Transferring images onto Terra Cotta has been around for a few years but I’ve just recently fallen head over heels for Terra Cotta, so this is my first try!
This spring I’ve been doing lots of projects with Terra Cotta, DIY Aged Terra Cotta flower pots HERE , Terra Cotta & Burlap Coasters HERE. and DIY Terra Cotta Bird Feeder HERE!
This little project uses my Aged Terra Cotta flower pots and adds an image onto the front!
You’ll need a graphic -I got mine from the Graphics Fairy! She’s got an amazing website with free printable graphics and most with words even have a mirror image print option! (so your words don’t look backwards 🙂 )
Cut out your graphic close to the print lines & coat the printed side of the graphic with Mod Podge…
Stick the image onto your pot (mine was already DIY Aged-but you could paint yours in soft white). Press down really well.
I let it dry overnight because I read that’s what I should do! Next, wet the image well using a paper towel or spray bottle of water or just run it under a drizzling faucet for a moment…you can see it starts peeling back…Take the pads of your fingers and rub back and forth until the paper kinda balls up and comes off. If you rub a bit of your image off it’s ok since these are meant to look old!
You can spray with a sealer if you want to!
I’m thinking these wouldn’t do well outdoors but tuck a houseplant inside the pot and it would make a sweet little gift!
Have a blooming good day my friends!
xo
Gina says
April 25, 2013 at 11:53 amLove these. I have a ton of empty terra cotta pots so this would be a great project! 🙂
Tracy B says
April 26, 2013 at 3:11 pmI LOVE it! It makes them look so much more beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration!
Kadee says
April 26, 2013 at 7:34 pmI have used this process for image transfer before but never on a pot! Great idea! Graphics Fairy has the best images to choose from but how they are applied is equally important. And you did a fabulous job with yours!!
The Tablescaper says
April 27, 2013 at 11:48 pmWhat a great job! These look amazing.
It would be wonderful to have your post be a part of Seasonal Sundays.
– The Tablescaper
Kelly @ View Along the Way says
April 29, 2013 at 7:25 pmWhat a beautiful project! By the way, I saw from the Haven group that we’re in the same area, so I had to swing by and say hi. Your blog is beautiful!
Robin says
April 30, 2013 at 7:03 amHi Kelly! I can’t wait to meet you! xo
The French Hens Nest says
May 2, 2013 at 12:08 pmI love your pots! Thanks for the tutorial!
Peace,
Linda at The French Hens Nest
Marissa says
May 16, 2013 at 10:13 pmI’ve been looking for something exactly like this! I’m so excited- I have so many pots that look too Spanish style, ruining the cottage look I’m going for. Did you distress the pots yourself, or were they already that way? I’ve looked around, and the finishes I find are all too “obvious”, if that makes any sense. Help!
vicky says
May 30, 2013 at 9:29 pmwhen you rub the paper off, will an outline be left from where you cut the graphics?
Thanks!
Robin says
May 31, 2013 at 7:14 amVicky there is a bit of a line, but since my pots are aged it really isn’t noticeable!
robert says
September 21, 2013 at 8:54 pmit like the same concept as putting decals on model cars nice
Robin says
September 21, 2013 at 9:13 pmWell Robert I never thought of that! I guess it is!
Helen says
October 28, 2013 at 1:40 pmNot meaning to sound ignorant…. what is Mod Podge? I live in Greece , and have never seen this.
Is there another name for it, could i use something else? Thanx
Robin says
October 29, 2013 at 7:15 amHelen, Mod Podge is an adhesive that dries clear! Google it and there are “recipes” out there to make your own! Happy to meet you my new friend xo
Audrey says
December 1, 2013 at 1:03 amWouldn’t words go on backwards? Do you have to print out the words backwards on the computer? I wanted to do this with a quote or something.
Robin says
December 1, 2013 at 4:49 pmAudrey, you have to reverse them in a setting on your printer! Or if you buy them on etsy they will send you the words in reverse! Good luck!
Jessica says
December 10, 2013 at 9:49 amYou could try sealing your image with a matte or satin polyurethane varnish (non-toxic, in the acrylic paint section of your craft store) to make these pots safe for use outdoors! Thanks for the tutorial, I look forward to trying this project!
Robin says
December 10, 2013 at 1:12 pmGreat Idea Jessica!
LouAnn says
February 15, 2014 at 9:31 pmThese are beautiful! What did you use on the pots prior to the transfer? Thanks!
Robin says
February 16, 2014 at 8:50 pmHi LouAnn! I did a technique on the pots to “age” them…here is the post w/ instructions to age terra cotta:
http://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/2013/03/18/aging-terra-cotta-pots/
Hope that helps friend ox
LouAnn says
February 16, 2014 at 9:30 pmWhy, thank you!!! I actually already have that pinned…. just didn’t put two and two together. I feel a project coming on :).
Robin says
February 19, 2014 at 8:22 pmGood luck with your terra cotta pots LouAnn! I love love love to do projects w/ terra cotta! (I’m posting a new one tomorrow!) xo
Mandy says
March 13, 2014 at 10:14 amDoes the image have to be adjusted since it’s flat going onto a curved surface? The cylinder is smaller on bottom so I’m thinking it would need to be curved but I don’t know how to do that. I love what you did- it’s beautiful! 🙂
Robin says
March 14, 2014 at 6:40 pmMandy, I didn’t adjust the image at all! It just worked somehow !:) xo
Charl says
March 31, 2014 at 2:32 amIf i was applying writing to the pot, would I have to print it out backwards?
Robin says
March 31, 2014 at 7:03 amYes Charl, and most printers have that mirror option, if not you can order a graphic from Etsy and order them in a mirror image (they are under 2.00)
Hope that helps! ox
Charl says
March 31, 2014 at 10:39 amThanks 🙂 yours look really good – can’t wait to try it myself! X
Debby Peterson says
April 5, 2014 at 3:28 amWhy wouldn’t it do fine outside if it’s sealed?
Robin says
April 5, 2014 at 11:34 amDebby, I actually have 2 that stayed outside for months and months and they did just fine! You’re right~ xo
Rebecca says
April 7, 2014 at 11:38 amI love all of your tips and tricks! I share each of them on my wall so I can try them. The aged terra cotta pots are the best. I sometimes use a paste was with a dark brown, and apply it very thinly over the pot, then rub it off unevenly. It adds another layer of aging, and protects the applied design on the pot.
Robin says
April 7, 2014 at 8:14 pmI love the idea of brown paste! I gotta try that Rebecca! Thanks so much friend ox
Gaby says
September 25, 2014 at 10:49 amRobin:
one question: the mod podge that you use is the classic mod podge or one specific for transfer??
Thanks!!
Robin says
September 28, 2014 at 7:22 pmGaby , I used regular / classic Mod Podge! Hope this helps my friend xo
Gaby says
September 28, 2014 at 8:12 pmThanks, Robin! Help me a lot!!
Robin says
October 9, 2014 at 5:54 pmI’ve never tried it with photos Kari…I’ll have to though! xo
Cathy says
November 8, 2015 at 7:52 amLove this! Will this work if the image is printed on a laser printer?
Robin says
November 11, 2015 at 9:35 amCathy, I have an inkjet printer so I’m not sure but my thinking is that it should work! Give it a try! xo
rads says
October 6, 2016 at 7:43 amHi, am seeing am 3 years late, but also hoping you’ll reply 🙂
been working with some mod podge and some arts but the biger q i had was the paper. Regular white printable paper or should we use thicker cardstock sorts? Not just for this project, any mod podge where am gluing a pic down onto a surface?
thanks!
Robin says
October 24, 2016 at 8:48 amSo sorry…just saw this! regular printer paper works great! I like thinner paper for decoupage-tissue paper even works! xo