Chocolate Transfers

As with any transfer, start with your chosen image.  You should always print your transfer out in reverse image for best results.  For today’s tutorial, I am using the video jacket from “The Lady and The Tramp.”  Because I’m using the actual jacket, the transfer is in color.

Begin by choosing your outline color.  When laying down an outline, I always use a #1 tip.  You will see throughout the remainder of the process I use no tips.  However, for the lining, I find I have better control when using this method.

1)      To begin, tape your transfer to your board and then wax paper over the transfer.

2)      I wear rubber gloves when using black or red dyes.  It has saved me much heartache.  Begin by piping your lining on to the wax paper.

3)      Mix your coloring as you need it, not in advance.  This saves having to reheat the chocolate and risking white spots.  This is also true if using candy melts.  A little chocolate goes a long way.  As you see in this picture, I have not mixed up very much brown for Tramp’s fur.  This ended up being twice as much as I needed.

4)      Begin piping your colors into your outlines.  Keep in mind layering.

5)      In this tutorial, Lady has waves in her hair I would like highlighted.  I am lightly painting these on to the wax paper before pouring the chocolate. 

6)      Continue laying down (piping) your colors until you are finished.  Make sure you pipe over your outlines with the final color.  This reinforces any seams and greatly reduces the chance of breakage.

7)      When piping each color, while it is still warm, gently swirl a toothpick into the top (do not go deep enough the touch the wax paper) of the chocolate.  This helps alleviate any air bubbles and gives the final product a smooth finish.

8)      Cover with a final layer of chocolate to thicken.  It will still be very thin.  When complete, place in refrigerator to harden quickly or leave on counter. 

9)      When hard, carefully peel off waxed paper. 

The completed Transfer:

If you like, the transfer may be enhanced with luster dusts.

Think outside the box.  You do not have to use black for all outlining.  In this transfer I used violet.

Updated notes (7/14/2004):
Since making this tutorial, I have found using a quality brand heavy-duty  (freezer-style) Ziploc-type baggie works much better than wax paper.  Quite often, when using wax paper, the transfer will curve up on each end.  I have never had this happen when using a freezer style baggie in place of the wax paper.

Created by Dawn Griffin
January 15, 2004 in Lucerne Valley, California

Copywritten © 2004 -2005
by Dawn Griffin the author of the above work.