I only use mod podge medium (^^^the yellow bottle in the video) with photos printed to paper on laser printer only. And you have to let them dry 24 hours, longer if its humid. Everyone has turned out beautiful. do have to watch placement if there are knots in the wood.
Not trying to step on any toes. Everything she said is correct. But for those experiencing problems, I've done this a few times and you really need to make sure you get acrylic gel medium. There are different brands, but I think most have both matte and gloss... not sure. Mine is matte. Anyway, this step is critical. The trick is to not put it on too thin or too thick. You want it nice and even, fully covered with the same thickness all over without it being globby. Too thick and it's hard to get the paper off. Too thin and your image won't stick in places, leaving white spots. And of course you have to get the bubbles out like she said. I love the old gift card idea. I used a ruler, but I like your idea better. Now to seal it you can use the mod podge, or, and I personally think this works best, there's a product called Soft Wax. The brand I have is Annie Sloan. You will need a separate brush for this, and you will brush it on, let it dry, and then just rub it off with a rag, just like car wax. This stuff has a nice smooth look that is not too gloss and not too matte. Now you can also get a little more creative and use a light wood stain if you want a more vintage type look. You brush it over the entire surface, but only leave it on for a few seconds before you wipe it back off because the longer it stays on the darker your wood and image will be. If you want to add a vignette look you can use Craft Smart Pigment around the edges using a small piece of sponge. It gives it a grungy, distressed type effect. This is much darker than stain so use it sparingly. You'll know once you get started but just start off by gently dabbing a small amount on, and then you will see how you want to go with it. Of course the stain and/or pigment would be done before sealing it. And there are probably other things you can do with it. Just get creative and have fun. I hope this helps for those having trouble. Keep calm and craft on!!?
So mu daughter in her infinite wisdom Places the picture face down then dod the medium gel. And it is drying. HOW can i save this picture.. it is stuck well to the wood. Will this image rransfer ? Or shoukd we toss it n start over ..
I used acrylic gloss medium the first time I did this simply because it's what I had, and it worked just fine. Most tutorials recommend gel medium, but if you have some other acrylic medium lying around, I'd say try that first before going out to buy a different one.
A friend of mine tried it with some matte medium she had, and that also worked fine for her. Seems the type of medium is not that critical. I think the most important aspects of this method are 1.) Make sure you use a LASER printer 2.) Let dry completely and 3.) Don't rub too hard or you may accidentally remove parts of the image.
Try an acrylic sealer. Golden acrylics has great mediums. Mod Podge tends to dry to a gloss, with Golden, you can find a satin finish or a matte finish. A little pricey but looks amazing.
Would appreciate tips from anyone...I used a gel medium gloss and my photo turned out super dark. I've been practicing my technique and when I use the Mod Podge brand photo transfer, it's bright and true to color. (It dries white though so if you miss adhering the photo anywhere, you have a white spot.) I splurged on the Liquitex gel and was so disappointed to see it turn out so dark. Any ideas?
I've used matte gel medium, and gloss gel medium. Before you print your photo, you may consider lightening it on the computer first. Also, I highly recommend using FedEx/Kinkos. I've notice that colors come out better.
73 Comments
7 years ago
I only use mod podge medium (^^^the yellow bottle in the video) with photos printed to paper on laser printer only. And you have to let them dry 24 hours, longer if its humid. Everyone has turned out beautiful. do have to watch placement if there are knots in the wood.
Reply 6 years ago
you should try acrylic gel medium - picture comes out much much clearer than mod pdoge.
Reply 6 years ago
hi I enjoyed your comment. My laser printer ink is waterproof. Is that what I'm supposed to use? Thanks in advance
7 years ago
Not trying to step on any toes. Everything she said is correct. But for those experiencing problems, I've done this a few times and you really need to make sure you get acrylic gel medium. There are different brands, but I think most have both matte and gloss... not sure. Mine is matte. Anyway, this step is critical. The trick is to not put it on too thin or too thick. You want it nice and even, fully covered with the same thickness all over without it being globby. Too thick and it's hard to get the paper off. Too thin and your image won't stick in places, leaving white spots. And of course you have to get the bubbles out like she said. I love the old gift card idea. I used a ruler, but I like your idea better. Now to seal it you can use the mod podge, or, and I personally think this works best, there's a product called Soft Wax. The brand I have is Annie Sloan. You will need a separate brush for this, and you will brush it on, let it dry, and then just rub it off with a rag, just like car wax. This stuff has a nice smooth look that is not too gloss and not too matte. Now you can also get a little more creative and use a light wood stain if you want a more vintage type look. You brush it over the entire surface, but only leave it on for a few seconds before you wipe it back off because the longer it stays on the darker your wood and image will be. If you want to add a vignette look you can use Craft Smart Pigment around the edges using a small piece of sponge. It gives it a grungy, distressed type effect. This is much darker than stain so use it sparingly. You'll know once you get started but just start off by gently dabbing a small amount on, and then you will see how you want to go with it. Of course the stain and/or pigment would be done before sealing it. And there are probably other things you can do with it. Just get creative and have fun. I hope this helps for those having trouble. Keep calm and craft on!!?
Reply 6 years ago
Do you have any pictures of the staining projects you mentioned, would love to see the effect. And how durable is the soft wax finish
7 years ago
Does the picture need to be printed out on regular paper?
Reply 7 years ago
80g regular office paper worked just fine for me.
7 years ago
So mu daughter in her infinite wisdom
Places the picture face down then dod the medium gel. And it is drying. HOW can i save this picture.. it is stuck well to the wood. Will this image rransfer ? Or shoukd we toss it n start over ..
8 years ago
My ink started stripping off the wood. Any tips?
Reply 7 years ago
mine too. That is why I am here looking for tips. Not all over just here and there but I do not like the way it looks after. Tips?
7 years ago
Can I speed up the drying with a hair dryer?
7 years ago
I used acrylic gloss medium the first time I did this simply because it's what I had, and it worked just fine. Most tutorials recommend gel medium, but if you have some other acrylic medium lying around, I'd say try that first before going out to buy a different one.
http://www.art-is-fun.com/acrylic-mediums/
A friend of mine tried it with some matte medium she had, and that also worked fine for her. Seems the type of medium is not that critical. I think the most important aspects of this method are 1.) Make sure you use a LASER printer 2.) Let dry completely and 3.) Don't rub too hard or you may accidentally remove parts of the image.
TIP: If you only have an inkjet printer, perhaps you want to give this method a try: https://www.instructables.com/id/Image-Transfer-to-...
11 years ago on Introduction
what exactly is this gel medium? i'm not sure i understand that part. if i am going to michael's craft supply store, what am i looking for?
thanks
Reply 7 years ago
Just ask someone who works there for gel medium and thy will know what it is and help you find it.
It's called liquitex, a matte gel
11 years ago on Introduction
is there any alternative for mod podge?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I would also try something like a spray shellac or varnish as long as you do a couple of experiments first.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Try an acrylic sealer. Golden acrylics has great mediums. Mod Podge tends to dry to a gloss, with Golden, you can find a satin finish or a matte finish. A little pricey but looks amazing.
8 years ago on Introduction
Would appreciate tips from anyone...I used a gel medium gloss and my photo turned out super dark. I've been practicing my technique and when I use the Mod Podge brand photo transfer, it's bright and true to color. (It dries white though so if you miss adhering the photo anywhere, you have a white spot.) I splurged on the Liquitex gel and was so disappointed to see it turn out so dark. Any ideas?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I've used matte gel medium, and gloss gel medium. Before you print your photo, you may consider lightening it on the computer first. Also, I highly recommend using FedEx/Kinkos. I've notice that colors come out better.
8 years ago
I couldnt find gell medium at my local walmart wondering if acrylic gloss medium will work?