New photos projects are always exciting for me! I’m constantly snapping photos. Seriously, with the growing quality of camera phones, who isn’t these days? Even if you’re not a pro… isn’t it fun to find creative ways to exhibit your photos? Today I have a tutorial for transferring your photos onto wood! This is an easy project and is a fun way to display your own photos or professional engagement pictures at your wedding!
Materials
Wood
Gel Medium
Paint Brush
Laser Printed Photo (on regular computer paper)
Step 1: Coat your surface with a thick, even layer of gel medium – make sure there are not thick clumps or bubbles in the gel.
Step 2: Place your laser printed photo face down on the gel medium and press firmly making sure the entire surface of the image is flat with no bubbles. Let dry completely.
Step 3: Spray with water or use a damp rag to saturate the paper with water. Once the surface is wet, VERY gently start to rub the paper away. Your photo will be revealed as the paper is removed! Be careful not to be too rough while removing the paper as parts of the image can rub off too! Continue until ALL of the paper is gone. You may need to add more water as you go.
Step 4: When the entire image is paper-free, leave it to dry completely.
Step 5: Lastly, paint another layer (or two) of the gel medium over the entire image to keep your transfer safe and sound!
Even if you don’t have photos from a professional photographer, your own images will do. Any Instagram fans out there? This is a great way to display them! The color of the wood gives the pictures an extra vintagey look. If you want more crisp and clear images that are true to the color of your photo, these transfers will work on painted wood too. Simply paint a white base coat!
This same process can also be done to transfer photos onto canvas and fabric too!
Love the Idea!! thanka a mil for sharing!
I’m looking to do this for Christmas presents this year. Any tips on what type of wood or thickness of wood? Also, what is your preferred gel medium?
Thanks!
Hi Karen,
This project will work on any type and width of wood. If you’re not painting the wood white first, keep in mind that you can see the wood through the transferred image so this may effect look of the photo.
I used a heavy gel medium with a matte finish, but any gel should work. You can even use Mod Podge!
Hope this helps. Happy crafting! :)
http://www.WeddingWindow.com[...] DIY Photo Transfers [...]
http://donebrilliantly.com/2012/12/wedloft-meet-the-editors-and-check-out-their-new-look/Where and how do you get the laser photo printed on computer paper?
Hi Emily,
http://www.WeddingWindow.comIf you have an at home laser printer hooked up to your computer, you can print any of your photos on regular computer paper. Or you can have your photos printed at your local copy and print store.
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try this, only I have never heard of gel medium (live in a far away place) so I would have to go the mod podge route- would the procedure be the same? Would really appreciate the help- hoping to give this as a present for christmas too :)
Hi Michelle,
So I did this on a large piece of wood and as it was drying it looked like it was going to come out amazing but when I was rubbing off the paper the picture ended up being really blurry and I was so upset about it. How on earth did your’s come out so clear?
Hi Amber,
http://www.WeddingWindow.comWhen mine were finished they did have a faded/worn look to them – more so than the original because you can see the wood through the image. But as long as you use a sharp image there shouldn’t be a big different in quality when the project is finished. I’m not sure why that happened. I’m sorry to hear it didn’t work out!
Make sure you used a laser print. Inkjet prints won’t handle the wet media, and the image will distort.
I did this project yesterday and after taking off the paper and leaving it to dry over night, the photo that looked awesome when I went to sleep now looks like it has a white fuzzy film over it. How do you get all of the paper off? It seems no matter what I do there is still some left……. I’m afraid to put the gel over it now.
Hi Shannon,
http://www.WeddingWindow.comSometimes it takes an extra round or two of adding water then rubbing off the paper to get it all. This has happened to me too. In most cases after I wet the paper again and rubbed off any that was left, it was much better. I also noticed that once I added the final layer of gel it gave the image a smoother, finished look and I didn’t see any of the white left over. Hope this helps!
WOW!!! THis was a FANTASTIC Idea!!!
http://urbanjunglefashion.wordpress.comJust to be clear, you did not use photo paper for this just regular printer paper?
http://naturescanvascards.comHi Lisa,
Correct. I did not use photo paper. I used regular printer/copy paper. Enjoy your DIY project! :)
http://www.WeddingWindow.comWhy does inkjet prints not work?
Hi Scott,
http://www.WeddingWindow.comI’m not sure why it doesn’t work. I just came across a tutorial for transferring images with an inkjet printer. The process is a bit different. Visit this site below for the tutorial
hookedondecorating.com/poster-sized-art-canvas-do-inkjet-image-transfers-really-work/
LOve this ides!
I have paper residue that will not come off with out rubbing the picture off. How do you completely get the paper backing off without ruining the picture??
this is great…do you think this would work on “pieces of tree trunks” i wanted to make some wood chargers with photos on them..???
So this may sound stupid, but do you have to flip the image horizontally on the computer before you print off the picture? Or can you just take a picture, print it off normally and it will show up regularly?
what type of gell do i use for this? and how much does it cost ?
I have also tried this and have a few fab items I used mod podge instead of a gel medium, on some I was also left with the dreaded white fuzz.. I definitely think leaving it to dry then wetting again to get the final fuzz off works but you may still be left with a little which the final coat of mod podge will cover .. It’s a great project and makes a fab gift :-)
Hi…Love this, thank you!
I have a question…you say that the same tecnique can be used with canvas and fabric. Would the fabric be washable afterwards? or would then image “wash off”?