How to Transfer Magazine Photos Onto Paper, Wood, Glass, or Canvas

If you love mixed media, junk journaling, scrapbooking, or making your own cards and DIY décor, this technique is a game-changer. You can transfer magazine photos onto watercolor paper, wood, canvas, glass, and more all with Mod Podge and a little patience.

Here’s an overview of the process.

For the full video with every tip and trick, make sure to watch my full tutorial!

Magazine pages (National Geographic, books, comics, colouring books, etc.)

Watercolor paper or your project surface (wood, canvas, glass, etc.)

Chalk paint (only needed for wood, canvas, or glass transfers)

Matte Mod Podge

Small paintbrush or foam brush

Brayer (optional but highly recommended)

Small dish of water

Soft rag or paper towel

Your fingertip (for rubbing the paper away)

Gesso (optional for prepping watercolor paper)

Polyacrylic sealer or extra Mod Podge (for the final topcoat)

Pick a photo from a magazine, book, comic, or any printed page.

If the image has words, remember they will transfer backwards, so choose one without text if that matters.

This technique works on watercolor paper, wood, canvas, and glass.

1. For wood, canvas, or glass, brush on a coat of chalk paint first, it helps the transfer stick.
2. For watercolor paper, you can transfer directly.
3. Optional: Brush on a thin layer of gesso to improve adhesion.

Brush on a generous, even coat of matte Mod Podge onto the back of the magazine page.

Make sure:

1. Every edge is covered
2. There’s enough glue for it to soak into both papers/surfaces

Flip the magazine photo face-down onto your watercolor paper (or painted surface).

Press firmly and smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles.

Use a brayer to roll it out and really flatten it, this step ensures a clean transfer.

Let the glued image dry for several hours or overnight.

Do not move on until it’s 100% dry.

Dip your fingers or a rag into water and start gently wetting the magazine page.

Keep the water on just the image area to avoid soaking the whole project.

Some magazines (like National Geographic) are thicker and take more water to soften.

Begin in the center and work outward.

As the paper softens, it will roll up under your fingers and reveal the transferred image underneath.

Work slowly:

1. Add water as needed
2. Peel off larger softened pieces when they loosen
3. Avoid rubbing too hard — that can remove the image

Once you’ve removed as much paper as possible, let it dry.

Brush on a thin topcoat of:

1. Mod Podge or
2. Water-based polyacrylic

This makes the cloudy residue disappear and brightens the colours.

Rip the edges for a vintage look, layer it into mixed media projects, journal pages, or frame it.

You can also repeat the technique on wood, glass, and canvas for décor projects. If you want to see exactly how this transfer turns out, just click the video I’ve linked with this post. I walk you through the whole process.