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Make a sign with Ink Transfer onto Wood

Here is a fun and easy tutorial on making a spooky Halloween sign.  The greatest thing about this project is that by using the ink transfer method you can print a huge variety of images.  I used all of my images from dingbats or fonts that I downloaded free from the internet!

My kids had fun helping me with this one, and they are soooo excited to hang it on our door.

MyLove2Create, Spooky Halloween Sign

Let’s get started…

cutting old wood for spooky Halloween Sign

If you don’t have a saw, you can buy a board from the Home Depot (check the cull bin) or Lowes and have them cut it for you.  I just guessed on a length, it can be as long or short as you want.

Since I was doing a “spooky” sign this board had a rough edge and I liked that.

Then…

MyLove2Create, Spooky Halloween Sign, measuring and drilling screw eyes

I used a dab of wood glue in each hole before I screwed in the screw eyes (these were less than $3 each bag at Home Depot).  It is easier to screw them in with a pair of pliers, too, unless you have super buff fingers….

Next…

MyLove2Create, Spooky Halloween Sign, adding chains to wood

I had this old chain laying around and since it was the look I was going for I used it.  However…it was truly fiendish!  Ugh!  I had to have my super strong husband clip it for me so I could attach it to the screw eyes.  Also since my boards were uneven I needed to make sure they were even by having a longer chain on one side.

If you do use a chain take this into consideration…

MyLove2Create, Spooky Halloween Sign

I used the top chain that needed clipping.  The bottom chain (I used in a different project *update this project) was MUCH easier to use for attaching to screw eyes.

Now onto how you transfer your images or words…

MyLove2Create, Spooky Halloween Sign, ink transfer method

I am loving this method and have done a few more projects with it, I discovered it here.  Make sure when you run it through  the printer that it is going to print on the wax paper side.  Also, make sure there are no sticky parts of the tape showing, it might cause a paper jam….just sayin’.  When I place the wax paper on the wood, and have it where I want it,  I tape down the sides to make sure it won’t slip when I am rubbing.  And one last important tip, don’t forget to reverse your image!  If you are having trouble google it, that’s what I did, and all computers are different, mine said to flip horizontally.   
It is cool because when you rub you will notice the image will start look darker, then you know it is working!  I also love that the image transfers with an already old look, you don’t have to sand the images like you would when you paint them on.
Here are a few more pictures…

MyLove2Create, Spooky Halloween Sign

MyLove2Create, Spooky Halloween Sign
MyLove2Create, Spooky Halloween Sign
MyLove2Create, Spooky Halloween Sign

MyLove2Create, Spooky Halloween Sign
MyLove2Create, Spooky Halloween Sign

Thanks so much for visiting!

Lots of Love,
Mindi


I will be linking to these parties.

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9 Comments

  1. What a great tutorial Mindi. You are awesome! I definitely want to try this freezer paper thing. What other surfaces can you do a project like this besides wood?

    Sharing and Pinning!!!

  2. Thank you so much for linking to Homa Style’s No Orange Autumn Display Link Party. Your technique is interesting and I was excited to show it to my readers. I will try this soon! Homa Style will be hosting a Simple Holiday Handmade Gift Idea Link Party {Please no sale items} on Oct 31. Hope to see you there. Thanks again!

  3. WOW! what a great idea! so different and it turned out great! perfect for Halloween (scary) hi!hi! 🙂
    stopping by from Krista's Halloween linky party! 🙂

  4. These look great. Question though…are you utilizing an ink jet printer or a laser for the transfer? Thanks,