Do Rub-on transfers degrade beyond usability with time?

[MiliZee]

Hey there :-)

I have some rub-on transfers that I bought waaaaay back between '03 and '06. I am really fond of them, so I've always used them sparingly to make them last. But to my considerable disappointment, when I tried to use some today, they would actually not come off the clear cover film! Instead, when I tried to peel it off after rubbing it, it would take off a layer of paper too - much like peeling off a sticker.

I was using a special rub-on tool that I hadn't used before, so at first I thought maybe that was the problem and it wasn't strong enough or whatever. But when I switched to the older tool, which was tried and tested, same result. Then I started thinking maybe it's the paper, because it was a very thin paper for decoupage (those decopatch papers). Maybe even that the glue seeped through the paper and made it hard for the rub-on to work. So I tried less glue, and then I even tried on different paper - plain copier paper, which is normally totally fuss-free. Same problem.

It's driving me crazy because I was sort of hoarding these for 'good' projects, not just random stuff like quick cards or anything like that that would not have a very long life, so it would suck if they are unusable! Are they?

And supposing they're finished as rub-ons, is there any other way I can use them (other than cutting around them with scissors and using them like decoupage, which is not ideal because that clear overlay isn't the best looking thing around :-/)

Thanks!!
mili

[halfmoonroad]

Could it be humidity that's causing a problem?

[MannaStudios]

After a while rub-ons do that ... they adhere to their base paper ... I'd try a blow dryer or lightly use a heat gun (quickly, briefly) .... that might revive the sticky stuff.... worth a try. Good luck. I know exactly what you mean about hoarding those special items!

[MiliZee]

Mary, I felt kinda stupid about keeping them all this time...the point is to strike a balance, not use them for any ole crappy project, but not hoard them quite this much either! TBH I WOULD have been more diligent about using them if I'd known, but it never occurred to me :-)

So, between the blow-dryer and the heat gun, it sounds like the blow dryer would offer a more gentle or controllable action, right? Whereas with the heat gun I'd have to use a very light hand, or I could easily end up overdoing it?

halfmoonroad, in what way would humidity affect things? I'm asking because I wouldn't think it would be an issue - I live in a mediterranean climate, so it's pretty dry all year round, and the place where I stored these was also dry (a storage cupboard). For the first couple years (at most) I was located in a more humid climate but it wasn't like soaking wet or anything (and even then the actual rub ons were pretty dry. Would they be so sensitive as to react to such small exposure?

[MannaStudios]

Hi there

I would for sure try the blow dryer first & on something you don't care so much about .. do you have some you bought about the same time that you don't favor so much?

I think over time they do just deteriorate. Nothing to do with anything... just one of those things...

Hey by the way did you try the rotary cutter for your other project?

[MiliZee]

Oh wow, that's amazing that you'd notice I was the same person asking about a cutter, let alone remember it after! thanks :-) And yes, I've ordered one I found on the EKsuccess website (tried locally but they were all a bit expensive, and there I had a nice 20% discount for my birthday month so it did make sense :-)) I just got the Shipped notice yesterday, so it should be here either late this week (if I'm lucky) or sometime in the next. Thanks so much for asking!

And onto the rub-ons...the heat tool trick worked like a CHARM! I could not believe it, the rub-ons are probably in even better shape than they used to be in the first few months after I bought them! They were probably already old-ish when I got them since it was a scruffy old discount bookseller/stationer :P From now on though, I won't push my luck, I'm putting them out to use with more regularity. Not for throwaway stuff like gift packaging or whatever, for more long-lasting things, but still :-)

Thanks again!

[MannaStudios]

I am tickled pink that worked for you .... it had for me a while back.

Let me know how the rotary cutter works.

Happy dance!!!!!!!

[Former_Member]

Can you please give me details on how you did this? I am having the same issue with my "saved for a special project" 3 year old rub on transfers right now! Help!

[MannaStudios]

Hi Teal,

Did you get help with this? If not, this is what I did when I had that problem and it worked for me. I advise you to try this on the rub on transfer you are lest fond of to test it out. Lay the rub on where you would like to place it permantely, and use a blow dryer to blow warm air over the rub on till it is warm to your touch. then I would try to see if it will stay in place after you burnish it. Take your time, do it slowly and after burnishing lift the ??? what's the name of the paper that holds it??? (brain fog!) - - lift that slowly, gently - making sure the process is working.

Good luck - this always works for me!