Christmas ornaments with pictures are a lovely way to personalize your holiday decor. Transferring photos and images onto ornaments can be done in a variety of ways, both using kits and supplies or by making them yourself from scratch. With the right materials and some creativity, you can make custom photo ornaments for your tree, to give as gifts, or even sell at a craft fair. Here are some of the most popular techniques for transferring photos onto Christmas ornaments.
Using ornament photo transfer kits
One of the easiest ways to put pictures on ornaments is by using a photo transfer kit. These kits provide all the materials you need and come with simple instructions to create one-of-a-kind photo keepsakes. Many kits include supplies like:
- Ornaments made from clear acrylic, glass or plastic
- Photo transfer paper
- Ink cartridge and applicator tip
- Sealant
To use a photo ornament kit, first select and print out a photo. Trim it down to fit the size of the ornament. Apply the photo transfer paper to the printed image, then use the applicator tip to evenly transfer the photo onto the ornament. Let it dry fully, then brush on the sealant to protect the image.
Kits allow you to transfer photos onto ball ornaments, flat medallion ornaments, glass photo cubes, and more. You can find them at craft stores or online for around $15 to $30.
Using a laser printer for DIY photo transfers
If you don’t want to buy a special kit, you can create DIY photo ornaments with a laser printer and some supplies from the craft store. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Ornaments (clear glass or plastic work best)
- Laser printer
- Waterslide decal paper
- Clear acrylic spray
First, print out your selected photos in high quality onto the decal paper using a laserjet printer. Cut out the printed images. Then, clean and fully dry the ornament. Apply the photos like stickers directly onto the ornaments. Coat with 2-3 layers of acrylic spray to seal the image.
This works well for transferring photos to round, teardrop, or oval shaped ornaments. And you can reuse printed decal paper for multiple ornaments!
Using glass paint and decoupage medium
For a handcrafted look, you can use glass paint and decoupage medium to transfer and seal photos onto glass ball ornaments. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Glass ball ornaments
- Printed photos
- Foam decoupage medium
- Glass paint in clear and other colors
- Small paintbrush
Brush a thin layer of decoupage medium onto the ornament where you want the photo. Apply the photo print side down onto the medium. Brush on more medium over the photo to seal it. Let dry. Use glass paint to add color accents, patterns or decorations. Add several coats of clear glass paint all over the ornament to fully seal and protect the transferred photo.
Using an inkjet printable ornament
For ornaments with a smooth glass-like finish, look for inkjet printable Christmas ornaments. These are made from a specialized plastic that works with your standard inkjet printer. To decorate, simply print out photos right onto the ornaments. The ink will set into the plastic to create permanent, vivid images.
You can find blank inkjet printable ornaments in shapes like bulbs, teardrops, and photo cubes. They provide an easy way to customize ornaments with your own photos.
Transferring photos without decals
If you don’t have decal paper or a photo transfer kit, there are a couple options to transfer photos to ornaments without decals:
Using packing tape
For a quick DIY ornament, use regular packing tape to apply a photo. Print out your image at a small size like 1-2 inches. Cut off a piece of packing tape larger than the photo print. Lay it over the image sticky side down and gently smooth it out. Then place the tape sticky side up onto a plastic, glass or acrylic ornament. The photo will now be attached.
Using magazine clippings
Cut out photos or images from magazines and glue them onto plastic or wooden ornaments using a decoupage medium. Apply several coats to seal and protect the images.
This technique works best with simple designs, words or silhouettes. Detailed photos may not translate as well.
Making photo ornaments from clay
For a DIY clay photo ornament, all you need is an air dry clay, printed photos and sealant. Here’s how to make them:
- Condition and roll out air dry clay to about 1⁄4 inch thickness
- Cut out desired ornament shapes from the clay
- Imprint ornaments with textured items like lace, burlap, etc for patterns
- Use a drop of water to adhere printed photos onto the clay shapes
- Allow to fully dry as per clay instructions
- Once dry, brush on decoupage or sealant to protect
- Add string, ribbon or embellishments to finish
These handmade clay ornaments can be painted or left plain. They make wonderful personalized gifts!
Making photo jewelry ornaments
For a sparkly ornament, transfer photos onto jewelry like necklace pendants, earring drops, tie tacks, cufflinks or brooches. Attach a ribbon hanger to the top and these become dazzling photo ornaments for your tree!
To transfer an image, look for jewelry with a domed glass, rounded plastic or flat metal surface. Print out a photo that fits the shape and size of your jewelry piece. Cut close around the edges of the photo. Apply a decal transfer medium or clear craft glue to the back of the photo. Press the image onto the jewelry surface and let dry fully. Coat with a sealant.
Try using photos of loved ones, pets, nature scenes or fun vacation memories to customize jewelry ornaments.
Making photo cube ornaments
Small glass or acrylic photo cubes can also be turned into ornaments. Look for clear blank cubes with either a flat or spherical shape. Print photos to fit the cube size, then transfer and seal the images using decal paper or photo transfer medium and sealant as described above.
Once dry, use strong craft glue to attach a ribbon loop at the top. Hang your favorite photos on the tree in a new way with DIY photo cube ornaments!
Tips for transferring photos successfully
When transferring photos to ornaments, there are some tips to follow for best results:
- Print at high resolution and quality settings for clear details.
- Trim photos leaving a small border so edges don’t lift.
- Work on a smooth, clean surface free of debris.
- Let sealants fully dry between layers for maximum durability.
- Apply transfer medium evenly for consistent adhesion.
Edit photos to size by cropping to focus on key details. Adjust brightness and contrast to compensate for any color distortion from the transfer process. This helps photos look as vivid as possible on the ornament surface.
Choosing the best photos for ornaments
Ornaments are small, so the photos you choose will be visible up close. Pick subject matter and photos adapted to the shape and size of your ornament. Here are some tips:
- Use close up shots of faces for round or spherical ornaments. Zoom in on smiles!
- Choose group photos with simple, clean backgrounds.
- For small ornmanets, try silhouettes, outlines or solid shapes.
- Select square shots for photo cube ornaments.
- Pick photos with bright, crisp colors and details.
- Avoid busy backgrounds that look cluttered when scaled down.
The most meaningful photos often include faces, family, pets, vacations, holidays, and important events or memories. Select one special photo or mix and match a few favorites to create your custom ornament!
Conclusion
Transferring photos to Christmas ornaments allows you to personalize your holiday decor and make memorable keepsake gifts for family and friends. With a photo transfer kit, decal paper, specialty supplies and some DIY techniques, you can create beautiful custom photo ornaments to cherish for years to come. Choose special pictures, follow ornament image transfer steps carefully, and your photos will turn into festive holiday decorations to be enjoyed each holiday season.
| Method | Ornament Type | Supplies Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Photo transfer kit | Acrylic, glass, plastic | Kit with transfer paper, applicator, sealant |
| Laser printer transfer | Glass, plastic | Laser printer, decal paper, acrylic spray |
| Glass paint and decoupage | Glass | Glass paint, decoupage medium, paintbrush |
| Inkjet printable ornament | Coated plastic | Inkjet printer, printable ornament |
| Packing tape | Plastic, glass | Packing tape, printed photo |
| Magazine clippings | Plastic, wood | Decoupage medium, magazines, scissors |
| Clay | Air dry clay | Clay, printed photos, sealant |
| Jewelry | Plastic, glass, metal | Jewelry, transfer medium, sealant |
With so many options for transferring photos to ornaments, you can create completely custom decorations for your Christmas tree and holiday gifts. Personalize each ornament with special memories and images of loved ones. Follow the steps for the method you choose, let your creative spirit shine, and enjoy cherished photos on your Christmas tree for many holidays to come.
