Simple Canvas Print Tutorial
December 22, 2011 by Aimee • 33 Comments
Everyone has a certain someone that is hard to find the perfect gift for because they have everything. What do you do then!!?! Well, when you’re talking grandparents, pictures, of course!!!
My canvases are 8×10 and so is the picture, but the picture needed a bit of trimming. Not a science to it, just took 1/8″ off of each side until there was a slight border of white canvas when the picture was laid down. That thin border will allow the mod podge to have a good hold on the picture preventing the picture from rolling up at a corner.
I took my mod podge {yes, this is the second craft in the row using mod podge ~ did you see my Simple Monogram Ornament {Potterybarn Inspired}. Love that too! When I was first married I made a collection of Guy Buffet canvas art from a calendar, plywood, burlap and mod podge. Pretty much since then I’ve had a thing for mod podge! It really gives an expensive look for next to nothing! And the crafts with it are endless!
I layered the white canvas with mod podge, then layered the back of the photo with mod podge and layed the mod podge surfaces together. Next, I let the glue dry a bit. Then I took a paint brush and covered the picture itself with strokes of mod podge. {I may explore my design of the mod podge texture even more next time}. I used a blow dryer on low/warm settings and sped the drying time up a bit.
I LOVE it! Because I chose the thin canvas, just a simple frame without the glass and it’s ready to be gifted! My parents {no peeking mom and dad} have a “black framed artwork” house so I’ll switch it out to a different frame, wrap it and tie a bow and it’s ready to be a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year.
And I took a picture with flash so you could see the texture a bit more. In person its a nice soft subtle touch. As if I took out my brush and paints and went to town. Although that probably wouldn’t have had quite as pretty of a “after” picture had I done that!!! One day I’ll pursue my inner voice that’s been telling me for years to take up painting. But not just yet!
This is so nice! Love this photo of your children…so unique! xo
Ohhhh.. what a great idea!! It makes me nervous to put modge podge over the top of photo but it came out great! Im going to put this on my list of gift ideas
What a great personalized gift to give. My parents would love something like this of my daughter!
I’d love for you to link up and share: http://tutusandteaparties.blogspot.com/2011/12/pinteresting-party-with-christmas.html
What a great personalized gift to give. My parents would love something like this of my daughter!
I’d love for you to link up and share: http://tutusandteaparties.blogspot.com/2011/12/pinteresting-party-with-christmas.html
Love this, Aimee!! Quick question- is this printed on photo paper or regular printer paper? I’ve seen various versions of this on regular, but never photo paper. I may have to try this ASAP!
So creative and lovely, as always!!
@Emily @ 52 MantelsYes! Regular photo that was printed at Walgreens with a Shiny Finish. {I’m not a big fan of SHINY photos so this was a great fix!} Merry Christmas Emily!
I just stumbled upon your blog today and have been on it for about 2+ hours now – i LOVE it. Definitely trying your Anthropologie-inspired snow-globes today
Thanks for everything you post and share on… it’s wonderful. I posted some of your pictures on my blog, so come check them out 
http://www.mereditholsendesign/blogspot.com
Aimee, this is a great project! I was cleaning out my craft room today and found 2 of those thin canvases
Now, I know exactly what to do with them! Thank you!!!
Thanks for the tutorial! This would be something fun to try!
–Katie
http://www.blah2beautiful.blogspot.com
Creatively Living
This is a great tutorial! I would love for you to share it at my “Best of 2011″ link party, along with any other posts you are most proud of from this year. http://www.petalstopicots.com
~Kara
Great DIY, thanks for sharing it! I’ve done crafts with mod podge before but never on a photo. Does it change the color of the photo?
@Joy @ Thrifty Parsonage LivingIt worked perfectly! I used a generous amount of modpodge and brushed lightly. The color stayed perfect!!!
XO, Aimee
I so want to try this on one of my photos! Thank you for sharing at my party!
~Kara
Aimee-I love this idea! Thanks for sharing! I haven’t been on here lately and just saw you are having a “party”. Not even totally sure what that means =), but I hope to browse around more soon! Merry Christmas to all of you! Loved your Christmas card! Anna Grace loved reading your hubbie’s letter. I heard her laughing a few times as she read it! =)
I love this idea! Thanks for sharing. I’m inspired!
Sharon
You did a beautiful job and what a great tutorial! You’re being featured at this week’s party. Thank you so much for sharing at Taking A Timeout Thursday! Hope to see you again this week
Thanks for the simple step-by-step guide…great project! I’d like to do this for next year’s family reunion, to gift out some really funny old family photos.
Arrived via TCB…cheers!
What a great idea! This is something I will be trying soon. Thanks for linking to the open House Party and Happy New Years.
xo,
Sherry
I heart picture projects! Your canvas looks wonderful! So happy to have you link up to the Tuesday To Do Party at The Blackberry Vine!
Happy New Year!
Smiles!
Jami
http://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com
AWE-SOME! I absolutely love it and the price is crazy! I used a tiny foam roller to apply mod-podge to a print and the texture is really fun. I would love for you to pop over and link up at my party this weekend!
http://kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com/2011/12/get-schooled-saturday-4.html
cute! You were before me at MM monday… so I came to take a look. Love the simplicity!
I love this frame! I hope that you will share it at my link party, Some Good Stuff: http://some-good-times.blogspot.com/2012/01/some-good-stuff-1.html
Megan
Love this, thanks for the tutorial! I just had family pics taken over the holidays and this might make a good upcoming Mothers Day/Birthday gift for parents! I came over from some-good-stuff link party.
Jan/TipGarden.blogspot.com
very nice! thanks for sharing. Little Bit from DecorateWithaLittleBit.com
You are so right – grandparents will love this! Thanks for sharing! I know I could do this!
Congratulations on being featured today on Blackberry Vine. She made a great choice!
This is a great tutorial. I love giving photos as gifts! (Stopping by from Everything Under the Moon’s Link Party.)
Happy New Year!
What a great idea! Thanks for the tutorial! I love picture canvases!
We just did this on wooden blocks for Christmas gifts. This would be even better. Thank you for the tutorial!
This is awesome! I have some canvases that I bough on sale that I haven’t used yet and this would be a perfect idea for them! Thanks so much for sharing!
Amanda O’Banion
http://www.theobanions.blogspot.com
I love this! I’ve had to try my hand with my photos. I presevered my dad’s sermon notes on canvas with mod podge and added a cross. You’ve have to visit by blog to see how it tuned out. It was a first for me and so is blogging. Thanks for sharing.
Love this, and want to try. Did you print the picture on photo paper, wax paper, etc? I want the texture of the canvas to show through…Beautiful picture!
Cris…I used photo paper. My texture was from the brush strokes. It looks fabulous! If you try it with wax paper, would you stop back by and let me know?!! I’m so intrigued!!! XO, Aimee