Make a magazine tape transfer - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

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Make a magazine tape transfer

Create a clear tape magazine transfer by lifting printed images from magazines with packing tape, removing paper with water, and pressing them onto cardstock.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to make a magazine tape transfer

What you need

Magazines, clear packing tape, scissors, cardstock, bowl of water, sponge or cloth, paper towel, coloring materials, adult supervision required

Step 1

Clear a flat workspace and lay down a paper towel to protect the table.

Step 2

Pick a printed image from a magazine that you want to transfer.

Step 3

Cut a piece of clear packing tape slightly larger than the picture you chose.

Step 4

Press the sticky side of the tape down onto the picture and smooth it with your finger.

Step 5

Rub the tape firmly with a spoon or your finger to help the ink stick to the tape.

Step 6

Peel the tape off the magazine slowly and lift the taped image away.

Step 7

Place the taped image ink-side-up into a shallow bowl of water and let it soak for about one minute.

Step 8

Gently rub the paper backing with your finger or a sponge to remove paper fibers until the printed image looks clear on the tape.

Step 9

Rinse the taped image briefly under clean water to wash away loose paper bits.

Step 10

Pat the taped image dry with a paper towel until it is tacky but not dripping.

Step 11

Press the taped image sticky side down onto your cardstock and rub the back to make it stick smoothly.

Step 12

Trim extra tape around the image or add decorations with coloring materials if you like.

Step 13

Share your finished magazine tape transfer creation on DIY.org.

Help!?

If I don't have clear packing tape, what can I use instead?

Use a strip of clear contact paper or a self-adhesive laminating sheet cut slightly larger than the picture so you can press the sticky side onto the magazine like the tape step.

My image won't come off the paper—what should I do?

Soak the taped image a little longer in the shallow bowl and then gently rub the paper backing with a soft sponge or toothbrush while keeping the ink-side-up until the printed image looks clear on the tape, and check that you rubbed the tape firmly with a spoon first.

How can I adapt this activity for younger or older children?

For younger kids have an adult cut the tape and press/smooth the tape onto the magazine and do the soaking and rubbing steps together, while older kids can do the cutting, trimming and add decorations to the cardstock independently.

How can we make the finished transfer more special or durable?

After trimming extra tape and adding coloring decorations, seal the taped image on the cardstock with a thin coat of clear craft glue or Mod Podge and consider layering several transfers to make a collage before sharing on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to make a magazine tape transfer

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Transform Magazine Pages into Stunning Art / Wood, Canvas, & Paper

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Facts about printmaking and image-transfer techniques

📰 Old magazines are packed with glossy, high‑quality images that lift really well for tape transfers.

💧 A little water softens and removes paper fibers but usually leaves the ink binder behind, so the picture stays on the tape.

📦 Clear packing tape acts like a tiny laminator—lifting ink, protecting it, and giving a shiny finish.

♻️ Tape transfers are a fun upcycling trick: they turn old magazines and leftover tape into homemade decals and art.

🔍 Glossy magazine images often transfer cleaner than newspaper because their inks and coatings are smoother.

How do you make a magazine tape transfer?

To make a clear magazine tape transfer, pick glossy images and lay a strip of wide clear packing tape sticky-side down over the picture. Smooth out air bubbles and trim around the image. Soak the taped image in a bowl of water until the paper softens (5–15 minutes), then gently rub away paper with your finger or a soft brush until only ink on the tape remains. Let dry sticky-side up, then press tape onto cardstock and burnish. Seal with Mod Podge if desired.

What materials do I need to make a magazine tape transfer?

You'll need old magazines with glossy photos, wide clear packing tape, scissors, a shallow bowl of warm water, a soft brush or your fingers for rubbing, cardstock or heavy paper, a towel for drying, and a bone folder or old credit card to smooth transfers. Optional: Mod Podge or clear acrylic sealer to protect finished transfers, tweezers for small pieces, and a tray to soak images. Use non-toxic supplies for safety.

What ages is a magazine tape transfer suitable for?

This craft suits different ages: children 6–8 can help choose images, press tape, and rub paper with close adult supervision. Ages 9–12 can complete most steps independently with basic guidance on scissors and soaking; teens can experiment with complex layouts. For preschoolers, let them pick pictures and stick pre-cut tape pieces while an adult handles soaking and rubbing. Always supervise with scissors, water, and small parts.

What safety tips should I know for magazine tape transfers?

Safety tips: supervise children during cutting, soaking, and rubbing—use rounded-tip scissors for young kids. Prevent swallowing by keeping torn paper bits away from toddlers. Protect work surfaces and wear aprons; magazine inks can stain skin so rinse hands after soaking. Use non-toxic tape and sealers and work in a ventilated area if you use spray sealers. Wipe up spills promptly to avoid slipping and keep soaking bowls out of reach when not in use.

Ready to create?