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Persia Lou

Creative. Crafty. Fun.


How to Apply Heat Transfer Vinyl on Wood for DIY Wood Signs

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. 

how to apply heat transfer vinyl to wood for simple diy wood signs

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.
ironed on detail - diy wood signs with heat transfer vinyl

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!

diy wood signs with heat transfer vinyl

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!

How to Apply Heat Transfer Vinyl on Wood for DIY Wood Signs

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February 7, 2018 11:07 pm Alexis 32 Comments Filed Under: Craft

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tammy says

    February 8, 2018 at 7:01 pm

    Yes! Thank you for trying different finishes!

    Reply
    • Alexis says

      February 9, 2018 at 1:28 pm

      You are welcome! Thanks for stopping by and leaving me a comment, Tammy. 🙂

      Reply
      • Becca says

        June 21, 2018 at 7:19 pm

        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

        Reply
        • Alexis says

          June 22, 2018 at 5:42 pm

          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!

          Reply
  2. Grace Wiesen says

    December 27, 2018 at 2:49 am

    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?

    Reply
    • Romona Pillay says

      August 14, 2020 at 5:52 am

      I have the same question. Were you able to get an answer on this?

      Reply
  3. Melissa says

    January 1, 2019 at 9:45 am

    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

    Reply
    • Catherine says

      December 30, 2019 at 10:26 am

      Has there been an answer to this!? I was wondering the same thing ??

      Reply
    • Alexis says

      August 21, 2020 at 4:36 pm

      I have not tried washing heat transfer vinyl on wood, but I think it would probably work well with hand washing. If you give it a try, let us know!

      Reply
  4. Donna Howard says

    January 4, 2019 at 7:38 am

    Nice. i’m going to try this. Thank you

    Reply
  5. munawar says

    February 2, 2019 at 8:26 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Alexis says

      February 21, 2019 at 1:34 pm

      Hi! I’m sorry but I hand lettered that design. I do not currently have a font available.

      Reply
      • Robin. says

        February 2, 2020 at 10:04 pm

        Do you have a similar font?

        Reply
  6. Heather says

    March 3, 2019 at 2:31 pm

    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.

    Reply
  7. Andrea says

    April 29, 2019 at 12:52 pm

    Can you apply heated vinyl to wood that has been painted with spray paint?

    Reply
  8. Janice Guillory says

    May 9, 2019 at 8:20 am

    I loved the video learned a lot, didn’t know this

    Reply
  9. Rachel says

    May 18, 2019 at 4:07 pm

    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!

    Reply
  10. Doug says

    September 5, 2019 at 8:29 am

    I am wondering if you can use the heat press instead of the iron for wood projects? Have you experimented with this option?

    Reply
  11. Kim Brown says

    September 17, 2019 at 3:17 pm

    Can you use the heat transfer vinyl on a painted wood service?

    Reply
  12. Gisella Pinachio says

    September 23, 2019 at 1:50 pm

    Does your wood NEED to be unfinished or can you put HTV to stained wood?

    Reply
  13. Carolyn says

    November 24, 2019 at 7:31 am

    I do not have either machines. Can I print from my computer to the heat vinyl transfer to transfer words to painted wood?

    Reply
  14. Laurel says

    November 25, 2019 at 2:45 pm

    Love your tutorial! Would this work if the wood is painted?

    Reply
  15. Andrea Cella says

    November 27, 2019 at 3:56 am

    This post has made my DAY! I can not wait to try this!!!!!

    Reply
  16. Janelle Bauerle says

    January 2, 2020 at 11:41 am

    Can you apply Modge Pidge to the Wood after you use the HTV? Thanks

    Reply
  17. Linda Smith says

    March 2, 2020 at 6:03 am

    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

    Reply
  18. Maggie says

    May 6, 2020 at 11:33 am

    Planning on making a picture Brag Board for grandma for Mother’s Day on a piece of stained wood😁

    Reply
  19. Laura says

    May 31, 2020 at 8:17 am

    Love your video on HTV on wood. I was doubting that you could do that on finished wood and now I am so excited to get started!

    Reply
  20. BRANDI says

    June 14, 2020 at 12:55 pm

    thank you so much for the helpful video and info! I’m cricut newborn and feeling a bit intimidated. Your course cut advise and directions are amazing. I’ve watched a ton of channels and none made me feel confident like yours!
    I’m off to design my first HTV sign, wish me luck 😉
    Thank you,
    Your new fan
    Brandi

    Reply
  21. Patty says

    June 17, 2020 at 8:42 am

    Absolutely love the idea to use HTV for signs. Can’t wait to try it!

    The links for “Unfinished Wood Signs or Canvases – I used some similar to these“ isnt working. Can you provide the websites for these sources? Thank you!

    Reply
  22. Natasha says

    September 10, 2020 at 9:21 pm

    Hi I am wanting to make a sign to hang outside will I need to paint modge podge over it to prevent it from peeling or should it with stand the elements?

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. How to Use Iron on Vinyl on Wood (Silhouette Vs. Cricut) - Lemon Thistle says:
    February 10, 2018 at 12:40 pm

    […] I’m SO excited to be announcing a new video series to you all! I’m teaming up with my friend Alexis from Persia Lou to bring you a Silhouette Vs. Cricut challenge series. We’re going to be sharing these videos […]

    Reply
  2. Summer DIY Wreath: Hello Sunshine - Consumer Crafts says:
    May 1, 2018 at 10:03 am

    […] Next, it’s time to make the decal for the sign. To do this, first download the free cut file from the supply list above. Then, use your Silhouette or Cricut to cut the design from glossy adhesive vinyl. (You can also apply heat transfer or iron-on vinyl to wood, and you can read more about that here.) […]

    Reply

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