22 Easy Image Transfer Methods (Photo Transfers)
This is a comprehensive post about Image Transfer Methods and Photo Transfer Techniques! Some of these can be done with Inkjet Printers, some with Laser Printers and some only work with old fashioned toner from a photocopier or copy machines. We covered so many different ways to create this nearly magical process, and we’ve covered all sorts of surfaces, like Furniture, Fabric, Paper, Clay, Wood, Glass and more. While we mainly use graphics for these projects, as we are a graphics site, many of these methods will work with photos too. Time and time again, the question that I get asked most frequently by my readers, is “How can I transfer your images on to _____”. There are numerous Transfer Methods on this blog, and this post attempts to consolidate it all in one place so that you can easily find the method that you want to use for your particular project. Below you will find links to 23 different ways to Transfer onto pretty much any type of material. We are always trying out new products and new techniques on this site, so I have updated this post to include the new ones. I hope you find it helpful!
How to Transfer Onto Furniture
How to Transfer Typography onto Furniture : This is a two part written Tutorial showing how to blow up your image really big, using a free program, and an easy cheap transfer method, so that you can paint your image on large or small pieces of Furniture, Walls or Signs. Great for painted wood pieces or natural wood.
How to Transfer an Image onto Furniture Video Instructions : This is the Video version of the original Furniture Transfer Tutorial that I created several years ago. My friend Candice is great on Video and she kindly put this Tutorial together! The Video will show you instructions for how to blow up your image really big, using a free program, and an easy cheap transfer method, so that you can paint your image on large or small pieces of Furniture, Walls or Signs. Great for painted wood pieces or natural wood. Works best with simple designs like many of theFrench Typography Printables that I offer here on my blog.
Transferring onto Fabric
The Citra Solv Method : This method uses a cleaning product called Citra Solv. This one works well with Fabric projects, like Towels, Pillows, Chair Seats and Lampshades. This method will give you a slightly faded, slightly imperfect, transfer for an old world look.
The Iron On Method: In this Tutorial I show you how to do an Iron on Transfer, using my favorite Transfer Paper. I consider this brand to be the “Holy Grail” of Transfer Papers, as it completely blows away the other stuff out there. If you’ve tried doing Iron Ons in the past, with crappy results, you will love this stuff! Great for any Fabric Projects. Great for Image transfers or Photo transfers.
Printable Fabric Sheets Learn how to use precut Printable Fabric Sheets that are made specifically to be used in your Home Ink jet Printer. (Printable Canvas Sheets are another alternative) Fun and easy!
Printing on Fabric: This technique shows you how to cut out the middle man, and print directly onto fabric, with your home printer! For those of you that sew (or don’t mind gluing your projects) this is a really fun method!
The Iron On Method: In this Tutorial I show you how to do an Iron on Transfer, using my favorite Transfer Paper. I consider this brand to be the “Holy Grail” of Transfer Papers, as it completely blows away the other stuff out there. If you’ve tried doing Iron Ons in the past, with crappy results, you will love this stuff! Great for any Fabric Projects.
How to Transfer onto Paper
Transfer an Image to Paper Perfect for Junk Journal artists, collage artists and mixed media artists. You’ll learn how to lay an image directly onto paper, cardboard or bold books, to create gorgeous effects with this fun method.
Acrylic Paint Technique If you are a crafter you probably already have the supplies for this one in your craft room! Rebecca walks us through these simple steps for acrylic transfers, to add pictures to paper. She demonstrates on some cute paper gift tags.
Printing on Paper Bags Did you know that you could print on paper bags with your home inkjet printer? Learn how to make some cute custom bags, that are perfect for Holiday party favors and more.
Transferring onto Glass
DIY Packing Tape Transfers: This is a superfast and fun Technique! This works great with Glass, and although, we haven’t tried it, some of readers have mentioned that it’s good for shiny Ceramic pieces too! The effect is similar to a decal, so best used on Decorative pieces only, like Votives and Vases etc.
Clear Contact Method: Learn how to use Clear Contact Paper to transfer Color Images onto Glass!Similar to the Packing Tape method, only you can do larger pieces since the Contact Paper is so much bigger! Easy and fun!
Transferring onto Wood
Using Water Slide Decals Make some adorable Bee themed wood Coasters with Diana, as she walks you through the steps of using water slide decals. Such a cute idea! Use the Free printable provided or just follow the instructions to transfer photos onto wood that you took yourself, to make your own unique creations. You can purchase decals for inkjet image transfers or laserjet ones, just make sure that you buy the appropriate product for your home printer.
The Wax Paper Method: I have yet to try this method, but it looks amazing! The only supplies you need are your Printer and a piece of Wax Paper and the super simple Tutorial from Angela at Unexpected Elegance! I’ve seen this one used on Painted and Natural Wood and Painted Metal.
The Projector Method: Marian from Miss Mustard Seed shares her Sign Making secrets, using an Overhead Projector to transfer images onto wood! This method can be used for Painted or Natural Wood.
Transfers onto Clay
Transfer onto Clay Pots Gina from The Shabby Creek Cottage came up with this simple and innovative way to transfer an image onto a Clay Flower pot.
Easy Clay Image Transfer: You’ll find this one over on my pal Johnnie’s blog! She’ll walk you through the steps of Image and Photo Transfers onto Polymer Clay so that you can make the cutest Vintage Image Jewelry ever!
Multi Surface Image Transfer Methods
The Omni Gel Method: In this Tutorial I explain how to use a liquid substance called Omni Gel, to transfer images onto Tumbled Marble Tiles for Coasters. I’ve also used this on Painted Wood.
Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium: In this Tutorial I test out a new product by Mod Podge made specifically for image or Photo Transfers. There’s also a Printable and a fun DIY Project for making your own customized Furniture Knobs! This Medium works great for Small Wood Projects or Light or Dark Fabric Projects.
Image Transfer Product Comparison: In this post Rebecca compares 3 popular products used for this technique. Lots of great info here and you’ll be able to see all of the results! The comparison includes Matte Medium, Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium and a product by Deco Art.
How to Make Gel Medium Transfer Skins Rebecca teaches us how to make Skins from Gel Medium that can be applied to a variety of surfaces.
Unique Methods
Gold Leaf Technique Combine Transfers with Gold Leaf for stunning results! Heather will walk you through this process to create a gorgeous Antique Typography Sign.
More Info on Transfers
How to Mirror Image: Learn how to easily Mirror Images in Paint! You probably already have this free program installed on your PC.
Top Tip for Transfers: This is a great post to read before you get started! This tip will save you some headaches and frustration!
Favorite Transfer Products: These are my favorite all time Transfer Products rounded up into one place.
Well hopefully that will clear things up and you will find lots of inspiration for your projects. Feel free to grab my Transfer Printablesto use in your DIY projects. Have fun working with Image Transfers and Photo Transfers!
Be sure and check out our Premium Membership site HERE, for loads of PNG images, with transparent backgrounds, these types of images are perfect for Transfer Projects!
And if you really want to dive in and do professional looking transfers, check out our amazing Online Image Transfer Workshop with Heather Tracy HERE!
Hypekn says
The link to #5 The Iron On Method is broken 🙁
Karen Watson says
Thanks for letting me know! I just fixed it!!
kim pereda says
Hi Karen, Love your blog. Do you have an ideas for transferring images to plastic? I am trying to transfer an image to the plastic part of a pacifier. Thanks Kim. by the way I have a ink jet printer. Thanks again.
Karen Watson says
Hi Kim,
I’m not sure about plastic. I would definitely recommend not transferring onto anything that would go into a babies mouth, it’s just not worth the risk. Perhaps you could make a cute bib or onesie, using an iron on instead!
MiMI says
Help!! Love LOVE LOVE your graphics. I have picked one to transfer to wood using Mod Podge (for Images). Here’s my question…how do I make the background transparent. I did a test on a sample wood and I see my white background behind the print graphic.
Karen Watson says
Hi Mimi,
You’ll need to cut around the design very closely to get rid of the white with that method. Or you can paint your wood white to match. I hope that helps!
suruha says
Hi, Karen! This is a really good post! You have covered so many good techniques! So, in addition to supplying the world with such wonderful graphics, you are a genius when it comes to their applications! LOL I so admire what you do!
I know this post is last year, but, I wanted to share another technique, one for digital stamps/transfers. Over at Captivated Visions, Rachel has done a tutorial showing how to use most any image, and turn it into a digital transfer. Her intent in the post is to show how to use one’s digi-stash in other ways, like art-journaling. Actually, Rachel’s post is part of a series called “Artful DigiScrapping”. The results are just amazing!
I see posts all over the place where folks have used your images in new and creative ways, so, I thought of you and Rachel’s post when I saw this one. She has been featured in several places with this tutorial/technique. (No, I am not on her payroll. LOL) She’s a doll, though!
It’s a real simple technique. Basically, you clip an image to a brush stroke, or stamped brush. But, I will let Rachel explain it to you! LOL
Thank you for all that you do and how sweet you are doing it!
Su
g.c. pickering says
Thank you! I just found a yard sale table and remembered the great post you did recently with the grain sack transfer and blue stripes. Now to pick a graphic…
Thanks!
CC's near the lake says
So many projects I’ve wanted to create but had no idea where to start! Thank you for all of the info!
Inspire Me Heather says
Thank you for putting this all together Karen, what a great resource! I’ve got this linked to my image transferring tutorials roundup post too today!
cathy says
How do I transfer large images to fabric? Like maybe a quilt. Maybe a poster.. Is there a way? Something larger than a regular printer size. All of the places I check do not have ink jet printers…
emmanuelle says
Votre blog est magnifique . Merci de partager votre savoir faire et vos belles images.
nanasewn says
#12, part 1 link is not working.
Anonymous says
yoU are awSome!!! thank yoU so much for posting all these. i can’t wait to get started.
Anonymous says
Does anyone have a suggestion as to what good color printer to purchase? I am looking for a good price for both the printer AND ink! We have 2 printers in the house and neither one prints color copies true. Flesh colors always seem to be a green tinge, and never as bright as I want them, despite fooling w/the settings.
Anonymous says
I’m sorry but I have to agree with Anonymous. I have tried several of your transfer techniques and am not having any success at all. I love all your graphics but can’t find a good method to transfer them to wood.
Karen Watson says
Some of the methods may take a little practice. The best thing to do is to try them out on some scrap pieces of wood, until you get the hang of it. If you check out my Brag Monday posts, you can see lots of projects done by my readers, successfully using these techniques. I hope that helps!
gabricci says
Your blog is amazing and so are you! And generous! Thanks for providing us with loads of fun!
Anonymous says
Great post, many thanks.
Elisabet