DIY decoration ideas: Transferring photos to wood

It's usually photos that help us capture memories and preserve them for a long time. But because of the number of pictures we take with our smartphones every day, special moments are quickly forgotten. We believe: Beautiful memories should be cherished! That's why today we're introducing you to what we consider a clever method for bringing your best photos back into your home as a unique piece of jewelry. Namely, as a personalized stand-up or wall picture printed on a beautiful piece of wood. "Printed" isn't quite right in this context, but see for yourself... For this DIY project, you'll need not only the materials but also a bit of patience and a delicate touch. But don't worry! It almost always turns out well, and small imperfections on the picture usually add to its special charm. It's handmade, after all ;-)

This is what you need:

1. Wood with a smooth sanded surface
   Tip: It's best to use light wood, so the colors of the photo really stand out!
2. A laser print of your desired photo (available at any copy shop)
   Important: You should mirror your image before printing. This is especially necessary if your image contains text elements!
3. Photo Transfer Potch is available in retail stores or online
4. A wide brush
5. A soft sponge
6. UV clear varnish (also available in craft stores)
7. Optional: a hairdryer

If your wood doesn't have a smooth surface, or if you want to use collected (driftwood) or old wood (leftovers), simply give it a little help with a sander or sandpaper. Afterward, you should give your wood a thorough clean by removing any dust particles and small shavings. But please don't use water; the wood should be completely dry before use. Ready? Great! Then you can get to work!

This is how the “print” works

Step 1: Apply glue. Apply Photo Transfer Potch glue to the area of ​​the wood where the image will be printed. It's best to use a thick brush for this. Don't overdo it with the glue; the motto here is "not too thick, not too thin."

Step 4: Dry the image. This step can be completed with a hairdryer in about 10 minutes. However, don't set the dryer too hot. If you're not in a hurry, or if you want to "print" several images one after the other, for example, you can simply leave the glued image on the wood aside overnight and let it dry on its own.

Step 5: Moisten the picture. Grab the damp sponge and gently dab the picture until it's thoroughly moistened and softened. It should now become increasingly transparent. Optionally, you can also briefly hold the picture under the faucet and then spread the moisture with the sponge.

Step 6: Rub, ready, go! Now it's time to get down to business. Your design has been transferred to the wood through the glue; now it's time to remove the paper. To do this, rub the moistened paper very carefully. Take your time, as this is where most accidents occur. It's best to use your fingertips to gently rub off the paper bit by bit. If you still notice white paper fibers once the image starts to dry, you'll need to go over it again. This step usually takes more than one pass. So it's a case of moistening again, rubbing again. Circular movements and not too much pressure are the magic words! With a little patience, you'll quickly get rid of those annoying white paper stains, and your design will appear clearly on the wood surface!
Step 7: Varnish the picture. While this step isn't absolutely necessary, it's certainly worth it. Applying a UV clear varnish will perfectly hide the white haze on the paper. The colors will appear much more saturated, and your picture will also be protected from sunlight!

Is DIY your world?

You can find more ideas for great DIY garden projects in our book " Your Creative Garden ." Thanks to step-by-step instructions and helpful pictures, many of our DIY ideas can be recreated with children. The internet also has a lot to offer. So if you want to get active, the following websites are a good place to start.

• Pinterest
• This is how I live
• A Beautiful Mess
• Handmade culture

We hope you'll stick with the DIY theme and wish you lots of fun and success with your next building projects! Have you already tried our seed bombs ? We also offer DIY kits for these?