Do you love the look of printed transparencies and overlays but have a hard time finding one in the style you need for your layout? Now you can create custom overlays in exactly the right size, shape, and color to match your photos. Working with transparencies can be tricky. Here are some tips for making beautiful overlays for your projects.

To create custom patterned transparent overlays:

1. If you are making a large shape, like the one shown on the 6 Wishes layout, sketch the shape onto a transparency.

2. Using permanent or self-drying pigment ink, stamp words or images onto the transparency. (If you are stamping words, make sure you are stamping them on the right side of the transparency shape. Otherwise your words will be backwards.) Allow time for the ink to dry. Or heat set the stamped images with a low-temperature heat gun. Transparencies tend to melt or warp with heat so test a scrap of the transparency first.

3. Cut out the transparency shape and adhere to your project. Adhering transparencies can be a little challenging; the options are to use a vellum adhesive spray, eyelets, brads, or staples.