DIY Wood Slice Photo Transfer

I have been wanting to try a project like this ever since Brittany used tattoo paper for a photo on the Silhouette blog. And I love the idea of using the wood slice – such a fun treatment! Totally adding to my list.

It was on my list for a long time too. Don’t know why I put it off for so long because it was crazy easy.

Did you use clear or white tattoo paper? I looked on Amazon and did not know which to order. Thanks

Silhouette only makes one kind of temporary tattoo paper and it’s the only one I’ve used. You should be able to find it here on Amazon.

Will this work on fabic

I don’t think the temporary tattoo paper would transfer well (if at all) to fabric, but you can use this printable paper to transfer images to fabric.

Has anyone else had a problem with this? The paper doesn’t peel off nicely like in the directions. Some of the image sticks, but not all. Mine is a mess. I don’t know what I am doing wrong!

I may know the problem. Two types of papers come in the pack. I think I used the wrong one. I followed pkg directions as instructed, but I should probably have just printed my photos directly onto the other paper. I’ll try that!

Beautiful work

Analyzes have a question:

– To finish can be used varnish or other product to protect the work in the wood?

– The photo transfer is permanent in wood or disappear in 3 or 4 days?

Glad to help me in this issue.

I didn’t put any kind of finish on mine so I can’t tell you for sure. I think a layer of Mod Podge would be safe though. The transfer is permanent and won’t disappear unless damage is done to the surface of the wood. Hope that helps!

Thank you Analisa.

You helped me a lot.

I just used Mod Podge on mine (the kind that you paint on) and it’s causing the colors to run. I did a black and white photo and had it print grayscale black and white, not color black and white. Glad I did a test project before the real thing. I’m going to try the spray kind of Mod Podge, because it really should be sealed with something…

I should add, that as it is drying and turning clear, the running color seems to be very minimal, and really only on the edges. :)

Thanks for sharing Anna! It has been so busy around here that I haven’t had a chance to make another one to experiment with. This one went to my in laws and they haven’t mentioned any problems with it not being sealed. I usually use a spray sealer on top of painted wood projects. I wonder if that would work any better. Hopefully I’ll be able to try it out soon.

I love how this turned out!

Thanks Christy!

I tried this but printed my photo at costco and it didn’t work. Any suggestions since I don’t have a printer?

Oh no! Sorry it didn’t work out for you. I think Silhouette temporary tattoo paper needs to be printed on an inkjet printer so maybe that was the problem? I wonder if any office supply stores might offer that as an option.

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Do you know if this would work on painted wood?

Thank you! Stephanie

Hmm…I honestly don’t know. I’ve never tried it on painted wood before. I’ll see if I can try it in the next few days and get back to you!

It should work!;)

Sounds easy enough but how do you deal it?

I didn’t feel the need to seal it, but I think a layer of Mod Podge would be safe enough to try.

Anyone try mod podge on this craft item? I have the tattoo printed and will apply it today to the wood. I would hope mod podge would be safe over it but I’d like to hear if anyone has tested it before I apply the mod podge over the print. Anyone? I have regular glossy mod podge.

Where can you buy the silhouette temporary tattoo paper ?

You can buy it online from Amazon. They usually have it for the best price, especially if you use subscribe and save. If your local craft stores carry Silhouette products you might be able to find it there too.

Where do u find a slice of wood n can u use cedar wood

I’ve seen wood slices at craft stores and even Target. Amazon carries them too. I don’t see why cedar wouldn’t work. Just remember that the transferred image ends up being slightly transparent so the color of the wood will make a difference in the finished piece.

where can I get a wood slice. never saw them in any store

I have a laser printer so you said I don’t need the tattoo paper?? please explain,

thanks

I’ve seen wood slices at craft stores and other stores that have a craft section like Target. Amazon also carries them . You will need the temporary tattoo paper since that is how the image gets transferred onto the wood slice. I’ve only used the temporary tattoo paper with an inkjet printer. I have no idea if it would work with a laser printer so you’d have to try it at your own risk.

I have seen “live edge” wood slabs at Michael’s

I love what you did, and plan to give it a try. I hope my’s can come out just as nice. Thanks for sharing.

Aww, thanks! I’m sure yours will look great!

Hi I have been dying on trying this what all do u need for this project and can u print a picture from like walgreens and it still work?

As long as you have an inkjet printer the only supplies you’ll need to buy should be the wood slice and the temporary tattoo paper. I don’t think Walgreens will work, but if you can find someplace that will print your picture directly onto the tattoo paper that should do the trick.

Good idea. I will have to try it. Thank u

Wow what an amazingly simple trick. I cant wait to try it. Can you please tell me if you need to use a varnish or a sealer to finish it? Thank you so much for sharing. Cheers Lexy

Thanks Lexis! I didn’t feel the need to seal mine with anything and have not tried it. If you look a few comments above, someone did try Mod Podge and shared their experience.

Hi my name is Zoraida and I love you transfer I would like to know where I can find the silhoutte transfer paper I would like to make some father’s day gift it’s a great idea thanks and God bless you.

Hi Zoraida! You can buy it online from Amazon. They usually have it for the best price. If your local craft stores carry Silhouette products you might be able to find it there too.

Hi! Love this, but having trouble. After I print and apply the sticky sheet… I rub it and then peel the clear part off, but it won’t come off clean… Image sticks and gets torn up. Not sure what I’m doing wrong.

Hmm…I’m not sure why it’s doing that. As long as the directions are followed the picture should stay put until you transfer it. Maybe something is wrong with the tattoo paper? I would try it again with another sheet. If that doesn’t work you might try contacting Silhouette for help with the paper.

Great tutorial! Thanks to all those who posted comments, you all covered my question about Mod Podging it

allo es ce que je peut prendre une autre sorte de papier comme papier cire ou ordinnaire merci

I did something similar as the photo on wood. My problem was that the wood crack. I bought it and a stump to put it on. Both cracked. Is there a way that I must treat the wood

This one hasn’t cracked and wasn’t treated in any way. I assume different types of wood might react differently.

If you are using fresh cut wood, it is subject to cracking as it dries. As a wood turner I deal with the problem all the time. What we do with a fresh log is to paint the ends of the log with anchor seal and set them aside in a cool dry place for sometimes a year or more and still sometimes they crack. You would not be able to use anchor seal on the slice because it is a thick waxy liquid that would be unworkable. We cut that part off the logs when we are ready to use them. BUT, I don’t see anything wrong with having the slice crack or even warp after a while. I think it adds to the overall look of the piece. You could also try letting the slice sit for a month or so and if it cracks you can fill the crack with either saw dust or “used, dried coffee grinds” and super glue. Then sand it smooth before applying the image.

Correction to my statement above. I meant to say using anchor seal would NOT be workable for you.

Thank you so much for sharing that Jacque!

This is the best tutorial I’ve seen so far, great job! Looking forward to making my own :)

Thank you Crystal!

Thank you so much for sharing! Does it have to be unfinished wood or can it be on a tree slice that has a sealer on it? If not, can I apply dealer after the photo?

Hi Lindsay! I haven’t tried it so I’m not sure how the tattoo paper wood take to wood that’s already been sealed. I would experiment on a small piece first.

Oh my goodness, this looks so simple and easy. I’ve tried other methods and always ended up a disaster. Will def have to try this. Did you put some kind of sealer on it after?

It really is easy! I never sealed it, but it’s held up just fine.

I’d like to make a coaster for each of our employees for Christmas, and would like to make these into a coaster for their home/desk. Is there a finish I can use so it doesn’t ruin the picture I put on the wood? I have 40 employees I’d like to do this for. I need to get busy. :)

I’m sorry Susan, but I’m not sure about finishes since I haven’t tried any. That sounds like such a thoughtful gift for your employees though!

I saw this and knew this is something to try with my granddaughter!

Thanks for sharing.

So sweet! Hope you have a wonderful time together!

Thank you for posting this DIY project! I followed it this weekend to make a house warming gift for friends and it turned out beautifully. I’ve tried a few other processes for transferring photos to wood without success and was super excited when this one turned out so well and was so easy to complete. Thanks again!!!

That’s great to hear!

Do you seal the wood after? What do you use to do it? Do you have to let the wood dry out first?

Sorry, I don’t have experience trying to seal it.

Hi, I am really wanting to try this out but Amazon cannot ship this tattoo paper to my country for some reason. Can you recommend any other type of temporary tattoo paper that could be used?

Oh no! Sorry, this is the only type of tattoo paper I’ve ever used. If you’re able to try another brand it might be worth a shot though.

The Price for ” Temporary Tattoo Paper ” is rather Pricey…

Can you suggest a Vendor that will supply MORE sheets at

a more AFFORDABLE price….????? Thanks…!!!!

This is the only brand of printable tattoo paper I’ve used. I’ve been happy with it so I haven’t needed to look an alternative before. Sorry I don’t have any suggestions. Hope you find what you’re looking for!

Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! I was looking for a unique craft for my families Christmas gifts and I found it!!

I know that search all too well. So glad I could help!

What if you don’t have tattoo paper? Or a silhouette?

You don’t need a Silhouette for this project, but you will need the tattoo paper to make it work.

Will this work on those glass blocks. Have an order for 5 memorial blocks and they requested photos on them.

Hmm…I’m not too sure since I’ve never tried using the tattoo paper on glass. I have used this printable clear sticker paper on glass though. As long as the glass is flat I think it might be a nice alternative.

Hey I wanna make dis too! Can I use a regular photo ( on a photo paper) instead of the temporary transfer paper because it is hard to find in my country and costs way much!

Hi Sabira! You’ll definitely need the printable tattoo paper to get the photo on the wood with this method.

Will any brand of tattoo paper work or does it have to be silhouette?

This is the only brand I’ve used, but as long as the application is the same I don’t see why it wouldn’t work.

Can you use driftwood, the reason I ask is ever since hurricane Matthew hit I have been seeing lots more driftwood here lately

What an interesting idea! I honestly don’t know, but it might be worth a try.

Extremely lovely, creative, exclusive,worth trying.

Que clase de brillo le puedo poner para darle brillo …Gracias

[…] DIY Wood Slice Photo Transfer […]

Now that Christmas has passed, I’m so excited to share with you how to transfer a photo onto a slice of wood. It ended up being one of the easiest and quickest gifts I whipped up too! You can’t go wrong gifting a photo, especially when it’s as unique as this.

I used Silhouette temporary tattoo paper to transfer the image to the slice of wood, but you won’t even need a Silhouette to make this. You probably already have an inkjet printer, washcloth, and scissors laying around. Just pick up a wood slice (under 11\u2033 at its widest point) and Silhouette temporary tattoo paper and you’ll be ready to start.

Print your picture following the directions on the package of temporary tattoo paper. Make sure you flip your photo so it will transfer correctly onto the wood. I recommend using the settings your printer has for photos. Follow the directions on the tattoo paper just like you were going to create a temporary tattoo.

Cut around the photo leaving plenty of room for the wood slice to fit.

Remove the shiny, clear sheet from the tattoo paper. Very carefully, place the wood slice down over the photo. Center it carefully because you won’t be able to make any adjustments once the wood slice has touched the sticky photo.

Use scissors to trim the photo as close to the wood slice as possible.

Wet a washcloth and gently press it on top of the photo.

You should see the picture show through little by little as it gets transferred from the paper to the wood.

Once the photo has transferred, peel the paper off of the wood.

To finish off the edges very gently dab the wet washcloth along the edge of the wood. It should shrink up any uneven pieces of the photo transfer.

This is seriously one of the easiest projects I’ve made and it turned out even better than I was expecting. The photo transferred so cleanly and colorfully. Did you know that you can use Silhouette temporary tattoo paper to transfer a photo onto most unfinished wooden surfaces? I like how the rings in the wood show through the photo just a bit. This gift was a hit and something I look forward to trying again

Original article and pictures take http://parentalperspective.com/diy-wood-slice-photo-transfer/ site