A wood slice ornament with a photo on it looks like something from a gift shop, and it costs a couple of dollars to make. The host of Cooking and Craft Chick transfers a laser printed photo of her dog onto a birch wood slice with nothing but Mod Podge and water. The paper rubs away and the ink stays behind in the wood grain, so the picture looks printed right onto the slice.
Plan for two days. The transfer has to dry overnight before you can rub the paper off, but the hands-on part takes well under an hour.
How to make a wood slice ornament: the short version
- Print your photo in reverse on a laser printer.
- Brush a thick coat of Mod Podge over the print.
- Press it face down on the wood slice and let it dry 24 hours.
- Wet the paper and rub it off with your fingers.
- Seal with Mod Podge, drill a hole and add a twine loop.
Laser print, not inkjet
This is the rule that makes or breaks the project. Laser printers and photocopiers fuse toner onto the paper with heat, and that toner is what transfers to the wood. Inkjet ink is wet and water based, so it smears as soon as the Mod Podge touches it. If you only have an inkjet, print the photo and run it through a copy machine at a library or print shop. Use plain copy paper, not photo paper.
Always print in reverse, also called mirror. The photo goes on face down, so a normal print comes out backward. That matters most with words or names.
Choosing a wood slice and a photo
Pale wood like birch or basswood shows the image best. Dark wood swallows the picture. Pick slices that are smooth and flat on top, and sand any rough ones first. Photos with good contrast work better than soft or dark ones: pets, kids, a wedding shot or a favourite place. The wood tone shows through the light parts, which gives it that warm, vintage look.
Getting a clean transfer
- Too little Mod Podge. Thin spots do not transfer. Coat it until you can hardly see the photo.
- Air bubbles. Press from the center out, and press hard.
- Rubbing too soon. Wait the full 24 hours. Early rubbing lifts the image.
- White haze. That is leftover paper. Let it dry, wet it and rub again.
- Worn edges. A little wear looks rustic. Go gently at the edges if you want them crisp.
Ideas beyond the tree
Write a name and year on the back with a fine paint pen for a keepsake. Make a set for each grandchild, or use a photo of a pet who has passed as a memorial ornament. A bigger slice works as a coaster or a small sign. Without a hole, the slice can sit on a mantel or tie onto a gift.
More ornaments to make
Want to add some decoration around the photo? Try a little wood burning on the border. For more Mod Podge projects, see how to use Mod Podge. Round out the tree with pinecone ornaments, clay ornaments and more homemade Christmas ornaments.
