How to Make Your Own Nail Transfers

Last Updated: October 11, 2022 References

Nail transfers allow you to add interesting designs to your nails other than just the usual nail colors. It also makes it easier for you to add a design than draw it with your non-dominant hand onto your dominant hand. Fortunately, it's easy to make your own nail transfers at home.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Making the nail transfer

1
Apply a few thick coats of clear nail polish to a section of the parchment paper. Make it a thick layer––if it is not thick enough, the polish might crack when you apply your color.^{[1]
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2
Paint your design on top of the coated section of parchment paper. The design can be anything you want, so be creative but ensure that it looks good. A simple design can often be the best. To draw the design on, you can use almost any material you like, such as nail art pens, regular paint, markers, and so on.^{[2]
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3
Once the design is dry, apply another coat of clear varnish. This helps to keep the design in place and seal it.^{[3]
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4
Repeat for as many designs you wish to apply to your nails. You can choose to do just one or all ten of your nails, you just need to be prepared to make the amount you'd like to transfer.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Preparing your nails and the transfers

1
Move onto your actual nails. Apply a thin coat of nail polish.^{[4]
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Research source} You can use any color that you want to show under your design.
2
While your nails are drying, test that the designs on the parchment paper are dry. If they are, then you can begin to peel them off. You can cut them down if you want to, so that they fit on your nails.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Applying the nail transfers

1
Apply a coat of clear polish to your nails and leave until they are tacky, but not wet. They need to be tacky in order to grab hold of your transfer image. If you let them dry, the transfer is not likely to hold.^{[5]
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2
Place your transfer onto your tacky nail. Rub it down firmly to ensure that it is stuck to your nail properly. You now need to wait until everything is completely dry. So don't be tempted to pick at your nails for a couple of minutes or so.
3
Using a small brush or q-tip, gently and carefully apply nail polish remover to any parts of your skin that have gotten nail polish on. Take care not to get any remover on your actual nails.
- If you didn't cut the transfer down, and you have polish left over still, you can use the nail polish remover to dissolve these parts too. Just be careful not to go too mad with it and ruin your design. Only wipe up to the edges of your nail from the skin.
4
Apply a good layer of top coat over your nails and the front edge of your nails. This will ensure that the design stays in place and is well sealed.^{[6]
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5
Show your nails off to your friends. Offer to make homemade transfer designs for them too.

Warnings

If you try using paper (as in paper images) you will find that the nail polish has a negative effect on the image and you will be left with mush.

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Things You'll Need

Parchment paper (baking paper) (don't use normal paper as it will rip and stick)
Clear nail polish
Design ideas
Nail art pens, regular paint, markers and so on
Nail polish in color of choice
Small brush or q-tip
Nail polish remover