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I have been experimenting lately with doing image transfers to solid surfaces - mainly wood.

I found a method that I absolutely love because the results are stunning and it's relatively easy to accomplish.

It involves using clear gel medium and output from a laser printer.

This is the results of one of my trials - it's one of my favorite photos of my wife and our really good friends, out one night at a local bar.

Image was placed on a solid piece of White Oak measuring 11×8 1/2 inches and just under an inch thick.

Finish was a simple coat of spray lacquer.

Simple, but a very nice effect! I can see potential here for some future client orders.

If there's enough interest in this, I'll create a blog while doing my next one - just LMK!

Enjoy!

PS: For those interested in how this was done, I am putting up a multi-part blog on this process. Part One can be found here: http://lumberjocks.com/KnotCurser/blog/36527

-bob

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Comments

· In Loving Memory
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Yup, would like to see a blog on the process..
Nice work..
 

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Very cool! Don't know if I would have equipment, supplies and everything to ever do that but would love to see process explained.
 

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hotbyte,

I PROMISE you would have the supplies as they are easily obtained from even Amazon. Under 20 bucks for quite a few transfers even!

I will certainly do a blog on the process - just "watch" this project or get on my "Buddy" list and you will be automatically alerted when I post the blog. Should be in the next week or two.

Cheers!

-bob
 

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Looks awesome Bob! I watched a video on youtube after you mentioned it last week talking about my growler totes and I just couldn't believe the results. This is definitely the best method, I can't wait to try it. I even noticed that a local Fred Meyer sells the Mod Podge stuff (didn't see the gel medium there but I'm sure a fabric or hobby store has it), and it was even cheaper than buying on amazon when you add the shipping. I know you can use a couple different things other than mod podge depending on what finish you are going for. I'm planning on testing it out in the next couple weeks and will look forward to seeing the process you used on your blog!

Is that the matte finish you used?

What really amazed me was I watched the girl put a coat of stain on the piece of wood after it was all done, and the stain didn't affect the picture at all, it wasn't a very dark stain but it surprised me that makeup of the stain didn't disrupt the picture at all, she just applied it directly over the whole thing.
 

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Oh yeah I also meant to ask if you used regular printer paper or actual photo paper?
 

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Blog - yup.
I have no idea how you did that.

Steve
 

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I promise to blog!

I use regular printer paper - as a matter of fact, the thinner the better. Photo paper would certainly NOT work as the paper has to be water soluble.

Fred Myers has this stuff, but it's not with the Modge Podge - look in the painting area. There are two mediums I am using now - this is the glossy clear gel medium (it dries clear and anything white on the photo shows the grain of the wood). I also use gesso, which dries matte white - a totally different effect, but you don't see ANY wood when finished.

Cheers!

-bob
 

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really cool. i like that you have a board that has the natural bark on the sides. i makes it look rustic, i have seen some that were done on finish pine from Home Depot and they look like kids building blocks(not good). Good work.
 

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Ahh gotcha, thats pretty awesome I see the upper white part of the pic shows the grain of the wood, can't wait to see your blog!
 

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Good job Bob. I'm looking forward to seeing the blog.
Keep up the good work.
flint
 

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Very nice Bob. Interesting that I've not since this type of work before and now have seen it twice in the last 3 days! Our fellow LumberJock buddy, Jay , had posted a project this same type of project - a gift for his dad. the linkl is:

http://lumberjocks.com/projects/85714
 

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Yup… blog it, blog it, blog it..
 

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Yes… would be very interested in seeing the process detailed.

Can you please tell us the name on the bottle for the clear stuff?
 

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I would also like to get a detailed process description as this has all sorts of possibilities!
 

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Interesting work, Bob. Love to see a blog.
 

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Very neat project. I would also like more details on this transfer method.
 
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