These Mod Podge decal pots are a snap to make! You just have to make some of your own!
I spotted some on Heaven’s Walk, along with an easy to follow tutorial and just had to make one. I love the results so much that I made five more! I added a few tweaks here and there, so I thought I would share them with you! My mother actually taught me to make image transfers like this when I was eight or nine years old. Even though we had so much fun creating with this transfer process, the process was much more time consuming in those days. We would brush 8-10 coats of transfer medium on the image, letting it dry in between coats. Then we would gently rub the paper off and apply the image to our surface of choice. This process is still a good one to use on some projects and I have used it in recent years.
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First, find a pot that you like, it can be old or new. If it is old, clean it up a bit. I like to leave some of the mess on, as it gives it age and character.
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- Gather supplies: Image from The Graphics Fairy, gray and white paint using this paint recipe, pot, Mod Podge, paint brush, paper towels, small artist type paint brush, sand paper or sanding block.
- Clean your pot if it needs it
- Load some white paint brush lightly and dab it onto a paper towel making sure that the brush if fairly dry.
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- Swipe the paint onto your pot . I like to leave the paint kind of streaky with some of the pot showing through. If you need more coverage, add more paint a little at a time until you achieve the look that you like.
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- Dip a paper towel into some gray paint and dab it off so that there is just a little bit of paint left on the paper towel.
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- Dab it onto the pot around the bottom area and randomly in other areas as well. Start with just a little bit of paint and add more until you like the way it looks.
- I like a subtle look that it somewhat blended. I think it looks more natural, as if the pot absorbed the minerals from the soil inside.
- If you end up with more gray than you want in some areas dip your paper towel in the white paint and dab over the gray lightly.
- Layering the paints this way will give more depth to your finish and your pot will have a more “aged” appearance.
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- Use your printer to size the image to fit your pot.
- Make sure you use a reversed image.
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- Cut the image out.
- Trim it close the graphics. This will leave less Mod Podge showing on your pot and make it easier to fit the image on curved or textured surface.
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Using a small paint brush, apply a coat of Mod Podge to the inked side of your image.
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- Center the image, Mod Podge side down, on your pot.
- Use your fingers to press it firmly onto the surface making sure that all areas are in contact with the pot.
- Let it dry well. Try to let it dry at least 5-6 hours. I was impatient with my first pot and started removing the paper too early and some of the image came off with the paper. Don’t panic if this happens, it will look like the pot has seen more age.
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- When it is dry, apply water to the image with a paper towel. You will moisten the intire image. I left part of it dry so that you can see what it will look like when you start to apply the water.
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- This is what it will look like when the image is completely moistened.
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- Begin to GENTLY rub the paper off with the pad of your finger.
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- This is another picture showing the progress as the image is being revealed.
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- Once the paper is removed let it dry again. It won’t take very long this time.
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- Use a sanding block or sand paper to sand over the image, making sure it doesn’t look to new. I like mine to look distressed and faded.
- You don’t have to sand it; it is up to you
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- You may seal it with clear matte acrylic spray at this point if you want to.
- I don’t use a sealer because I like it to continue “aging”. The more boo boos the better!
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- This is a picture of a pot that I did, which has a ridged surface. You can see that image adhered just fine. You might also be able to see that trimming the edges close to the lettering was quite helpful here, allowing the graphics to be pushed firmly into the groves and curves.
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This picture was taken after I made the first three pots. I had so much fun doing these that I decided to make more. So, I went outside, gathered more pots and made three more!
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This was such an easy project. You don’t have to make six pots at once, just try one and I bet you will be hooked!
Linking at these parties:
This is just so neat. I love the effect. I am definately going to try this…thank you for the great tutorial. Have a wonderful day!
I love this – can’t wait to try it. Where did you get your images?
Hi Karlene, Glad you are going to try it! I found my graphics at The Graphics Fairy. Have fun!
Sorry, I forgot to make the link in the tutorial. Thanks for bringing that to my attention! Happy crafting!
ok thanks
This is not the first time I have come to visit you here… But today I feel the “urgent need” to tell you how much I love your blog and the tutorials you so kindly share with us! You give me not only the inspiration to become creative, but also the how-to. Thanks so much for being so generous! Greets, Manu!
Oh Manu, how thoughtful of you! It is so nice to have Decorating DIY friends and share our adventures together. This project was so much fun I could hardly stop “decal-ing” all my pots! I hope you have fun with it too!
Love it, Kristie! I guess you did learn a few good things from me. Right now, Sophie and I need a quick tutorial on replacing a stuffed bear’s nose!
Oops! That silly dog! Hope y’all are having fun!
Kristie — I am loving your blog! I will definitely be repurposing some of my old flower pots. I think these would be so cute to use for gathering utensils, candles or flowers. Thank you for all the easy to follow tutorials. We share a similar design style. Looking forward to seeing what you do next:)
Great ideas Julie! Thanks for sharing!
I so love this project & will give it a try. Thanks for the tutorial
Linda, glad you are going to try it. Hope you have fun!
This project is wonderful, thank you for the transfer image information. I went through your blog and I am so inspired! You are so creative and inspiring and I am your new fan!
Thanks Patricia! I am so happy to meet you and look forward to seeing you around!
beautiful!! they turned out amazing!! def. going to try this!
xo,
Shellagh
Hi Shellagh! Go for it! I would love to hear how it goes!
These are gorgeous!!! I would love it if you would link these up to my Brag Monday party (it’s running right now). I’m sure my readers would love to see these!
Karen
P.S. Thanks for giving me credit for the images!
Hi Karen! So nice for you visit! I got it linked up and tried to leave a message, but it didn’t go through. So, Thanks for hosting a great party and creating such wonderful graphics for all of us to use!!!
Love the idea and tutorial! Looking forward to giving this a try. Thanks for sharing!
Great Diane! Hope you have fun with it!
Love this project ! What type of paper is the graphic printed on?
Good question Teri! I just printed it on regular old paper from my printer. Thanks for visiting!
kriste who are you i m indian
I’ve seen this technique before — perhaps even in the same blog you cited (Heaven’s Walk) if I remember correctly. However your tutorial and photos take the cake! Very, very well done, lady. I’m off to get some pots now. Thank you!
What a fantastic project! I can’t wait to try this. Thanks for sharing.
Kristie, check your email and EMAIL back. Don’t call.
These are wonderful! Thanks so much for taking the time to share!
These turned out great! I tried this technique once and failed, but I have a pot that really needs to be painted and beautified and I may just have to try it again. I love the images you used, too.
visiting from Brag Monday! : )
I LOVE your pots!!♥ Nice tutorial too.
Those look really nice – might have to try that on the ones near my front door. (:
This was such a great tutorial! I love that you tweaked it with your own techniques and ideas. I will definitely try ~ thank you so much
I’m pinning it too! ~ Megan @ Lilac & Lavender
L.O.V.E. this idea, and I am a big fan of the Graphics Fairy too.
Thanks for the tutorial. I love Karen”s(Graphic Fairy) site so much. You made this seem so easy that I’ll have to try it. Katharine
These are great, I will be storing this away for future reference!
I love how your pots turned out! Did you use and inkjet printer for the image?
Hi Deborah! I used a toner based printer, but I believe that this process would work with an inkjet printer as well. You could use a small graphic and give it a try. Thanks for stopping by! Let me know if you have more questions.
These are wonderful! Thank you for the tutorial…I can’t wait to try some myself.
Blessings!
Geneva
Wow, you did a great job, they are fabulous. Thanks for the tutorial
Love this! Can’t wait to try it.
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Thanks for wonderful tutorial, and links to sites etc.
do you need a particular type of printer to do this? Seems like it always calls for kind I do not have.
blessings
barbara jean
Hi Barbara Jean, I am using a toner based printer for my projects, because my ink-jet printer died. I would think that an ink-jet image would work with Mod Podge too. I will see if I can get a hold of an ink-jet print and try it soon. I will report back after I do. Or if any of you have tried it, let us know how it worked out!
thanks for this tut. love your pots.I have tried it on tea stained fabric but the image didn’t seem that clear, I think it was because I used a laser printed image and the fabric had a loose weave but I’m going to try it with an inkjet printed image instead and see if that comes out better. from chris in oz australia
Hi Chris, You might try image transfer paper when transferring images to fabric. I linked to a Graphics Fairy tutorial in one of the above comments, which might help you. Thanks for stopping by!
Kristie,
Love your blog and your creativity everyday but today for sharing the transfer tutorial. Never used Mod Podge but am now going to try this, thanks to your detailed simple instructions. Do you know if you can do a transfer from paper onto tightly woven fabric with the same method ? Or a suggestion for transferring to muslin ?
Thank you for your generosity and sharing,
Suz
Hi Suz, I have used Mod Podge to transfer images to fabric before, but the method I used was very involved. My favorite method of transferring images to fabric at this time is by way of image transfer paper. In the past I have used an Avery product called T-shirt transfer paper, but The Graphics Fairy recommends, what sounds like a better transfer paper on her website. I am currently experimenting with the Citra-solve method and will let you know how it goes. Please let me know if you have more questions.
Hi, Kristie:
I like how you applied the graphics to flower pots and I am linking to my blog post for tomorrow morning. You have a great blog and you’re very generous to take the time to make a tutorial for everyone to enjoy.
Warmest Regards,
Susan
Thanks for stopping by Susan! You have a great blog too. Thanks for linking to mine; I will visit yours again tomorrow!
Kristie, I’m pretty new to blogging and just found your site – I love this idea! Thank you so much for sharing:)
~Lori
Hi Lori! Thanks for stopping by to visit. I am also new to blogging; I started mid to late January. I wish you the best and hope you have lots of joy in your blogging escapades! I hope you will visit again soon!
Thank you, thank you, for your generous amazing tutorial!!! You are my kind of lady!! You are so creative and talented I cannot wait to add your blog to my list of favorites on my Robin’s Nest Treasures blog. I have neglected my blog for a few months because I recently moved, but your pots will be one of my first projects with you as the star. One question. If I spray the outside of the pot with a sealant, can I pot a plant in soil in there and water it without ruining the image?
I can’t wait to fully explore your blog for more great “treasures”!
Robin, so nice to find another kindred soul! I don’t know the answer to your question. Around blogland, I have seen Outdoor Mod Podge, but I bet that it just weather proofs the container. If you cultivate a plant directly in your decorated pot, I would think that the pot will absorb minerals and moisture that will compromise your new finish. Why not keep your plant in a smaller container and place it into your new fabulous creation? I could be totally wrong and there may be a viewer who knows more information,if so, please chime in!! Thanks for stopping by and let me know how it goes!!!
Hi Kristie-
Thanks for your quick response. I agree with your suggestion. I will try potting the plant in a plastic pot and sit it inside one of your terra cottage beauties.
Loving your blog and can’t wait to try these pots. I see from the photo you used MS winter’s day for the white. Do you remember the name of the grey you used please? I have another question re: your painted furniture projects. Have you ever tried a glaze finish over your chalk paint finish. Just wondering if it would work. Your beautiful buffet and hutch transformation has inspired me to paint mine to match my kitchen cabinets. I would need to emulate an ivory base with brown brushstroke glaze over top. Thanks for all the great ideas!
Carolyn, MS Winter’s Day is actually the gray I used; the white I used is Glidden Pure White base. I have not used a glaze on this paint, but I have used a watered down recipe that I think works well for giving age and patina. It is more like a wash, but seems to give the same effect as a glaze, in my opinion. However, I do think that you could use a glaze and the results would be as if you had used a unaltered latex paint as your base. Also, my favorite creamy colors are: Ralph Lauren’s Nantucket White and Mother of Pearl, and Martha Stewart’s Heavy Cream and Glass of Milk. (Psst… RL colors are my favorites, but we can’t get them in Texas anymore!
Hope this helps. Thanks so much for stopping by. I would love to hear how your projects go!!!
P.S. Carolyn, I love RL Tea Stained glaze for a brown glaze, and as we can’t get RL paints here, I have used a watered down version of MS Molasses to glaze/wash over some of my gray paints. It might be a tad too dark for you, I don’t know.
Thanks so much for the great suggestions, Kristie.
I love this! Thank you for sharing. My only question is w hat kind of printer did you use? I think the Mod Podge will smear the ink of an inkjet, won’t it? Was this from a laser? Thanks again!
Good question. Mine is a toner based laser printer. I have not tried transferring an image from a ink jet copy. I hope to try it soon and see what happens. I understand that it is important to use a toner based copy when using Citra Solve to transfer images.
Love this and tried it this morning on some old pots. I was wondering is it normal for ink to be all over your fingers or am I rubbing too hard or too soon?
Thank you!
Hi Michell, I have had image loss when I have started rubbing the paper off too soon and I have had the same thing happen when I have rubbed too hard. Did the image come completely off of your pot?
One more thing, what type of printer did you use for your image? See above comment regarding ink jet vs. toner based printers and the use of Mod Podge.
Where did you get those flowerpots? I love the upper lip that you leave natural and cannot find any. I was considering adding paperclay to make my own lip.
Printed the images today and cannot wait to get started on this. Thank you.
Barbara, I think I got these pots at Home Depot, but it has been a while so I don’t remember for sure. It could have also been Garden Ridge or Ellis Pottery in Shreveport, LA. Wow! I am so impressed that you can create a lip of paper clay! Happy Crafting Barbara!
Thank you so much, Kristie. I am in the middle of trying my first one. I have since read more of all the above posts and saw you are in Texas, too. I have gone to all the local nurseries and will try Home Depot next week. Thanks for the reply. : )
bh
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Fabulous! I made an indoor version as a gift for my Sister – it works well on indoor coloured emulsion pots too – here is my powder blue version: http://morequirkythancrafty.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/take-3-pots/
I guess I am a problem child as I cannot get this to work for me. Only difference is the paint I am using. I just used plain acrylic craft paint without the grout. Do you think it is the grout that helps the images adhere because even when i am as gentle as can be, if I try to remove ALL the paper, the image comes with it, too.
Yours came out so bee-utiful. (pun intended…lol)
Hi BH, I wonder if the climate has anything to do with the trouble you are having? How long are you letting it dry? If you are in a colder more humid climate, you might need to let your image dry longer before removing the paper. If you haven’t already, let it dry a full 24 hours and see if that works. As far as the grout goes, I don’t think the acrylic paint should have any bearing on the results, but I don’t know for sure.
I am SO glad I found your tutorial, I am going to try this method on a piece of furniture. There are so many different types of Mod Podge, which one do you use, and which one do you think I should use on the painted wood piece? I am also going to use an inkjet printer, so I will share the results when I am finished to let you know if I run in to any problems, and hopefully to let you know it was a success! Wish me luck!
Hi Melodie, I just saw your question, so sorry for the delayed response. I use the Mod Podge Matte, because I like a very soft, velvety, matte finish. I used to use the glossy finish, as it was the only one available. It also gives a nice finish. but if you prefer a bit of shine to your pieces. I wish you the best! Let me know how it goes!
You cannot apply Mod Podge on sheets printed with an inkjet. They are water soluable and immediately run.
I use an inkjet printer and they’re fine Melodie.
Really? I do all kinds of art and mine runs. What brand printer do you have? What Mod Podge? Thanks.
I have a cheap HP inkjet printer and use Mod Podge for paper. I make sure the printed paper is dry and it’s always been fine for me. HTH.
Are you using a special type of paper with your printer or are you using regular computer paper?
The cheapest paper I can get. Usually from the supermarket
I want to do a similar project for a wedding gift. The supplies it calls for are gel medium, ModPodge wood blocks and photos. The point is to transfer the photos onto wood. It is a really neat effect. My problems was that I purchased pictures through a Walgreens store and they did not transfer correctly at all. I am wondering what kind of paper should be used for a project such as this. Is it just regular computer paper?
Dusty, Yes, I used regular old computer paper. Try making a copy of the pictures with your printer and then transfer the copies to your surface. Sound like a cool idea!
Love the pots, great tutorial. Can’t wait to start on a couple.
Thanks.
( =
Thank you so for this post, love your pots …just stunning. I am going to make some very soon but am going to use your process to put an image on one of my doors…can’t wait.
Kindredly, Lynnie
That sounds like a cool idea!
LOVE THIS!! Who would have thought it could be so easy. Well your tutorial looks easy~I’m going to give this a try. Your pots are gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing.
Hi Jana, these are really not hard at all. I only run into trouble when I am too impatient to let them dry long enough!!! The waiting is the hardest part!
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These pots are beautiful. I really want to try this.
I’ve transferred images onto wood using wax paper, but I’ve never tried this Mod Podge technique. Can’t wait to try it.
Just finished 3 pots… this was so easy, and I love how they turned out! The possibilities are endless. I only waited 2 hours to let the modge podge dry before I could not resist testing the image transfer on one of the pots. I am really pleased to say my image was left intact after a liberal application of water and very gentle and careful paper rolling. Thank you for a great set of instructions and idea.
Hi, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for this amazing post. I have made my own pots using your tutorial (check them out at http://www.nzecochick.com/2012/04/french-inspired-pots.html). They turned out really well. I totally agree these are really addictive. I know what my friends will be getting for their birthdays! Thanks again.
Madeleine, so glad to hear about the success of your pots! I just checked out your blog and see that you did a wonderful job! Thanks so much for sharing them here with everyone!!! ~Kristie
Hi! Just wondering how do you mirror an image from graphics fairy to put on the pots??? I see some are offered mirrored, but others are not.
Thanks!
Can’t wait to try this on a cement planter I just bought from Lowes!
If Karen does not have a mirrored image available to print, then I will ask my husband to flip it on his computer, because I don’t have a program that will flip an image. If you aren’t able to flip it on your computer, then I suggest printing it and taking it to Kinko’s and have them flip it. I have used Kinko’s to flip or enlarge an image many times and the hardest part is the drive over there! Hope this helps.
Thank you so much! I didn’t know that Kinkos would be able to do that! I will def go there!
Thanks, Dawn
Thank you for sharing this fabulous tutorial!!
Can you explain how to reverse the grapics images that you find online? Thank you
My husband’s computer has the option to flip an image, so I just send it him and ask him nicely to flip and print it! Sorry I can’t be of more help than that. I feel like a cheater! Ha Ha! One option that you might try is printing it out and taking it to Kinko’s and have them reverse it.
Can I use Elmers glue instead of Modge Podge?
Hi Mary, I have never tried that before. I have used Mod Podge over and over with wonderful success!
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Hi, firstly I love your pots, and have tried to have a go today, I printed the bee and wreath graphic from the Graphic Fairy using an HP printer, Mod podged the ink side, pressed down on pot and waited 7 hours. Wetted the paper and rubbed with finger as gently as possible, but the graphic has gone green? Do you know what I might be doing wrong?
Hi Fiona, I have never heard of this happening before. I just googled the problem and came up with nothing. You might go over to Mod Podge Rocks and ask Amy the same question. She has probably had more experience with Mod Podge than I have. I would love to know if you figure out why the ink turned green. I will keep looking for an answer and let you know if I find one. ~Kristie
What a fabulous tutorial! Thank you so much!
Do you know if this will work on ceramic? Such thingds as plates, mugs, etc.
Hi Julie, I don’t think this specific method will work for ceramics. I believe there are other products that are designed for ceramics though. I wish I could tell you what they are. Maybe you could contact a ceramic studio or check out the ceramic department at a craft store like Hobby Lobby. I wish you the best with your quest! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Does it matter what type of paint is used to cover the pot? I waited 12 hours and rubbed very gently but the transfer would not adhere. The paint that I used was some-what glossy. Should I have sanded the gloss off or used a flat or more porous paint?
Please help me…
The paint I used on these pots is a matte paint. I have never tried transfering an image with Mod Podge to a glossy surface before, but I have heard of a product that allows you to transfer an image to glass. I think they are called water slide decals. Maybe this would be a better option for you. Hope this helps. The Polka Dot Closet talks about her experience with them here.
Thanks so much for posting this project (I realize that I was a little late in finding it). I tried it and the results were fantastic! I used some leftover ceiling paint, which was already kind of a gloppy consistency, and it worked out fine. I even tested it a second time on a plastic “clay look” pot and that worked too. (The Mod Podge just needed to dry a little longer on that one.) You rock!
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hmmmm…ok.. i’ve tried twice.. and am failing miserably!!
i think using inkjet prints are the cause..because the transfer wipes right off
Going to Staples today to make laser prints.
uggghh.
I just decorated three pots and they turned out great! Don’t give up Sandy.
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