Photo Transfers

 
 

There are several methods you can use to transfer a photo onto wood. Here are two popular options:

Method 1: Using Mod Podge

  • Materials: wood panel, printed photo, Mod Podge, foam brush, pencil, X-Acto knife or scraper tool

  1. Sand the surface of the wood panel lightly with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out any rough spots. Wipe the panel clean with a damp cloth to remove any dust or debris.

  2. Cut the printed photo to the desired size using an X-Acto knife or scissors.

  3. Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the wood panel with a foam brush.

  4. Place the photo face-down onto the Mod Podge. Use a scraper tool or the edge of a credit card to smooth out any air bubbles and ensure good contact between the photo and the wood.

  5. Allow the Mod Podge to dry completely, according to the package instructions. This can take anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours, depending on the brand and type of Mod Podge you are using.

  6. Once the Mod Podge is dry, gently rub the surface of the photo with a pencil eraser to remove any excess paper fibers.

  7. Finish the transfer by brushing another thin layer of Mod Podge over the top of the photo. Allow the Mod Podge to dry completely before displaying the wood panel.

Method 2: Using Gel Medium

  • Materials: wood panel, printed photo, gel medium, foam brush, artist's palette knife or scraper tool

  1. Sand the surface of the wood panel lightly with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out any rough spots. Wipe the panel clean with a damp cloth to remove any dust or debris.

  2. Cut the printed photo to the desired size using an X-Acto knife or scissors.

  3. Pour a small amount of gel medium onto an artist's palette or a disposable plate.

  4. Brush a thin layer of gel medium onto the wood panel with a foam brush.

  5. Place the photo face-down onto the gel medium. Use an artist's palette knife or a scraper tool to smooth out any air bubbles and ensure good contact between the photo and the wood.

  6. Allow the gel medium to dry completely, according to the package instructions. This can take anywhere from several hours to several days, depending on the brand and type of gel medium you are using.

  7. Once the gel medium is dry, gently rub the surface of the photo with a pencil eraser to remove any excess paper fibers.

  8. Finish the transfer by brushing another thin layer of gel medium over the top of the photo. Allow the gel medium to dry completely before displaying the wood panel.

Note: Both of these methods work best with black and white or sepia-toned photos, as the transfer process can cause the colors in a color photo to shift or become distorted.