How To Glue Pictures On Wood? The Simplest Way To Decorate Your Home (3 Easy Steps)

If you want to add an artistic touch to your projects, picture transferring to wood is a terrific way to go.

How to glue pictures on wood? Simply follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Print your photo
  • Step 2: Adhere your photo to the wood
  • Step 3: Rub the paper

Today, Gluecare will explain step-by-step instructions in this article.

Let’s read on to discover!

How To Glue Pictures On Wood: Things You Will Need

Before you start your project, make sure you don’t miss anything in this list:

  • A piece of wood
  • Mod Podge
  • Photo (The size of your image should be smaller than that of the timber)
  • Brush or sponge
  • Cloth

There are many choices when it comes to glue. Yet, we highly recommend Mod Podge for your project.

This glue can be an adhesive, a sealant, or a protective coating for any art item. It has become one of the most popular and well-known products in the arts and crafts industry.

Some reasons to utilize this glue are:

  • Non-toxic and totally safe to use on any porous material
  • Waterproof and simple to apply
  • Available in different finishes
  • Excellent value for money
  • Kid-friendly
  • No unpleasant odors.
  • Extremely powerful (especially on porous materials)

With the benefits above, whenever you wonder how to paste pictures on wood, consider this kind of glue in the first place.

You can also make your own glue with the instructions in this video.

Step-By-Step Instructions

How to transfer a picture to wood with glue? This project is straightforward as long as you follow these three steps.

Mod Podge is ideal for the project

Image: source

Step 1: Print your photo

If you already have your photo on paper, you can skip this step. If you are going to print your photo, keep these things in mind:

  • Adjust your image mirrored before printing since you will place the printed side of your picture down on the timber.
  • It would be best to later-print your image.
  • Choose thin paper to print because it will be easier to rub off when adhering to the timber.

Note: It will not work if you use a regular or glossy picture made on photo paper. You may either use a photocopier to copy the photo or use a printer to print it on plain paper.

The best printer for this project is a laser unit. If you do not have one in hand, an inkjet can suffice.

Step 2: Adhere your photo to the wood

Apply a layer of Mod Podge to the timber and let it dry thoroughly. The layer shouldn’t be too light or too thick.

Then, press the picture directly on top of the glue, compressing all the air bubbles with a card. If there are still air bubbles in the photo, they will not stick to the surface.

Next, wait for the glue to dry out.

Glue the paper on the wood and wait for it to dry

Mod Podge is not a quick-drying glue. The drying time also depends on the material you apply it on, temperature, and humidity.

In general, you need to allow from 24 to 72 hours for the glue to settle. The more time you give it to dry out, the better the end product will be.

Step 3: Rub the paper

This step is the key to your project. Do it with all of your meticulousness.

Wring away extra water using a sponge or a washcloth. Don’t let it soak wet, but it should be moist enough to moisten the paper.

Then, by rubbing softly, begin removing the paper.

You’ll need to repeat this procedure a few times because there may still be paper fibers left on the timber when it dries.

Continue to go over it slowly until you remove all of the paper.

After your wood has dried, you may apply lacquer to give it a vibrant and smooth appearance.

Apply lacquer to give your picture a vibrant appearance

Frequently Asked Question

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about gluing photos on timber.

1. What kind of paper is the best to transfer photos to wood?

You can utilize the following options, depending on the technique you choose:

  • Wax paper or the back of the label sheet
  • Inkjet printer with standard printing paper
  • Laser printer with standard printing paper
  • Transparency in OHP inkjet printer and paper

2. Can I transfer photographs on wood using PVA glue?

Transferring photographs on timber is possible with PVA glue. You can either use regular paper or the inkjet printer to substitute the Mod Podge with PVA glue.

Before printing, you must cover the paper with PVA adhesive and allow it to settle completely. In this instance, an inkjet printer is necessary.

3. Should I apply Mod Podge with a sponge or a brush?

Most variants leave obvious brush strokes in the final result. Painters and crafters will like it since they may customize the appearance of the surface.

However, there are occasions when you merely want a flat finish with no apparent strokes. A sponge applicator can be beneficial for this purpose.

4. What kind of Mod Podge works best to glue photos on wood?

The Photo Transfer Medium is advisable if your picture is opaque to hide the wood grain. On the other hand, the matte version allows your image to be clear enough to see the wood grain.

Final Words

We have shared with you a complete guide about pasting pictures on a piece of wood. The key is to use Mod Podge and carefully rub the image to achieve a perfect result.

Your creativity can enhance the appearance of your project. Try with different sizes, colors, and styles to impress your guests.

Hopefully, you will find this article helpful. If you need any further information, please feel free to ask. Thank you for reading!

Related post:

Leave a Comment