DIY Wood Photo Transfers

Today’s DIY is something I’ve been wanting to try for a long time – wood photo transfers! This is such a fun project and a great way to turn your favorite photos into artwork. Once you get the technique down there is SO much you can do with it! I also found that there is a much faster and easier method to doing this than a lot of the tutorials I’ve seen online. You just need a few supplies and about an hour or two, and you’ll have beautiful wooden images to hang on your walls or give out as gifts. Next time I want to try doing this with coasters and instagram images!

diy wood photo transfers

What you need: Piece(s) of wood – I had my heart set on using these circular slabs and was so happy AC Moore had them! Mod Podge, a paint brush, a towel or rag, and photos. If you’re using digital photos that you print out, be sure to flip them horizontally first so that they aren’t backwards once you transfer them, and print them on a high quality color printer or laser printer. I used a laser-jet printer and it worked perfectly!

diy wood photo transfers

Cover the front of the photo with a thick coating of Mod Podge.

diy wood transfers

Place the photo face down on your piece of wood, and trim off the edges if needed. Use a credit card or driver’s license to smooth out any air bubbles. Let this sit for about an hour to fully dry.

diy wood photo transfers

Next, place a wet towel (not sopping wet, but more than damp) on top of the photo/piece of wood. Let it soak for about ten minutes or so, softening the paper.

diy wood photo transfer

Using the rag, gently start to rub the white paper backing – it will start to rub off, leaving your image behind!

diy wood photo transfer

For mine I chose an image of the location where Woodstock 1969 was held – as a lover of classic rock, visiting this place was very special to me. I love how you can see traces of the wood peeking through the sky!

diy wood photo transfer

Once you’ve removed all of the white, add a thin coating of the Mod Podge on top of the image to protect it. Let it dry, and your wood photo transfer is complete!

diy wood photo transfer

More DIY projects from the BLDG 25 Blog.

0 0 vote
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
132 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
10 years ago

That is incredible!! I’m so going to try that!!

Jana
10 years ago

AMAZINGGGGGGG!!!!!!

Amanda
10 years ago

I am going to try this for my wedding! Do the pictures need to be printed on any particular type of paper? (photo paper vs. printer paper?)

This is GORGEOUS!! SO going to try it :)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/alexasonken

10 years ago

This is so awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meg
10 years ago

What?!?!?! This is so easy and awesome!
I have a jar of mod podge totaly trying this!

http://happinessiscreating.com/

10 years ago

I saw on ebay and amazon that there are various kinds of mod podge, may you let me know which is the right one to buy for this awesome diy :)

10 years ago

From my experience, inkjet printed photos will generally run. Toner-based or Lazer-jet prints work best.
Great photo selection!

R

10 years ago

That is so romantic!!

10 years ago

This is a pretty cool idea. I definitely want to try it. Makes great decor for a house. Thank you from 3girls1apple.com

10 years ago

Coolest decor DIY ever!

Caitlyn
10 years ago

So I tried this with photo paper and it is just a pain to try and get off all the paper from the wood. And even by being very careful I’m still getting spots of my picture missing. I’m going to try this again, but this time should I use regular paper instead of photo paper?

10 years ago

I love this DIY project! It’s very easy and there is a lot of opportunity to be creative. I wonder if it works on material other than wood. Woodstock- that very road is where I live <3 xxxo Bethel, NY.

10 years ago

I’ll print my photos to create this one. Thanks for sharing.

Emilie
10 years ago

Do you use photo paper or printer paper?

Emma
10 years ago

I’ve tried this 4 times and it never worked :(
Could you be more specific as to what kind of paper you used?
Cool idea though!

10 years ago

Amazing!! I have a piece of wood exactly like that, so I will definitely have to try this!!

Pat
10 years ago

Can you print them out at like a cvs? i dont have a printer at home.

Jenna
10 years ago

This didnt work. I printed my pictures at Walgreens. The white paper was so hard to take off. I waited 2 hrs to dry and even then it was such a hassle. The picture didnt stay on the wood. There’s so many blank spots missing from my picture. This should be explained in better detail.

10 years ago

Use regular printer paper, if you don’t have a laser printer go to staples and have them do a regular laser print on regular printer paper. If the paper is thicker (cardstock) or has a finish to it it will not absorb the water properly and/or won’t rub away properly! Hope this helps! Make sure to put a thick coat of mo doodle on too! :)

Shannon
10 years ago

This is my signature topper for whatever gift I give to friends and family for special occasions. My favorite was a sonogram I transfered. You need to use regular paper. If you use anything else you wind up rubbing so hard you remove some of the transfer. Photopaper is the hardest. I like to blow them up to 8x10s first too. Also, 2 hours is not long enough most of the time. I let mine sit for 8 or more usually and have never had a problem. This is a LONG process and there are several layers to do…but if you are patient, the final product is beautiful. Also, a little flair tip: add those little wooden, pre-painted flowers, animals, etc from craft stores around the edges to give them a little extra :-)

10 years ago

Ohmy, I love it! <3
I've put the link to this DIY on my blog in Inspiration *I hope you dont mind* <3
And I linked you on my facebookpage: https://www.facebook.com/Oempaloempaas
xx.

10 years ago

I absolutely loved this project, so much so that I wrote a mini tutorial on my blog . I’d be happy to answer any questions about the project if anyone is having issues. This is such a great idea, I can’t wait to make even more now that I have the supplies. They make the best gifts!

drewk
10 years ago

Does the type of wood make a difference? I tried this and I am having a hard time getting the tiniest bits of paper to come off…any suggestions?

Mandy
10 years ago

I tried this, it worked perfectly expcept when the photo transferred it was cloudy and it started leaving cracks. I used a photo paper. What did I do wrong?