Paper napkin transfer? Have you heard of a “paper napkin transfer”? A while back, I saw a video on how to transfer designs from a paper napkin to cardstock using plastic wrap. My mind is blown! In the past, I have used Mod Podge to transfer paper napkin designs to eggs for Easter decorations. They look gorgeous! Yet, this technique is completely different.
Using this technique, you can transfer the napkin designs to paper or cardstock and use them for all kinds of paper crafting. My first thought was to make boxes out of the resulting decorative cardstock. Yes, you can find decorative cardstock but, using this technique, you have more options and the result feels more like fabric.
That reminded me of how I have applied fabric to poster boards in the past and created Victorian bandboxes from the fabric-covered board. This process was done with a paper-backed fusible web by Pellon. If the plastic wrap works, the fusible web should work, too. Both options require an iron and ironing board. I’m thinking the fusible web would be less messy. With either of these techniques, you want to cover your work surface so that the web or the plastic doesn’t adhere to your ironing board!
So, I wondered which would work better.
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Paper Napkin Transfer Using Plastic Wrap Method
You'll need parchment paper, plastic wrap, napkin of your choice, and cardstock. You will also need an ironing board, an iron, scissors, or a straight edge, and an X-Acto knife.
First, lay a large piece of parchment paper on the ironing board to protect your ironing board cover. (I cut two pieces about eighteen inches long.) It needs to be large enough for plenty of room on all sides of your cardstock.
Then, choose the cardstock you want to use. I just used plain white cardstock. In retrospect, I should have used an off-white one. It might have matched better. You wouldn’t want a dark color if you have a pale-colored napkin. The dark color would probably show through but that could be a good thing, too, in some cases.
Cut the cardstock to the size you want. This is going to be a box and the dimensions I need for it are 10″ x 10″. Cut the cardstock with an X-Acto knife and a straight edge, my preference, or with a sharp pair of scissors.
Place the cardstock on top of the parchment paper on the ironing board.
Cut a piece of regular plastic wrap larger than the cardstock you are using. Be sure it extends past all the edges of your cardstock. The plastic wrap will act as the glue to adhere the napkin to the cardboard.
This is the floral napkin I chose for this project. You can see it will easily cover the cardstock, which was cut into a 10-inch square. You choose the size of your project.
Paper napkins have layers of paper. Peel the plain white layers off the back. Usually, there are three layers. You only need the top layer with the design on it.
Ironing
Set your iron on medium heat.
Place another piece of parchment paper over the top of the layered cardstock and napkin completely covering the cardstock, the plastic wrap, and the napkin.
Gently press the iron, which should be set on medium heat, over the parchment, being sure to press the entire paper napkin. Then, press an area, slide the iron slightly, and repeat until the entire napkin surface has been heat-pressed.
Be sure the plastic is completely covered and does not come in contact with the hot iron or it will stick to your iron!
FYI - The parchment paper works like a charm! It can also be saved and used again for more plastic wrap projects like this.
You can see the edges of the cardstock showing through the napkin below.
Turn the napkin over. Cut along all edges of the cardstock, removing the excess plastic wrap and napkin. This can be cut with scissors or an X-Acto knife
and a straight edge. (I tried both ways successfully.) (We are an Amazon affiliate and may receive a small percentage of any sales through this link at no cost to you! Thanks for supporting this website.)
The We R Memory gift box punch board
I use can also be found on Amazon. Click here► How To Make Perfect Little Boxes For Gift Giving for the post on how to use this punch board.
Paper Napkin Transfer
Using Pellon Wonder-Under Transfer Web
You'll need parchment paper, Pellon Wonder-Under Transfer Web, napkin of your choice, and cardstock. You will also need an ironing board, an iron, scissors, or a straight edge, and an X-Acto knife.
If you’ve never used Wonder-Under
, you will love it! It turns any fabric into a fusible fabric. It fuses fabric to fabric or to another porous surface such as wood or cardboard. You can find this at your fabric store or purchase it online. (We are an Amazon affiliate and may receive a small percentage of any sales through this link at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting this website.)
This time, I cut the cardstock 9″ x 9″ for a little smaller box. The cardstock was once again, cut with an X-Acto knife and a straight edge.
Cut your cardstock to the desired size and then, place it on the paper side of the transfer web and trace around the cardstock with a pencil.
Cut outside the lines of the pencil square or rectangle.
Place the transfer web, rough side down with the paper side up, on top of the cardstock. (It would be a good idea to cover this with parchment if you are using your good iron.) Don’t use steam! Press with a hot dry iron. Be sure every inch of the surface has been heated with the iron. You are melting the webbed glue with the iron.
Allow this to cool, then, neatly trim off the excess transfer web and paper, around the edge of the cardstock.
Starting at one corner, peel the edge of the paper back and completely remove it from the cardstock. If there are any areas that are not properly adhered to, lay the paper back down on the cardstock and press again with the hot iron. Allow to cool again and peel the paper completely off of the cardstock leaving the transferred webbing.
Applying The Transfer Web To The Napkin
Then, place the napkin. right side down, on top of the parchment paper. Position the cardstock on top of the napkin with the transfer webbing side down.
Next, place the other sheet of parchment over the cardstock, (to protect your iron), and press again with the hot iron, adhering the webbing to the napkin. Make sure the iron has heated the entire piece of cardstock, the glue has melted, and adhered to the napkin back.
Trim closely around the edges of the cardstock and it is ready for you to use for your craft project.
So, which of these paper napkin transfer techniques is best? Really, using plastic wrap was just as easy as using the transfer web and it is probably cheaper.
Plans For These Paper Napkin Transfer Boxes
I can’t believe how nice these little boxes look! They appear to be fabric and yet they are just ordinary paper napkins!
So, I have a plan for these and will share that in an upcoming post, where I show how to make them, too. These are made the same way as the bridesmaid gift boxes Emily and I made last year. Until then, hope this inspires you to try a paper napkin transfer project!
Easy Paper Napkin Transfer That Will Blow Your Mind!
How To Make Perfect Little Boxes For Gift Giving
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I’ve been trying to figure out how people make those transfer papers you can stick to furniture. Do you think this might be the next step? I can’t figure out how to make the back of the design sticky.
Hi, Steph! Have you used Mod Podge? You can find that at any of your local craft stores. I’ve used that to apply decorative paper to wood furniture before. There is also an image transfer medium by DecoArt, which you can find here. ►decoart.com/image-transfer-medium. You may be able to find the DecoArt medium at your local craft store, too. Thanks for stopping by and good luck!
Hello, I love your post with the napkin transfer. I have a question if that’s ok. What sort of plastic wrap is used. I live in the UK is it the same as clingfilm?
Thanks Louise
Yes, Louise! It’s just everyday plastic wrap, cling film, Saran wrap, or food wrap, a thin plastic film typically used for sealing food items in containers to keep them fresh for a longer period of time. Thanks for visiting and good luck with the project!
This post brought back memories from 27 years ago!! Our Girl Scout made card (5 each) for their moms for Mother’s Day. We tied them with a pretty ribbon, added envelopes and they had a nice, inexpensive gift and a lot of fun making it. They were so proud!
What a great memory, Linda! That is a great idea, too!
Hi I tried this but the plastic did not melt or attach the tissue to the card stock.
I’m guessing you didn’t have the iron hot enough. Truly, it did work when I did it.
Can you tell me where you got your napkins?
Yes, these napkins came from the Tuesday Morning store. They have some of the prettiest napkins! I bought these several years ago, though.
Yes, these napkins came from the Tuesday Morning store. They have some of the prettiest napkins! I bought these several years ago, though. Thanks for visiting!
I could not make the plastic wrap stick even with the iron on its highest setting. Could it be the brand of plastic wrap or the brand of napkins?
Carman, I am sorry you are having a problem! And, I am perplexed. What kind of plastic wrap are you using? The wrap I used is Glad Wrap. Unless your napkins are extraordinarily thick, it doesn’t make sense that it would be the napkins.
Can this technique be used to transfer napkin onto wood?
Kimberly, I haven’t tried this on wood. I’m not sure but I do know that Mod Podge works quite well and might be a better option. You might just want to test this on some scrap wood. Are you working on furniture or a plaque?
Kimberly, I haven’t tried this on wood so, I’m not sure. It seems that Mod Podge might be a better option. If you have some scrap wood, you might try it on a piece. Good luck!
I have been picking my brain for 2 years trying to figure out how to make furniture transfer paper! I love using transfers but at $50 a pop, holy mackerel! You figure it out , hit me back and I’ll do the same
Thank you, Lora? I haven’t tried to make furniture transfer paper but I will definitely see what I can find. Surely, there is an easy way! Yes, please let me know if you figure it out first. Thanks for visiting!
Which side of the freezer paper do you place down, I would assume down but you never know?
Christine, I use parchment paper, not freezer paper! (We are an Amazon affiliate and may receive a percentage of any sales through this link.) I haven’t tried freezer paper, but since one side is waxy, you wouldn’t want your iron on that side. My understanding is that freezer paper will stick to fabric when ironed onto it, but it will peel off, too. That makes it great for quilting, but not for this project. Hope that helps. The parchment paper works really well, and you can iron on either side.
Hi Debra, I have spent my evening trying to get the napkin to stick to the card without success. I have used greaseproof paper and baking parchment, I have used Clingfilm and a single layer of the napkin, I have ironed with medium heat and hotter, all to no avail.
I was so excited starting off and so disappointed by the end of the evening.
Any suggestions?
Hi, Jan. I always have Glad Cling Wrap and have never had a problem. Others have commented that the wrap they used didn’t work. I will have to buy a cheap brand and try it, but it’s a simple process and I can’t imagine a plastic wrap that doesn’t melt. The only thing I can think of is that maybe you aren’t leaving the iron in one place long enough for the plastic to melt.
Try it on a small scrap piece of cardstock, plastic wrap, and napkin. Be sure to use the parchment paper to protect your iron and ironing board. Then, set the iron on medium high to high heat and set the iron on it for maybe 10 seconds. You can move the iron around but keep the stack of cardstock, plastic, and napkin covered with the iron. Then, lift the paper and see if the plastic has begun to melt. The iron has to be hot enough. If the 10 seconds doesn’t work, repeat, and see if another 10 seconds does the job. You should see some of the plastic melting by then. Once you figure out how long it takes to melt the plastic, you’ll be good to go.
Please let me know if this works for you.
Hi Debra. Yessssss! Success with Clingfilm purchased from my local supermarket- their own brand-which it advertises as being PVC free and recyclable.
Thanks for your helpful feedback, I’m now up and running and can’t wait to get some greetings cards done before moving on to pretty boxes.🏴
Great, Jan!!! I’m so happy for your success! Thanks so much for letting us know!