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How to easily transfer lettering and designs onto any surface

Today I want to share another quick tip that will help simplify so many of your DIY projects. This is one of my favorite, no cost, DIY tricks that I find myself using constantly.

This is a super simple method for transferring lettering and designs onto any surface including wood, walls, painted furniture, signs, and more. I have used this method many, many times for all types of projects (scroll to the bottom for a ton of project ideas). 

You’ll be able to transfer custom lettering in absolutely any font in any size as well as simple images.  And best of all, this method doesn’t require any fancy printers or cutting machines and it works beautifully every time.  

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How to transfer designs onto wood and other surfaces

You will need a printout your image or typography to be transferred, a pencil, a surface to transfer it onto, and painter’s tape. If you are transferring your design onto a dark surface, you will also need a piece of chalk.

This transfer method works on any surface that pencil or chalk will stick to. It is best for transferring onto fairly smooth surfaces like cardboard, paper, or wood, but I have also used it successfully on textured walls. 

First, you need to have a paper copy of the image or lettering to be transferred. You can simply print this on your home computer. 

If you need a larger size printed, it is pretty inexpensive to get black and white enlargements at your local copy store.  You can also get up to a 3’ x 4’ engineering print for around $5 at Staples.

These process photos were taken while creating a DIY Wooden Farmhouse Clock. The full clock tutorial can be found in my book, Wood Plank Projects.

Turn over the printout and rub pencil lead all over the back side of the paper.Be sure to cover the entire area behind the design you are transferring.

If you are transferring your design onto a very dark surface, rub the back of your printout with a piece of white chalk instead of a pencil.

Printout of the clock numbers taped in place on a wooden background.

Turn your design back over and place it on top of the surface you want to transfer it to, with the pencil side down. Be sure to pay attention to whether it is centered and straight.

You can use a few pieces of painter’s tape to keep the paper from moving around. 

Number outline transferred onto wooden clock background with a light pencil outline.

Use a pen or a sharp pencil to trace the outline of each part of your design. Be sure to maintain light pressure as you are tracing. 

Once you have traced everything, remove the paper and you will see a pencil outline of everything you just traced.

Filling in the transferred clock number with a black paint pen.

You can then finish your design however you choose. When lettering signs, I always prefer to use Sharpie paint markers. They are so much easier to use than a paintbrush and work really well. 

Oil-based paint markers work well for wood and most other materials. Water-based paint markers are best if drawing directly on a wall.

Finished DIY wooden clock with numbers transferred using simple pencil transfer.

This is also my absolute favorite method for creating DIY signs. You can easily make signs with perfect lettering using any font and size you want.

Collage showing using a pencil transfer to transfer lettering to a sign, filling it in with a paint marker, and the completed framed wood sign.

Tutorial for making framed DIY wood signs here

And here is an example of how this same process works using chalk to transfer a design onto a dark background.

Collage showing using a chalk transfer to transfer a design onto a dark background.

Thankful sign tutorial is here

 

More great DIY Projects made using this simple transfer method

Even though I love this method for making signs, it also works great for lots of other DIY projects including wall murals, unique furniture, paper cutouts, silhouette art, and wood burning projects. Just click the links below to visit the full tutorials.

Painted mural in nursery with the words Dream Big above the crib.

Dream Big Mural in the Nursery (using a chalk transfer on a dark wall)

End table with a plywood top with a sheet music design transferred onto it.

End table with a custom wood top with music transfer

DIY wood sign and photo display.

DIY Thankful Photo Display Sign

Huge wooden family silhouette.

Oversized Family Silhouette Art

Adorable DIY wooden arrow growth chart with large numbers.

Wooden Arrow Growth Chart

Large DIY family rules sign.

Oversized Family Rules Sign

Cutting board with custom DIY wood burned phrase.

DIY Custom Cutting Board

Paper silhouette cut out.

Easy DIY Silhouette Art

Map of the United States with National Parks marked.

DIY National Parks Map Sign

DIY wood sign that says Fresh Air and Sunshine.

Fresh Air & Sunshine Sign

diy farmhouse clock

How to easily transfer lettering and designs onto any surface

Yield: 1 Project
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: easy
Estimated Cost: $1-$5

This is a super simple method for transferring lettering and designs onto any surface including wood, walls, painted furniture, signs, and more.

Materials

  • Printed image or typography
  • a pencil
  • a surface for transfer
  • painter’s tape

Instructions

  1. Turn over the printout and rub a pencil all over the back side.
  2. Turn your design back over and place it on top of your surface with the pencil side down.  
  3. Use painter’s tape to keep the paper from moving.
  4. Use a pen or a sharp pencil to trace the outline of each part of your design.
  5. Remove paper. The design will be lightly outlined on your surface in pencil. Then you can trace over it or fill it in with paint or a paint marker.

Notes

If you are transferring your image to a dark surface, you can use chalk in place of a pencil. The light chalk will be much easier to see on a dark surface than pencil.

Did you make this project?

I'd love for you to leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest!

I’d love for you to pin this for later!

Google Web Story: How to Transfer Lettering and Designs

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4 Comments

  1. Hi Carrie! I have just started following your blog and I just wanted to tell you how much i am enjoying it. I have definitely have to try this so i “Pin”ed it. I have found so many great ideas here and inspirtation. thank you so much and have a Merry Christmas.
    Cheryl

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