• About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Work With Us
    • The Creative Team
    • Disclosures
  • Subscribe
  • Shop Our Products
  • My Account
  • Cart
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • DIY & Decor â–¾
    • Crafts
    • Home Decor
    • Home Improvement
    • Technology
  • Recipes â–¾
    • Breakfast
    • Appetizers
    • Side Dishes
    • Easy Dinner Ideas
    • Slow Cooker
    • Fun Food
    • Desserts
  • Clean/Organize
  • Kid Ideas â–¾
    • Birthdays
    • Castle Playroom
    • Outer Space Bedroom
    • Teacher Appreciation
    • Travel Tips
  • Free Printables
  • Holidays â–¾
    • Christmas
    • Gift Ideas
    • New Year’s
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Cinco de Mayo
    • Mother’s Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Independence Day
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving

Ideas for the Home

You are here: Home / Craft Ideas / How to Transfer Photos to Stone: Simple Tutorial

By Suzy Myers on July 9, 2019 19 Comments

How to Transfer Photos to Stone: Simple Tutorial

Craft Ideas

  • Share
  • Tweet

Create a beautiful memory that can last a lifetime! This tutorial will show you how to easily transfer photos onto stone. Transfer photos, quotes, illustrations, or anything that you can print on a simple printer!

This is Suzy from Suzy’s Sitcom! We are full-time travelers living in our RV, and many of my projects are inspired by our current surroundings. We are currently in upstate New York on Lake Ontario. It seems that this part of New York has its share of wonderfully smooth stones that have been polished by Lake Ontario. It came to me that I should try to transfer photos onto stone. A great keepsake of the area and a beautiful memory saved forever!

Create a beautiful memory that can last a lifetime!  This tutorial will show you how to easily transfer photos onto stone.  Transfer photos, quotes, illustrations, or anything that you can print on a simple printer!

We are currently working at a campground on Association Island and have been exploring the area near Thousand Islands. There is so much to do here in the summer. Fishing, swimming, boating, sightseeing….

Rudys seafood in Oswego, NY

…eating lots of great food. We found a rustic seafood restaurant right on Lake Ontario in the town of Oswego, NY. It is called Rudy’s and apparently, it is not only popular with visitors, but it is a regular local attraction. Rudy’s sits right on the water and you can enjoy your meal outside under umbrellas in the sun.

Lake Ontario in Oswego, NY

After enjoying our dinner, we sat along the shore and watched the water. And what did I spy? Thousands of beautiful stones polished by the waters. I gathered quite a few with no idea as to what I was going to create.

I got the eye from the husband who was immediately trying to calculate where the heck I would store them. He would get over it. A project was forming in my head….

How to transfer photos to stone

Transferring photos to stone turned out to be a simple project, although I have to tell you that it was my third attempt that was the charm. This project uses many things that you might already have around the house. You just have to find a nice smooth stone and start creating!

The supplies you need to transfer photos to stone - packing tape, scissors, photos, rocks, tissue paper, copy paper, and mod podge.

What you need: 

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links for products or services we think you’ll like. This means if you make a purchase from one of these links, Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® will make a small commission at no additional cost to you so we can keep the great ideas for the home coming your way. All opinions expressed are derived from personal experience.

  • Smooth stones
  • Tissue Paper
  • Copy paper
  • Ink Jet Printer
  • Mod Podge

Instructions:

1. prepare the tissue paper

In order to easily print on tissue paper, tape the tissue paper to a sheet of copy paper. You will need to place tape on all four sides so that it will not bunch up in your printer. Don’t ask me how I know this.

Create a beautiful memory that can last a lifetime!  This tutorial will show you how to easily transfer photos onto stone.  Transfer photos, quotes, illustrations, or anything that you can print on a simple printer!

2. Print the photos onto tissue paper

Using an inkjet printer, print your chosen photos. You can choose to print in color or black and white. Either way will work for transferring onto stone.

Create a beautiful memory that can last a lifetime!  This tutorial will show you how to easily transfer photos onto stone.  Transfer photos, quotes, illustrations, or anything that you can print on a simple printer!

3. prepare the photo for transfer

Remove the tissue paper from the copy paper and then trim your photo to fit the selected stone.

Create a beautiful memory that can last a lifetime!  This tutorial will show you how to easily transfer photos onto stone.  Transfer photos, quotes, illustrations, or anything that you can print on a simple printer!

4. transfer the photo to stone

Paint a layer of Mod Podge onto the top of the stone and then carefully place the tissue paper photo over the Mod Podge. Smooth the photo down onto the stone with a paintbrush, adding a thin coating of Mod Podge on top.

Create a beautiful memory that can last a lifetime!  This tutorial will show you how to easily transfer photos onto stone.  Transfer photos, quotes, illustrations, or anything that you can print on a simple printer!

As the Mod Podge dries, the tissue paper will become translucent, allowing the various colors of the stone to show through. Your photo will take on the appearance of a painting.

A collection of smooth stones decorated with photographs of families and pets.

Such a simple project! The final result is a beautiful memory that can be kept a lifetime!

Do you love unique craft ideas?

If you enjoyed this tutorial on how to transfer photos to stone, then you may like some of my other unique craft ideas!

How to Paint Paisley Stones for your Garden!

Decorative painting: how to create pretty painted paisley stones!

Make Pretty Decoupage Photo Plates!

How to make pretty decoupage photo plates!

You may also enjoy these 3 craft ideas on Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® –

  • Easy to Make Personalized Photo Candles
  • Easy Image Transfer: Bird Coasters
  • How to Paint Beautiful Stepping Stones with Stencils
  • Share
  • Tweet

Craft Ideas

About Suzy Myers

Suzy has a background in fine art, graphic design and photography, and created Suzy's Sitcom in 2010 as a way to document new and original art and craft ideas. Her website features arts, crafts and humor, with a specialty in vintage and recycled crafts, quilting and sewing.

Suzy and her husband live and work on a farm in New York. Many of her ideas are inspired by the animals and wildlife that can be found there.

Suzy has been sharing her great ideas on Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® since October 2018. Follow Suzy on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.

In this ultimate guide, you'll learn how to make a burlap wreath with ribbon for your home. The FREE eBook includes easy step-by-step instructions plus inspiring craft and decor ideas to make wreaths for fall, Christmas, Easter and other holidays.

Subscribe today to get ideas in your inbox plus FREE exclusives only for Idea Insiders!

Almost there! Now just check your email to confirm your e-mail address and get your free eBook.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

You're already signed up! YAY! As an Idea Insider you have instant access to our Kenarry Idea Insider Resource Library with exclusive printables, offers and other freebies as soon as you confirm your subscription.
Previous Post: « Quick and Easy Dollar Store Glass Gem Coasters
Next Post: Hello Summer and a FREE art print »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mikki says

    July 11, 2019 at 11:46 am

    Your process 4 the stone would that work for the mugs that’s u see people do with the modpoge and the expoxy? My niece and I are attempting to do a couple and that would be a neat idea to try?

    Reply
    • Suzy Myers says

      July 12, 2019 at 8:27 am

      Hi Mikki! My daughter makes those also! I would definitely try it! Keep in mind that the tissue paper becomes translucent. That would mean that any color in the mug would show through where there is no ink. So I would go with a white or stainless steel cup. It would also be fun to experiment with black and white prints! Would love to see what you make!

      Reply
  2. MaryLynn Siebenschuh says

    July 16, 2019 at 9:40 am

    Your stones look wonderful!I have a laser printer, can you Mod Podge with a laser print image?

    Reply
    • Suzy Myers says

      July 16, 2019 at 10:26 am

      Hi MaryLynn! A laser printer would work fine for this project! I’d love to see what you make!

      Reply
  3. Dianne says

    August 14, 2019 at 8:04 pm

    Can you easily tear the edges of the print so it is not so straight ?

    Reply
    • Carrie Ypma says

      August 15, 2019 at 9:06 pm

      Hi Dianne,
      It’s tissue paper, so yes – you could tear the edges of the print so it’s not so straight! I would just caution you to be careful and go slowly so you don’t tear off more than you intend.

      Thanks for checking and good luck with your project! Suzy and I would love to see photos of how it turns out – please share on FB or Instagram and tag me @kenarryideas so we can see your awesome creation!

      Thank you so much!

      Best wishes,
      Carrie

      Reply
  4. Barbara Williams says

    August 18, 2019 at 6:30 am

    on the tissue paper do you print on shiny side or dull side?

    Reply
  5. Suzy Myers says

    August 18, 2019 at 2:32 pm

    Hi! The tissue paper that I used did not have a shiny side. With that said, I would say to print on the dull side. Hope that helps! Suzy

    Reply
  6. Pat McKay says

    September 6, 2019 at 1:15 pm

    What is Mod Podge please?

    Reply
    • Carrie Ypma says

      September 6, 2019 at 1:21 pm

      Hi Pat,
      Mod Podge is the specific brand name of a glue like substance that’s used for decoupage and other types of crafting. If you look on Amazon or ask at a craft store, they’ll direct you to the Mod Podge. Hope that helps!

      Best wishes,
      Carrie
      Ideas for the Home by Kenarry

      Reply
  7. Amy says

    January 9, 2020 at 4:38 pm

    Is this project waterproof afterwards? (Can you put it outside, in the shade) or should this be kept strictly indoors.

    Reply
  8. Suzy Myers says

    January 9, 2020 at 9:27 pm

    Mod Podge makes an outdoor version of the sealant. However, they advertise that it is water resistant rather than water proof. So my answer would be to keep them indoors. Hope that helps.

    Reply
    • Glen Petersen says

      March 8, 2020 at 1:56 am

      white glue mixed with water cost is a lot less then mod podge.

      Reply
      • Carrie Ypma says

        March 9, 2020 at 10:06 am

        Hi Glen,
        Thanks so much for sharing! We haven’t tried this process with white glue mixed with water. Please let us know how it works out for you!
        Best wishes,
        Carrie
        Ideas for the Home by Kenarry

        Reply
  9. Lara says

    May 24, 2020 at 2:22 pm

    Hmmm. This isn’t actually a “transfer” where you modpodge the stone and place the photo ink side down and rub the photo (transfer) onto the stone, removing the paper. Both ways work but the title of your article is a little confusing.

    Reply
  10. Belinda says

    July 19, 2020 at 12:58 pm

    I was wondering what was your preparation of the Stone before you started your transfer? Also can the stone be painted first before transfer?

    Reply
    • Carrie Ypma says

      July 19, 2020 at 9:56 pm

      Hi Belinda,
      Great question! Suzy used smooth stones that were polished smooth by the water. If necessary you could scrub your stone with soap and water first, but then allow it to dry completely. I believe you can paint the stone first before you do the transfer. Give it a try and let us know how it turns out.
      Best wishes,
      Carrie
      Ideas for the Home by Kenarry

      Reply
  11. Tammy says

    November 7, 2020 at 7:45 pm

    Can u use just regular printer paper instead of tissue paper ? Also I have a Brothers all in one printer and not sure if it’s the kind of printer your talking about? Can I use it ?

    Reply
    • Carrie Ypma says

      November 7, 2020 at 10:00 pm

      Hi Tammy,
      It would be best to use tissue paper rather than regular paper for this project. When you use tissue paper, it conforms to the surface of the rock better than regular paper. Also, when you glue it on to the rock with Mod Podge, the tissue paper becomes translucent/clear so you can actually see the texture or pattern of the rock through the photo.
      A Brother All-in-One printer can be a laser or ink jet printer depending on your model, but either could work for this project.

      Good luck and happy crafting!
      Best wishes,
      Carrie
      Ideas for the Home by Kenarry

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Carrie Ypma from Ideas for the Home by Kenarry®Hello, I'm Carrie! I'd love to personally welcome you to Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® where we curate and share great ideas you can create at home. Whether you're cooking, crafting or creating for your family, you're bound to find inspiration. Please pour yourself some coffee and stay awhile. We're glad you're here! Read more...

Sign Up and Get a Free Gift

Subscribe to become an Idea Insider. You'll get our weekly newsletter plus special deals and other resources that are only for subscribers -- all for FREE!

Almost there! Now just check your email to confirm your e-mail address and get your free eBook.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

You're already signed up! YAY! As an Idea Insider you have instant access to our Kenarry Idea Insider Resource Library with exclusive printables, offers and other freebies as soon as you confirm your subscription.
In this ultimate guide, you'll learn how to make a burlap wreath with ribbon for your home. The FREE eBook includes easy step-by-step instructions plus inspiring craft and decor ideas to make wreaths for fall, Christmas, Easter and other holidays.
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Shop Our Products
  • My Account
  • Cart

Footer

Disclosure: Posts may include affiliate links for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are our own. You are reading and following advice from Kenarry, LLC at your own risk. Always use safety precautions. You should read and follow manufacturer’s directions for the products and tools you use. Read more.

 

Privacy Policy: The privacy of your personal information is important. We make every effort to safeguard your information and will never sell it to third parties. Read more.

Terms of Use: You are welcome to link to this site or use a single image and brief description to link back to any post. Republishing posts in their entirety is prohibited without permission. All images are property of Kenarry, LLC. Do not crop or remove watermark. Do not reproduce without link back or permission. If you do link to this site, please contact us to let us know. All free printables offered are for personal use only. Pinning is always welcome and appreciated. Thank you!

As it relates to comments and content posted on this blog by those other than the owners, any such content that contains the copyrighted and/or proprietary work of others is expressly prohibited and will be removed. Repeated posting of such content by the same user may result in that user being banned from this site.

Copyright © 2020 Kenarry LLC · Powered by Captivating Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in