3 Ways To Transfer Pictures Onto Wood - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow 3 DIY Ways to Transfer Photos & Drawings to Wood PDF download Download Article Turn old photos into unique wooden keepsakes Explore this Article methods 1 Using Mod Podge 2 Transferring Photos with Nail Polish Remover 3 Printing on Wax Paper Other Sections Expert Q&A Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Nicole Bolin and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: May 30, 2024 Fact Checked

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This article was co-authored by Nicole Bolin and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Nicole Bolin is a Crafting Specialist and the CEO of Stencil, a DIY Craft Studio in Phoenix, Arizona. Nicole specializes in interior design and various craft and DIY projects. Nicole holds a Certificate in Interior Design from the New York Institute of Art and Design. She opened Stencil in 2017 to teach others to create DIY projects that fit their home and lifestyle. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 262,977 times.

Putting your pictures onto wood is a fun and simple way to create rustic decorations for your home. As long as you have a picture printed with a laserjet or HP printer, you'll be able to transfer the photo and make a beautiful piece of art to display. With a few simple supplies that you have at home or can find at your local craft store, you’ll be able to make new decor that you’ll love to show off!

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Using Mod Podge

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  1. Step 1 Cut the printed photo to the same size as the wood. 1 Cut the printed photo to the same size as the wood. Use a pair of scissors to cut the photo to size. Make sure the main focus of the picture is in the middle of the piece of wood when you’re done cutting it down.[1]
    • Make sure the photo is flipped horizontally if there are any words on it so they don’t transfer backwards.
    • Wood slices with bark can be purchased at your local arts and crafts store, but any smooth, flat piece of wood will work.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Transfer Pictures Onto Wood 2 Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge on the wood’s surface.[2] Mod Podge is an adhesive and transfer agent used in many crafts. Pour a coin-sized amount onto the wood’s surface and spread it evenly with a foam brush. Make sure there are no bubbles or large pools of the Mod Podge on the wood. Smooth out all of the liquid and remove any excess with the edge of the foam brush.[3]
    • You can also use any photo transfer medium in place of the Mod Podge.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Transfer Pictures Onto Wood 3 Press the photo onto the wood.[4] Set the photo on top of the wood face-down so it lays flat on the Mod Podge. Use the side of your fist to rub the photo onto the wood to remove any air bubbles and ensure the photo completely transfers.[5]
    • Use a rubber roller, or brayer, to help flatten the picture.
  4. Step 4 Let the photo set for 24 hours. 4 Let the photo set for 24 hours. Leave the photo in a cool, dry place so it can fully transfer onto the wood’s surface. Don’t lift the photo off the piece of wood at all.[6]
    • Keep the wood on a counter or tabletop out of reach of pets so it can dry undisturbed.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Transfer Pictures Onto Wood 5 Wet a cloth and gently rub the back of the paper. Run a washcloth under warm water and wring it out. Lay the rag on top of the paper and press it down to get the picture wet. Use gentle back and forth motions to rub the paper away from the photo. The paper should easily tear away while the picture stays on the wood.[7]
    • You can let the picture dry and then rub it again with another wet cloth to pull up any remaining residue.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Transfer Pictures Onto Wood 6 Seal the photo with a matte finish. Paint a thin layer on the wood’s surface to protect the picture.[8] Let the first layer dry before painting the second layer in the opposite direction. Once it’s dry, your photo is complete![9]
    • Purchase a matte finish from your local arts and crafts store.
    • Remember to wash off your paint brush when you finish!
    7. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Transferring Photos with Nail Polish Remover

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Transfer Pictures Onto Wood 1 Put a printed photo face-down on the piece of wood. Print the picture on regular paper with a laser or HP printer. Make sure the photo is the same size as the piece of wood you’re using.[10]
    • If the photo has words on it, flip it horizontally on your computer so the words read the right way once it’s transferred.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Transfer Pictures Onto Wood 2 Wet a cotton ball with nail polish remover and rub the back of the picture. Dip the cotton ball in the nail polish and rub it back and forth across the picture. The paper will become slightly transparent so you can see the picture on the other side. Coat the entire picture with the remover.[11]
    • Use makeup cleaning pads instead of cotton balls to cover more surface area.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Transfer Pictures Onto Wood 3 Press the photo onto the wood with the back of a spoon. As soon as you’ve applied the nail polish remover, put firm pressure on the back of the spoon to transfer the photo onto the wood’s surface. Move back and forth across the back of the photo so it lays down evenly.[12]
    • Alternatively, use a brayer to roll the photo smooth.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Transfer Pictures Onto Wood 4 Peel the paper off of the piece of wood slowly. Pinch the corner of the paper between your fingers and peel it back from the wood. The photo should have completely transferred onto its surface.[13]
    • If the paper starts to rip, try pulling it from a different corner instead.
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Printing on Wax Paper

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Transfer Pictures Onto Wood 1 Glue a piece of wax paper to a sheet of printer paper. Use a glue stick to attach the wax paper to a regular sheet of printer paper. Make sure the glossy side of the wax paper is facing up. This will make it easier for the wax paper to go through the printer without ripping or jamming.[14]
    • Don’t leave any lumps of glue between the paper since this could jam the printer.
  2. Step 2 Print the picture onto the wax paper. 2 Print the picture onto the wax paper.[15] Feed the paper into the printer so the photo prints on the glossy side of the wax paper. Make sure the photo prints out to the same size as your piece of wood.[16]
    • You can use either a laser or inkjet printer on the wax paper.
    • Mark a regular piece of paper in your printer and make a test print. Look for the mark on the test print to determine which way the paper feeds through your printer.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Transfer Pictures Onto Wood 3 Press the printed photo onto a flat piece of wood.[17] While the ink is still wet, lay the piece of paper on top of the wood. Use the side of your fist to press on the photo firmly. Rub it so the ink transfers onto the wood.[18]
    • Work quickly after the photo is printed since the ink will only sit on the surface of the wax paper for about 5 minutes before it dries.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Transfer Pictures Onto Wood 4 Lift the paper gently off of the wood. Peel the paper off of the wood slowly so the picture doesn’t smear. The picture will look faint and the wood grain will be visible. Let the wood dry for 30 minutes before handling it.[19]
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

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  • Question What kind of paper do you use to transfer pictures to wood? Nicole Bolin Nicole Bolin Crafts & DIY Specialist Nicole Bolin is a Crafting Specialist and the CEO of Stencil, a DIY Craft Studio in Phoenix, Arizona. Nicole specializes in interior design and various craft and DIY projects. Nicole holds a Certificate in Interior Design from the New York Institute of Art and Design. She opened Stencil in 2017 to teach others to create DIY projects that fit their home and lifestyle. Nicole Bolin Nicole Bolin Crafts & DIY Specialist Expert Answer It will work best if you use paper with a waxy finish, like freezer paper or wax paper. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
  • Question Can you transfer photos to wood with an iron? wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Yes—however, for this to really work well, you’ll need to use a picture that’s printed on iron-on transfer paper. While this type of paper is designed to work on fabric, it will also work on wood and other porous surfaces. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
  • Question Can you use Elmer’s glue to transfer pictures to wood? wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Yes, Elmer’s will work for this. The process is similar to using Mod Podge—you’ll need to coat the picture with glue and let it sit on the wood overnight, then soak it off with cool water the next day. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4
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Video

Tips

  • Flip the photo horizontally on your computer before printing it if there are words in the picture. Otherwise, they’ll be reversed once you transfer it. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 2
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Things You’ll Need

Using Mod Podge

  • Laser-printed photo
  • Scissors
  • Piece of wood
  • Mod Podge
  • Foam brush
  • Washcloth
  • Matte finish

Transferring Photos with Nail Polish Remover

  • Laser-printed photo
  • Piece of wood
  • Nail polish remover
  • Cotton ball or swab
  • Spoon

Printing on Wax Paper

  • Wax paper
  • Printer paper
  • Gluestick
  • Printer
  • Piece of wood

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/diy-photo-pallet-mod-podge-photo-transfer-wood.html
  2. ↑ Nicole Bolin. Crafts & DIY Specialist. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/diy-photo-pallet-mod-podge-photo-transfer-wood.html
  4. ↑ Nicole Bolin. Crafts & DIY Specialist. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/diy-photo-pallet-mod-podge-photo-transfer-wood.html
  6. ↑ https://modpodgerocksblog.com/how-to-transfer-photos-to-wood/
  7. ↑ https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/diy-photo-pallet-mod-podge-photo-transfer-wood.html
  8. ↑ Nicole Bolin. Crafts & DIY Specialist. Expert Interview
  9. ↑ https://youtu.be/qRDU1kAq7Is?t=5m26s
More References (10)
  1. ↑ https://youtu.be/0yhRsyXYiic?t=48s
  2. ↑ https://youtu.be/0yhRsyXYiic?t=51s
  3. ↑ https://youtu.be/0yhRsyXYiic?t=1m45s
  4. ↑ https://youtu.be/0yhRsyXYiic?t=2m15s
  5. ↑ https://youtu.be/sdQO425CQeU?t=2m8s
  6. ↑ Nicole Bolin. Crafts & DIY Specialist. Expert Interview
  7. ↑ https://youtu.be/sdQO425CQeU?t=2m8s
  8. ↑ Nicole Bolin. Crafts & DIY Specialist. Expert Interview
  9. ↑ https://youtu.be/sdQO425CQeU?t=2m18s
  10. ↑ https://youtu.be/sdQO425CQeU?t=2m51s

About This Article

Nicole Bolin Co-authored by: Nicole Bolin Crafts & DIY Specialist This article was co-authored by Nicole Bolin and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Nicole Bolin is a Crafting Specialist and the CEO of Stencil, a DIY Craft Studio in Phoenix, Arizona. Nicole specializes in interior design and various craft and DIY projects. Nicole holds a Certificate in Interior Design from the New York Institute of Art and Design. She opened Stencil in 2017 to teach others to create DIY projects that fit their home and lifestyle. This article has been viewed 262,977 times. 35 votes - 89% Co-authors: 12 Updated: May 30, 2024 Views: 262,977 Categories: Featured Articles | Wooden Craft Projects Article SummaryX

To transfer pictures onto wood, first cut the picture to the same size as the piece of wood, making sure that the center of the image is in the middle. Then, pour a coin-sized amount of mod podge onto the wood and spread it out with a foam brush. Once the wood is coated, lay the photo face down on the mod podge. Leave the photo in a cool, dry place for 24 hours so it can transfer to the wood. After 24 hours, run some warm water onto a towel, ring it out, and gently dab the back of the photo paper to loosen it up. Finish by painting 2 more coats of mod podge on top to seal the photo, allowing the first coat to dry fully before adding the second one. For tips on how to transfer photos using nail polish remover, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Storm S.

    Storm S.

    Feb 10, 2024

    "This was very helpful in the fact that I could transfer the photo to the wood with Elmers glue and not mod pod and..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Nicole Bolin Co-authored by: Nicole Bolin Crafts & DIY Specialist Co-authors: 12 Updated: May 30, 2024 Views: 262,977 89% of readers found this article helpful. 35 votes - 89% Click a star to add your vote Storm S.

Storm S.

Feb 10, 2024

"This was very helpful in the fact that I could transfer the photo to the wood with Elmers glue and not mod pod and..." more Meribell Thompson

Meribell Thompson

Nov 25, 2022

"This was a great explanation. I would have liked it to be more specific as to whether this photo was just from the..." more Rachel R.

Rachel R.

Jun 1, 2023

"I now know how to make a printed picture onto a piece of wood. Once I'm done I'll share picture of my..." more Mostafa Mirzaei

Mostafa Mirzaei

May 12, 2019

"The description was so simple and the videos were short and helpful, showing 3 different ways to do this job." Rated this article: Jennifer Setlock

Jennifer Setlock

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