Wax Paper Graphic Transfers

This summer, I shared a sneak peek of a pillow in my living room featuring a fish graphic.
Little did I know, that simple fish image would spark an obsession with wax paper graphic transfers in my home over the past few months!

Transferring an image straight from your computer is incredibly easy using this method.
Once I mastered it, I couldn’t stop—seriously, even if you don’t consider yourself crafty, you can do this!

Over the years, I’ve traced, hand-lettered, and tested multiple techniques for transferring graphics onto fabric, wood, and painted surfaces.
Without a doubt, this wax paper transfer technique is the easiest.

The brilliant idea comes from Angela at Unexpected Elegance, who discovered that printing onto wax paper allows you to burnish an image or text onto nearly any surface—whether it’s wood, furniture, cutting boards, fabric, or even pillow covers.
The possibilities? Endless!

How to Do a Wax Paper Graphic Transfer

1. Print your design onto wax paper (for text, always print a mirror image).
2. Rub the wax paper onto your chosen surface (wood, fabric, etc.).
3. Check to see if the image is fully transferring.
4. Admire your new graphic transfer!

I’ve experimented with this technique on different surfaces and learned some key tricks along the way.

Wax Paper Transfer Tips & Tricks

TIP #1: Prepping Wax Paper for Printing

Since wax paper is thin and slippery, you’ll need to attach it to regular paper before running it through your printer.

Angela manages to print directly onto wax paper, but my printer was not having it—it crumpled and chewed up the wax paper like a rebellious toddler.

Here’s what worked for me:

• Use spray adhesive to lightly coat a sheet of cardstock.
• Place a piece of wax paper on top, smooth it out, and trim the edges.
• Load it into the printer and print as usual.

This method ensures the wax paper stays flat and runs smoothly through the printer!

TIP #2: Prepping Your Surface for Better Transfers

If you’re transferring onto painted or raw wood, lightly dampen the surface with a damp cloth before rubbing the wax paper.
The slight moisture helps the ink adhere better, creating a crisper transfer.

TIP #3: Securing the Wax Paper to Prevent Smudges

Since wax paper is slippery, it can shift while you’re burnishing the image—leading to a blurry transfer.

Here’s what to do:

• Tape down the edges of the wax paper before rubbing the image onto the surface.
• Once you start rubbing, remove one piece of tape but leave the other as a hinge.
• If the transfer isn’t even, you can lay it back down and continue burnishing without ruining the alignment.

TIP #4: Fixing Mistakes with Rubbing Alcohol

If you end up with small smudges or imperfections, dip a Q-tip in rubbing alcohol and carefully erase the mistakes.

⚠️ BUT—if you skipped Tip #3 and your image is so blurry it makes your eyes hurt, it’s time to grab the palm sander and start over!

TIP #5: Enhance Your Transfer with a Fine-Tip Sharpie

If your transfer turns out too light or you want a bolder, more defined look, use a fine-tip Sharpie to go over the lines.

• If you prefer a distressed, vintage aesthetic, you may love the natural imperfections in your wax paper transfer.
• However, if you want crisp, high-contrast lettering or images, treat the transfer as a tracing guide and darken it with a Sharpie.
• Be aware that if you’re using a Sharpie on bare wood, the ink may bleed slightly into the grain.

When I tried this, my printer was running low on ink (isn’t that always the case?), so my transfer looked faint before I went over it with a Sharpie. The difference was night and day!

TIP #6: Choose Graphics That Are Free to Use

When using wax paper transfers, be mindful of copyright. Not all images found on Pinterest or Google are free to use.

The vintage-style graphic I used on my wooden box was everywhere online, yet after hours of searching, I never found the original artist. I regretted not creating my own custom design or using a verified free source.

Where to Find Free Graphics for Wax Paper Transfers:

• The Graphics Fairy – Karen at The Graphics Fairy offers hundreds of free printables, including many that are already mirror-reversed for easy transfers.
• New York Public Library Digital Collections – This archive has a treasure trove of vintage illustrations, signs, and typography available for free.
• Pinterest – Check out my Printables Pinterest board for more resources and inspiration.

If you happen to know the original artist behind the box graphic I used, please let me know—I’d love to credit them!

TIP #7: Seal Your Wax Paper Graphic Transfer

To protect and preserve your transfer, especially on wood or painted surfaces, finish it with a clear sealer.

• For durability, I used spray polyurethane (poly) by Minwax, which worked beautifully on both wood and painted items. No smearing at all!
• Keep in mind that polyurethane is NOT food-safe. If you transfer graphics onto a cutting board, either:
  • Apply poly to the non-food side only (the side used for display).
  • Use a food-safe sealant like walnut oil—but be aware, I haven’t tested whether it reacts with printer ink. If I do, I’ll update you!

TIP #8: Special Considerations for Fabric Transfers

Transferring onto fabric requires a slightly different approach than wood or hard surfaces.

Choose the Right Fabric:

• The smoother and finer the fabric, the sharper the transfer will be.
• Textured fabrics (like the one I used for my fish graphic) may cause slight blurring.
• If the fabric is too rough, the ink may not adhere well.

Prevent Smudging:

• Always tape down the wax paper to prevent shifting during transfer. A slight movement can cause unwanted blurring.

Maximize Your Design:

• Consider double-sided pillows—one side with a seasonal graphic, and the other neutral for year-round use. The fish graphic on my pillow is perfect for summer, but when flipped over, it’s a whole new look!

Make Fabric Transfers Washable:

• If you want a permanent, washable transfer, try a product called Citra-Solv.
• I haven’t tested this yet, but it’s highly recommended for making wax paper transfers washable on fabric.
• I’m considering using it to monogram cloth napkins and maybe even the backs of my upholstered dining chairs. Stay tuned!

TIP #9: Hide Imperfections with Beautiful Distractions

A gorgeous Graphics Fairy design on a cutting board, paired with fresh hydrangeas from the garden, is the perfect way to draw attention away from less-than-stylish countertops (looking at you, bologna-colored laminate!).

As The Nester always says:
“It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.” 

And honestly? That applies to both wax paper transfers and life in general.

These wax paper transfer tricks will help you create stunning DIY projects with ease. Whether you’re customizing wood signs, fabric pillows, or kitchen boards, this method is a game-changer.

Happy crafting, friends! Have a beautiful weekend!