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I love transferring images onto just about anything. Seriously, anything. It’s kind of like my new obsession with liquid gilding. So, Christmas present tags with faces instead of names seemed just the ticket.
Good news is I’m the only one in the whole family crazy enough to DIY everything. So guess what, I don’t even need to put a “from” on the gifts. Ha!
Since I have been procrastinating and I have a ridiculous amount of Christmas shopping to do today, I’m just going to get ankles deep in this mess… Let’s transfer some images to wood, already!
For this project you will need:
- Wood craft cut outs (around $0.20-$0.30 apiece at craft stores)
- Photos printed off of a XEROX MACHINE
- Liquitex Gloss Gel Medium
- Brush
- Mod Podge
- Drill with bit
- string or Twine
First take your pictures and run copies off of a xerox machine – a regular home ink jet printer will not work. You can take your pics up to a copy shop and run them right off of the glass!
Take your Liquitex Gloss Gel Medium and brush it on to the wood where you want the pic to transfer. If you want for the edges to be a bit rough, then don’t take the medium all of the way to the edges and kind of mix up the strokes. If you do want it to fill the full ornament, take care that you apply a nice, even coat over the entire piece.
Put your copy, printed side down, onto the brushed on gel medium. Use your hands to smooth the paper out and set to the side. Allow to sit for 10-12 hours or overnight. Less time, and chances are you won’t get very good results.
Run your ornament under the tap and get the paper wet. Take your finger and gently rub, rub, rub until the paper starts to peel away. Take care to be gentle to keep from removing the gel medium underneath.
I had to do this to mine twice each to remove all of the paper. When you are satisfied that it is all removed, cover the tag with Mod Podge to seal. Allow to fully dry.
Now, take your drill and make a hole to hang the wooden piece from. String with ribbon, twine, yarn to complete the project.
When your recipient has opened their gift, they can promptly place their tag on the Christmas tree!
TGIF and a very happy long weekend!
Absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing and happy holidays
Will pictures printed from the photo lab on photo paper work on this? Thank you! I love it!
No! You’ve got to use plain paper that doesn’t have any sort of gloss to it. You also need to be sure when printed they use toner. It’s actually the toner you’re transferring over! You can do color prints but not actual photos!
Is it best to reverse the image first before I print?
I love this idea and will be headed to the craft store for Liquitex this evening. Thanks and have a Merry Christmas!
You know I didn’t reverse my images but not that you say it, I totally should have. If you reverse them they’ll be a more perfect likeness. Thanks :)
Hey, Linda – awesome tip and one I will be trying soon. Thanks very much :)
I love this idea! I have used Mod Podge on things printed from my ink jet printer by using Krylon Workable Fixatif. Just spray a couple of light coats on the paper and the Mod Podge doesn't smear the ink. Makes this a much easier (and quicker) project.