Printing your images onto wood is definitely a unique way to display your photos or art, but it can become a costly endeavor depending on the printing company and specific options you choose. If you’re looking to save a few dollars and are willing to try something new, check out this two-minute video on how to make your own wood prints using a home printer.
Steve Ramsey of Woodworking for Mere Mortals shows a clever and simple tip on how to create your own wood prints using materials found in your own home, and a photo transfer technique.
To get started, you’ll need an inkjet printer (Ramsey uses a Canon Pixma multifunction printer), any kind of used backing from adhesive paper (like Avery-branded shipping labels or similar), a piece of uncoated wood, and some lacquer. Now, you won’t be feeding the wood through the printer, so don’t fret about damaging it. What happens is, the printer will lay down ink on the smooth backing of the paper that doesn’t dry. The ink is then transferred onto the wood by layering the two pieces together. Note that the final printed image will be horizontally mirrored when transferred onto the wood, so you’ll need to use photo editing software to flip your chosen image appropriately, before printing it. Ramsey suggests using images with bright colors, since they’ll lose a lot of saturation during the process, and the lightest color wood you can find, to ensure the image gets printed as clear as possible. He also says to take your time, as there’s no need to rush since the ink won’t dry right away (however, it will dry instantly once it’s on the wood).
For people who enjoy alternative printing methods or do-it-yourself projects, listen to Ramsey’s advice and have some fun with this one. As Pop Photo notes, the image quality won’t be as high quality as the results from professional services. Ramsey does spray on a clear coat at the end, to make the colors pop a bit – making it look more saturated.
But hey, if you have some pieces of wood lying around in the backyard shed and a home printer, it’s a cheap crafty hack.
Looking to buy a new inkjet printer? Check our our reviews.
(Via Pop Photo)
