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Updated 01/12/2011
Scrappersaurus
Scrapbook Services and Supply, LLC


scrappersaurus@yahoo.com
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Rub-Ons

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What IS a rub-on?
A rub-on may be an alphabet, symbol, word, or image, which is actually ink printed
in reverse on a special backing paper that allows it to be transferred—by rubbing—
onto another surface.

Why should I use a rub-on?  
Rub-ons are an excellent choice in place of stickers because they appear to be
printed or painted on the surface to which you apply them.  They are rich and
elegant-looking, and offer a lot more flexibility and variety in how and what you
apply, as opposed to a whole word or image in a sticker.  For instance, you can use
just a piece of an image, or just one alphabet in a word, if that is all you want to
use to complete your design and make it more personal.

What surfaces can rub-ons be applied to?  
The majority of rub-ons can safely be applied to paper, transparencies, vellum,
hand-made paper, leather, wood, plastic, acrylic, ceramic, tiles, stones, pottery,
and most fabrics.  You may even find other surfaces they work on—be daring and
experiment!

Is there a special way to handle rub-ons?  
Yes!!!  You NEVER want to hold a rub-on package directly over the rub-on itself,
because the heat of your fingers or hand will soften the ink and the rub-on will
begin to transfer to the protective bottom sheet.  Instead, hold the rub-on package
by the top or side, where you will not be directly on top of the image.  When
handling the rub-on outside of the packaging, hold it gently on the side of the
image.  I like to use tweezers, because some manufacturers print them close
together, making it difficult to handle without putting your fingers over the images.  
Plus, I find tweezers extremely helpful in more precise placement of rub-ons.

How should rub-ons be stored?  
Rub-ons are extremely sensitive to heat, so always store them in a temperature-
controlled environment, like your home or craft room.  NEVER leave rub-ons in the
heat of your car -- whether in the trunk, inside your tote, or in the back seat!  And
definitely do not store them in a closet in the bathroom, where the heat and
humidity of even a hot shower can ruin them.  (Yes, I have had customers who
stored their scrapbook supplies—and even photographs—in bathroom closets!  Oh,
no!!!)

How do I pick a good rub-on, and know it will transfer properly?
Purchase your rub-ons from a reputable retailer that you know has fresh stock.  The
reason for this is because rub-ons—being made of ink—have a tendency to dry out
over longer periods of time, and once they have dried out, they usually will not
transfer completely, if at all.  This is the main cause of frustration for rub-on
beginners, and the reason why rub-ons that come from certain clearance stores don’
t always work.  If they have been on the store’s shelves or in a warehouse for a
long time, the chances are pretty high that they won’t transfer properly because
they have dried too long.

How can I tell if a rub-on is fresh or should be safe to purchase?  
You can spot an old or damaged rub-on immediately, if you know what to look for.  
A fresh rub-on that should transfer quickly and easily will be one that appears
bright (if colored) or very dark (if black, brown, or dark blue, green, or purple).  If
any part of the rub-on appears to have a light spot in the image with the rest of it
being brighter (or darker), then you can bet that the rub-on has already dried a
good bit and has begun to transfer off the backer sheet onto the protective bottom
sheet.  You can also see this happen with fresh rub-ons if someone mishandles
them, and the heat of their hand accidentally begins the transfer process.  So,
regardless of where you purchase them, you still want to look closely at the images
to make sure the rub-on was handled properly before you picked it up!

What tools do I need to apply a rub-on?  
I think the best way to apply a rub-on is with a bone folder, although some
manufacturers now make rub-on tools.  Also, a lot of rub-ons come with little
wooden or plastic applicator sticks in their package.  You can use the stick
provided, or a bone folder, or even the back of a small spoon.  You do NOT want to
use a knife, especially one with a serrated edge!

What is the proper procedure for applying a rub-on?
  1. Carefully open your rub-ons and remove them from their package.
  2. Hold the sheet of rub-ons gently by the edges, then cut out the one you wish to
    apply.  The reason for this is so that when you are rubbing it on, you don’t
    accidentally rub over another image that you don’t want to use yet.  And,
    because just the heat of your hand or fingers will soften the ink, you don’t want
    to hold your entire page of rub-ons down with one hand while you apply a rub-
    on from the middle of the page—this is a sure way to waste rub-ons and ruin
    your project in the process!
  3. After cutting out your rub-on, carefully position it on your project where you
    want it applied.  If possible, try to cut only the rub-on out of the top (backer)
    sheet, leaving the clear, protective bottom sheet intact.  If you have to cut the
    top (backer) sheet in half or in pieces to get to the image you want, you can
    gently secure them back onto the bottom protective sheet with a small piece of
    removable tape.
  4. Use removable tape (which you can get from us) to tape your alphabet, word,
    or image onto your project so it doesn’t move while rubbing/transferring the
    image.  Otherwise, you may end up with crinkles in your image if it slides a
    little while you're applying it.  Simply place the tape directly across the entire
    back of the image, so you can rub over the whole thing. Remember, it is printed
    in REVERSE on the TOP (backer) sheet, so you want to tape across the correct
    side—not over the rub-on ink itself!
  5. Once your rub-on is taped to your project, place your fingers or even the palm
    of your hand on top of the rub-on for a few seconds to allow the heat of your
    hand to soften the ink, which will help it to transfer more quickly.
  6. Next, use your bone folder or rub-on tool to gently rub over the image; rubbing
    too hard will leave indentations in the surface you're applying it to.  As the
    image transfers, it should become cloudy or milky, looking at it through the
    backer paper.  If it still looks bright/dark, it probably hasn’t transferred all the
    way.  You can try warming it a little longer by putting your fingers or hand over
    it, or just rub a little longer—but NOT harder! PLEASE do NOT use a heat gun to
    heat it! Heat guns get too hot and will ruin the rub-on; just take your time and
    go slowly at first until you become more familiar with them.  Lift an edge of the
    tape and backer paper to check its progress, and when the image has
    transferred completely, remove the tape and backer paper.

What happens if the entire image did not transfer?  
If the entire image did not transfer, simply place the rub-on back into place, lining
up the edges of the image that remain on the backer sheet with the parts of the
image that did transfer.  Again, apply the heat of your hand over the image a little
bit longer, then rub over it until it finishes transferring.

What happens if a rub-on will NOT come off, but I REALLY want to use it?
Every once in a while, this will happen.  When it does, you can trim around the
image carefully, then apply adhesive to the back of the backer sheet (yes, over the
ink!), and just adhere it like you would a transparency.  You can use adhesive made
especially for transparencies, vellum, or acrylic (Vellum Glue Dots work very well);
or you can run it through a Xyron and because it will put adhesive on the entire
back of the piece; you shouldn’t see any delineation of where the adhesive has
been applied.

Can it be removed if it gets messed up, or doesn’t work well with my
project?
Usually, you can “erase” it, with an adhesive eraser (which you can get from us).  
You have to be very careful, and gently rub in ONE direction, actually pulling the
ink off with the eraser.  Then clean the eraser as it picks up the ink, so you don’t
smear it.  NEVER rub the eraser back and forth over the rub-on, because it will
definitely smear it, and may make it impossible to remove.  Or, you could put a
sticker, flower, or other embellishment over it, to conceal it.

Dee Famularo, Owner
Avid Papercrafter of 40+ Years


RUB-ONS

Need to Know Info!