Mod Podge Image Transfer: Backyard Bird Coasters

We love how image transfer looks. You can use your own pictures to really transform a project. There are lots of ways to do image transfer, but we like the Mod Podge image transfer process. It looks terrific and really has some magical transformation to it!

Here’s a video we made showing how we did the image transfer. Watch us do our coasters then make your own. We have written instructions below, too.

Video How-to: Mod Podge Image Transfer

How To Do Mod Podge Image Transfer

Materials & Tools

4 Wood slice coasters
4 Laser printed birds pictures
Mod Podge Gloss
1 Foam paintbrush
1 Craft paintbrush
Clear gloss spray paint sealer
Self-adhesive rubber feet
Scissors

Steps

1. Start by picking out your pictures. We found these wonderful birds on the Graphics Fairy web site. You could use any clip art sight or a Dover clip art book. Make sure the pictures are the right size for your coasters, then have them printed or photo copied using a laser printer. If you want to use photos of people or if you have words in your design, get them printed in reverse.

2. The next step is to cut each picture out. We have a favorite pair of little scissors just for this kind of detailed cutting. Remember to cut out any background areas that show like the area between the bird’s legs.

3. Turn the bird over and place it on the coaster. Move it around to find the placement you like.

4. Now you are ready to do the image transfer. Paint the front of the picture with a layer of Mod Podge. Make sure every part of the image is covered with Mod Podge.

5. Turn the picture Mod Podge side down on the coaster and press into place.

Press the image down. Use your finger to press any extra Mod Podge out from under the paper. The goal is for every part of the image to have contact with the wood surface. Let the paper dry completely.

6. The next step is to remove the paper from the laser print, leaving the image behind on the wood. Start by dampening the paper backing with a moist foam paint brush. We like to work in one small area at a time. As the paper gets wet, it will turn translucent.

Use your finger to lightly rub the damp paper making it pill up. Continue to rub, removing the paper bit by bit. Move on to the next section. Dampen the paper, gently rub it off. On this first pass, don’t try to remove all the paper. It is better to be less aggressive, so you don’t remove the image.

7. Some of the paper backing will remain after the first pass. (More apparent when the coaster dries.) No worries That was just a first pass. Dampen the coaster again and gently rub again being careful not to remove any of the image. Let dry.

8. After two or three passes there should be almost no white haze left. It’s okay, however, if there is a small amount of haze, as the sealer helps make it clear!

Spray the coaster with clear sealer. The clear sealer will brighten the image up again and it will look like it did when wet. Pretty! When the coaster is dry, place rubber feet on the back.

Have you ever tried image transfer? What’s your favorite method. We might want to try it out!
Happy Crafting,
Jennifer & Kitty