How to Transfer a Picture to Wood.πŸ‘Œ

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Transfer a picture to wood.πŸ‘Œ

How to Transfer a Picture to Wood.πŸ‘Œ

With just a few easy steps and acrylic gel medium, you can transfer favorite pics or photographs to wood. Great fun, and great one of a kind gifts. :)

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Step 1 of 11

First choose a piece of wood that you would like your picture transferred to.

Step 2 of 11
This is the picture I chose, it needs to be printed on a laser printer, ink jet won't work. Regular copy paper works best.

This is the picture I chose, it needs to be printed on a laser printer, ink jet won't work. Regular copy paper works best.

Step 3 of 11
Apply the acrylic gel medium to the wood with the foam brush. You need to apply enough to ensure the photo will transfer, not so much that it will be gloopy, but enough that it will stick.

Apply the acrylic gel medium to the wood with the foam brush. You need to apply enough to ensure the photo will transfer, not so much that it will be gloopy, but enough that it will stick.

Step 4 of 11

Lay photo face down on acrylic medium. If using pics with words, be aware that the words will appear reversed, unless you reverse the image first before printing.

Step 5 of 11
Smooth out the bubbles using a credit card, or something with a flat edge.

Smooth out the bubbles using a credit card, or something with a flat edge.

Step 6 of 11

Let dry overnight.

Step 7 of 11
Here's the fun part. Time to remove the paper revealing the transferred pic underneath. I used a spray bottle to wet the pic.

Here's the fun part. Time to remove the paper revealing the transferred pic underneath. I used a spray bottle to wet the pic.

Step 8 of 11
Wet the pic, you will see it begin to pop through the wet paper. Now the next step is fun, but requires care. Gently begin to rub off the paper. I used a wet facecloth for the first layer.

Wet the pic, you will see it begin to pop through the wet paper. Now the next step is fun, but requires care. Gently begin to rub off the paper. I used a wet facecloth for the first layer.

Step 9 of 11
As you see here the pic starts to reveal itself, but you will also find  a lot of little paper fibers too, for those using your fingers is best.

As you see here the pic starts to reveal itself, but you will also find a lot of little paper fibers too, for those using your fingers is best.

Step 10 of 11
Gently rub the paper away, gently misting if needed. The paper needs to be slightly wet to be removed, your fingers will be the best tool at this delicate step. Be careful not to rub too hard.

Gently rub the paper away, gently misting if needed. The paper needs to be slightly wet to be removed, your fingers will be the best tool at this delicate step. Be careful not to rub too hard.

Step 11 of 11
Once all the paper is removed, you will have completed the photo transfer. You can seal  this with a layer of mod podge. Voila! All done!

Once all the paper is removed, you will have completed the photo transfer. You can seal this with a layer of mod podge. Voila! All done!

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23 Comments
Supplies

1 Piece of wood

Acrylic gel medium

1 Photo printed via laser photocopier

1 Foam brush

1 Pair of scissors ( for trimming photo)

Mod podge

Water (I used a misting bottle)

1 Flannel facecloth or clean rag

Adam Burton

You are very welcome Tina! Thank for the compliment!

(author) 3 weeks ago

Tina Dwane

Excellent idea! Thanks very much for the guide : )

Tina Dwane 3 weeks ago

Adam Burton

Thank you everyone for all the likes. It really is amazing.

(author) last month

Cindy Barnett

Great!

Cindy Barnett 3 months ago

Lily B

Neato!

Lily B 4 months ago

Kallie Martin

Cool. Seems easy

Kallie Martin 4 months ago

Lori Kotelsky

Cant wait to try. Thanks for the step by step for us slower folk.

Lori Kotelsky 4 months ago

πŸŒ΅Γ‘Γ tΓΌrë🌾 ŁâvΔ™rπŸ„

This is a brilliant idea and so EASY!

πŸŒ΅Γ‘Γ tΓΌrë🌾 ŁâvΔ™rπŸ„ 4 months ago

Alice Ryan

What a terrific idea for adding to jewelry! I'm going to try it soon. Nifty idea. Thanks!

Alice Ryan 4 months ago

River Haven

Fun and easy, my two favorites! Thanks!

River Haven 4 months ago

Joe Moynihan

Works on canvas board as well. If you rub harder or work in under running water you can get a nice faded effect.

Joe Moynihan 4 months ago

Ms Benz

Cool

Ms Benz 4 months ago

Tanya Landry

So neat.

Tanya Landry 4 months ago

Adam Burton

Thx for the great comments and all the likes! I will start publishing more guides soon. :)

(author) 4 months ago

James Gross

Nice!

James Gross 4 months ago

Adam Burton

It is just called Acrylic Gel medium ( it must be the acrylic kind) easy to get at any craft store, I got mine at Michaels. It will be located near the acrylic paints. Hope that helps!

(author) 4 months ago

Erin Whatley

What kind of acrylic gel medium should I use in the transfer?

Erin Whatley 4 months ago

Adam Burton

Stacey, It is really quite easy. The rubbing off of the paper is the part that requires a bit of skill but not much. You'll develop a feel for it. I'd recommend a test pic first if working with kids before you tackle a big picture.

(author) 4 months ago

Stacey Fleming

That looks super easy and a lot of fun, even for children

Stacey Fleming 4 months ago

Ashley Tennant

Thank you

Ashley Tennant 4 months ago

Adam Burton

Oops! Thx Ashley. I added the extra steps now. Thanks:)

(author) 4 months ago

Ashley Tennant

You didn't say and I'm guessing no 3 but when do you put the pic on the wood

Ashley Tennant 4 months ago

Be first to comment on Step 1.

Adam Burton

This technique would work on canvas, it would still transfer - but when rubbing the paper off, make sure you have the area directly underneath the canvas against a hard surface. :)

(author) 4 months ago

SOPHIE Smith

I love this idea! I would like to know if I can substitute a12x12 Canvas board instead of using wood? Will the image still transfer?

SOPHIE Smith 4 months ago

Adam Burton

Hi, it's called acrylic medium gel. It looks like white acrylic paint, but is just a gel. It does come in many different tints. I chose the normal one which looks white, but dries clear. You can pick it up at Michaels or similar.

(author) 4 months ago

Perla Anabalon David

That acrylic gel is just acrylic paint? Or other product?

Perla Anabalon David 4 months ago

Jenny Cook

^Never would have thought to reverse the image beforehand. Thanks!

Jenny Cook 2 months ago

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rose Klusza

sounds really fun and not too hard but need patience!

rose Klusza 2 months ago

Shannon Dann

Cool project!

Shannon Dann 3 months ago

Audrey Niewinski

That is so cool, I can't wait to try it.

Audrey Niewinski 4 months ago

lee wein

love it

lee wein 4 months ago