Workshop: Photo Transfer on Enamel

M.A.M.A / A.M.A.M.

Instructor: Gayane Avetisyan

Introduction

Enameling can be a very colourful technique for jewelers, allowing us to explore the relationship between image, material, and light.

There are many traditional ways to incorporate text and imagery — such as cloisonné, champlevé, plique a jour and painting techniques. Photo transfer method is one of the most experimental and alternative enameling approaches.

Creative Process

We will begin by preparing our copper pieces, cleaning and filing them to achieve the desired shape and surface according to the images we wish to use.

Next, we will apply a first layer of enamel, usually a light and opaque colour — white, cream, or yellow — that will serve as the background for the image.

We will then use a laser printer to print our selected photos onto decal paper.
The iron oxide in the black toner creates a lasting image that fuses into the enamel, developing a beautiful rust or sepia tone when fired.

After printing, we will cut out our images and soak them in water. A transparent film will separate from the paper backing — this is the film we will carefully apply onto the enamelled surface.

We will then allow our pieces to dry completely, usually for about 24 hours, before firing.

Firing and Finishing

We will fire our pieces either with a torch or in a kiln, depending on the desired result. Torch firing allows us to observe and control the process of image fusion on the enamel in real time.

During firing, the film burns away, leaving the iron oxide image fused into the enamel, revealing a beautiful sepia tone.

We then will sift a thin layer of transparent enamel on top and fire it lightly, stopping before a full, glossy melt.

This will leave a slightly rough, sand-like surface, known as a “sugar coat”, which adds texture and character to the finished piece.

Workshop Goals and Results

By the end of the workshop, we will have:

Prepared several enamelled copper plates with different background colours,

Experimented with photo transfer on enamel using images printed at the school,

Created multiple fused photographic images that can be incorporated into future jewelry works,

Gained a deeper understanding of the interplay between image, colour, transparency, and material.