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Distressed Picture Canvases

March 16, 2010 · Delia 59 Comments

This a project my friend Abby taught me how to do. Very simple once you get going.
***This has been improved and revised as of 12/14/2010***

Here are some other projects I have done using this method:
Distressed Alphabet Art Tutorial for Jessica from Happy Together
Tulip Canvases
Hot Wheels project
Bike canvas – to salvage any canvases that may have not worked the first time!

OK…Let’s get started!

Materials:
canvas
blown up photo
foam paint brush (like you use for toll paint)
a plastic card – like a credit card, or brayer
spray bottle of water
gel medium – glossy medium weight
it will likely look something like this:

I got mine from Michael’s. It is the priciest part of this project {$13} so use a coupon if you can. It also lasts a long time. I have made over 10 canvases of various sizes and still have some left.

1. Blow up a high resolution photo to the size of canvas you want to use. I couldn’t find a printer to do it larger than 11×14 unless I wanted to pay over $20 per print. I am frugal so I went with 11×14 and got a print for $1. You can do black and white or color. Either works great, just make sure the printer uses toner to print it so it will transfer to the canvas. Also…make sure you pick an image you don’t mind being reversed because it will transfer that way {or reverse it in photoshop before printing}. You print shop may be able to do this for you as well but some charge extra for it.


***Please note:聽聽You can ONLY use 20 pound white copy paper. No gloss, NO cardstock, NO photo paper. The paper that works best is the cheap, basic stuff.


My print shop used a photo quality copy paper once. That worked okay too. Just make sure it isn’t a high gloss paper or thicker than regular printer/copier paper.

聽* This image is from my tutorial for Happy Together so it kind of jumps ahead.



2. “Paint” the canvas with gel gloss medium. Give it a nice even, generous coat. If you spread it too thin the image transfer won’t be as predictable. If you spread it too thick the same thing can happen and it can look bad – trust me. I know. 馃檪

3. Lightly spritz the blown up photo with water and place it picture side down onto the canvas. Use the credit card to smooth the paper out and push out any bubbles.聽 Just take the straight edge and stroke it from the center out to the edges. Having done it more than a few times I actually prefer to just use my fingers now. Do what works for you.

Let it dry overnight or for several hours – think 4+ hours. It needs to be completely dry for the image to transfer well.

4. Spray the paper until you can see the image through the wet paper. Pull of the paper very slowly. Rub the remaining paper off as much as you can until the paper is gone and all that remains is the image. As you can see, the image can come off with the paper so be gentle. Let it dry. I find an hour or so is plenty.

5. Repeat the process. You will think you have rubbed all the paper off but when it dries you will realize you definitely have a ways to go. I repeat the process about 2-3 times until I can see the image almost completely clear. I still have a very light film of paper left when I consider myself done. I don’t like to risk losing too much of the image.

Let it dry completely.

6. Paint the canvas with the gel gloss medium. You can also use triple thick or mod podge to protect the image. Let it dry.

This is a great project you can pick and put down…because well you have to. 馃檪 So if you only have five minutes here and there to craft, this is great for that.

EXTRA TIPS:

I have mentioned some of this before. But is doesn’t hurt to say it again…

I suggest that you only use images that lend well to a distressed look. I have never had one transfer not have SOME image rub off…no matter how much I was careful. When I apply a nice even, and generous layer I have better luck, but I haven’t had a 100 % perfect one yet.

I use my fingers to rub the paper off but I have had a reader report success with using a damp sponge.

Remember: You MUST use regular copy paper with an image printed on it in laser toner. Other inks will not work .聽

You must use gel medium. There are no other substitutions that I know of.

I hope that answers any questions you may have. Feel free to email me if you have more.

Have fun!

Updated:
You can now purchase the materials to make this project through Amazon.com, which should help take some of the guess work out. Click below to learn how:

crafts, tutorial

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Comments

  1. Happy Together says

    March 17, 2010 at 2:24 AM

    I love these! I just experimented with gel medium too. It's fun, isn't it? 馃檪

    Reply
  2. mommy2luke2008 says

    May 7, 2010 at 4:12 PM

    Love this idea!! I have always wanted to try gel medium!! I featured this on my friday favorites
    http://lilbitofus.blogspot.com/2010/05/friday-favorites.html

    Reply
  3. MaryJanes and Galoshes says

    May 7, 2010 at 4:53 PM

    oooh, I'm going to have to try this! I love photo transfer.

    Reply
  4. Alyssa says

    May 8, 2010 at 3:15 PM

    Delia, thank you for this WONDERFUL tutorial. I tried this for Mother's Day and posted the results on my blog. Check it out: http://craftymominaz.blogspot.com/2010/05/photos-on-canvas.html
    One thing I did differently was use a clean sponge to remove my paper. I found it really saved my fingers!

    Reply
  5. Kym, Shaun and Riley says

    May 14, 2010 at 4:08 PM

    Can't wait to try this!! I have some extra canvases from another project and wanted to do something like this for Riley's room. Thanks for the tips and for the project!

    Reply
  6. Twin Inspiration says

    June 2, 2010 at 5:35 PM

    I recently tried your distressed canvas project and loved the way it turned out. I posted my finished project on my blog.

    twininspiration.blogspot.com

    Reply
  7. Amy says

    September 28, 2010 at 8:36 PM

    I think I'm thinking about this too much…:) Do I have the photo printed on regular paper or reprinted as a large photo? I'm sorry, apparently this was obvious to everyone else but I wasn't sure.
    Thanks – can't wait to try it!

    Reply
  8. Alison says

    December 15, 2010 at 5:13 AM

    You really have me thinking I could attempt this, Delia. So you think printing at like a Kinko's would be best over having it printed at Costco? I think I'll be headed to Michaels tomorrow!!

    Reply
  9. Alison says

    January 7, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    I just attempted my distressed canvases today!! They are drying as we speak… I forgot to flip the pictures in Photoshop, so I'm crossing my fingers they'll work out and I did everything correctly!!

    Reply
  10. Meg says

    January 14, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    This is an amazing idea and tutorial! I have now made three distressed canvases from photographs and two of old paperback book covers. My bro is an avid reader, so I printed off old covers of his favorite novels and used your technique. He loved them. I'll try to get pictures up on my blog soon. I used a matte gel medium and it worked beautifully. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  11. Angel says

    January 23, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    Do you know if this would work on something other than a canvas? I have a couple of those hanging calendars you get from Chinese restaurants that I've thought about paining over and redecorating, and thought that this would look pretty cool (if it would work, of course).

    Reply
  12. UtahBeekeeper says

    March 16, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    Delia . . . greetings from Northern Utah. This is a great project for guys too! I have several pieces in mind. Thank you for taking time. And yes, real men can craft too!

    Reply
  13. Michele says

    March 28, 2011 at 3:28 AM

    Awesome!

    I just did something similar with Mod Podge! But you can use a ink jet printing. Haven't tried it with color yet. Definitely going to try the gel medium.

    Reply
  14. Jeremy says

    April 9, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    This is a great project and I am a little unsure if you are printing the picture on regular paper or using photo paper? Can’t wait to try!! Thanks for the idea

    Reply
  15. Jessica @ My World - Made By Hand says

    April 29, 2011 at 7:41 PM

    This is super cool…I’m going to feature this in my next Sunday Stalker (May 1) edition…please stop by and grab a button 馃檪

    Reply
  16. Amy @ Positively Splendid says

    April 30, 2011 at 2:03 AM

    What a fabulous project! I’ll be sharing it in my Saturday Seven lineup tomorrow!

    Reply
  17. Sawdust and Paperscraps says

    May 1, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    this is a great alternative to spending $80 for a printed canvas. (Like I’d ever do that!) 馃檪

    Reply
  18. Sawdust and Paperscraps says

    May 1, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    This is such a great technique. (And a great alternative to spending $80 on a printed canvas.)

    Reply
  19. jason says

    May 1, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    hi I was wondering if u could add to the type of ink it needs to be and if u know of other ways to do this
    (like the mod podge),
    I only ask because I live in a small town and the only printer place is Walmart, are there photos the right type? I would really like to do this for my mom for mothers day this year! so I only have a few days to figure this out 馃檨 thanks

    also has anyone tried doing it on bigger canvas but using the 8×10 pic?

    Reply
  20. Diana says

    May 2, 2011 at 6:12 AM

    I would love to try this and I just have a quick question: should I Iet the first coat of gel medium to dry before placing the wet paper?

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  21. Kenzie Jane says

    May 4, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    So i just did finished two of these for my mother for mothers day! 馃檪 They turned out so great! Thanks for the wonderful idea! love them!!! Thank you thank you thank you~

    Reply
  22. Tracy says

    May 22, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    Thank you for this wonderful tutorial..looking forward to trying this. I have a photo of my friend and I when we were in our twenties..the perfect gift..nice one 馃榾

    Reply
  23. Emily Gerow says

    May 27, 2011 at 3:41 PM

    do you have to use a brand new canvas? or could you use an old one that's been painted over?

    Reply
  24. Cocainee says

    June 6, 2011 at 2:15 AM

    I love this tutorial!! Thanks so much!
    Do you mind if I feature it on my blog http://www.4flat.tumblr.com Saturday week?

    Reply
  25. Jess@Balancing The Dream says

    August 2, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    New follower here!! This is such a great tutorial! I found it through Pinterest! Thanks so much for sharing, i will definitely be attempting this!

    Reply
  26. Kristy says

    August 20, 2011 at 3:35 PM

    I am in love with this!! And I featured you on my blog today!! I am thrilled to have come across your bog!! 馃檪

    Reply
  27. kcm702 says

    August 23, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    This is such a fun project and great for gifts. I blogged about it here: http://kcm702.wordpress.com/2011/08/19/canvases/

    Thanks for the tutorial!

    Reply
  28. brandy cline says

    October 16, 2011 at 1:00 AM

    just wondering where to get pic printed! I’m assuming not wal greens!?

    Reply
  29. Debby says

    November 14, 2011 at 1:27 AM

    I love this! I need to get me some gel medium
    Thanks for sharing!
    Debby

    Reply
  30. soccer nic says

    December 16, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    Thanks so much…i love your site! on this canvas project…i feel like i have a lot of paper still on my photo. but then add water & it looks all clear again. will the gel at the end 'brighten' it up again, or should i keep trying to get the paper off. thanks so much!

    Reply
  31. Sami Clark says

    December 20, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    Oh Delia!!!! I was using Stumbleupon.com one time and I came across this! I ADORE this! I made my first one last night, which was basically a test dummy. Then I went to Micheals and bought for a steal 20 8×10 canvases. Thank you very much for this idea!!!!

    Reply
  32. SusanRozsas says

    January 7, 2012 at 3:29 AM

    Thanks so much for this tutorial Delia! I tried your technique on a few of my favorite Eiffel Tower photos I have taken. Here is a link to my finished product –> http://photosbysusan.smugmug.com/Family/Construction-of-my-new-home/19275080_TvZ2Xz/1661929263_HxHKCjK/1661929263_HxHKCjK#!i=1661905531&k=BvZmx2N

    Reply
  33. bonnie0109 says

    January 10, 2012 at 6:41 PM

    fabulous idea!! I can't wait to try this! THanks for sharing:)

    Reply
  34. Lynn says

    January 13, 2012 at 8:03 PM

    Any suggestions as to where to get photos printed from a disc? Having a difficult time finding somewhere that can change image size and print using laser. Thanks

    Reply
  35. figurativereality says

    February 6, 2012 at 1:57 AM

    You can also do this method into whitepaint..

    http://www.alteredimagestudios.co.nz/image-transfer-techniques.html

    Some of the images here are done with gel and some onto board with a fresh coat of white paint… Give it a go.. 馃檪

    Reply
  36. Morgan says

    March 5, 2012 at 9:05 PM

    Love this – I created three as part of my user voting series on my blog, but I will definitely be doing more! Thnx for the great idea – check out my reference to your blog at http://thnxpinterest.com/2012/02/29/canvas-craft/

    Reply
  37. mesin fotocopy says

    March 27, 2012 at 7:14 AM

    Hey there, You have done a fantastic job. I will certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I am confident they'll be benefited from this website.
    parfum | rumah dijual | perlengkapan bayi |

    Reply
  38. Iklan Rumah says

    April 7, 2012 at 3:27 PM

    What art! Thank you for sharing this tutorial 馃檪

    Reply
  39. Emily Copeland says

    May 11, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    What process do i repeat? I want to try this, but it doesn't say what exactly to repeat. Am I supposed to do steps 1-4 all over again? Or do I take a blank piece of paper, wet that, and let it dry to take the extra paper off?

    Reply
  40. Melissa S says

    June 26, 2012 at 12:43 AM

    I absolutely love this tutorial! I really loved how easy it was to follow as well! I've combined this tutorial with an idea from another tutorial and would love if you had the time to stop by and take a look!

    http://wildflowerswonders.blogspot.com/2012/06/when-two-tutorials-become-one.html

    Reply
  41. PattyP says

    September 10, 2012 at 10:46 PM

    There are programs for printing poster size images in smaller sections that you assemble after printing. One could use that to work on larger canvases.

    Here is a free online program or site that will do it for you:
    http://www.blockposters.com/

    Be sure to reverse your image before uploading it.

    Reply
  42. Anonymous says

    September 26, 2012 at 10:31 PM

    I used modge podge and an inkjet printer in color and it works great! Gel Medium is just an expensive version of modge podge.

    Reply
  43. stacey J says

    November 25, 2012 at 4:28 PM

    can you do this with a Architect's Blueprints from Staples?

    Reply
  44. ali naqvi says

    January 19, 2013 at 6:22 AM

    Great work…!!!Plastic cards

    Reply
  45. Vera VM says

    July 26, 2013 at 5:32 AM

    What can't gel is this??? I mean…where can i buy this?

    Reply
  46. Terry Murphy says

    September 6, 2013 at 5:54 PM

    So informative post here you are posted and i really glad to see it so thanks for share this post with us and get more details just click here

    Reply
  47. RJ says

    December 18, 2013 at 4:27 PM

    Can you do this with modge podge instead of gel medium?

    Reply
    • Delia says

      December 27, 2013 at 8:18 PM

      I have heard of other similar projects that use mod podge so I believe you can. You will need to google those tutorials though because I bet the instructions and results will be a little different.

      Reply
  48. Toko Boneka Lunania says

    April 23, 2014 at 5:21 AM

    hi Delia this is very fastinating, can i do this? i will try doing this from your tips. thx

    Reply
  49. Jual boneka barney & friends says

    April 23, 2014 at 5:24 AM

    i hope i can make this creation from your tips Delia, thx.

    Reply
  50. Karina says

    April 27, 2014 at 7:55 PM

    This works amazing except I thought I had enough of the paper off and put a coat of modgepodge over the top. But there is still too much of a film from the paper. Do you know if there anyway to take off more of the paper without starting all over?

    Reply
    • Delia says

      April 28, 2014 at 12:42 AM

      I am so sorry. There really isn’t away to get more paper off of it once you apply the finishing coat. This medium is a tricky one. I have ruined a few canvases myself making these. You get better the more you do it, the darker your image is, and the more patient you are in gently rubbing on layer after layer. You can reuse the canvas and this technique but you have to paint it and probably use a different image. I blogged my own ruined canvas redo here: http://www.deliacreates.com/2010/06/lemonade.html

      Good luck!

      Reply
  51. ahmad says

    August 12, 2015 at 2:56 AM

    you are so amazing, thanks for sharing….

    hope i will post some creation on my website http://www.pondasi.net

    Reply
    • Delia says

      August 12, 2015 at 8:14 PM

      thank you so much!

      Reply
  52. Gizikita says

    April 23, 2016 at 9:37 AM

    Hey, just found your site and really love your creation and creative thingy. Keep writing and keep inspiring. 馃榾

    Reply
    • Delia says

      April 25, 2016 at 1:28 PM

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  53. apartemen says

    January 16, 2017 at 12:59 AM

    What art! Thank you for sharing this tutorial..

    Reply
    • Delia says

      January 16, 2017 at 11:23 PM

      Thank you!

      Reply
  54. zoel says

    December 4, 2017 at 1:33 AM

    Thank you for sharing this tutorial. this tutorial very good for me..

    Reply

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