Rub-Ons Tutorial

Rub-ons are a wonderfully versatile product that come in a myriad of colors and styles. From alphabets to paint drops to images, you are sure to find a rub-on to suit your project.

First, a bit on rub-on transfer. I like to cut out the image that I want to use while keeping the protective sheet in place. This prevents any stray pieces from getting onto my project. Once you have your image, remove the protective sheet and place the transfer side down on your surface. Using the enclosed Popsicle stick, rub the back of the image to transfer it. You can carefully check to verify adhesion by lifting a corner of the backing sheet. Keep rubbing firmly (but not too firmly!) until the entire image has transferred. Voila! Rub-on basics.

Here are a few layouts that include rub-ons. I'll have more examples in the next few days. Enjoy!

In Zo Attitude, Attitude is written using MM rub-ons.

Journaling: When you’ve got it, flaunt it. 10.07
Cardstock: Bazzil
Pattern paper: Colorbok
Stickers: KI Memories borders, softies
Ink: Ranger black soot
Pens: zig, micron
Buttons: KI Memories softies
Ribbon: KI Memories
Rub-ons: MM alphabet

Other: Tim Holtz grungeboard alphabet; acrylic paint, KI Memories sparkle brads; MM brads, unknown sparkle flowers; Prima flowers; Stickles

In Das Happy, all the white "paint" is Basic Grey rub-ons.

Journaling: When Cameron saw this picture of himself he proudly stated: Das Happy.
Pattern paper: Luxe
Stamps: Sassafrass Lass
Stickers: Scenic Route, Fontwerks journaling stickers, unknown alpha stickers manufacturer
Ink: Ranger black soot; StazOn red
Pens: Faber-Castell
Buttons: KI Memories, All Dressed Up, Joanns
Ribbon: unknown manufacturers
Rub-ons: Basic Grey

Other: paper clips: KI Memories; Vinyl shapes unknown manufacturer; staples

Rub-ons can be applied to basically any surface that is clean and free of oils and dust. I’ve applied rub-ons to paper, photos, candles, and buttons. I’ve also seen rub-ons applied to glass and cell phones. Basically, the possibilities are endless.

Here are a few examples of rub-ons being used in unexpected places.

Like on buttons in these detail shots.



Here, I used a dare to rub-on on a piece of pattern paper to make my own sentence.



And here's a rub-on applied to a candle. This was a bit tricky since I had to press pretty hard without smooshing the wax. And you can see that I wasn't very good at it in the beginning. However, it is a great idea for a little gift.


Now, let’s get a bit more artistic. I like to combine rub-ons with paint. For Water Bottle Obsession, I applied the flower rub-ons and dry brushed white paint inside. When you dry brush, do not load your brush with a lot of paint, be sparing, this will allow you to apply a transparent layer onto your project. You can see that I wasn’t too careful. I applied the paint directly over the rub-on, but because it was such a small amount of paint, you can still see the outline of the flower.

Journaling: Lyssie just loves to play with water bottles! 10.07
Techniques: painting with rub-ons, painting flowers, doodling with rub-ons
Cardstock: Bazzil
Pattern paper: MOD
Stickers: American Crafts thickers alphabet
Pens: micron, zig
Rub-ons: MaisyMo flowers
Other: Heidi Swapp large flower; Prima small flowers; acrylic paint; KI Memories brads

Another technique that I often employ when using rub-ons is to combine them with doodling. Often, I don’t have enough rub-ons in a package or I want to create a specific image so I will apply the rub-ons and then doodle the rest of the picture. I did this in the following layouts including Water Bottle Obsession. When doing this, just make sure that your pen is the same color as the rub-on. The first time I tried this technique can be seen in My First 5K.

Journaling: I was so nervous that I almost didn’t go. At the last minute I decided to run my 1^st 5K. 31 min 21 sec. Not bad. I guess I was so busy I forgot I’m an athlete.
Techniques: Painting over embossed text. Doodling with rubons
Cardstock: Bazzil
Stamps: Inque Boutique alpha
Ink: Colorbox orange
Pens: Zig
Rub-ons: 7 Gypsies

Other: Personal Stamp Exchange red embossing powder, acrylic paint

In Kids Magazines, I used the same rub-on package from Water Bottle Obsession.

Journaling: Everyday Zoey bolts to the mailbox in hopes of receiving a kid’s magazine (aka toy catalog.) When she gets one, she immediately gets out a pencil and goes through each page, circling all the wonderful toys, She carries her magazine everywhere and saves them until they disintegrate. She shows them to anyone who will look and we discuss them at bedtime. Her favorite kid magazine is Toys To Grow On. It is just so cute to see her so in love. Photos from 12.07 studying at the kitchen table.
Techniques: doodling with rub-ons
Cardstock: unknown
Pattern paper: MOD
Stamps: Inque Boutique (big lined paper) and Fontwerks (the small lined paper)
Ink: Ranger Black soot
Pens: micron, zig
Ribbon: KI Memories
Buttons: KI Memories Softies
Rub-ons: MaisyMo flowers

Other: Tim Holtz grungeboard alphabet, acrylic paint, stickles, brads: KI Memories

The final technique that I would like to cover is doodling on rub-ons. I did this on Woah Baby with my title. This allowed me to personalize it a bit more. I used paint pens and soufflé pens for this technique. The original rub-on was black, just so you know.

Journaling: I love these sparkle shoes that I bought for Dani and Zo. Luckily, they do too. I just wish they made them for big girls too.
Techniques: painting and doodling on rub-ons
Cardstock: Bazzil
Pattern paper: Stripe, flowered, turquoise and doodle black: Love, Elsie by KI Memories: Zoe; Polka dot black unknown manufacturer; graph paper is from KI memories packaging
Stamps: KI Memories large flower; Fontwerks lined paper
Stickers: KI Memories: Pop Culture; Love, Elsie by KI Memories
Ink: Ranger Black Soot
Pens: Micron; Souflee; Sharpie paint pens;
Buttons: KI Memories; Joanns Essentials; clear button is Foof-a-la
Ribbon: Rainbow and dream KI Memories; fiber and polka dot are unknown manufacturer
Rub-ons: KI Memories Tatoos
Other: KI Memories paper clip; staples

And finally, another example of doodling with rub-ons is my most recent creation, I Have a Dream. I used a black pen to outline the sea green swoosh and yellow flower in the bottom right corner.

Journaling: I want always to be worthy of your adoring eyes. I want always to be a guide in your life. I want always to be strong so you can steady yourself on me. I want you to know always that I am completely and utterly devoted to you.
Cardstock: Bazzil
Pattern paper: Tinkering Ink
Stamps: Fancy Pants
Stickers: foam butterflies from Joanns
Ink: StazOn, Ranger black soot
Pens: Faber Castell
Rub-ons: Tinkering Ink, MM alphabet

Other: Chipboard: Heidi Swapp; vintage playing cards, plastic flowers, orange frame and gaffer tape from SIStv kit unknown manufacturer; felt: Tinkering Ink; Clear bling: Hero Arts, blue blink: Glitz frosting; ATB Tagger gun used to adhere the flowers

I hope that I’ve given you some new ideas and sparked your creative juices!