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Your Questions About Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium . . . Answered!

Your Questions About Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium . . . Answered!

 
 
Have you tried Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium? If not, you're missing out! This is one of my favorite Mod Podge formulas, just because the results are so unique and pretty. And who doesn't love personalizing their projects? Yes - I love adding photos to my crafts, and the Photo Transfer Medium is the perfect way to do it.
 
If you are new to Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium, I recommend that you check out this video as well as read a recent article I wrote on Mod Podge Rocks with my top five tips. The product has a bit of a learning curve, but with just a little time and some practice, you're going to be an expert - and I promise that this formula will become one of your favorites, too! To help you along, I'm answering some of the top questions I get asked about Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium. Check out my Q&A below.
 
Q: Why should I use Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium over regular Mod Podge?
A: It's a completely different product. While there are photo transfers you can do with regular Mod Podge, the Mod Podge brand photo transfer medium is its own item and is a one step process. You don’t need glue to go along with it like you do for other photo transfers! Also keep in mind that you cannot use the Photo Transfer Medium for regular decoupaging. It's made for photo transferring only.
 
Q: Does Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium have a clear background?
A: The background is actually opaque. This makes it perfect for dark surfaces. Not only that, but this gives the image the best chance of "popping" off the surface - meaning, making the colors look rich.
 
Q: Can I use this medium on dark surfaces?
A: Yes! The opaque background prevents the dark surface from interfering with your photo. That's one of my favorite things about it.
 
Q: Can I use this medium on wood?
A: Absolutely! I've used it on wood many times. You can use it on any porous surface that you can get wet. You'll be getting it wet to reveal the image below, as one of the last steps of the process.
 
Q: What tools do you recommend for using Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium?
A: You will need waxed paper, your medium, a copy of your favorite photo printed from a dry toner printer, a brush, and scissors. I also love using the Mod Podge brayer to roll out my photos after applying the medium.
 
Q: Can I use it to transfer a regular photo?
A: No - you must use a printout from a dry toner printer. So you'll need to color copy those photos! Which is nice because you can preserve the original image.
 
Q: Is there anything I can do to speed up the drying process - like use a hair dryer or put it in the oven?
A: No. You'll have to be patient with this product! Remember to include the drying time of 24 hours when planning your project.
 
Q: I seem to have the most difficulty when rubbing the paper off of the image. Help!
A: Mod Podge photo transfers can be tricky and take a little bit of practice. I’ve noticed two things with the photo transfers using the medium. 1) you need to make sure there is enough medium between the paper and the surface. You should not be able to see the image (it should be completely obscured by medium) when you place it down. 2) the paper might not come off the first round. After you let it dry for 24 hours, you’ll rub the paper off AFTER wetting it. It typically takes me about two rounds to completely remove it all. It’s not because it can’t be done, it’s just that I’m careful because TOO much rubbing can remove the image. So I’d rather get as much as I can (which is sometimes hard to see when it’s wet), let it dry, and then go back and remove the rest of the paper. You can definitely wet it again and rub it again without worry.
 
Q: My photo transfer medium has a slightly washed-out look. Is this normal?
A: Yes. The image is transferred, so it's not going to be as bold as if you just decoupaged a photo onto the surface. I call it a "vintage-y" look - kind of like a filter you might find on a smartphone app. I really love the results!
 
Q: Can my photo transfer be washed?
A: If it's on fabric, yes. You wouldn't want to wash wood, of course. Though on wood or other hard surfaces you CAN use a dampened paper towel along with mild soap and water. Fabric project surfaces can be hand washed and line dried.
 
Still have more questions? Leave them in the comments or check out Plaid's FAQ section in their Decoupage Education Center here! I'd also love for you to check out my collection of over 30 photo transfer crafts at Mod Podge Rocks.
 
Posted: 5/3/2016 7:04:00 AM by LEAP | with 15 comments
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Comments
Melek Saglova
Can I use it on a silicon surface?
10/8/2018 2:56:00 PM

michelle perkins
Do you have to shake the bottle to mix it before using it?
5/16/2018 6:59:23 PM

Maria Butler
Working on a project for my son's wedding where I transferred a baby photo of him and I to the inside of a fabric purse. I'm not happy with the results after rubbing off the paper. Can I start over? How do I remove it? Thx.

From Plaid: Hi Maria, once the photo transfer has set its very difficult to remove. If the image is still cloudy there could be paper still on the image.
3/8/2018 8:13:11 AM

Krystel Hathaway
If I stain my wood piece, can I still mod podge a picture on? Also how do I transfer a ultrasound photo to wood?

From Plaid: Yes you can, just make sure the stain is completely dry before doing the transfer
1/21/2018 12:28:16 PM

Michellle Schrader
Can I photo transfer onto scrapbook paper?
12/9/2017 9:28:12 AM

Santi Joedho
What the differences between Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium and Picture This transfer medium....and all those products from PLAID. And which one is the best?
10/5/2017 3:07:34 AM

Andrea D
You said "there are other photo transfers you can do with regular Mod Podge", what do you mean by this? Could you delve a little deeper? Is it because of the metal that MP PT must be used or??? There are so many products it gets a little confusing. I currently use a non-MP for transfers but have to do other things if I want the white to show, etc. so if I can understand this better I would be willing to give it a try. Thanks so much!!! :-)
10/2/2017 12:31:40 AM

Kristin
Should I stain the wood before or after I transfer the photo?
8/12/2017 11:45:39 AM

Shellye
Can you use this on plexiglass?
7/15/2017 1:48:05 PM

Anita Mosteller
I've removed what I think is all of the paper and wet it looks great but when it dries, there is a white residue.
Is that really paper that I still need to remove? Or did I do something wrong?
6/19/2017 12:23:26 PM

Jenn Tibbitts
The mod podge photo medium is so thick, right out of the bottle, its like it started hardening before i purchased it. Maybe I got an old bottle? Or is this mod podge consistency supposed to be much thicker in comparison to the other mod podges?
6/16/2017 10:11:37 PM

Andrea
I have a few bare spots in the background of my photos from where I rubbed the wood too harx. Is there a way to fill them in?
6/16/2017 7:45:18 PM

Connie
Can I use it on a coffee mug?
6/6/2017 9:53:46 PM

Maggie
I have had the same experience - not just "vintage" faded, but nearly white, when the image was dark orange and deep lapis blue. I've done it twice and same result!
5/16/2017 2:40:30 PM

Claudia
I tried Using Modge Podge Photo Tranfser on Domenica pictures I printed out in grayscale. I waited patiently for them to dry and carefully removed the paper but now the resulting image is VERY faded...is that normal?
3/30/2017 2:35:21 PM

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