Transfer images with Mod Podge – or without?

Finished Wooden Circle - ideal for ModPodge transfers — Finished Wooden Circle – ideal for ModPodge transfers

Hope you all had a good Christmas, and now we are back after the break with another craft idea.

There’s a technique floating around for a while that lets you make your own image transfers with a printer and Mod Podge. Effectively, you make the stencil, then your the glue to transfer only the ink, not the paper to the wood or other surface. But did you know that you can do a variation with some types of PVA glue?

If you have never tried this before, it works on most smooth, clean surfaces, so glass, ceramics, and wood for example. You can use it to make a house number, or a fancy coaster, or to put a pattern onto glass for guidelines to paint. But I’m getting ahead of myself, so let’s start with the basics.

(If you want the easy option, or are working with fabric, we do have T-shirt transfer kits and Shrinkles in stock.)

First, I’ll go through using Mod Podge. Mod Podge is like a craft glue, but it also acts as a sealer, which is why it works for this trick.

You will need:

* Mod Podge

* A laser printout of your image. Inkjet can be used but might smear.

* The item you want to transfer it to. I would suggest a flat finished wood plaque or similar for a first attempt.

1) Cover the surface you will be transferring to with an even layer of Mod Podge.

2) Press your print-out image-side downwards onto the Mod Podge. Press it down to make sure it lies evenly. Get out any airbubbles and make sure the modpodge soaks through the paper.

3) Let it dry.

4) Get a wet rag or sponge and carefully damp the paper. Once it is wet, carefully sponge away the paper. The image should remain in the Mod Podge,

5) Paint your image, using paints appropriate to your medium.

6) Seal with a coat of varnish or another coat of Mod Podge.

This technique can work on wood, plastic, or even glass as Mod Podge dries clear. It can be used on fabric or flexible surfaces, but I have found it tends to crinkle and crack with wear (and washing!), so a dedicated fabric transfer kit might work better.

However while Mod Podge is the best known crafter’s glue for transfers, because it is hard wearing and doubles as a sealant, some people use alternatives. While Liquitex is an option, some people simply use PVA for the same purpose. Below there’s a demonstration by D4u on youtube using basic PVA glue and wood for a transfer.

Whichever you want to use, you can find Mod Podge, PVA glue, and fabric transfer papers all in store at Coulsdon, so stop in and chat about your project or show it off. We love to see what you are working on!