Here is What you Need:

Prep Your Board

Make sure you purchase a smooth board. The one we are using here from the Christmas Tree Shop is already pretty smooth but we decided to give it a quick sanding with 220 grit paper before starting the project. The smoother the wood, the better your graphics will adhere. Wipe the board clean.

Print Artwork

Print the downloadable file which we reversed so the image will appear correctly on the board. In order for the text to show properly, when doing a transfer, you have to reverse print or mirror the image. All you need to do is print it on 8.5 x 14 paper using a laser printer. If you don’t have a laser printer, a local print shop will be able to print you a copy and it’s really inexpensive. Our local staples only cost $0.17 for a black and white 8.5 x 14 print.

Place Artwork

Place your image in the middle of your board and use a small piece of tape in the two upper corners. Placing your image while the board is dry is much easier than placing it after you have applied the polycrylic. Next, flip the paper back exposing your board.

Apply Polycrylic

Generously apply the polycrylic with your foam brush. Next, flip the paper back over onto the board and press down from top to bottom using a credit card to smooth it out as you go along.

Let Dry

Allow the artwork to sit for at least 2 hours before removing the paper. With mod podge it is recommended to wait 24 hours, so this is certainly a much quicker process!

Wet With Cloth

After waiting 2 hours, get a wet cloth and start dabbing the board. You will begin to see the image come through. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes while continuing to wet it with your cloth.

Rub Away Paper

Start rubbing the paper away in gentle, circular motions. Be mindful not to rub too hard. As a result, it could take the ink off. Allow the board to dry and repeat this process several times until the paper is totally removed. It does take some patience to get the paper fully off. Make sure not to leave puddles of water on the board. This can cause it to warp. If some of the transfer comes off, you can leave as is for a more rustic look or you can touch it up with permanent marker.

Once the paper is completely removed and your board is dry, apply another layer of polycrylic to ensure longevity. In conclusion, we decided the polycrylic was faster and easier, therefore, making it the winner for transferring photos onto wood! Let us know if you try it and how it all worked out for you in the comments below.