While browsing online one day, I discovered a simple method to transfer photos to wood—whether photographs, text, or other images. At first I thought it sounded like magic, but it turned out to be an easy and satisfying craft.
Join 500+ cozy folks for weekly recipes, crafts & good vibes – from my home to yours.
When you sign up, I’ll send you the Cozy Weekend Starter Pack– a free PDF with 3 recipes, 3 crafts, & cozy weekend vibes.
I was curious enough to try it. I’ve had my share of Pinterest fails, but I decided to roll up my sleeves and experiment. I pulled a few images from my online photos, chose a quote I liked, and even tried our new logo to see how different types of images would transfer.
I set up a piece of wood, my laptop, a printer, wax paper, tape, and an old credit card. Many tutorials recommend a laser printer, but I only had an inkjet and it still worked—so don’t let that hold you back.
Good news: this project is essentially free and takes about five minutes once you get the hang of it.
A key detail: if your image contains words, you must mirror it before printing so the text reads correctly after transfer. I used LunaPic to flip images—upload, mirror, and download. It’s quick and free.
Another heads-up: the ink will get on your hands unless you wear gloves. I learned that the hard way, so gloves are a smart precaution.
You’ll want plenty of wax paper and extra ink because you may need a few attempts to get a clean print. I had some smudges and even one piece of wax paper jam in my printer, but after a few tries I got excellent results and managed three successful transfers.
Here’s the straightforward process to transfer photos onto wood:
🪵 Materials
- Digital image you want to transfer
- Wax paper
- Printer with ink (inkjet works)
- Tape
- Piece of wood (smooth surface works best)
- Old credit card or similar tool to burnish
- Gloves (optional, recommended)
- Clear coat spray (optional, for protection)
📷 How to make it
1) Pick an image. Remember that any white areas will show the wood grain, so choose images with contrast or darker backgrounds if you want more visible detail.
2) Mirror the image if it contains text or must remain oriented correctly after transfer. You can mirror images with free online editors.
3) Tear a piece of wax paper roughly the size of a printer sheet. The width should match your printer’s paper path so it feeds properly.
4) Print the image onto the wax paper. Note which side of the paper your printer prints on—if you touch the printed surface while it’s wet, the ink will smear and stain your hands. The print on wax paper will look much lighter and more faded than the original image.
5) Carefully tape the printed wax paper to the wood with the printed side down. Secure the edges so the paper can’t shift—any movement will smear the image.
6) Use an old credit card or similar smooth tool to firmly and evenly rub the back of the wax paper, pressing the ink onto the wood. Go over the entire image, but don’t press so hard that you damage the paper or wood.
7) Slowly peel the wax paper away from one corner to reveal the transferred image. If some areas didn’t fully transfer, you can reapply and press again or touch up lightly with paint or markers.
8) Optionally, spray a clear coat over the finished piece to protect the surface and slightly deepen the colors.
This technique produces a charming, rustic result that looks great as wall art or a personalized gift for friends and family. It’s quick, inexpensive, and a fun way to repurpose photos and designs onto natural wood.
Did you try this technique to transfer photos to wood? Let us know in the comments below!