What the photo transfer tutorial didn't tell me.... :(

Question

I saw a video tutorial on FB recently of transfering your pictures to a piece of wood. I thought, 'WOW! That looks SOOO cool! I have to try that!' Let me just say.....total BUST! And I don't really know why....The tutorial wasn't overly informative, however, it gave the steps you are supposed to use....see below...I followed them PRECISELY...even though it about KILLED me to wait during the drying time! I was reallllly looking forward to this working.

Has anyone done this type of photo transfer before and can tell me what I may have done wrong?

Steps taken:
1) Spread Gel Medium on wood, place black/white photo face side down on piece of wood. Smooth out all wrinkles. Let dry overnight.
2) Wet paper with sponge or rag and gently rub off. Make sure to clean off all paper residue.
3) Cover with mod Podge. Let dry.

Seems simple enough right??? EPIC FAIL! Where did I go wrong??

Shelly · Answer

honestly my understanding with decopoge or modpodge glue. is you put the picture face side up? I do not know about this gel.. so this is more my? but I have just always seen pics done face side up.

Christinewilliams905 · Answer

maybe you put a coat of decoupage on the back of the picture before drying?! Glad you spoke out on this tutorial - I've got it on the back burner to try.  I'm always interested in transferring images to different mediums.

Elaine Simmons · Answer

Shelley, this is different than decoupage. Christine, I have not used a photo but I have tried to use a print from The Graphic Fairy and had the kind of luck you had. But people do it and I don't know where I went wrong either. It could be that I rubbed too hard on it but I had the ink smear.

Angela A · Answer

I did notice on the left picture that the harder I rubbed the more ink came off with the paper. (It was already a bust on that side for sure at this point so I experimented). But the thing was, I really couldn't get all the paper off without rubbing....so on the right side, I used a bit more water, but I still had ink lifting off the wood. On the right side, you can see that pic better, but neither one turned out the way hers did in the tutorial.... :-\

Gloria · Answer

I was going to do this craft with my teenage cousins, We like to do projects when they come to spend the night. I guess we wont try this one until I can get more information either. The supplies are not cheap enough to mess up 3 pics at once. Thank you for letting me know ahead of time.

Gloria · Answer

I did notice u are using a paint brush and the lady in the video was using a sponge brush . I don't know if that would have something to do with it or not.

Shelby @ The Weathered Barn Studio · Answer

...I have found that sometimes - NOT ALL the time, mind you- that some of these tutorials seem to ' skip something', ..even if its not intentional. I looked at that video and was still trying to figure it out, so its not just you ! And I have done a lot of crafts !

Betty Ann Kinney · Answer

I tried it too and mine came out even worse. The paper didn't totally come off and as I rubbed harder I found I was rubbing the ink off as well. TOTAL FAIL! I tried something else I saw on line and I think with more trial and error it could work. Try printing on the shiny side of the backing of label paper like Avery shipping labels. The ink smudges easy so be careful,l but I think if the right base coat is on (possibly even the gel medium) it will work better. The black and white photos below are the same application you tried but the light house pic was just printed on the shiny paper then simply rubbed onto raw wood.

MamawEydie · Answer

I'm getting ready to try this, but the directions I have say to put the gel medium on both the board AND the face of the photo and then put the photo face down and let it dry completely. After it dries (approx. 24 hours) use a very wet sponge or soft cloth to gently wipe off the photo paper. I have not, however seen this used with color photographs so I don't know if that causes a problem or not. Hope this helps.

Chey1130 · Answer

I tried this and have already taught a class with senior citizen ladies. My husband cut my pine 1x4x6' boards and sanded them so that there was no residue and the grain was smooth.  I photocopied the picture on standard copy machine paper.  I cut the paper larger than the wood to make it easier to peel off.  I used Liquitex String Gel Medium and applied it evenly and generously with a sponge brush (I make mine with cheap sponge cut into 1' piece and clipped it to a clothespin).  I placed the picture face down on the wood and used an old credit card to gently smooth the paper and work out any bubbles.  I actually completed my project in under two hours!  I used a hair dryer to dry it completely.  Next, I used either a folded wet paper towel or a wet sponge to again wet the paper on the wood.  Once it is wet, grasp a corner and peel the paper off, moistening the paper as needed.  Carefully rub any paper off, but rubbing can remove the ink from the wood.  You should be able to see the grain of the wood through the picture.  Once again, dry the project before adding at least one coat of Mod Podge, also applied with clean sponge brush.  Again dry it.

Chey1130 · Answer

By the way, sanding the wood allows the wood to be able to absorb the ink much better.

Kathy Munson · Answer

I would pay attention to the way the picture was printed as well. The one that had the success said she photocopied the picture. Perhaps the type of ink or paper makes the difference?

Liz · Answer

I have been told that all pictures should be photo copied using colored ink even if the print or picture is black and white. Something to do with the ink transferring from the paper. Hope this helps

Pat B · Answer

Read one instruction recently that said to copy photo using lasier printer not ink jet printer for it to work.

Donna · Answer

Have not done this myself, but all the instructions I have seen say to use a Laser printer and print the photo onto plain copy paper. Perhaps that will help.

Donna · Answer

I think you are also supposed to print in mirror image so the photo will be facing correctly when printed?

Elaine Simmons · Answer

Go to 'Paint' on your computer. There it will allow you to do the reverse image.

Susan Hughes · Answer

you have to use print paper a copy of picture other wise normal photo will smudge and peel if used

April Groten · Answer

Hi...I used my laser printer to print off the picture that I wanted and it worked with just mod podge,...waited over night and it worked.....my surface was smooth, I used lots of water to rub off the paper as well..I also found the longer I let it dry the better....hope this helps and good luck to you....this can be a frustrating project....I do have some pictures where the picture has rubbed off on the edges...which makes it look aged so its o.k. again good luck...

Patty · Answer

Go to Pinterest .....lots of info on this....I have done quite a few of these. You do not have to put mod podge on the copy....

Bonnie Renner · Answer

I have had trouble with this as well. I end up rubbing off the design. Are you supposed to leave a thin layer of paper still on?

Connie · Answer

You HAVE to use a laser printer (not inkjet) and all will be fine...

Kris Harley-Jesson · Answer

Laser printer on regular paper gives the best results. This way you are transferring toner onto the wood, not ink (which has been absorbed into the paper). Inkjet on photo paper is NOT recommended either. Sorry this didn't work for you, but I hope you'll try again!

Marinet van Wanrooy · Answer

Hello, i read also that it should be normal paper. Not photo-paper.i'm about to try this also. :-)

Rotha Marsh · Answer

did you use a laser copy? not from a ink jet or photo paper just 20lb copy paper

Rotha Marsh · Answer

yep inkjet ink bleeds!

Cathy Ward Zorilo · Answer

Don't give up! You can do it!

Kathy Munson · Answer

@Angela A sounds like how it was printed was the answer you were looking for. Hope it works for you now...glad I got the question out there. I wondered myself why it would matter...guess the answer is in the toner not the ink...

Beth Wilkerson · Answer

I have also found that using recycled content paper makes it easier to remove the paper and leave the image behind. I have my laser copies done at Office Depot and I request the less expensive recycled content paper.

Chey1130 · Answer

I just used our regular printer at home for mine, and it worked fine.

What the photo transfer tutorial didn't tell me.... :(

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