Tissue Paper To Canvas Photo Tutorial
I love the look of canvas. A few years ago I found printable canvas but then the store sold out and I have not found it since. Since I had my Mod Podge in the living room tonight, I decided to see what other projects I could complete. I came across information about printing on tissue paper then transferring it to canvas. Well, I had several mounted canvas upstairs - and I was unable to get all the wedding photos I wanted printed onto canvas, so I thought why not?
Now, I am not an expert at working with tissue paper. In fact, today with the candles - and now the canvas - is the first time I have attempted this. My photos have wrinkles in them - but that is ok. Part of the problem was the tissue paper itself was wrinkled and I had no idea - other than to attempt to lay it under a towel and iron it - how to get it smooth. The problem is I can't find either of my two irons. Thus, I just had to deal with the wrinkled tissue paper. It does create an aged look - and I do like that.
So here is how I made my wedding canvas.
The first thing I did was gather my supplies - white tissue paper, cardstock, Mod Podge, canvas, scissors and scotch tape.
I spread out the white tissue paper and realized I could lay two 8 ½ by 11 sheets of cardstock on it with enough room between them to cut and tape the edges of the tissue paper to the back of the cardstock.
I started by taping the top and bottom of the tissue paper to the top and bottom of the cardstock, then I carefully cut the area of tissue paper between the two sheets of cardstock.
Once the two sheets of cardstock were separated, I taped the side edges in place on the back of the cardstock.
Then I chose my photos, right clicked on them and told them to print. I made them different sizes so they fit onto the canvas. I ended up with one 8 ½" by 11" and five 3 ½" by 5".
I laid the first tissue paper covered cardstock into the printer and told the computer to print.
Once it came out of the printer, I placed the next sheet into the printer and hit print again. I continued in this fashion until all my photos were printed.
Then I cut them out, discarding the cardstock.
I laid them out on the canvas arranging them how I wanted them.
It really was that easy to make and it looks nice - even with the wrinkles! In time, I am sure I will learn how to work with tissue paper. I don't think I did too bad for my first attempt. What do you think?
Once I was happy with the layout, I carefully removed them - in order - so I remembered how I wanted them placed back on the canvas.
I started at the top of the canvas, spreading the Mod Podge in a thin layer until a large enough area was covered that I could lay the largest of the photos into place. This is the hardest part. You have to go slow - and it might have been easier if I would have had a second set of hands. The tissue paper will tear - and wrinkle. You can move it around some, but not much. In fact, I tore a tiny corner of mine, but there was not a lot I could do to fix it at that point. I continued on around the canvas, spreading thin layers of Mod Podge and adding photos until the entire canvas was just the way I wanted it.
I allowed the Mod Podge to dry for 20 minutes. I spread a second layer on the top of the photos making sure to cover the edges - and I overlapped the Mod Podge onto the edge of the canvas as well. At this point, I could have added embellishments such as sayings, stickers, glitter, whatever I wanted to add that would enhance the photo - but I chose not to. I allowed this layer to dry for another 20 minutes and did a third layer of Mod Podge over the top and edges of the canvas. Once this layer is dry - and I will let it dry overnight, I can have the canvas framed or hang it just like it is.
In This Article
Printable Step-by-Step How-To Card
Use the card below to follow the supplies and steps for this project, and refer to my original story and images above for the details of how I made it.
How to Transfer Printed Tissue-Paper Photos onto Canvas
Make a photo collage on mounted canvas with printed tissue paper and Mod Podge, as demonstrated in the original project.
No Ratings
Materials
- White tissue paper and 8½-by-11-inch cardstock
- Printer suitable for the paper technique and your own photographs
- Clear tape and scissors
- Mounted artist canvas
- Mod Podge and a suitable craft brush
Instructions
- Spread the tissue paper flat and position a sheet of cardstock on it.
- Tape the tissue paper across the top and bottom edges of the cardstock, trim away excess tissue, and tape the side edges to the back to keep the sheet secure.
- Choose your photos and size them to fit the planned canvas collage.
- Test the prepared tissue-paper sheet in your printer and print photos one sheet at a time, taking care to prevent the delicate tissue from jamming.
- Cut out each printed photograph and separate it from the backing cardstock.
- Arrange all photos on the canvas before applying adhesive. Lift them away in an order you can reproduce.
- Brush a thin coat of Mod Podge onto one area of the canvas and carefully lay down the first photo.
- Continue adding adhesive and placing photos, gently working across each piece and accepting or smoothing wrinkles as desired.
- Allow the initial layer to dry about 20 minutes, as in the original project.
- Brush a second thin coat of Mod Podge over the photographs and edges and allow it to dry about 20 minutes.
- Apply a third coat over the canvas and edges, then let the finished piece dry overnight before displaying or framing.
Notes
This printable card summarizes the author's original hands-on tutorial. Consult the accompanying article for photographs, equipment details, and the original experience.
