Transfer photo to wood
A simple guide
© Jakkapan / Shutterstock
The most beautiful photos deserve to be shown. However, if the pin board or the photo frame is no more than eight fifteen, there is a completely different option for you: You can also transfer your favorite photo onto wood – and with little effort. Here's how to do it!
This quick and simple DIY is guaranteed to put your photo in the limelight: With the help of a transfer medium, you can transfer photos to wood. This enables you to creatively design cut pieces of wood as well as driftwood, tablets, tables, shelves or tree slices with motifs and photos. On the one hand, this is a particularly beautiful and individual gift idea for family or friends and, on the other hand, such a stylish piece of wood with a photo motif is also really chic in your apartment and is guaranteed to be an eye-catcher …
Transferring the photo to wood: Here's how
You need:
- Image printed out with laser beam printer in the appropriate size; Note: The image must be mirrored beforehand: Use a photo editing program for this. This is especially important with lettering! The photo should also be of good quality normal paper can be printed out. Photo paper will not work for this guide.
- Light wood in the appropriate size, e.g. B. Pine; Note: Many hardware stores offer the service of cutting wooden panels to size. A smooth surface is advantageous for the wood, as this allows the photo to be transferred evenly. If necessary, you can use sandpaper to level out any unevenness beforehand. However, if you want to achieve a vintage effect, uneven wood, such as tree grates, is also suitable – however, the print result is not necessarily as detailed here.
- Transfer medium: z. B. Photo Transfer Potch (Tip: The transfer medium also allows you to transfer the motifs onto ceramics, glass, porcelain, etc. – so it's worth buying.)
- 2 small sponges (Tip: just cut up a large sponge); alternatively, wide brushes can be used
- If necessary, cloth and squeegee (alternatively a ruler is also suitable)
- As required: hair dryer
- Bowl of lukewarm water
Manual:
- Cut out the printed photo.
- Wear with the help of a small sponge or a wide brush two to three thin layers of transfer medium on the wood up and then a thin layer on the printed photo.
- Lay the photo face down on the wood. Smooth out any bubbles with a squeegee or cloth (your fingers are also suitable if necessary) and press the photo firmly. Tip: With very smooth wood, a ruler is suitable as a squeegee. You can wipe away any excess glue on the side with a rag.
- Let the transfer medium dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you want to go a little faster, you can also help with a hairdryer.
- The color of the photo has already transferred to the wood after the specified time, now only the paper has to be removed. Using a clean sponge, moisten it with lukewarm water and rub it gently over the paper. It's best to do circular movements. The paper is now peeling off and can be completely removed later. Make sure that no paper is visible on the wood – but don't rub too hard or the toner layer on the wood could be damaged.
- Optional: To make the transitions between the wood and the photo motif smoother, you can edit this area with some sandpaper.
- Then you apply the transfer medium to the wood again with a sponge / brush.
- Now a piece of wood is actually already finished! If you'd like, you can add another after it's dry Apply wood varnish: It seals the wood and lets the colors emerge more intensely. An outdoor varnish is suitable for wood that will later hang outside.
Tip: You can also paint the wood in your preferred color beforehand and create a colored background. Acrylic paint is suitable for this. You get a great effect if you dilute the acrylic paint with water and thus only lightly glaze the wood – this creates a nice shabby look. Attention: Before you then transfer the photo, the surface must be well dried.
Transferring a photo to wood: inspirations from Instagram
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