Wood slice photo transfer using Mod Podge

In today’s post: Learn how to transfer a photo to wood using Mod Podge.

I’ve seen wood photo transfer tutorials before but they’ve always been intimidating and required supplies I don’t have on hand (like gel medium – what the heck is that?). But when I discovered you can transfer a photo to wood (or just about any other surface) with good old Mod Podge, I decided to give it a go.

The transfer turns out pretty cool because you can still see the wood grain through the photo, making it look like the photo was actually painted onto the wood in watercolors…

NOTE: I did use Photoshop Elements to make my photo look more like a painting BEFORE I transferred it to the wood slice, but that’s absolutely not required! You can use any photo you like, and you will still get the gorgeous wood grain showing through it.

Wood Photo Transfer VIDEO

Watch this video to learn how to complete a wood photo transfer:

A few more tips on the photo transfer:

• I used Mod Podge Matte to transfer my photo. There is a Mod Podge product made specifically for photo transfers, but it will make the background of your photo opaque, so no wood grain shows through. I like using the normal old Matte better.
• Your photo MUST be either printed on a laser (toner) printer or a color copier that uses toner. An actual photo print or an ink jet print WILL NOT WORK. I recommend upping the saturation of your photo and printing at the highest quality to ensure more vibrant colors.
• Reverse your photo before printing as the transfer will be the mirror image of the photo you use.
• Be aware that it will take 30-40 minutes to rub all the paper off a transfer of this size (roughly 8×10). But it’s worth it!

I think these would make great DIY Christmas gifts, especially if you use a photo with meaning to the recipient.