If you are wondering how to use Mod Podge photo transfer medium, here are all of my top tips. Learn how to be successful with this article! Scroll down to see a video of the process in action!
Have you ever used Mod Podge photo transfer medium? It’s a great formula – one of my Mod Podge-y favorites (I use it to transfer photos to wood!).
It’s also one of the formulas that I get the most questions about, so I thought I’d share some tips about using this medium to do a photo transfer with you.
Mod Podge in general is really easy to use, however, the photo transfer medium takes a bit of practice. This isn’t meant to be discouraging – it’s actually meant to be the opposite!
It’s not nearly as hard as knitting, another one of my favorite crafts. I learned to knit at age 15 and messed up like you wouldn’t believe. Yet I kept at it, and now I love it.
And that’s the way I feel about Mod Podge photo transfer medium.
Mod Podge Photo Transfer Tips
So here’s the point: you’re going to master it, I promise! With a little practice and patience, you’ll be a photo transfer ninja. Here are some of my most important tips to use Mod Podge photo transfer medium.
1) Remember that the medium isn’t clear.
When people ask me “why should I use Mod Podge photo transfer instead of regular Mod Podge?” Well . . . this is one big reason.
This isn’t just Mod Podge in a different bottle.
It’s a product meant for photo transfer only, and it will produce an opaque, white background. This means you can use it on dark colored items too. Plan your project accordingly.
2) Print your image on a dry toner printer; don’t use real photographs.
Both inkjet and laserjet will work, it just has to be a dry toner printer. So how to tell if your printer is dry toner? It’s hard to say. Laserjet will work 99% of the time. Inkjet . . . it just depends.
My HP works very well because it has a very dry ink. There are about 10,000 different printers out there, so I’d say your best bet is to do a small test if you’re unsure. This will help you practice too! Grab a small scrap of paper and print out a small image – let’s say 2″ or 3″ square.
Expert tip: if you are printing an image with words – reverse the image on your computer before printing! The words will come out correctly when you do the transfer.
3) Make sure to use enough medium on top of the image.
So here’s my process. I cut the image down to size, and then place it face up on my Mod Podge silicone mat. I use a foam brush to apply the transfer medium over the top of the photo until the image is obscured completely – meaning, I can’t see any of the photo.
Then I use a fingernail or tweezers to pick up the corner of the image, flip it over, and place it down onto the surface. I use my Mod Podge brayer to roll out the image.
If you used the right amount of medium, not much (if anything) will come out the sides. If it does, wipe away, as it will dry and be stuck there if you don’t!
Leave your photo transfer to dry for 24 hours.
4) Take a lot of patience and care when rubbing off the paper.
This is probably the hardest part of the whole thing. You will need to wet your item and rub the paper off, revealing the image below. It’s a little weird to wet your craft project and you’re going to be thinking, “am I doing this right?”
Start lightly and rub off the paper backing – let dry to see what you’ve done. If your image doesn’t look right, wet again and repeat. As you get more experience, you’ll start to see exactly how much you can rub to reveal the image without ruining it.
Because if you rub too hard, you will rub the image away . . . and we don’t want that! I rub with medium pressure, then I typically let dry and rub again if necessary. These days I’m good enough to get it on the first try! You can get there, too.
5) Expect a vintage-style image.
This (to me) is an advantage over just Mod Podging an image down. Well, this and the item is now washable (if it’s fabric). But I do love the vintage-y look that a photo transfer gives you.
It’s a less sharp version of a real photograph, and it has its own unique look that I appreciate. Once you do try it, you’ll see exactly what I mean. The soft, vintage-y look is really nice in home decor. I think you’re going to like it!
NOTE: This medium is hand washable only. Keep that in mind! No machine washing, my friends.
Now that you know my tips, I’d also love to know what questions you have about Mod Podge photo transfer medium in the comments! And if you’re ready to watch the video of the process, all you have to do is click play below:
Are you ready to try it?? Visit our Mod Podge photo transfer craft ideas! I’d also love for you to visit the following projects:
Thanks for the tips! I tried it last night on a painted board and 24 hours later I attempted to remove the paper. It was as if the paper had turned to rubber and it peeled off! It worked perfectly on wood discs for Christmas ornaments. Will it not work on a painted surface?
Thanks,
Teresa
It works on a painted surface! It has to be acrylic paint though (chalk paint also works). If it’s latex, it will peel right off. I did it on acrylic chalk paint here: https://modpodgerocksblog.com/image-transfer-to-furniture/
I have red streaks in my photo to canvas transfer. How or can this be avoided
Hi Wava! It sounds like you used an inkjet printer. That’s usually when the ink bleeds! For a photo transfer with this formula you need a laserjet.
Once you wet the item, rub off the
Paper does it become translucent
As it does in the packing tape method or stays white.
It stays white! There is a clear version though.
Mod Podge photo transfer medium is NOT machine washable and I wish sites would remove this information. I believed them and ruined a beautiful towel. So I researched some more and according to Plaid, it is HAND washable only.
Thank you Frynd! I added that note – good point.
You guys should have add the captions so we deafies can learn from you.
Hi Diana! You can get the videos on YouTube too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHYPgYDHQcA
You can close caption there! Good news, my network is working on adding captions. But for now, that is a way to access. Thank you ma’am!
How can I put an image inside a solid ball Christmas ornament? Also, can I pour acrylic paint inside with the image?
Here’s a tutorial from one of my friends: https://www.fynesdesigns.com/diy-glass-photo-ornament-tutorial/
I wouldn’t put the paint on the inside since you can’t really control it. I’d decorate the outside once the image was on the inside so you know where to paint.
Can you just use regular photo paper and the mod podge??
I don’t have access to a printer..
You cannot because the ink needs to release from the paper onto the medium, and you need to be able to scrape the paper away. Photo paper won’t work for any photo transfers that I know of. There are online services that will send you printouts and you can also try the library OR FedEx Kinkos!
Hi!! I’ve been doing modge podge transfer onto wood for a few months now. The problem I have with it is the white fuzzies. How do I stop them from coming back?! So far only two of my transfers I was able to stop the white fuzzies. The one I’m working on now the fuzzies keep appearing and of course it’s a present for a friend. HELP! 🙂
Hi Grace! I use somewhat of a rough surface – like a rough side of sponge – to help with the fuzzies. Just something lightly abrasive. It’s all about getting that paper off!
why are there areas of paper that won’t come off?
Hi Patricia – I’m wondering if you got some medium on the other side of the photo in that area . . . or you can keep trying to rewet and gently scrub away.
What is the best way to get a glossy look when transferring a photo to wood?
Hi Patricia! You can simply brush gloss Mod Podge or spray with a glossy spray sealer after the transfer – or use resin on top. The photo transfer medium itself isn’t very shiny.