I use a heat transfer method too, only I print the laser image on
overhead transparency plastic sheet and use an iron to transfer the
image. I heat a heavy pancake griddle on the stove to about medium
heat, put a paper towel on it and then the metal pice with the image
film resting on it, another piece of paper towel, then press a hot
iron on it until the image transfers.
This is not an exact science here, however, since there is about a
ten degree difference between being hot enough to make a clean
transfer and being so hot as to melt the transparency. But with
practice I can get amazingly fine detail. I have about a 75% success
rate lately. Some pieces I have to clean and redo.
I find Talia’s laminator idea intriguing.
Janet Kofoed