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How to make: Easy Photo Canvas

Every year for Christmas, I find that the best gifts are always photos of children/grandchildren/great grandchildren. Last year I gave a ton of photo canvases as gifts, but a few months ago I found and even easier way to do them than I did last year. You can make them in about 10 minutes of hand-on time. And you’ll look like a rock star.

To make this photo canvas, you will need:
a 6×6 inch canvas
gift wrap tissue paper
plain white cardstock
gift wrap tape
Mod Podge
a foam brush
Digi-Finish clear coat (or any non-yellowing clear coat)
not shown: craft knife
Optional: Mod Podge Brush

Start by laying out a single sheet of tissue paper, matte side down. Place a sheet of cardstock on top and trim around it so you have a 2 inch allowance.

Using the tape to secure it, wrap the tissue paper around the cardstock. You don’t need a solid line of tape, but do use enough to secure it well.

Then run the tissue covered cardstock through the printer, so it will print directly on the tissue paper. {I use an ink jet printer – I have not tried this on other kinds.}

If there are words on your photo, make sure to reverse the image. Lightly spray the entire image with hair spray to set the ink. Set aside to let dry for 5-10 minutes.

Once it’s dry, cut the tissue off the cardstock with a craft knife, giving yourself a 1/2 inch (or so) border. Now your image is ready to mount.

To mount it on your canvas, give your canvas a solid, thin coat of Mod Podge. I pre-painted the sides of my canvas charcoal grey, but you can leave them white if you’d like.

Once your canvas is covered, gently lay the image on top of the Mod Podge, then smooth out. I find it’s much easier with the Mod Podge brush. Just be gentle, the tissue paper is very thin. Sit aside your canvas for 2-3 hours to completely dry before going on to the next step.

Once it’s completely dry, lightly wet the tip of your finger with water and drag it along the edge of the canvas where your image is. The tissue will peel right off. It won’t be a perfect, crisp edge, but it looks really pretty.

Once your edges are cleaned up, spray the entire canvas with two coats of Digi-Finish. It really makes the tones darken up.

Let it dry, and you’ll be done! If you need several gifts, you can assembly line them and be done in no time. You can use a hair dryer to speed up drying times – except for the clear coat of Digi-Finish.

Although I’m giving a few as gifts, this easy photo canvas is for me πŸ™‚

 

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Filed Under: crafts

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

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Comments

  1. Kim@Snug Harbor says

    November 17, 2012 at 2:52 pm

    Very cool idea – thanks!

    Reply
  2. Arlene says

    November 17, 2012 at 4:41 pm

    That is a really great idea and thank you for this tutorial too.

    Reply
  3. Bowmanh23 says

    November 17, 2012 at 7:42 pm

    Wow, thanks for posting this! I know what I will be doing this week! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  4. Sandra@Beneath this Roof, Within these Walls says

    November 18, 2012 at 12:39 am

    I had no idea one could do this!! I know I am going to be making lots of these, including several for myself. Thank you so much. Your tutorial is very clear and well written, no unanswered questions, and I love that!

    Reply
  5. Jeannie-JB says

    November 18, 2012 at 12:59 am

    I don’t know Gina, how do you know how to do all this amazing stuff? Does it come to you in your sleep? Your amazing. Thanks soooo much for sharing it with us

    Reply
  6. CamilleW says

    November 18, 2012 at 1:17 am

    Awesome!!! I see a number of gifts coming out of this tutorial…and just in time! Thank you!!

    Reply
  7. Carolbow says

    November 18, 2012 at 1:38 am

    Have to try this! Do you use gloss or matte Digi-Finish spray?

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      November 18, 2012 at 1:09 pm

      I used the Matte, but either one works great

      Reply
  8. Bliss says

    November 18, 2012 at 2:17 am

    Pinned.

    Bliss

    Reply
  9. unoynot says

    November 18, 2012 at 3:11 am

    IMPRESSED!!! What a great job you do of explaining and illustrating the process, thank you and happy Thanksgiving to you and all you love…

    Reply
  10. NanaDiana says

    November 18, 2012 at 4:14 am

    Wow! GREAT instructions, too. What a perfect idea for gifts! Love it- xo Diana

    Reply
  11. Folk Heart says

    November 18, 2012 at 6:24 pm

    Thank you, thank you! Wonderful idea with great instructions. XO

    Reply
  12. beccaw says

    November 19, 2012 at 2:46 am

    Great tutorial, thanks so much!

    Reply
  13. Olivia says

    November 19, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    I want to try this! I have questions though: did you put the tissue paper on the canvas face down or face up? And did you peel all the tissue paper off or just the edges? I can’t figure out if this is an ink transfer or if you really glued the tissue paper to the canvas. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      November 19, 2012 at 4:40 pm

      Hi Olivia,
      I put the tissue paper ink down on the canvas, and just took off the edges so that all of the tissue is left on the canvas.

      Happy Crafting!

      Reply
    • Lori says

      February 3, 2018 at 2:43 pm

      Hi Gina !
      When I did this process, I still found my printer ink to bleed. Plus, I have NEVER been able to apply the photo without tearing it somewhere. Do you have any suggestions?

      I am going to try your technique using the spray & not as much Matte.

      Reply
      • Gina Luker says

        February 5, 2018 at 4:37 pm

        Hi Lori,

        My printer uses waterproof ink so that may be why? You need to be super careful with the photo, I’m sure you will get the hang of it, it takes practice πŸ™‚

        Reply
  14. Danylle McLain says

    November 21, 2012 at 2:19 am

    What a great idea! I can’t wait to try it. Thank you Gina!

    Reply
  15. Leeann says

    November 25, 2012 at 11:23 am

    So I went to M’s and got everything I needed (believe it or not it was only the canvas which was BOGO so I bought 4, I had everything else on hand), came home and got started and it was so easy I made a total of 3. They are hanging in my foyer and I can’t believe I made them πŸ™‚

    Thank you so much for your site and all your inspiration, my house would be so boring without you.

    Reply
  16. jessica says

    November 14, 2013 at 10:03 pm

    This is WONDERFUL! Thank you so much, I am making them for friends & family of their kids for a very inexpensive, personal gift! (I have made a few for myself too!)

    Reply
  17. Marcia says

    November 21, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    Thank you soooo much for the Photo Canvas Tutorial! Now I know what I’m doing this weekend. love* love*love* your blog!

    Reply
  18. Tracey says

    October 27, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    hi, thank you for this great tuturial , just one question, does it have to be tissue paper or can i use normal copy paper?
    Cheers and thank you

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      October 28, 2014 at 11:56 am

      It has to be tissue paper.

      Reply
  19. Lisa says

    January 11, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    I have been looking everywhere for the Digi-Finish but cannot locate it anywhere in my area. Can you recommend anything else to use that gives the same effect?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      January 28, 2015 at 9:33 am

      Any non-yellowing sealer that works on paper will do fine. You could even use Mod Podge!

      Reply
  20. Beverly says

    October 17, 2016 at 10:07 pm

    Thank you for sharing your great tutorial! It turned out beautiful. Hugs, Beverly http://teacottagepretties.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      October 19, 2016 at 7:59 am

      Thanks so much Beverly!

      Reply
  21. Michelle says

    October 17, 2016 at 10:15 pm

    Can you do this same thing on a piece of wood

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      October 19, 2016 at 8:02 am

      You sure can Michelle. I always recommend trying it out on a scrap piece first just to get the process down before you try it on your project piece πŸ™‚

      Reply
  22. Lynn says

    October 18, 2016 at 11:09 am

    Can you use any size canvas??

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      October 19, 2016 at 7:58 am

      Sure Lynn, just adjust the size of your picture πŸ™‚

      Reply
  23. Donna says

    December 3, 2016 at 6:46 pm

    I love this and want to try it out. Can you tell me the exact printer you use. I can tell it is an HP.
    Im not all that tech friendly, if im going to buy a new printer i want to buy the right one.

    Thank you,

    Donna

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      December 5, 2016 at 10:48 am

      Hi Donna,
      I use an HP Inkjet printer, great printer and not expensive πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Donna says

        December 12, 2016 at 10:19 pm

        Thank you…. I have tried 2 epson printers and they leave black streak lines in the photo on the tissue paper. Been a frustrating process. Thank you!!!

        Reply
  24. kelly says

    December 5, 2016 at 11:14 am

    Have to tried any other product to finish with besides the digi finish? I’m wondering if a polly acrylic or decoupage would work.

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      December 7, 2016 at 11:12 am

      I’m sure either would work just fine Kelly!

      Reply
  25. Rachel says

    January 15, 2017 at 9:50 am

    Have you ever painted the face of the canvas first, then placed the printed paper on it?

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      January 15, 2017 at 11:31 pm

      No, but it shouldn’t be a problem, good luck!

      Reply
  26. A. J. says

    April 17, 2018 at 2:52 pm

    Why not just print directly on photo canvas?

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      April 17, 2018 at 3:49 pm

      I don’t have the ability to do that so this is the next best thing πŸ™‚

      Reply
  27. Abby says

    September 9, 2018 at 12:02 pm

    Why do we need to reverse text before printing?

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      September 10, 2018 at 10:50 am

      Hi Abby, if you don’t any text will be a mirror image so reversed.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. DIY Image Transfer Ornament - * THE COUNTRY CHIC COTTAGE (DIY, Home Decor, Crafts, Farmhouse) says:
    May 5, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    […] a few weeks back Gina with The Shabby Creek Cottage tried out the tissue paper image transfer technique.  She made it look so super simple that I […]

    Reply

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ARE YOU A FARMHOUSE FAN?
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