Easily create your own templates for tracing
Images for tracing
For tracing to work smoothly, it's important to have a high-contrast template. The clearer the lines and contours are on the template, the easier it will be to transfer them to the desired surface.
Template Generator
Our edding Template Generator creates a black and white template for your project from an image. Try it out for yourself. Simply upload a photo and then download your template.
Template Library
You can also check out our free template library. The templates are versatile and offer inspiration for your creative projects.
Different methods for tracing
We show you different methods for tracing templates. The classical way is usually done by laying your template under thin surafces, so that the lines shine through. A more universal way is using carbon paper, a method that works for most surfaces.
The classic method
Tracing on paper or thin fabrics
The simplest method is tracing with paper or thin fabric. You place your template on the surface and trace the outlines with a pencil . Press lightly on the paper so that the lines become visible on the surface . This method works well for paper, fabric, and other thin, translucent surfaces.
Your template doesn't necessarily have to be printed. You can also lock your tablet's screen . This even has the advantage that you can see the template on slightly thicker paper, as the template appears on the light-colored tablet screen through the paper. Incidentally, you can easily lock an iPad screen for tracing. This can be done in Settings under General > Guided Access.
If you don't want to work on your tablet, you can also use a light-up tablet to make the template under the paper more visible. A very inexpensive option is to trace the template onto a window pane . However, this isn't very ergonomic.
Suitable for various surfaces
Allrounder carbon paper
Tracing templates with carbon paper is a proven method for transferring outlines onto various surfaces . The transfer paper works on a variety of surfaces such as canvas, cardboard, paper, wood, glass, metal, ceramic, clay, and fabrics. However, keep in mind that the surface should be light-colored, otherwise the dark lines will not be as visible.
As an alternative to this tracing paper, you can also use baking paper or tracing paper to shade over a large area with a pencil and make your own carbon paper. Alternatively, you can first trace your template onto the baking paper or tracing paper, turn the paper over, and place it with the shaded side down onto your surface. Now you trace the design again from the other side.
Step 1: Prepare the template
Print out digital templates in the correct size. Then cut your template to size so that it fits your object well.
Step 2: Fix the transfer paper and template
To transfer your template using carbon paper, place the transfer paper between the surface and your template. Secure both with masking tape to prevent slippage.
Step 3: Trace the template
Now trace the template with a sharp pencil. The pressure applied to the carbon paper will transfer the lines to the surface.
Step 4: Paint the object with a suitable marker
You can now trace the printed template with the appropriate markers. You can find the right markers for different surfaces on this page.
Trace onto wood
Press through or carbon paper
There are various approaches to transferring designs onto wood. Here are two common methods:
Pushing through (in soft wood):
- Place your printed template on the wood.
- Press firmly on the template with a pen or pencil to transfer the outline.
- Trace the transferred lines.
- Note that with this method, the lines pressed through will remain in the wood.
Use carbon paper (for hardwood):
- Place a sheet of carbon paper between the template and the wood.
- Trace the outline of the template with a pen or pencil.
The carbon paper leaves an imprint line on the wood, which serves as a guide for painting.
Regardless of which method you choose, make sure that the surface is well fixed and the lines are clearly visible.
Transfer onto walls
Project your template
For larger areas or precise details, projectors or overhead projectors are ideal. You project the template onto the surface and trace the outlines. This method requires a little more effort, but delivers accurate results.
This allows you to transfer templates onto walls or canvases. Our edding permanent marker is ideal for tracing the template onto these surfaces , as it writes on a wide variety of surfaces and won't smudge.
If you're working on dark surfaces, you can use opaque acrylic markers to permanently trace the template. On smooth surfaces like tiles or glass, an edding chalk marker can be used. Then you can wipe the lines away again.
Trace on glass
Working with templates on glass is very easy. Simply attach the template to the back of the glass with tape and then trace over it with a chalk marker (erasable) or paint marker (permanent) .
If there's text, make sure it's mirrored if it's meant to be readable from the outside.
Template transferred. Now what?
edding markers for coloring in the template
