Iron On Lettering from copy machine ?????

[Bob Barnes]

OK... I know that you can print lettering in reverse, make a copy of it using a large office (low temp toner) copy machine, and then iron it onto a bow or arrow...I have forgotten though...should I print it on the bare wood or put a coat of poly on first?  I have just about finished a bow that I plan to give a student for his graduation gift and want to put his name on the back in Old English script...
thanks.
Bob

[walkabout]

very interesting post, i too have an inscription i need to put on a bow and this would help me alot.heres something i found but im not sure if its what you meant.   http://www.instructables.com/id/Printing-colour-images-on-to-wood%3a-Making-letter-t/step6/Cut-and-finish-the-wood/  im going to try it on scrap wood and see if it has any adverse effects. ill let you know the results.

[walkabout]

tried it and it worked, didnt seem to hurt the wood any. not sure if the iron ons i have are the same stuff youre talking about though, this stuff left  layer on the wood that will peel from the edges if youre not careful. also the whole thing had a waxy coating so im not sure how that would work for the finish on the bow.

[Bob Barnes]

toner will stay on wood from a copy made with a big copier...the toner in a normal laser printer is high temp and doesn't work as well...
thanks.
Bob

[No-sage]

I've done it before right onto the wood, added finish after.  It worked great, no runs or anything.  I did a logo from a bowhunting org.

[No-sage]

I'm pretty sure I was using an inkjet printer.

[Bob Barnes]

thanks...I think it's a pretty well kept secret.  I used my laser printer but had to really rub the hot iron a lot...I was told by a guy that used it on his arrows to use a regular copy machine because the toner was cooler temp... seems like i did it right on the wood too...
Bob