Learn how to apply heat transfer vinyl on wood with this video tutorial! HTV (or Iron On Vinyl) makes it so easy to make beautiful DIY wood signs with your Silhouette or Cricut. This post may contain affiliate links, which allow me to earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Psst – If you are new to working with vinyl, check out my Vinyl 101: Beginner’s Guide to Cutting Vinyl.
I have an exciting little announcement to share today! My friend Colleen of Lemon Thistle and I have teamed up for a new video series that we are calling Silhouette vs. Cricut! The idea is that we will take on a challenge of a new type of material or themed project or cutting technique, and then we will both make something using our respective cutting machines!
I’m Team Silhouette, of course, and Colleen is a Cricut Girl, so together we can demonstrate the different steps or tricks you need to use for each machine. Plus, you get to see our individual takes on the material, project, or theme. Sounds fun, right?
Well, I’m excited about it! And to kick things off, this week we are talking about Heat Transfer Vinyl on… wait for it… WOOD. That’s right. Wood.
Here’s the thing. If you have ever tried making a DIY wood sign by applying an adhesive vinyl decal to a piece of wood, you may have experienced some frustration. Sometimes the wood’s texture can make it really difficult to get the vinyl to actually stick to the wood.
So, can you use HTV on wood?
YES! You can absolutely used heat transfer vinyl on wood. Not only can you use HTV on wood, but I actually prefer it to adhesive vinyl in many cases. Here’s why:
- Heat Transfer Vinyl is not as glossy as most permanent adhesive vinyl, and the more matte finish looks closer to paint and less like a sticker.
- It sticks! As I already mentioned, sometimes adhesive vinyl on wood can be a struggle.
- More color and style options! If you have a favorite glitter HTV, you can use that for your sign instead of trying to find a similar color in adhesive vinyl.
- HTV (especially smooth HTV like Siser Easyweed) is really thin and flexible, so it looks almost like paint on the wood. You can see how the iron on vinyl almost melts into the wood in the photo below.
Have I convinced you yet that heat transfer vinyl on wood is something worth trying? Let’s make some super simple, super cute DIY wood signs!
How to Apply Heat Transfer Vinyl on Wood
The process of applying heat transfer vinyl on wood is very similar to the process used to apply heat transfer vinyl to a t-shirt or other fabric project, so if you have ever worked with HTV, then you are going to rock this project.
My Silhouette vs. Cricut video below will walk you through the steps of applying iron on vinyl to wood and will show you my experiments with applying HTV to painted and stained surfaces (spoiler alert – it works!) and working with specialty iron on vinyls like shiny holographic. (Psst – If you want to see all of the videos in our new Silhouette vs. Cricut video series, then be sure to subscribe to my youtube channel.)
Supplies Used in this Project:
- Unfinished Wood Signs or Canvases – I used some similar to these
- Unfinished Wood Box (I got mine at target)
- Hand Lettered SVG Cut Files – I’m using designs from my new So Fontsy Shop!
- Silhouette Cameo
- Silhouette Studio Designer Edition (You need Designer Edition or higher to open SVG files)
- Smooth Heat Transfer Vinyl (I used Siser Easyweed)
- Metallic Heat Transfer Vinyl
- Holographic Heat Transfer Vinyl
- Weeding Tool
- Iron or Cricut Easy Press
- Ironing Pad
So what do you think? Are you ready to try heat transfer vinyl on wood? Or have you already given it a try? Tell me all about it!
Until next time, Happy Making!
Check out more vinyl projects here:
Yes! Thank you for trying different finishes!
You are welcome! Thanks for stopping by and leaving me a comment, Tammy. 🙂
I’m struggling to make rose stall signs. I want a wood plaque with the horses actual picture and their name. I don’t know which products to use! I’m new please help
Hi Becca! You can create a horse stall sign using heat transfer vinyl and wood. Do you have an electronic cutting machine like a Silhouette or Cricut? If you use a Silhouette, I have a post here all about how do use different kinds of images with your machine – https://persialou.com/how-to-use-any-image-with-your-silhouette-silhouette-file-types-and-how-to-use-them/ And then you might also want to check out my beginner’s guide to working with vinyl here – https://persialou.com/craft-vinyl-beginners-guide/ I hope that helps! Good luck!
I was thinking about doing this on wood cutting boards but my concern is that the vinyl will tear when using knives to cut. Is it possible to use some type of sealant over the vinyl so it doesnt tear?
Hi! Have you used HTV on a wood cutting board? I am wanting to cut “chartuerie” and place it on a wood cutting board as a gift. Should I use HTV or permanent vinyl and how will it wash up (gently, no dishwasher, for sure). I have not seen anybody do this, they usually wood burn it. Any direction would be so helpful! Thanks and Happy New Year! Melissa @auntmelmadewithlove
Has there been an answer to this!? I was wondering the same thing ??
Nice. i’m going to try this. Thank you
Hi Alexis. Just joined your club and all and starting on vinyl stuff. I have a wood shop with CNC and a laser engraver.
Question, where can I buy the font you used for “Be Here Now”? My younger daughter loved that fond.
Thanks
Munawar
Hi! I’m sorry but I hand lettered that design. I do not currently have a font available.
Do you have a similar font?
Have you tried using Mod Podge I’ve HTV? I want to use glitter Mod Podge on a sign I used HTV on but am not sure how it will affect the HTV.
Can you apply heated vinyl to wood that has been painted with spray paint?
I loved the video learned a lot, didn’t know this
Hi there! I’m making a tag board sign out of wood, but I used a propane torch to “color/burn” the wood. I’m thinking about maybe putting varnish or mod podge before applying my HTV, do you think this would affect the HTV sticking to the wood?
I usually apply varnish to my wood projects, but have never used HTV on them before, and since this will be hung on a door outside I want it to last with the elements! Thanks!
I am wondering if you can use the heat press instead of the iron for wood projects? Have you experimented with this option?
Can you use the heat transfer vinyl on a painted wood service?
Does your wood NEED to be unfinished or can you put HTV to stained wood?
I do not have either machines. Can I print from my computer to the heat vinyl transfer to transfer words to painted wood?
Love your tutorial! Would this work if the wood is painted?
This post has made my DAY! I can not wait to try this!!!!!
Can you apply Modge Pidge to the Wood after you use the HTV? Thanks
Hi Alexis,
I do not have a silhouette or cricut and I want to make/personalize my own family established sign using a wood cabinet door that I will be refinishing. I know I can order custom vinyl artwork online but I’m not sure how to go about it or who to order from. Can you give this beginner any direction?
Many thanks!
Linda
Planning on making a picture Brag Board for grandma for Mother’s Day on a piece of stained wood😁