Projects on My Plate

  • Veda's Birthday Party
  • Sienna's Birthday Party
  • Sienna's Pencil Skirt
  • Pencil Skirt
  • Wardrobe re-do
  • Floral Skirt for Mommy
  • Breck's Bedding
  • Sienna and Veda's Bedding
  • Apron

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Wall Art for Sienna's Room

First off, let me just say, I really love photos printed onto a canvas. Really. I knew I wanted a set of them in Sienna's room, but as most of you know, we are still students so our decorating budget didn't exactly cover printing four 8"x10" photos onto a canvas. It's pretty darn expensive for just one let alone FOUR!!! I had seen a few ideas online about getting pictures printed out, then just mod-podging the picture onto the canvas, and sanding the sides a bit, which I liked, but I still really wanted that "printed on canvas" texture on the picture itself. Then, while looking around online one day, I found out that you can actually print from your computer onto tissue paper! *Brilliant!*

Thus, my idea was born. I would print out four pictures onto tissue paper, then mod-podge it onto the canvases! The tissue is thin enough to where the texture of the canvas comes through, and I was very satisfied with the end results! Are you curious now? You want to try it? Well here's what you do:

What you need:
Canvas (however many you are using, I used 8x10's)
White tissue paper (I only needed one regular sized sheet for four pictures)
Printer *with ink* :)
Regular printer paper
Scissors
Tape
Mod-Podge
Brush

Step1:
Take a piece of printer paper. Place it on a corner of the tissue paper, and cut out around it. It doesn't have to be perfect, but will need to be trimmed up later. Cut the length one inch longer than the length of the printer paper.

Step 2:
Trim up the side of the tissue paper so it's the same width as the width of the printer paper.

Step 3:
Put printer paper in the middle of the tissue paper so there is one half inch overflow on each side. Fold each end over, and tape. I used double sided tape underneath, but regular tape on the edges will work fine too.




Step 4:
Perform a test on your paper in your printer, if you don't know what side it prints on. I drew a star on the side that I was going to put in face-up. I printed out the word "test" to see what side it printed on. It printed on the opposite side of the star, so I knew when I fed the special paper through, I would need to make sure the tissue side was down. If you already know how your printer feeds, ignore everything I just said.

Step 5:
Print off your picture to however big your canvas is, stand there while it prints to make sure it feeds through right.

Step 6:
Separate tissue from printer paper, once ink is completely dry. I just cut along the fold where I folded the tissue paper over.



Step 7:
Mod-podge a layer onto the canvas.



Step 8:
Very carefully, lower the picture onto the canvas, making sure the sides all match up. Then starting with the middle, gently rub the tissue down in a circular motion with your fingers to get it to adhere to the canvas better. Start in the middle and move your way out until the whole picture is glued.

Step 9:
Cut the excess edges as close to the canvas as the scissors will allow you. mod-podge just under then, and gently with your fingers once again, rub the edges down onto the mod-podge. You won't be able to see a definite line (except for where the picture ends and the white begins, but that's normal for the regular photo canvases too).




After that, you are pretty much done, unless you want to embellish them. I put a couple of ribbon embellishments on mine!



*And it totally has the canvas texture on front!*

Here's how I displayed 'em.

147 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh, I just love this!! What a great idea. I think I am going to have to try this for some of my black and white pictures of my girls. Great job!!

Kelsee said...

Now that is cool!!!!!! I might have to do this for our living room! I can't even stand how dang cute that is!!! -Kelsee

Unknown said...

How cute is that? Love!

Suzi Homemaker said...

Wow, this is awesome. I am making them TODAY! But first I have to go buy more ink for our printer :)

Jennifer said...

I would have never thought of this...and am glad you shared! How cool!!!!

Jan said...

Thank you...love this technique...can't wait to try it!

coycoy said...

This is a great idea!!!! Thanks for the tutorial!!!

Anonymous said...

You're a genius! I will trying this out! Thank you for sharing!

Jill said...

This is so so so cool! I'll definitely have to try this!

Nina @ Momma Go Round said...

This is such a brilliant idea! I love canvas photos but they are so expensive and I don't want to be married to one picture forever.

I'm linking this up on my blog's FB page!

www.facebook.com/mommagoround

Cheryl said...

you are clever and your finished product looks great. what a sweet little one.

Unknown said...

Love this idea & like you won't/can't spend the money on "real" canvas. I read the link back about "easy in theory...", I could be wrong but I think there is a difference in some tissue paper such as, some from a craft store or card store and some from $ store & maybe that was the problem when it tore.
Also I was curious, do I need to add Modge Podge on top after smoothing out the tissue? Thanks so much!!

Tiffany said...

AwESoME! My brain is churning, I bought larger canvases so I just have to figure out a way to posterize. Thanks for posting (btw..found u at one pretty thing)

The Cornett Family said...

@Jeri
I would definitely add the mod podge layer to the top. Because tissue paper is so thin, it could easily seat scratch and tear. Great question!

Thanks everyone for the nice comments!!

Tru said...

Found this via Pinterest. Did you use a plain inkjet printer and plain ink, or special ink? I love it, by the way!

The Cornett Family said...

@ Tru

I just used regular printer ink, and not an amazing quality printer. I'm sure a great printer and great ink would enhance this project 100 times, but luckily it's not necessary.

Thanks for your comment!!

Leigh Anne said...

Thanks for sharing this great idea! I can't wait to try it!

Lola said...

So genius and so easy! thanks for sharing.

cALyPsO said...

OMG!!! Brilliant!
... and.. I'm out of Modge Podge!! EEEK!!!!
I plan on doing a similiar project to my TV Dinner trays... I just need to get the modge podge... Right now my mind is literally exploding with ideas....
Great job.

Victoria said...

My tissue paper has a shiny side and a dull side, which side did you print on? I know not all tissue paper is the same so wondering if it even makes a difference. Thank you for sharing this awesome project with us!! This is a must do on my list :)

The Cornett Family said...

@ Victoria

The tissue paper I used for this project was dull on both sides, but since I do know for sure that the dull side works great, I would print onto the dull side. Plus, the dull side of the tissue paper would probably absorb the ink better on that side, allowing it to dry quicker, while the shiny side might be subject to smearing.

Great question, I hadn't thought of that!

jasmoonbutterfly said...

Thank you for sharing :0) A wonderful post!

H A L to the G C's Ma said...

I have to tell you how funny it is to see this post on so many of my friends' pintrest. I love this idea. Thanks for sharing!

The Presutti's said...

New Follower! Thanks for this great idea!! I am going to try it!

ShareandRemember said...

That's great, I'm going to try it. My HP prints excellent pictures but wonder if it's too finicky for printing on the tissue? We'll see...I did this type of project with a regular photo too! I had them printed at Walgreens and Modge Podged them onto canvas. They looked great! http://shareandremember.blogspot.com/2010/12/sneak-peek.html

Elle and Lou said...

Great technique. I will repin this. Lynda

karenlynn58 said...

What kind of tissue paper do you use? Mine tore when I started trying to smooth it out....Help!

The Cornett Family said...

Thanks again, everyone for the nice comments! I hope the project works out for you all!

@ karenlynn58

I'm about 90% sure i used tissue paper from Wal-mart. I think they only had one brand there, and I found it next to the gift wrap and balloons. Your tissue paper might be too thin and/or fiberous. Maybe try tissue paper from a craft or party store instead, it might prove a little more durable. Also, when mod podging the canvas before you apply the tissue paper, try applying a thinner layer. Sometimes too much mod-podge can over-saturate the tissue paper, which of course is bound to make the paper break up. Good question, let me know how it turns out!

The Cornett Family said...

Another tip - When rubbing the tissue paper onto the canvas be even more gentle rubbing it than you would think being gentle would be. Imagine you are rubbing the back of a tiny, premature baby. Very very gentle!!

Sarah said...

Great idea! Something different, I love it. Thank you!

Girlfriends Are Like Shoes

JanieMae said...

I've always understood that Ink-jet printers have ink that will "run" so how does this work when you place the tissue paper on a water-based product like Mod-Podge??? Shouldn't you print with a non-water based ink like in a LASER PRINTER?????

AmyT said...

I love this. I pinned it because I think it is an awesome idea.

The Cornett Family said...

@Janie Mae

Your point seems like a reasonable conclusion. All I know, is that I have a regular ink-jet printer, and it worked fabulously. I also know others who have used their ink-jet printers, and it has worked great. I'm sorry I don't have a better explanation as to why, but it really does work! Hope that helps :S

Kerry_Kid Giddy said...

That's really cute! I can't bring myself to put burlap or tissue paper into my printer! Maybe I shall try! have you ever gotten a piece stuck? So scared to ruin it! (brand new)!

minty tutu said...

I tried it - it worked! The first time I tried it the ink did run.

the second time I let the first layer of modge podge dry a bit - so that it wasn't wet - just tacky. much better results.

Carmen said...

Thank you so much for this :) I found you via Pinterest and have fallen in love with this technique.I tried it on a mixed media canvas here: http://whoopidooings.blogspot.com/2011/10/grunge-goes-girly.html and will definitely be trying your photo canvas idea for Christmas presents this year!

Just as an aside - I have never bought Modpodge and I used my Paperpatch/Decopatch glue (I don't know if that is similar to Modpodge?) but it worked perfectly and like you, just a normal printer.

Unknown said...

wooow.. I loved it :D
defiantly I'll try it once I get back home from Work today ^_^
thnx

Jeanie said...

I wonder if you sprayed the picture lightly with a clear varnish type spray and let it dry first, then mod pogde it would not run as easy? Just a thought...very cute! I am excited to give it a try!

Mariska said...

That's awesome. Found it on Pinterest, and have to try it!

Talulla said...

What a cute idea! I wanted to try it right away, but didn't have any tissue paper. I had some vellum paper, so I used that to "play" around with. Turned out super cute. I modge podged the vellum photo to one of those floating picture frames. But I can't wait to try it with the tissue. I'm thinking Christmas presents!

Brittany said...

I could not get this to work for me. I tried several times (like 10)but I keep getting streaks in my pictures. :( I really wanted this to work because it's a fabulous idea.

The Cornett Family said...

Brittany, I am so sorry it didn't work for you! I'm super bummed!

Unknown said...

So glad to see this! I've seen several tuts on using a gel medium to actually transfer the picture to the canvas (or even to wood), but I wanted something simpler, and with products I already have ;) I can't wait to try it!!

Mrs. AJB said...

My printer keeps tearing the tissue paper as I'm printing! It is super frustrating. I may try taping down all sides instead of just two..sigh. I want these to work so bad!!

Bruce the Bird Dog said...

Found this on Pinterest! I used lightweight fabric interfacing and spray adhesive on card stock to get the same effect. NO tearing! My printer is a beast and ate the tissue paper. I just sprayed my cardstock with the adhesive, let it get tacky, and smoothed on a piece of Pellon interfacing..charm!

Venus-Suburbia Soup said...

This so awesome! I'm gonna have to try this. Found you on Pinterest, BTW. Glad I did!

Talulla said...

Update: I did this, but used tracing paper. It worked great and didn't make my printer mad!

Lisa said...

Oh, I am so going to try this!!!

Thank you for sharing this idea ;)

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness! I LOVE this idea! I'm going to try it with my girls' pics, but I might also do this for one of my art classes~ I teach K-8 graders...Thanks for sharing!!!

Ms. Suckoo said...

What an amazing idea! I can't wait to try this out! Thanks for sharing!

Barbie said...

Incredible! I am definitely going to give this a shot. Thank you for posting such great directions.

Judy said...

Thank you so much for sharing. My grand-daughters were born with in a month of each other. I am excited to make make this. I want to make something special for my 2 grand-daughters. Thank you

Judy said...

Thank you so much for sharing. My grand-daughters were born with in a month of each other. I am excited to make make this. I want to make something special for my 2 grand-daughters. Thank you

Heather said...

I am going to give this a shot.

Christine said...

I am trying this, and I will link back to you--thanks for the fantastic tutorial...

AFFerriss said...

I recommend not printing straight black and white, or at least not on a lexmark printer.. it's really dark and/or bleeds. Also, I had to use two pieces of paper together so it wouldn't shred the tissue. *LIGHT* Ironing helped too but wasn't necessary the third go round ha.

AFFerriss said...

Trying this now. Paper got torn up the first time through so I tried two printer papers vs just one and it worked. Though all the pictures I tried that had pure black in them bled really bad ( we look like watercolor people!) I also tried to do a top-coat of the modpodge for a glossy painted look... also do not recommend that. Unless maybe after it is totally dried and you have a very light, thin coat.. because it made it bleed too. Hopefully my second canvas comes out as beautiful as yours did!

featherfriend said...

Thank you, Sarah, for this marvelous technique. I have just finished applying the printed words, "Joy to the World" to a banner of canvas to decorate a Christmas tree. The hardest part was finding desirable font. The rest was just as you described and worked well with our inkjet printer. It saved tons of time in hand lettering!!! Thank you! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I cant get the rinkles out. I see you used regular tissue paper but its not working for me. Any Sugestions? Its making streaks over our faces.

Rona Gregory said...

Hannalo, don't know if this will help but when I stick anything to a canvas I sort of pad it out underneath to make it more firm and use a breyer to roll out creases as I find rubbing with fingers sometimes smudges the ink.

Sarah thanks for sharing... I have mod podged actual photos to canvas and then mod podged over them to give a textured effect but was wondering if you could use something thinner like tissue or silk...you have answered my question!

Tammy said...

Question about your photos. Did you change to color on your photos? Is that sepia? Id love to change the color but not sure how to get it to look like that.

The Cornett Family said...

@Tammy

I did change the coloration to Sepia. I have Picasa downloaded on my computer (it's free), and on their editing menu to the left of the picture, they give an option to change to sepia. Super simple. Hope that helps!

Anonymous said...

I just tried this..I taped my tissue paper to a piece of card stock and it worked great! I did overlap the tissue all around and taped all edges...I read on another blog to put a towel over the picture when you are smoothing it down, that way you won;t tear the tissue paper. I just used the white tissue paper I found at Wal-Mart in the Christmas wrap section .97 for 20 sheets!

KarlyD said...

I had a problem with ripping the tissue paper. If you are having problems like me, I found a site where it says you can actually use a real glossy picture.

http://thesassypepper.blogspot.com/2010/11/mod-podge-photos-on-canvas.html

~Stephanie Wafer said...

Oh my goodness!!! I am soooo excited about this! Saw it on Pinterest. Thanks for sharing your brilliance!

sak said...

can I use a laser printer?

Mads said...

I'm making one as I type -- it's drying on the counter and looks SO GOOD. I used tracing paper as one commenter suggested. Thank goodness I did -- the black ink in my photo bled all over the place, but the tracing paper came off of the canvas so easily, I was able to rescue the canvas and try again!

To ease up on wrinkling, I suggest using either a squeegee OR a rubber spatula to smooth out the photo. You get a much better final product.

Thanks for this easy-peasy how-to. You saved my mother-in-law's Christmas gift!!!

Cilenia Curtis said...

I do these all the time with different media like print on fabric, photo paper etc and adhere to wood, fabric, and canvas using an ink jet printer. Saw some had issues using that. The key to ink jet printers is
1- let it dry 15 minutes first. DO NOT TOUCH!
2 cover with clean printer paper for 24 hours before using. The ink needs to dry completely! Ink jets take 24 hours to dry completely.
3 When you mod podge be light and quick about it and use a foam sponge brush. Don't overwork, don't press hard.

Just thought I'd share my personal experiences. :)

Unknown said...

I love this : ) So creative and fun!

Sugartoast said...

YOU ARE AWESOME!!! I would never believe you could do this :o) Thanks...I have grandchildren, and I NEED their adorable faces on my wall.

Debbie

p.s. LOVE the way they look on YOUR wall!

Michelle said...

I have been trying this all day! I finally got the tissue paper to not rip by using card stock, but has anyone figured out the runny ink? I am getting very frustrated. Thanks!

A Stone Gatherer said...

I am about ready to put my picture on the canvas!! I am very excited!! One question though ~ Do you mod podge over the picture too, or just under it?

Artsnark said...

just spotted this on pinterest. Very clever & looks great!

Melissa said...

Looks great mod-podged on the canvas, but I could not for the life of me get one printed out nice without the ink getting smeared on the tissue. I googled all sorts of tips on printer settings to help with this and still couldn't get it just right...anyone have any tips that worked for them? I have an HP Photosmart printer.

Kellie said...

Just made 2 for a last minute birthday present! They turned out great!! We did not have any problem with the printer or the ink but we did find that a VERY thin layer of mod podge was key. The first time we did what we thought was thin and the tissue ripped bad. Another thing we found is if we put the tissue face down on a table and then pressed the canvas onto the back of the tissue, then rub the back of the canvas we had an amazing outcome. No lines or bubbles, a very smooth image.
Thanks for this AMAZING idea!

Juli said...

This is a tip to keep your tissue from tearing when it goes through the printer. I very lightly iron my sheet of tissue paper onto the shiny side of a piece of parchment paper. You can get a roll of parchment paper on the same isle as foil and plastic wrap. After lightly ironing the two together, cut to 8.5 x 11 inches and run through the printer as you would any plain paper. Either allow it to dry completely or lightly dry it with a heat gun. (Leave the lower corner unironed so that you have a corner to start to peel the tissue paper back off the parchment when you are finished.)
Juli

Terry Y said...

Was the printer you used an inkjet printer or a laser printer? love this idea. Will be doing it for myself and other family members.

bethanycavanaugh@gmail.com said...

This worked great for me--I used it to put some free printables from the New York Library archives onto canvas--it looks great with the antique look of the prints! I linked to you on my blog:
http://bethbeingcrafty.blogspot.com/2012/02/canvas-wall-art.html
Thanks!

Britton Felber said...

That is the coolest thing ever!!!!! I've been doing professional wedding photography for about 6 years now and never seen anything like this before! I LOVE IT! And the vintage feel you get from it is outstanding! Keep it up!!!!

Heather Nalley Townley said...

I tried taping the tissue paper to the printer paper in every way imaginable, only to end up with a jammed printer every single time. I was super frustrated and ended up just doing the regular portrait modpodged to the canvas because I can't wait when I have something in mind lol. But I am determined to figure this out! By the way I bought my tissue paper from Hobby Lobby and it ripped and tore beyond belief!

sak said...

I taped my tissue paper to card stock with two sided tape. It went through okay.

Austin Freeman said...

I did this today and it turned out great! I used tracing paper because everytime i used tissue paper it ripped when the glue hit it. Love Love Love this. Thanks so much for sharing.

An Oasis in the Desert said...

I'm here via Pinterest, & this is a terrific idea! I have some canvases that I got the last time Hobby Lobby had them on sale. I knew there would be a good use for them eventually. Thanks so much for sharing.
CAS

Michele Tillotson said...

Ok, I am having a lot of trouble... did any of this happen when you tried? My sepia pictures are turning GREEN when Mod Podged to the canvas and my tissue is tearing big time! I just bought regular old 49¢ white tissue paper from Walmart, do I need something thicker?? I am ruining canvases here!!

Misty said...

Mine are turning a blue-greenish color too, when I modpodge over the top. Im wondering if we are not suppose to coat the top? But, how would it seal? Another thing, if it smudges, I can get the picture completely flat, no bubbles. But, If I do it quickly and lightly for a crisper picture result...I get bubbles galore that wont come out.

kelzorama said...

For people having printing issues you need to consider how much ink is on your image. You notice hers are very light. Also I tested my first one out and realized that printing at the "best" quality was actually worse ,it soaked the tissue paper and everything looked smudged. Print at your lowest most basic setting and it's perfect! I used dollar store tissue paper and it tore. I'm gonna go buy the good stuff and give it another try. I love this technique. Thank you!

Cilenia Curtis said...

I've used Artist Tissue paper and it worked beautifully. Little more money of course but so worth it. Think I got at Dick Blicks.

parimala said...

your thought is nice, it is superb......


we provide house-cleaning

Sherry said...

This is awesome I love it!!!

Andrea said...

seriously genius stuff here!!

Inta G Photography said...

Thank you so much. Will do a lot prints for my kids pics.
You are so creative!
Inta
www.intagphoto.com

Vicki said...

I used tissue paper from the Dollar Tree and used the ModPodge spray (from a can) and it worked perfectly.

I also had to tape down all four sides, particularly up in the corner that was being fed into the printer first, to ensure that it caught properly.

Everyone LOVED them and thought that the canvas had been painted! Thank you so much for sharing your idea with the rest of us!

Peggy said...

What a great idea! Tried it once, and will definitely do this again! Thanks for sharing!

Modern Day Martha said...

So trying this! Would be perfect for a wedding gift and totally unexpected. Have so many weddings to go to this summer, hoping I can make this work!

Unknown said...

i have come across your blog and see there too good information and great tutorial, nice posting thanks for sharing it.

canvas art

Unknown said...

What a great tutorial - very popular too. I'd love to have a go at this and have some small canvases that would turn in to great gifts - especially if you could do several on a theme - I've an idea to do my mum one of my dad, who passed nearly 4 years ago now. I'm in the UK and don't have mod podge as a rule in my stash, however, we do use white PVA glue which will do a similar job if watered down a little.

Its been really useful reading everyones comments as I can understand what some of the pitfalls have been - I have what must be an artist grade tissue paper as I bought it from a craft shop with the idea of using it on candles - and it is particularly for use with an inkjet printer. I would tend to agree with the commenter that said to print on the lowest ink setting - less ink the better in this project, given the thinness of the paper.

Thanks for a great read and for fabulous ideas.

Paula Gale (UK) xxx

Unknown said...

Great work, very nice tutorial you have posted on this blog, thanks for sharing the gift idea, and great easy learning steps for making wall art.

canvas art

Roxanne Williams said...

This is SO AWESOME!!! I have everything but one thing to do this and I'm going crazy. You would think it's the canvas or Modge Podge I'd be out of...nope, it's the tissue paper! WHAT IN THE WORLD!?!?!?!

Unknown said...

just a question?! i've never done this, but i wondered if an unused paint roller and brush would be effective for smoothing out the paper?... :) an idea for the tearing problem? Megan

ME said...

Started with your basic idea - It is my husband and my 30th anniversary with a traditional symbol of the pearl. I was not finding anything original. I had bought a shell at JoAnn's and was toying with putting a photo of my husband and me in the shell when I happened on your blog. I had no modge podge so experimented with AeroGel Hairspray - thinking I would play with it today and modge podge it tomorrow. The photo on tissue paper came out GREAT. I sprayed the shell with the hair spray and then I stretched the photo over the shell and sprayed more hair spray working it so that it is taut over the shells concave area - SO awesome! I looks like a specialty engraved item and will make a wonderful keepsake as our image catch the iridescent nature of the inside of the shell. Thanks for the help!

Unknown said...

Saw this on pintrest! This is such a cute idea but my picture turned pink from the mod podge :( I saved the canvas quickly- but I think instead of tissue paper next time I'll use the tracing paper.

Sandy said...

This is awesome, thanks so much for sharing. I did one yesterday, and it turned out perfect!! This is such a money saver. It looks great, I'll be doing more in the future.

Shabby Marilyn said...

Thank you for sharing, I want to try this, fantastic!

Nina said...

Im sorta sad i didnt think of it myself considering i use tissue paper in sooo many way. I would like to point out there is a technique for this using inkjey prints on regular paper and modpodge that works even though they are both water based. Also I use tissue paper and varnish to make all sorts of things out of paper mache (like masks), so while I havent tried it yet I bet varnish would work as well. I normally brush the varnisb ditectly onto the tissue and dont have problema with tearing. I have not done it with ink on the tissue so I cant say if it will bleed. This is a simple and great idea and im so glad I came across it!

Memrax said...

Awesome! Can't wait to try this!

Elizabeth said...

Have any of you had issues with fading over time? I don't think tissue paper is acid free or the inks in standard printers archival, and would love to hear how your canvases are looking nowadays. Thanks!

Unknown said...

A few people said they used tracing paper! How would you do that? I have tried several times with tissue paper and it keeps ripping when it tries to go through the printer!

The Crazy Creative Corner said...

I've been looking for a way to do a jewelry project where the paper would be thin enough. Someone pinned this post to Pinterest and it's perfect! If it works, I'll be glad to let you know ;)

Unknown said...

Karen-I used an 8x10 canvas i got at the local craft store and tissue paper from the dollar store on side was shiny i printed on the dull side with my regular ink jet printer nothing special about it ^_^ mine turned out amazing. Better then i could have Imagined! Thank you so much for this idea. i know what a few people are getting for christmas this year!!

Unknown said...

I can't make my image lay flat on my canvas. I always have large creases and air bubbles. Can someone help me? I'm using tracing paper.

Bliss said...

Just wanted to stop by to let you know I just made a couple of these and your tutorial helped them turn out great. If I get a post done about them after the new year I will be sure to link back to you.

Bliss

Unknown said...

I just finished 2 of these. After a few attempts I think I found the secrets to success. First, I found that placing the tissue paper on heavy duty cardstock helped with the printing problems. I also changed the printing quality to the lowest quality printing (fast draft and printed on the dull side of the tissue paper. I think the project turns out better when the photo being used has very little detail. Use a photo where there is not a lot of background. I actually modified my photo to lighten it before printing. Next, I very lightly coated the 8x10 canvas with the Mod Podge, placed the tissue paper face down on the table and then placed the canvas on top of the tissue paper to adhere to the canvas. I gently rubbed from the underside of the canvas from the center outward to try to eliminate any bubbling. I turned the canvas over and very gently rubbed any of the remaining bubbles. I then lightly painted the edges with the Mod Podge and very carefully wrapped the extra tissue paper around the sides and back of the canvas. Now, I am just trying to figure out how to finish the project. Think I will try a spray version of Mod Podge acrylic sealer. And lastly, I hope you won't need this tip, but if the tissue paper happens to tear while placing on the canvas, no problem, quickly run the canvas under water and rub the tissue paper off, allow to dry, and start all over.

Elizabeth said...

Soo....still no comments on fading???? Been a while, and no one has anything to say??

Emily said...

LOVE this project idea! I am trying it right now, but even after trying to be very careful, my tissue paper has a lot of bubbles and wrinkles. Is this expected or should I try again?

Tharami said...


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Theresa Joy said...

It didnt work for me :(. What am i doing wrong?? Oy ... I tried 5 times the photos kept
Coming out with ink all over ... I tried to make the tissue paper as tight as possible and switch to thicker paper stock but the photo still printed out with ink in places there should not have been :(. i even set the printer to fast draft so it would print with less ink but that didnt work .... Hmmm ... Any ideas? A thicker tissue paper maybe ( i dont even know if that exists)

Hilary said...

@Melissa -- I have an HP Photosmart printer too, and am having the exact same problem that you described. SO frustrating! Wondering...did you ever get this idea to work???

Unknown said...

Nice art and good design.

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nomzam said...

I tried this but I think there is sumthing missing. It look bit different. But will try again :). Hey why don't you upload your stuff at some online convas art gallery.

Unknown said...

I just made 6 of them. The 1st one I torn the pic, didn't realize had hard I was rubbing. The rest came out great. I put a heavy coat of mod-podge on top of pic to help seal it. I have a ton of pic of the grandkids. I know what my kids are getting for Christmas.

Anonymous said...

As soon as I saw the image of you cutting out the tissue paper...I was thinking...why not tracing paper?? Then I read some the comments and read that some were having issues with their printers not liking your idea and was like now I have to give this a try with the tracing paper!

Unknown said...

Love this idea and have looked up Mod Podge but am confused as there are more than 1 Mod Podge product. Help!!! Which product do I use. Many Thanks

The Cornett Family said...

@Karen Hill, I used mod podge with a matte finish, though I think a glossy finish would look nice over top as well. I'd you're not finishing it off with mod podge on top, then it really doesn't matter what kind you use as long as it is sticky and dries clear!

Unknown said...

Hi! Today I find this blog is nice and welcome to our online wall art business. To provide affordable unique art to the public.

Unknown said...

might have to do this for our living room tollywoodpolitics.com

Unknown said...

You have shared an impressive DIY wall art, i enjoyed your post. Many thanks for sharing....

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Onlythemanager said...

How very clever! Thank you for sharing this.

jen said...

I tried this but I couldn't get the paper to lay flat! There were wrinkles everywhere no matter how much I smoothed and the more I smoothed, the more the ink came off on my fingers and made a blotchy mess! Am I using the wrong paper? Do you have to print it on a laser printer versus an inkjet? I so want to do this but I've tried three and still can't get it to lay flat like yours! More tips please!!

Unknown said...

You did great work, this DIY wall art is looking very nice, perfect thing made by your decorating her room and it was really a great idea for beautifying her room, this project is easy to made i like it thanks for sharing.. :)

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Sarah said...

****TRACING PAPER*****
It works a bit better and isn't as fragile :) Just a suggestion... Thanks for posting! This was really helpful.

chubbiness said...

Hi, I had not so good results with the tissue paper. Will try it again with the parchment paper as suggested by Juli and if it still won't work for me, I'll try with tracing paper. Has anyone tried ONION SKIN PAPER? or is this the same as tracing paper? I remembered it's thinner than tracing paper. Maybe I'll try that one too. BTW, which side is best to put the tissue paper? Is it over the canvass face up or underneath the canvass face down? Thanks in advance. I love your idea!

stuhr727 said...

Have you printed a single Photo to Canvas across multiple panels?

Unknown said...

these are very beautiful artwork, especially for kids, you are really creative and genius, it really makes a room a attractive and elegant place to live, pretty artwork and great to use as gift as well, i will surely try to make one for my home.

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Unknown said...

Where did you got such idea ? it's outstanding wall art. I will definitely try it out.

Spietspoepe said...

Hi..

Great idea.
But when I want to print it...
My paper tears at the moment when the paper is being taken by the printer.

Any tips?

Groupdmt said...

Je suis heureux de chercher votre stratégie distingué de développement de la publier.
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Nana said...

I finally got this to work! Tissue and tracing paper both had smears of ink, but Swedish Tracing Paper (a sewing tracing paper similar to Pellon but not as stiff) The Swedish Tracing Paper (I don't know where you can get it, but maybe The Google does) absorbed the ink before it could smear. Thanks to all those who published their tweaks and successes!

Jenny Ross said...

Fabulously beautiful framing idea. So simple yet so cute. <3 it

Design With Vinyl said...

Great thought and amazing work!

Highly appreciable!

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Design With Vinyl said...

Thanks for sharing Cool and creative Wall Decal Quotes

Unknown said...

Great post, such amazed me to follow lot things, keep it continue.

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Anonymous said...

I recently acquired some artwork in the form of a canvas painting set over a wooden frame. I was wondering if there is any "proper" or "modern" method of displaying these pieces. Any tips appreciated :) If my description isn't adequate I can put up some pictures. Thanks!
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katrinahsmith said...

I just did this saved Pinterest project today! I loved how the texture came out! However, my printer was not up to this and the black and white print came out with a greenish tint. Just FYI for those who have an older printer with low quality ink (you probably know who you are). I would do color or sepia next time.

Unknown said...

I have tried this technique several times. It does take some practice to master but when you do, the results are great! I have used both tissue paper and onion skin paper which is thicker but fairly translucent. I haven't used ModgePog but used regular white glue watered down to 2 parts glue, 1 part water. I adhere my photos to canvas board rather than stretched canvas and print in sepia. You do have to work quickly when initially adhering the photo and a light coat of glue/ModgePog is the answer. NEVER apply a second coat until the first coat is completely dry. That is what caused smearing when I did my first attempt. When my project is completely dry, I ink the edges of the photo and sides of the canvas board with brown Staz-on permanent ink and then hang it using an old clipboard. It looks very 'vintage'!

Unknown said...

Hi. This is a lovely idea. I'm wondering how well the colors have lasted over the years... have they faded at all? And did you put another top coat of mod podge? thanks for a lovely blog! becky

Anonymous said...

I love a photo canvas because it gives a different feel than a classic frame. I feel as if it is softer, perfect for a nursery. I am not this talented but recently decorated my daughters nursery using a site called Makecanvasprints.com. This site lets you transform a photo into a beautiful canvases in a super easy to use 1-2-3 step manner that will ship the canvas right to your door. You can upload a personal photo, write a personal quote, and choose from their many graphics and backgrounds. Its a piece that will last, look great anywhere and is unique and one of a kind. Here is the link if anybody wants to check it out, I highly recommend it!

http://www.makecanvasprints.com/photo-canvas/

deepthiooisolutions said...

Nice blog. Thanks for sharing useful infomation.
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