Wood prints glow with warmth and character you just can’t find on paper or canvas.

They feel real, inviting, and full of life. More and more people are eager to make their own wood prints at home.

Adding color to wood isn’t always simple. Paint can peel and stains don’t show photo details.  So how do people actually print on wood?

Well, there’s more than one way. In this guide, let’s walk through four popular methods. We’ll break down what you need, how each one works, and a few tips to get the best results

1. UV Printing on Wood

UV printingis one of the easiest and cleanest ways to print on wood. It's fast, mess-free, and prints directly onto the surface. No transfer paper or drying time needed.

What You'll Need

• UV flatbed printer (e.g., eufyMake UV Printer)

• Smooth, clean wood (maple, birch, or plywood panels work great)

• UV inks

• Design software (Photoshop, Illustrator, or even Canva)

• Gloves, lint-free cloth, alcohol (for cleaning)

Step 1: Prepare the Wood

First, wipe the wood clean to get rid of dust or any greasy spots. If the wood feels rough to the touch, give it a quick sanding with fine sandpaper so it's nice and smooth. This helps the ink stick better and keeps your colors looking sharp and bright.

If your wood is really porous or untreated, you might want to add a thin coat of primer to improve UV ink adhesion.

Tip: Try to work with light-colored woods for more accurate color printing.

Step 2: Create and Size Your Artwork

Create or choose the design you want to print. Use design software like Adobe Illustrator and size it to match the wood surface exactly. Most UV printers on wood come with software to help you align everything.

Remember to add bleed margins if you're printing edge-to-edge.

Step 3: Load and Secure the Wood

Place your prepped wood panel onto the printer bed. Use clamps or removable adhesive to keep it from shifting during printing. Even a small movement can cause ghosting or blur.

Step 4: Start Printing

Now for the fun part! Send the design from your computer or phone to the printer software and begin the print job.

Once the printing is complete, carefully inspect your work. If everything looks great, you're all set!

Our beta testers have used the eufyMake E1 to print photos on wood in lots of creative ways. Watch our video to see how easy it is for you to get started.

2. Laser Engraving on Wood

Laser engraving on wood, or what some people call laser printing on wood, is a cool way to burn detailed designs right onto wooden surfaces.

What You'll Need

• Laser engraver

• Vector design software (LightBurn, Illustrator, Inkscape)

• Flat, light-colored wood (maple, cherry, basswood)

• Ventilation fan or air assist

• Safety glasses and fire safety tools

Step 1: Choose the Right Wood

Pick a light-colored wood with fine grain for the best results. Maple, cherry, birch, or basswood are solid choices. We don't recommend using oily or resin-rich woods like pine, because they can burn unevenly or make too much smoke.

Tip: Make sure the wood is flat and dry. Warped boards can affect focus and clarity.

Step 2: Design Your Artwork

Use vector software to create or import your design. For engraving, black areas burn deeper and white areas stay untouched. Most laser software lets you adjust line thickness, fill areas, and engraving speed.

If you're just starting out, test your settings on a scrap piece to dial in the right depth and sharpness.

Step 3: Prepare the Laser Engraver

Set the focus height, adjust your speed and power settings (most machines have presets for common woods). After that, secure the wood onto the bed to prevent shifting.

If your machine supports it, turn on air assist to blow away smoke and keep your lines clean.

Step 4: Run a Test Engraving

Before committing to the full design, do a small test pass. This helps you spot issues with burn depth, placement, or focus. It's better to tweak early than ruin a whole piece.

Step 5: Start Engraving

Once everything looks good, start the full job. You'll see the laser trace your design line by line. It can take anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour, depending on the size and detail.

3. Screen Printing on Wood

Screen printing is more hands-on and ideal if you're doing a lot of the same design. Think signs for events, custom packaging, or branded displays.

What You'll Need

• Screen printing frame with a stencil or photo emulsion

• Squeegee

• Screen printing ink for wood (acrylic-based usually works)

• Flat wood boards

• Painter's tape and cleanup supplies

Step 1: Make or Get a Stencil

You can buy pre-burned screens or make your own using a stencil cutter or emulsion method. Just make sure it fits your board size.

Note: Bold designs (thick lines, large text) work best for wood surfaces.

Step 2: Tape and Align

Use tape to block off the edges of the screen and align your board under it. Use registration marks if you're doing multiple prints.

Step 3: Apply Ink

Add a line of ink at the top of the screen. Use the squeegee to pull the ink down across the design in one smooth motion, pressing firmly.

Step 4: Lift and Repeat

Carefully lift the screen to avoid smearing. Let each print dry flat. You can reapply ink and keep going if you're doing a batch.

Step 5: Heat-Set or Seal

Let the ink cure fully. You can speed this up with a heat gun or use a sealant spray afterward for extra durability.

4.Dye Sublimation Printing on Wood

Dye sublimation printing is one of the cheapest way to print on wood at home. But this method only works on wood that's specially coated. The coating lets the sublimation dye bond with the surface.

So, if you're working with raw or unfinished wood, this method won't work.

What You'll Need

• Sublimation printer

• Sublimation ink and paper

• Heat press (flat press, not handheld iron)

• Sublimation-coated wood blanks (check the label, it must say it's sublimation-ready)

• Heat-resistant tape and a clean cloth

Step 1: Design and Mirror Your Print

Create your design and flip it horizontally. Sublimation is a mirror process, so the final print comes out facing the right way.

Step 2: Print and Prep

Print your image on sublimation paper using sublimation ink. Then wipe down your wood blank to remove dust or fingerprints.

Step 3: Align and Tape

Center the printed design (face down) on the coated side of the wood blank. Tape all sides using heat-resistant tape to avoid any shifting during the press.

Step 4: Heat Press

Set your press to around 380-400°F (193-204°C) and press for 60-75 seconds at medium pressure. Use a sheet of parchment paper or Teflon on top to avoid scorching.

Pro tip: Pressing too long or too hot can yellow the coating - do a small test if it's your first time with a new batch of blanks.

Step 5: Peel and Cool

After pressing, carefully remove the tape and paper - it'll be hot, so go slow. Let the wood cool fully before handling or packaging. You should now see a bright, permanent design that's baked right into the surface.

Which Wood Printing Method is Best for You?

As you have seen, graphic application on wood can be done in many ways, such as UV printing, laser engraving, screen printing, and more. Each method has its own strengths, so you can choose the one that works best for you.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison to help you decide:

What Machine Do You Need to Print on Wood?

The types of wood printing machines include UV printers, laser engravers, screen printers, sublimation printers, and more.

We recommend the eufyMake E1 if you want an easy, all-in-one way to print directly on wood.

This UV printer for wood is perfect for both your personal projects and small business needs. Not only can you directly print on wood, but you can also transfer pictures to wood with UV DTF printing. 

We designed the E1 to be as versatile as possible. You can use it in multiple printing modes, including flatbed, rotary, and roll-to-film. This lets you work with wooden panels, coated blanks, and even cylindrical objects like wooden cups or holders.

Popular Applications of Wood Prints

Once you've learned how to print on wood, you’ll find that it's useful in many different areas. Below are some of the most common applications where you might use these methods.

Home Décor and Interior Projects

We often see pictures printed on wood used as decorative pieces in living rooms, bedrooms, or offices. You can print family portraits, landscape photos, or inspirational quotes directly on wooden panels. Wood canvas prints and custom signs also allow homeowners to bring warmth and a handcrafted feel into their space.

Personal Gifts and Keepsakes

If you’re looking to make personalized gifts, photo printing on wood is a meaningful option. For example, printing baby photos, wedding pictures, or favorite quotes on small wooden plaques or frames makes a lasting keepsake. Sublimation and UV printing are commonly used here, especially when working with coated wood blanks.

Small Business and Handmade Products

For makers, crafters, and small business owners, printing on wood can help elevate your product offerings.

You can create custom promotional items, wooden tags, display signs, or product labels. We often use UV printing on wood for these because it allows quick, full-color printing with high durability.

Photography and Art Displays

Photographers sometimes prefer photography prints on wood instead of paper, as the wood grain adds a natural texture and depth to the image. You can print photographs directly onto prepared wood surfaces using UV or sublimation methods. Artists may also use screen printing or engraving to reproduce limited edition prints on wooden panels.

Event and Wedding Displays

Custom-printed wood items are widely used in the wedding and event industry. For example, you can make table signs, welcome boards, seating charts, or personalized gifts for guests. UV printing and laser engraving are both excellent choices here, depending on whether you need color or texture.

Retail and Commercial Signage

Businesses use direct printing on wood for signage that needs to stand out. Whether it’s a storefront display, an interior menu board, or branding elements for a retail space, wood prints can create a strong visual impact while maintaining a clean, professional finish.

Final Thoughts

By now, you’ve seen how easy and exciting printing on wood can be! There are at least four different methods for printing on wood, and each has its own pros and cons.

If you're serious about crafting or selling, wood prints can set your work apart.

• Go with UV printing for full-color, ready-to-sell pieces.

• Try laser engraving for that crisp, textured finish.

• Use screen printing when you're making batches.

• Choose sublimation for polished photo-grade quality (on the right blanks).

Whichever method you choose, printing on wood is easier than it looks and way more fun once you see the results.

FAQs

What is wood print?

A wood print is an image or design printed directly onto a wooden surface. It combines the natural texture of wood with your artwork or photo, using methods like UV printing, sublimation, or engraving. 

Can a 3D printer print on wood?

A 3D printer can’t print directly onto real wood like a UV printer can. However, some 3D printers use wood-based filaments that look similar to wood, though they’re still plastic-based. If you want to print designs or photos on actual wood, you’ll need a machine made for that purpose, such as a UV printer or laser engraver.