface before applying the oil.
Not Recommended
This will not work with images printed using an ink-jet printer. If you use too much oil, it tends to bleed leaving a muddy/un-sharp image behind. However, too little will result in a very light image.
Safety Information
Note: All safety information contained here within is pure recommendation, and its sole purpose is to help students work safer. This should in no way be considered a professional statement or a replacement for reading product information. Please read all instructions included with products before use. Use the wintergreen oil outside or in a heavily ventilated location as the oil can cause you to become dizzy, and possible pass-out. RISD has a very strict policy about Wintergreen Oil use. Due to the severe side effects, Wintergreen Oil is not allowed in dorms or work rooms off of dorms. Some people enjoy the smell of Wintergreen Oil and thus prefer using it for image transfers; however, please be careful as the scent is meat to mask dangerous aspect of the oil. In pure form, methyl salicylate (wintergreen Oil) is toxic, especially when taken internally.
Availability
RISD Store
External Links

NOTE: All information contained within this article is pure opinion. Although this article is intended to help students, it may contain faulty or misleading information. This article is not to be considered professional opinion or advice, and is in no way a replacement for reading all safety/instructional documentation. Always remember to protect yourself when handling/using hazardous materials, as well as test new techniques before using them on projects/work intended to be handed in or used. RISDpedia and its contributers take NO responsibility for the information contained within. RISDpedia is not an official site of the Rhode Island School of Design.