DIY Wood Photo Transfer GIft Idea

Sometimes it’s hard coming up with the perfect gift idea for your loves ones. And as we all know – Christmas is in 25 days! Michaels asked me to come up with a DIY gift for loved ones along with a creative gift wrap idea for our Michaels Makers project for December. So I didn’t have to think to long about this cause everyone loves photos! So I decided to do a DIY Wood Photo Transfer Gift Idea using wedding pictures of my son and our daughter-in-law as an awesome gift idea. The creative gift wrap I share is a different take on a gift bag I’ve been making for years.

I love this beach scene they took during their bridal session. This image looks great on the wood. The wood photo images are pretty EASY to make. But you do need time to do these – due to the drying time. This isn’t a project you wait on until the night before you need them. But the great thing about this project is I purchased everything at Michaels and there was no need to cut any wood – yes!!. Michaels has a wood section where they sell birch plywood squares and plywood rectangles. I purchased the 12″ x 12″ squares. I love it when crafting is easy peasy! I share simple steps on how to transfer a photo onto wood.

Disclosure: If you want a perfect image transfer, this is not the process for you. When transferred onto wood, you might loose parts of the image for a rustic, homespun, old-vintage appeal that is not refined. The wood grain shows through parts of the image so this is not a decoupage-look image. But it does look awesome!

DIY Wood Photo Transfer GIft Idea

SUPPLIES:

12 x 12″ Birch Plywood Square
Liquitex Gel Medium
Mod Podge Matte sealer {I used vintage}
sawtooth hangers (to hang on wall)
foam brush
photo copied onto lightweight paper (laser printer only) and NOT photo paper

Step 1:

Take a photo copy of the image you want to transfer to the wood. This has to be printed onto lightweight paper with a laser printer machine. If you don’t do this step, it won’t work. Cut image to the size of the board.

Step 2:

Apply Liquitex Gloss Gel generously onto the birch plywood piece with brush. Make sure to put enough gel on the board. I placed 2 tablespoons onto the 12 x 12 square. Make sure the gel is smooth and not globs of it.

Step 3:

Place photo copied image face down onto the board. Make sure it is straight. Smooth the paper onto the gel and smooth out and air bubbles.

Step 4:

Let dry overnight. If you don’t, the image won’t transfer correctly.

Step 5:

Run the dried image under the sink tap or use a damp cloth and wet the back of the paper. Begin rubbing gently to remove the paper. What you will see is the exposed transferred image coming to life – this is the fun part! Rub gently!! Once I the paper layer is off, let it dry slightly, and then repeat the process as needed to remove any paper that was left behind. Let dry completely.

Step 6:

Once dried there will be a cloudy look. To get rid of this “cloud look”brush on matte Mod Podge to use as the sealer. Once dried the cloudy look will mostly be gone. Make sure the paper is completely dry before applying the Mod Podge.

Step 7:

Paint the wood edges if you prefer. If you will be hanging the images, attach hangers to the back of the wood.

TIPS:

Use a lightweight copy paper. My images were printed on 20lb weight paper. If it is not copied on lightweight paper, you will have a hard time removing the paper and the image will come off while rubbing. Don’t ask me how I know this ; )

Use a laser copy machine only. Ink jet will not work for this process. Maybe another process but not this tutorial.

Use the Liquitex Gel. This gel medium dries clear so the ink on your image is more translucent and shows the wood grain. I would not be sure on other brands. However, I did experiment with Mod Podge FABRIC transfer because I had it on hand. It worked but wasn’t as good and it definitely did not dry clear. So the background looked more milky white than transluscent. It is a fabric medium so not specially made for wood.

Now onto the gift bag:

A tradition we’ve been doing for FOUR generations in our family are Santa Sacks. You can find more details here.

Supplies were purchased at Michaels

Iron-on transfer for my Cricut Explore
Ribbon
Burlap

For the tutorial on how to sew gift bags.– which essentially is a gift sack, except this one is larger. Just make the size you need. These really are easy to sew. I helped a friend who had never sewn in her life and she whipped out several of these in less than an hour! It’s one long straight stitch and then folding over the top seam. That’s it.

I love my Cricut machines. If you are a crafter, this is a great gift to ask for Christmas. I cut out this text with the Cricut and then ironed it onto the burlap sack.

Tie a ribbon around the sack. You’ve got the cutest gift wrap around or you could use it as a Santa Sack!!

If you don’t have a cutting machine, create an iron-on template using our free printable file.

The “Do Not Open Until Dec 25th” printable is FREE and available for immediate download by subscribing to Design Dazzle!

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Printable files are for personal use only. They are not for commercial use.

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for your loved ones this year, check out Michaels gift guide.

· Not only did we get to make creative holiday gifts from Michaels, but we also decorated trees! If you haven’t gotten around to putting up your tree yet, the Michaels Makers Dream Tree Reveal and Decorating Tips posts are a must see.

· Can’t think of what you’re going to give your craftiest friends this season? There are some great projects on Michaels’ DIY Gift Ideas Pinterest board that might spark your interest!

Want to see fabulous?? Check out all the other gift ideas from the Michaels Makers…

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Toni - Design Dazzle

Owner at Design Dazzle

Toni Roberts is a DIYer, designer, crafter, traveler, holiday lover, and memory maker. Design Dazzle encompasses ideas and inspiration for life’s celebrations, home projects, DIY crafts, holiday fun (especially Christmas), travel and more.

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DIY wood photo transfer gift idea

Last Updated:

July 31, 2020

DIY Wood Photo Transfer GIft Idea