How to Transfer a Newspaper Print to a Canvas

Choose the newspaper print that you want to transfer to your canvas.

Place the right side of the paper you want to transfer face down on your work surface. Cover the back of the page with spray adhesive. Turn the image over and stick it to the top of the glass palette. Be careful to lay the paper flat and smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles with you hands.

Brush the image with gloss medium varnish. Try to paint an even coat of varnish across the image. Leave the varnish to dry for an hour. When the varnish is dry it will appear clear.

Repeat Step 3 until you have painted five to 12 coats of varnish. The varnish backing should be about 1/16 inch thick. Paint each coat in a different direction, as this will give the varnish backing strength. For example, paint layer two horizontally and layer three vertically.

Place a spirit level on the glass palette to check that the palette is level. If the palette is not level, adjust its placement until it is. Use masking tape to tape around the four sides of the image. Stick four additional layers of masking tape on top of the original layer. This will form a lip around the edge of the image.

Pour a small amount of varnish over the image. Use the paintbrush to spread the varnish around to cover all areas of the print evenly. Leave the varnish to dry for 48 to 72 hours.

Cut around the inside edge of the masking tape to free the image from the glass palette. Soak the image in lukewarm water for no more than 20 minutes. Pull the image out of the water.

Use your fingers to rub away the top layer paper on the image. Place the image in warm water. Pull the image out and rub away the next layer of paper from the image. Repeat this process until no paper remains on the image.

Place a sheet of wax paper on your work surface. Place the image on top and cover with another layer of wax paper. Remove the image from between the wax paper and sandwich it between two sheets of paper towel.

Remove the image from between the paper towel and leave to dry for 48 to 72 hours. It is important that the image dries flat and undisturbed.

Paint a layer of varnish onto the side of the image that will be stuck to the canvas -- the wrong side of the image. Place the image in the desired location on the canvas. Press and hold in place for a few minutes. Leave the canvas to dry flat on a work surface, so the transferred image doesn't slip down the canvas.