3 DIY Ways to Transfer Photos & Drawings to Wood

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Turn old photos into unique wooden keepsakes
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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!

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using Mod Podge

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  1. 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] 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
    [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. 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
    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
    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!
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Transferring Photos with Nail Polish Remover

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Transfer Pictures Onto 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
    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
    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
    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
    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. [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
    [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
    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]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What kind of paper do you use to transfer pictures to wood?
    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
    Crafts & DIY Specialist
    Expert Answer
    It will work best if you use paper with a waxy finish, like freezer paper or wax paper.
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  • Question
    Can you transfer photos to wood with an iron?
    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
    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.
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  • Question
    Can you use Elmer’s glue to transfer pictures to wood?
    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
    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.
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      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.
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      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. 9 September 2020.
      3. ↑ https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/diy-photo-pallet-mod-podge-photo-transfer-wood.html
      4. ↑ Nicole Bolin. Crafts & DIY Specialist. Expert Interview. 9 September 2020.
      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 September 2020.
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/qRDU1kAq7Is?t=5m26s
      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. 9 September 2020.
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/sdQO425CQeU?t=2m8s
      8. ↑ Nicole Bolin. Crafts & DIY Specialist. Expert Interview. 9 September 2020.
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/sdQO425CQeU?t=2m18s
      10. ↑ https://youtu.be/sdQO425CQeU?t=2m51s

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      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!

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      • Storm S.

        Feb 10

        "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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