How to Print on Wood: 6 Ways You Can Try at Home

Printing on wood is a fantastic way to create unique gifts, art, and décor. 

The natural grain of the wood gives every piece a warm, one-of-a-kind feel that you just can't get with paper. 

But how do you actually get an image onto a wood surface? It's easier than you might think. There are two main approaches to printing on wood:

• To print directly on wood, you can use a UV printer or laser engraver to imprint your design onto the wood surface. It’s quick, precise, and gives you professional-looking results without much extra effort.
• To transfer an image onto wood, you need to print your design on a special sheet first. Then, use heat, pressure, or an transfer film to move that image over.

In this guide, let’s walk through six key methods for printing on wood. We’ll break down what you need, how each one works, and a few tips to get the best results.

Key Takeaways

• UV printing is the easiest and most versatile way to print directly on wood. It can handle white ink, vibrant colors, and even create 3D textures.
• Laser engraving on wood is the most durable way in a single color. But when it combines with UV printing, it can make something unique.
• Sublimation printing is a cheap way to transfer full-color images, but it requires specially coated wood and more hands-on work.

What You Need to Prepare Before Printing on Wood

Your print quality depends a lot on how well you prepare both the wood and your image. A clean, smooth surface and a sharp, properly set up image mean clearer details, brighter colors, and a print that lasts.

1. Choosing the Wood 

Not all wood works the same for printing. You want light-colored woods with fine grains like maple, birch, basswood, or pine. 

Among these, maple is often considered the best wood for printing. It has a smooth texture and bright background that really helps your colors pop.

Keep in mind, the grain of the wood will show through the lighter areas of your design. If you plan for this, it can add a lovely natural character to your print.

2. Smoothing the Surface 

A smooth surface helps your ink or toner stick evenly. Start sanding with coarse grit and then move to a finer grit, around 220, going along the grain. 

After sanding, make sure to remove all dust. You can use a lint-free cloth or a tack cloth, and lightly dampening it with isopropyl alcohol helps remove oils that could block adhesion.

3. Preparing Your Image 

Your image file is just as important as your wood. Make sure you use a high-resolution file, around 300 DPI, so the details don’t blur against the wood grain. 

Next, check your color settings. You’ll choose between CMYK or RGB depending on your printer’s requirements. Since wood can make some colors look dull or fade, we recommend boosting the saturation or contrast a little bit to make your design pop.

Also, pay attention to your file format. Saving your image as a JPG or PNG affects sharpness and color handling. Pick what works best for your printer to keep colors vibrant and details sharp. Sometimes, adding a soft white base layer under your image helps make sure lighter areas don’t blend into the wood’s natural color.

3. Primer or Coating (Optional) 

For many transfer methods, a thin coat of white acrylic paint or gesso acts as a primer. It seals the grain, helps the ink stick, and keeps colors from soaking in. If you’re printing with UV, you usually don’t need this step.

Printing on Wood with UV printing

UV printing is one of the most effective ways to put photo-quality images, logos, and text directly onto wood.

• Best For: Professional results, vibrant full-color images, textured effects, and printing white ink.
• Pros: Extremely durable, high-detail prints; works on almost any wood type.
• Cons: Requires expensive, specialized equipment.

To UV print on wood, you need to place the wood on the printer bed. Then, the machine will spray on UV ink that is instantly dried by a built-in UV light.

For a detailed workflow, follow these steps:

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You will need a smooth wooden board, UV inks compatible with your printer, and design software to prepare your image. A UV printer like the eufyMake E1 serves as a good example.

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Step 2: Set Up Your Printer

Open both the front and back doors of the eufyMake E1 and place the build bed securely inside.

Position the printer near the edge of your workspace so the bed can fully extend during printing.

Step 3: Prepare the Wooden Canvas

Place the wooden board in the center of the printer bed to ensure your image prints where you want it.

As mentioned earlier, ensure the wood surface is clean and smooth for the best result.

Step 4: Configure the Software

In the printer's software, import your design and use the Snapshot feature to capture a live view of the wood on the printer bed.

This feature helps you align design exactly where you want it to print on the wood.

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

Step 5: Choose Print Settings

Select the highest quality print settings. Include a white base layer first, then print the CMYK layers.

The white layer ensures colors remain vibrant and the wood grain does not interfere with the image.

Step 6: Start Printing

Send your design from your computer or phone to the printer software and start the print job.

Step 7: Inspect and Finish

Carefully check your print once it’s done for color and sharpness. If you plan outdoor or heavy-use items, seal the print with a clear varnish or protective coating for extra durability.

Printing on Wood with Laser Engraver

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.

• Best For: Permanent, single-color designs; creating depth and texture; logos and text.
• Pros: The most durable method; creates a classic, high-end look with sharp contrast.
• Cons: Limited to a single color (the burnt wood color); cannot produce photos.

Laser Engraved Wood Sign | Image: mmwoodworkshop

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.

You can even combine laser cutting and UV printing, we've made a unique wood magnet through this way, check this video:

How to Transfer an Image onto Wood: 4 Methods

So, the direct printing methods are powerful, but what if you don't have a big UV printer or laser engraver at home? Or you’re working with an uneven or rustic piece of wood?

The good news is you can still create amazing wood prints using a transfer method.

Let's dive into the most popular ways to do it.

Mod Podge Photo Transfer on Wood

This is probably the most famous DIY method out there, and for good reason.

You'll use common craft supplies to lift the ink from a regular printed photo and infuse it into the wood for a beautiful, rustic look.

Image: Liz Fenwick DIY

What You’ll Need

• Regular inkjet or laser-printed photo (mirrored)
• Mod Podge
• Credit card or scraper
• Water and damp cloth

To create your own wood photo transfer with Mod Podge, follow the steps below carefully.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Print a mirrored copy of your photo on regular printer paper using a standard inkjet or laser printer.
2. Brush an even layer of Mod Podge onto the wood surface.
3. Place the photo ink-side down into the wet Mod Podge and smooth out all air bubbles.
4. Let the project dry completely for a full 24 hours.
5. Use a damp cloth to wet the paper. Gently rub with your fingers to peel away the paper pulp, leaving the transferred ink behind.
6. Let it dry, then brush a final, thin coat of Mod Podge over the top to seal the image and make it vibrant.

The Freezer Paper Transfer on Wood

Maybe you don’t have special transfer mediums handy but still want a rustic photo on wood. Here’s where freezer paper transfer comes in.

It uses common inkjet printers and a sheet of freezer paper for a faded, artsy effect.

What You’ll Need

• Inkjet printer
• Freezer paper cut to printer paper size
• Credit card or scraper

To transfer an image to wood using just freezer paper, follow these quick steps to do it right.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cut a sheet of freezer paper to match your standard printer paper size (e.g., 8.5" x 11").
2. In your computer's print preview, mirror the photo. Place the freezer paper in your inkjet printer so it will print on the shiny, waxy side.
3. Carefully take the paper from the printer without smudging the wet ink. Immediately place it ink-side down onto your wood.
4. Hold the paper steady and firmly rub the entire back with a credit card to press the ink from the waxy surface into the wood.
5. Gently lift the freezer paper to reveal your print. Let it air dry completely before touching or sealing it.

The Dye Sublimation Transfer 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.

• Best For: Low-cost, full-color photo gifts like coasters, keychains, or plaques.
• Pros: Very affordable; produces vibrant, permanent colors that won't peel or crack.
• Cons: Only works on wood with a special polyester coating; will not work on raw wood.

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

To sublimate a photo onto a specially prepared wood blank, here is the complete process.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Use a piece of wood that has a special sublimation-ready polymer coating. This method will not work on regular, uncoated wood.
2. Using a sublimation printer and sublimation paper, print a mirrored copy of your photo.
3. Securely tape the print face-down onto the sublimation wood blank using heat-resistant tape.
4. Cover the project with parchment paper and press it in a heat press at approximately 380-400°F (193-204°C) and press for 60-75 seconds.
5. While wearing heat gloves, carefully remove the project and immediately peel away the transfer paper to reveal the brilliant, scratch-proof photo.

The UV DTF Transfer on Wood

The UV DTF transfer is a modern method for creating a durable, sticker-like transfer that can be applied by hand without heat. 

What You’ll Need

• UV DTF printer 
• UV DTF ab films
• Laminating machine

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To apply a full-color photo to wood using a UV DTF printing, follow these steps.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. A UV DTF printer creates your photo design on a special adhesive film (the "A" film).
2. A clear carrier sheet (the "B" film) is then laminated on top of the print.
3. Cut out your photo transfer from the sheet and peel the white backing paper away to expose the adhesive.
4. Carefully place the photo transfer onto your wood. Rub it down firmly with a squeegee or credit card to ensure it adheres smoothly.
5. Slowly peel off the top clear film. The vibrant, glossy photo will be left perfectly transferred onto the wood.

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 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.

Wooden Home Décor

You can often see pictures printed on wood used as decorative items in living rooms, bedrooms, or offices. Homeowners and designers can make some wooden home décor such as wooden wall art, tabletops, printed shelves, room dividers, and cabinet doors.

Personalized Wood Print Gifts

You can conveniently print unique wooden photo prints, coasters, baby blocks, custom frames, keychains, personalized cutting boards, and other personalized items. It delivers vibrant colors and sharp details, perfectly adapting to wood surfaces while retaining natural grain.

Branded Wood Items

For retailers and brands, you can make items like custom wooden brand signs, retail displays, brand stickers, and decorative branding items to to enhance brand recognition.

Wooden Business Signs

Wooden business signs are perfect for stores, offices, and events. You can print directly onto wood to create custom shop signs, promotional displays, directional markers, and branded signage. These signs are ideal for showcasing showing logos, shop names, or short messages.

Image: discountdisplays

Wood Crafts and Art

Artists, crafters, and hobbyists often use wood to create. You can print and craft things like artwork, musical instruments, sculptures, skateboard decks, and handmade crafts.

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.
  

• 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

Can You Print Directly on Wood?

Yes, you can print directly on wood using specialized machines like UV printers or laser engravers. These methods apply the design directly to the wood's surface for a permanent, high-quality finish without using any transfer paper.

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.

Related Guide

• How to Print on Leather: A Beginner-Friendly Guide
• How to Print on Canvas at Home: Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Print on Acrylic at Home: Easy Guide
• How to Print on Metal at Home: A Complete Guide