Embrace the copper trend with this metal photo transfer art! You’ll use Mod Podge Transfer Medium – it’s very easy to do and makes unique decor.
Skills Required: Intermediate. I would have prior experience with photo transfer medium before attempting this project. Try it on a scrap piece of wood or metal first.

It looks like this copper trend is here to stay, and I’m not complaining! I love decorating with copper accents! When I walked by copper coated aluminum sheets at the hardware store, I immediately knew what to do.
Did you know Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium works on metal too?! In addition to wood. Well, it does, and the final product is fantastic.
(see more photo transfer crafts here!)
Using any of your favorite laser printed photos, you can create unique metal photo transfer art. It requires very little effort and produces metal photo transfer art that’s perfect for displaying in your home. You can even give this photo craft as a gift.
Image Transfer to Metal
Gather These Supplies
- Sheet metal, cut to size
- Laser printed photo in desired size, color or greyscale
- Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium
- Paintbrush
First, a note about sheet metal. You can purchase sheets of aluminum at most hardware stores. In this case, I purchased one with a copper coating – and they can most likely cut it to your desired size for you.
Otherwise, you can cut it to size using a jigsaw or similar machinery at home. Do so very carefully and according to machine instructions.
Also note, Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium is unique in that it keeps the white portions of images white.
Similar brands may be clear, which means any white sections of your photos will take on the color of the background metal.

Step 1: Cut the photo print to size so that no border remains (unless that’s what you want).

Step 2: Use the paint brush to spread on a thick layer of Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium on the image side of the paper. It should be even and entirely cover the image so that you can no longer see it.

Step 3: Immediately place the image down on the sheet metal and use your hands to smooth out the paper and remove any air bubbles.
You don’t want to press so hard that the medium seeps out the sides but just enough that it is completely adhered to the metal and no bubbles remain.
Set aside to dry overnight. Depending on the temperature and humidity, it will be ready within 24 hours.
Step 4: Once completely dry and hard to the touch, use your fingers to add a little water to one corner of the paper. Press lightly and move your fingers in a circular motion to remove the layer of paper.
Go slowly so that you don’t accidentally remove the image. Continue all over the paper with wet hands until all of the paper has been removed.

Step 5: Set aside to dry for about 10 minutes. If a white layer dries over the image, you didn’t remove enough paper and will need to repeat the last step.

Set the final metal photo transfer on a shelf, mount on a wall or wrap as a gift!
Photo Transfer to Metal

Learn how to do a metal photo transfer with Mod Podge! It makes such unique home decor.
Materials
- Sheet metal, cut to size
- Laser printed photo in desired size, color or greyscale
- Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium
Tools
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
Instructions
- Print the photo and cut to size so that no border remains.
- Use the paintbrush to spread on a thick layer of Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium on the image side of the paper. It should be even and entirely cover the image.
- Immediately place the image down on the sheet metal and use your hands to smooth out the paper and remove any air bubbles.
- Set aside to dry overnight. Depending on the temperature and humidity, it will be ready within 24 hours.
- Once completely dry and hard to the touch, use your fingers to add a little water to one corner of the paper. Press lightly and move your fingers in a circular motion to remove the layer of paper.
- Go slowly so that you don’t accidentally remove the image. Continue all over the paper with wet hands until all of the paper has been removed.
- Set aside to dry for about 10 minutes. If a white layer dries over the image, you didn’t remove enough paper and will need to repeat the last step.
- Display after drying.
If you’re ready to do your own photo transfers, try these other cool projects too:
K.B.
Saturday 22nd of October 2022
On the sheet metal cutting, a little secret that I found to be quite interesting, ok so quite shocked when I figured this out, from sheer panic of trying to cut a smoothe edge without using power tools, snips, both ended up with worse edge, than started. Wish there was a way to add images. Anyways, I used believe it or not kid scissors, the little plastic ones that have small little circles for finger holes, or the ones that comes in the mini travel sew kits, dollar general sells, that's either placed by register or on side of the end cap, (end of the aisle) display. The exact brand I used on aluminum flashing, is unknown, I had them from a dumpster dive, with a bunch of school supplies/office supplies, by my home. But they were in a school box with crayons and such looks like, the ones that are only supposed to cut paper.. yeah those little safety scissors. Works AMAZING! Smooth, straight edge, and usually don't have to buy in case a knick happens or something a few scuffs with general sand paper finishes off well. Everybody I've told this to, called B****t, until I grabbed the scissors and scrap piece of flashing, handed them both and told them to cut it. They to were shocked. So, easy cheap cheap safe quick way to cut. Note, I haven't tried this on anything but aluminum flashing.
Franco
Friday 15th of October 2021
Has this been tried on metal mesh? Specifically the mesh of a fencing helmet?
Amy
Saturday 16th of October 2021
Hi Franco! I don't think it would work with that specific metal, unfortunately.
Shauna
Thursday 15th of April 2021
Does this technique also work on smaller projects( metal tags for a pet)
Amy
Thursday 15th of April 2021
It does!
Michael Bakalor
Saturday 20th of March 2021
On transferring to metal it states sheet metal. Can you transfer it to aluminum?
Amy
Saturday 20th of March 2021
I'm thinking as long as it's not coated you would be able to!
Craig
Thursday 3rd of December 2020
I have a quick question. Does the phot have to be printed on photo paper or does regular paper work?
Amy
Friday 4th of December 2020
You want regular paper! Laserjet printed. OR if your inkjet printer has really dry ink, like my HP, you can give it a go.