Best & Easiest Way to Transfer Images to Wood & Canvas
Best way to transfer photos & art images to wood, canvas, etc! Mod Podge vs gel medium No rubbing technique. Great DIY crafts & decor ideas!
When I started this blog in 2014, one of my first tutorials was on how to transfer images to pallet wood crates! It’s still one of my favorite projects, but I have always wished to find better and easier ways to transfer photos and art to wood, canvas, ceramic tile, and other surfaces.
The wax paper technique worked well but sometimes it would cause the printer to jam. Another popular technique is to use mod podge and regular copy paper. It can be time consuming to rub the paper off, and if you rub too much the images can come off.
Finally I think I have found the best and easiest way to transfer photos and art images to wood! The image transfer quality is really nice. No rubbing needed, and no more printer jam either! So, what is the secret? 🙂
Check out the video tutorial or skip to written tutorial below!
*Some resources in article are affiliate links. Full disclosure here.
Materials and tools to transfer images to wood
Label sheets( Peel off the labels and ONLY use the glossy backing paper!) a printer, Mod Podge or acrylic gel (see comparison below)
Can I use either inkjet or laser printer?
Both inkjet and laser printer will work nicely. Laser printer works a little better for this technique with a bit more clarity and details in the transfer.
Which medium is better for image transfer: Mod Podge or acrylic gel?
Below is a side by side test I did with gel medium on the left, and Mod podge on the right.
I got great results with both. However, Mod Podge dries much faster, and it’s easier to find, so Mod Podge wins! I used the gloss Mod Podge, but the matte Mod Podge will work great too!
Step 1: print images
We will be printing the image on the the backing sheet of a label. Tape any score lines so the backing sheet stays together as a full 8.5×11 sheet.
Print on the glossy side. Because the transferred image is mirrored, you might want to Mirror the image first before printing.
If you are using an inkjet printer, be very careful not to touch the image as it may smudge!
Step 2: transfer images to wood with mod podge or acrylic gel
Brush 1-2 coats of Mod Podge onto the wood surface, not too thin or too thick.
Carefully lay the printed image on the wood, with the printed side facing down.
Use something like a credit card to smooth out the paper and press the paper down on the wood surface so there are no puddles of mod podge.
Wipe off any excess medium.
After a few hours, the mod podge will be be completely dry . Peel off the label paper, and admire the beautiful results!
You can use acrylic gel the same way. It takes a lot longer to dry. It’s a good idea to let the piece dry overnight so you are not tempted to peel it off too early. 🙂
Additional tips on how to transfer images to wood
You can also use this technique to transfer images to canvas, metal, painted wood, etc.
You don’t need to seal the image transfer because mod podge and acrylic gel are both sealers as well.
As you can see, the lighter color the wood is , the more variations of tones will show in the transferred image. In other words, only colors darker than the wood itself will show clearly! Keep this in mind when you choose photos especially.
If you want to use the wood pieces as wall art, saw-tooth hangers or tab hangers like these are great for hanging.
You may also love: how to make Anthropologie style trinket dish from oyster shells!
Happy creating! See you soon!
Hi, can you recommend a good color laser printer for home use for image transfers? Thanks!
Hi Heather! sorry the comment got lost somehow! we like HP or Cannon brand printers 🙂
I tried this technique and unfortunately I haven’t had the good results others have had. I used Avery Easy Peel Mailing Labels, removed the labels, and printed my image on the shiny side of the paper, using an HP inkjet printer. The image was barely visible, so I edited the image to make it darker and the result was the same. Do you have any thoughts why this happened?
sorry for the late reply Haley! did the images look good on the backing paper coming off the printer?
Have you ever tried this technique on a painted surface?
I tried printing on my laser printer using the label backing you suggested and some toner came off onto the printer rollers. Now my print outs have flecks of color on them. Have you run into this issue?
hi Richard, no we have never had this issue. not sure what might be causing it.
Hi, I realise I’m probably being really dense or maybe it’s because I’m on my phone, but I can’t seem to find the link to the printouts. Please be kind x
hi Tracy, there is a red button in each week’s newsletter, which will take you to all downloads 🙂
Quick question… If I’m to print using inkjet printer, do I need to wait or let the ink dry out a little bit before sticking it onto the modpodged surface? Thank you!
hi Olivia! no need to wait for the ink to dry, just be careful not to touch any ink when touching the paper 🙂
This is awesome. Help me understand. You’re sending the sticky side of a label through the printer and it doesn’t get stuck? Or is the label upside down in the print drawer?
Also did anyone try modge podge photo transfer medium?
Crafting friend,
@skippydust
hi Eileen! you discard the label and use the shiny side of the backing paper to print on. i haven’t tried mod podge photo transfer medium, but i do plan to! 🙂
Have you tried the shiny side of freezer paper?
hi Cheri, no, i’ve only tried wax paper and this label paper, the latter worked so much better!
Hey! I was just curious:
I do a lot of matte medium transfers in my practice. I’ve never heard of printing on label paper. I always use the rubbing teqnique. I would absolutely love how to make this process faster! What kind of label paper are you using specifically?? Is it transparent? And where do I find it!? Thank you!
hi Kerry! this is the label paper i used –http://amzn.to/3Fxt5dR
just print on the glossy backing side, it worked really well! 🙂
Hi! I did a few and they came out awesome, thank you! But right now I’m looking at one and it’s a picture for Father’s Day for my goddaughter’s father and I cannot even tell who they are. I have to toss the wood panel and everything. I did exactly what was shown and all of them came out “vintage” looking which I love but this one isn’t even vintage lol
Do you have any tips?? Thank you!!! Ali
hi Alison! if you had good results before, then it might have to do with the wood. maybe the wood isn’t as smooth or dense as what you have used last time? 🙂
I appreciate your idea. Printing on wood and canvas are very popular nowadays. Thank you so much for wonderful blog.
Very nice information about how to print on canvas, wood and glass. Thanks for sharing.
this is really looking amazing and so beautiful. nowadays this is one of the trends, people would like this. thanks for sharing this amazing article.
Such an amazing article and a great blog thanks for sharing this lovely and wonderful and helping us information about the transfer images to wood
It’s a great and easiest way to transfer images. Thanks for your information!!
Dumb question…is the label still attached when you run it through the printer?
hi Judy! the labels are peeled off, and we print on the glossy side! 🙂
LOVE this tutorial so much! I tried it with a gift idea, mod podge on wood, and it worked so beautifully! Thank you!
thank you kate! so glad you enjoyed it!! 🙂
Have you ever tried that white freezer paper?
this is really looking amazing and so beautiful. nowadays this is on the trends, peoples would like this. thanks for sharing this amazing article about transfer images to wood.
Love this idea, would it work just as well on heavy card stock, which printers do not like.
hi Anthony! yes this would work nicely! 🙂
So you have to use the back of a label? Is there other type paper you can use?
hi Julie! i have tried wax paper, it can cause jam. transparencies may work, but the label paper is the best solution so far! 🙂
Hi Julie you discard the label and use the shiny side of the backing paper 👌