You can transfer a photo to canvas in minutes right in your own home. Make your own framed canvas art with our tutorial and just a few dollars. After all, a quick, easy, and inexpensive project makes my heart flutter! Ready to dive in and make your own? Just follow along below.
Want to iron-on a design instead? Try our tutorial for making a reverse canvas here.
Supplies needed:
- Canvases (remember that if you only have a standard printer your picture itself cannot be any larger than 8 1/2 x 11)
- T-shirt transfers or printable heat transfer vinyl
- Staple gun and staples
- Screwdriver
- Pliers
- Craft knife
- Wood stain
- Rag
- Paintbrush
- Printer and ink
How to Transfer a Photo to Canvas
Now that you have your supplies, it is time to make some gorgeous art for your home. You can actually watch me make this project in the video below if you prefer more visual instruciton.
Can’t watch the video or missed some of the steps? I am also laying out the instructions on the card below. You can follow along there or even print them if you would like.
Supplies
- Canvases remember that if you only have a standard printer your picture itself cannot be any larger than 8 1/2 x 11
- T-shirt transfers or printable heat transfer vinyl
- Staple gun and staples
- Screwdriver
- Pliers
- Craft knife
- Wood stain
- Rag
- Paintbrush
- Printer and ink
Instructions
- Start by removing the canvas from the frame. Flip it over and remove the staples with a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. Then separate the canvas from the frame.
- Stain the frame with the color of your choice. Paint on the stain, allow to sit a few minutes, then wipe off any excess with a rag. Allow this to dry completely.
- While drying, you can transfer your picture to the canvas piece. Print your photo onto your transfer paper using a printer. Be sure to mirror your design and print with the best quality for your printer.
- Then put the t-shirt transfer face down onto the canvas. I am transferring this to the creamy off-white site but this same method will work with either side. Please note that you can see directions for printable heat transfer vinyl here if you are using it.
- Then follow the directions on your package of transfers to complete the process. I had to iron in both directions for a certain amount of time.
- Then just start slowly peeling back your carrier sheet to reveal the design on your canvas.
- Once the backing is removed, it is time to add the frame to finish this one off!
- Add the frame where you want it on your picture. Then secure with staples in the back. I like to secure with one staple in the center of each side as well as one in each corner.
- Then cut away all of the excess canvas with a craft knife.
- Once this is removed, add additional staples to completely secure.
- Then your project is ready to hang or display.
You are going to love this project and how easy it is to make. This is one of my favorite gift ideas. Find an image, print, transfer, and you have a gift that they will never forget. Plus, you can find the canvases so cheap that this will be one super inexpensive gift as well.
Be sure to make a few of these now and get the method down. Then stock up on canvases for the holidays. You will have a stack of inexpensive gifts in no time at all.
Did you know that you could transfer a photo to canvas? Well, you can! And the process is so easy that anyone can do it! Pick up some t-shirt transfers and try this one for yourself. You will be so glad that you did!
Love this reverse canvas craft idea and want more? Try the links below as well!
As a visual artist I can tell you that canvases do not come with a display-worthy frame as shown in your finished product. The frames on which canvases are stretched are rough unfinished wood, definitely not sanded and machined like these ones are. To achieve this look you would have to invest in new frames. Other than that, this is a wonderful project to make for gift-giving.
These are the frames from the canvases I used. I did stain them but other than that the project was made using the canvas and the frame that it was wrapped around.
Hi, maybe share where you bought the canvas? My canvas frames are like Mary’s as well.
Yours look great!
Unfortunately this project is years old and I’m not sure where I got these frames. I know I’ve purchased some from Hobby Lobby in the past that I was able to stain the frame without doing anything else to it. I would definitely purchase just one to begin with or see if maybe reviews on Amazon would give you more info on the inner frame 🙂
Hi, i love this project!! in your written instructions, the part where it mentions the printer is blocked by an ad and I cant remove it. So I can’t see if you use an inkjet printer or a regular printer. Can you help. Thanks
Yes, just a regular printer like an HP Envy or Epson EcoTank with regular ink 🙂
Can you use a laser printer if you want black and white? Will that work too?
It would depend the transfer material you’re using. If it can be used in a laser printer then yes that would be fine 🙂
I used to do iron-ons to my daughter’s sweat suits when she was young. I also use to go to a photography studio that would print on canvas for a price. Never thought of putting the two together! I like the idea of transferring photos to canvas. But in my opinion, you’re sacrificing so much of the photo by using the frame under the canvas. I would’ve reattached/wrapped/stapled the entire photo back around its base frame. Then found a frame to fit around the size of the full photo and canvas that would set off that memory you captured with your camera! Standard size frames can be found cheap at thrift stores. I agree with Mary, great gift idea. And like every idea, it can be adjusted to one’s liking. Thanks.
i ironed the picture on the anvas and when i weny
tto pull it off it left patchy spots, what did i do wrong?
Some of the transfer materials can do that if not applied correctly. I would also make sure you have even pressure.