How to Transfer a Photo to Wood
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Learn how to transfer a photo to wood with this step by step tutorial. But first, make sure to check out Morena’s photo transfer to wood video tutorial here!
Transferring a photo to wood is one of my favorite crafting techniques! Transferring any image I want from paper to another surface is so much fun and surprisingly easy to do. I’ve transferred images to fabric (here) and even on to painted surfaces (here). Once you give this a try, I think you’ll find yourself looking for more ways to apply this technique!
To begin with, know that you cannot use an image that comes from your ink jet printer at home. The ink will smear and you’ll be disappointed (unless you were going for an impressionist style piece!). You need to use a photocopied image. I went to my local public library to use the color copier.
Supplies needed to transfer a photo to wood:
• Unfinished Wood Painting Panel
• Photocopied Image on Regular Copy Paper (you must use a photocopy of your image or it will most likely not turn out correctly)
• Mod Podge*
• Craft Paint
• Core’dinations Sand It Gadget
• Krylon Clear Glaze Spray
*If you want the wood grain to show through, use regular Mod Podge Matte. If you want a white background with no wood grain showing through, use Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium.
Step 1: Paint the edges of your wood panel.
Step 2: Apply a generous amount of the transfer solution to the image. You’ll need a thick layer. (Photo courtesy of Brown Eyed Girl Photography.)
Step 3: Press the image, photo side down, onto the wood panel. Rub firmly to smooth out the image and remove air bubbles. Let it dry completely.
Step 4: Use a damp cloth or sponge to wet one section of the paper at a time. Begin rubbing gently to remove the paper and expose the transferred image below. I like to remove the top layer first, let it dry slightly, and then repeat the process as needed to remove the “fuzzies” that were left behind.
Step 5: Once you are satisfied with the image, sand the edges lightly. Seal the photo to wood transfer with a finishing spray.
I love the end result! What makes this process different from decoupage is that it looks as if the image is part of the piece, not glued on top of it.
You can also paint the wood before you transfer your image. Think of all the ways you could update your furniture or wardrobe with this technique! What project will you try first?
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