Move over Mod Podge, you can easily transfer images using an inkjet printer onto surfaces like wood using wax paper!

While I love using Mod Podge to adhere images onto projects, the method using wax paper will make the image look like it’s painted on.

If you’ve never tried this before, you’re going to love this and it’s so easy to do to!

The most important thing you will need is an inkjet printer. I have one I got a Walmart for about $40 (click HERE for printer) and it works great! The reason you need an inkjet printer is when the image is printed onto the wax paper the wax paper almost acts like a stamp that you will then transfer the image from the wax paper onto your project.

Speaking of wax paper, obviously you will need wax paper too, just cut it to size to fit your printer. I usually cut mine to 8 1/2 x 11. I just take a sheet of copy paper and cut out my sheet of wax paper. Sometimes I flatten by putting the wax paper under a heavy book so it glides nicely in my printer.

And of course you will need an image. The image I used for this adorable Christmas crate is from Etsy. You can get it HERE. Just think of all the projects you can make using this method!

Mirror Your Image

The most important thing is to MIRROR YOUR IMAGE. If you don’t, your image will be backwards when you apply it to your project.

Let me repeat that one more time – MIRROR YOUR IMAGE.

How you do you do that? That depends on your printer. You may have a mirror setting. You can also use Canva. I use Photoshop since I also adjust the image size too but you can also adjust your image size to fit your project in Canva too.

Attach Wax Paper to Card Stock

After I cut my wax paper to 8 1/2 x 11 to fit my paper size I like to attach it to a piece of card stock and add a few pieces of tape around the edges so it glides better through the printer and prevents jamming. I still like to help guide it through the machine too.

Once you print the image you need to work fast, the faster the better so you want to make sure you have your project in place so when you remove the printed image on the wax paper from the printer you can get to work transferring it to your project.

Mist Surface Lightly with Water

I also like to mist my project very lightly with some water, this helps with adhering the images. Don’t get it too wet, just a fine mist.

Place the printed image on the wax paper where you want it on your projected and then press it down. I like to use something like a credit card to help rub the image onto the surface of my project by scraping the card over the image to adhere it to the project.

What if I want the image to appear lighter on my project?

If you don’t want to image to appear as bright to give it more of distressed look you can press lighter when transferring the image onto your project, or even let the ink on the wax paper dry a few minutes before adhering it onto the project.

You could also lightly sand over the image to give it a distressed, rustic look.

You can even the use the image a few times, so you can apply the image once and then the second time will be lighter.

It’s fun to play with to get your desired look.

Christmas Crate

For this Christmas crate I wanted it to look rustic and very distressed because that’s my jam so I love the faded look. Of course you can make it more vibrant by rubbing it harder and like I mentioned misting the surface with a little water before applying the image.

The crate is a clearance find awhile ago from Hobby Lobby and the image I used is from Etsy, you can get it HERE.

You will also want to make sure you don’t shift the wax paper when rubbing the image on the surface. If you feel more comfortable using a little painter’s tape to hold it in place while you are pressing the image onto the surface.

Should I Seal It?

I recommend letting it dry overnight before applying a sealer. I also recommend using a spray sealer and lightly spraying it over the project.

This is a fun project to do on crates, trays, cutting boards, wood signs to give your projects a custom look!

I hope this gave you some inspo for making projects!

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