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How to print a photo on wood with inkodye

A step-by-step guide to printing a photographic Inkodye print on wood. Perfect for creating unique artwork, tabletops, coasters & serving trays.

145
STEPS
TOOLS

Gather materials for your project. We like using a lacquered piece of plywood as our work surface - it's portable & easily cleaned with a wet paper towel once the project is finished.

Gather materials for your project. We like using a lacquered piece of plywood as our work surface - it's portable & easily cleaned with a wet paper towel once the project is finished.

Choose a brush you'd like to work with. We find that a roller lays down a nice even coat of Inkodye. But any brush will do just fine.

Choose a brush you'd like to work with. We find that a roller lays down a nice even coat of Inkodye. But any brush will do just fine.

Shake bottle well. Pour Inkodye in a bowl or  flat, non-absorbent surface. Do steps 3-9 & 12-13 in a room with subdued lighting-exposure to lots of natural light will begin Inkodye's color development

Shake bottle well. Pour Inkodye in a bowl or flat, non-absorbent surface. Do steps 3-9 & 12-13 in a room with subdued lighting-exposure to lots of natural light will begin Inkodye's color development

Coat your brush or roller with Inkodye. 1/2 tablespoon will coat a 10x10" wood square.

Coat your brush or roller with Inkodye. 1/2 tablespoon will coat a 10x10" wood square.

Coat the wood evenly with Inkodye. It can be hard to see since Inkodye comes out of the bottle colorless, but you don't need to soak the wood. A thin, even coat will do.

Coat the wood evenly with Inkodye. It can be hard to see since Inkodye comes out of the bottle colorless, but you don't need to soak the wood. A thin, even coat will do.

Using a paper towel, blot the wood to soak up excess dye. Tip: Less is more! Wood should be fully coated but excess moisture can cause imperfections in prints. Wood should be damp, not soaked.

Using a paper towel, blot the wood to soak up excess dye. Tip: Less is more! Wood should be fully coated but excess moisture can cause imperfections in prints. Wood should be damp, not soaked.

Place your negative on top of the coated wood. If you're using an inkjet negative, place the waterproof side down (printed side up) so the printed ink doesn't transfer to your coated wood.

Place your negative on top of the coated wood. If you're using an inkjet negative, place the waterproof side down (printed side up) so the printed ink doesn't transfer to your coated wood.

Tip: If you're using a traditional or special negative, you may want to put a clear transparency between the coated wood & negative to prevent direct contact of your negative with Inkodye.

Place a piece of glass on top of wood & negative. This will hold the negative down during exposure and yield the sharpest prints. Note: Glass blocks some UV rays so exposure time may increase.

Place a piece of glass on top of wood & negative. This will hold the negative down during exposure and yield the sharpest prints. Note: Glass blocks some UV rays so exposure time may increase.

Expose your print in direct sunlight for 10-12 mins. You may want to expose for up to 15 mins if you are using glass to hold your negative down. It can take about 30 mins if done on a cloudy day.

Expose your print in direct sunlight for 10-12 mins. You may want to expose for up to 15 mins if you are using glass to hold your negative down. It can take about 30 mins if done on a cloudy day.

You will begin to see color development within the first minute of sun exposure! It may appear to get to its darkest potential after 5 mins, but try to be patient during the entire exposure period :)

You will begin to see color development within the first minute of sun exposure! It may appear to get to its darkest potential after 5 mins, but try to be patient during the entire exposure period :)

Take your Inkodye print back indoors and remove the negative in subdued lighting.

Take your Inkodye print back indoors and remove the negative in subdued lighting.

Scrub your print by hand with hot water & detergent for at least 10 mins. If you have hard water, using washing soda or Borax will help.

Scrub your print by hand with hot water & detergent for at least 10 mins. If you have hard water, using washing soda or Borax will help.

Tip: You may want to use rubber dish gloves since the water is hot and to avoid skin irritation from the detergent.

Tip: You can clean the waterproof side of your inkjet negative with some water and a paper towel to remove any Inkodye residue. Be careful not to get the printed side wet- it can ruin your negative.

Now you have a beautiful, permanent Inkodye print on wood! One of a kind: By nature, wood has imperfections and variations in the grain which can add a beautiful texture, unique to your print.

Now you have a beautiful, permanent Inkodye print on wood! One of a kind: By nature, wood has imperfections and variations in the grain which can add a beautiful texture, unique to your print.

  • 1/2Tbsp Red Inkodye (purchase at www.lumi.co)
  • 1.0 Roller or brush
  • 1.0 A negative (inkjet printed or traditional)
  • 1/3yd Unfinished/uncoated wood
  • 1.0 Piece of glass to hold down negative
  • 1.0 Portable flat surface (lacquered piece of plywood)
  • 1.0 Small bowl or tray
  • 1.0 Sponge
  • 1.0 Inkowash, laundry detergent or dish soap
  • 1.0 Bucket of hot water
  • A few paper towels
  • Optional: dish gloves