Using an iron for paper napkin transfer is a simple process that I’ve used on cardstock. Today, I am showing you how to use this same plastic wrap and ironing technique on wooden bunnies. Paper napkin transfer is so much less messy than decoupage and the results are impressive.
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Usually, I use our regular iron for transfer web, and also this decoupage hack that uses plastic cling wrap. I bought this little inexpensive traveling iron on Amazon, as I shared with you in my last post. Here I’m using it again and also this cute little silicone iron rest in hot pink!
You can paint the wooden bunnies with acrylic craft paint if you choose. The napkins I’m using have a white background. I like the look of the wood color softening the white to an ecru so I chose not to paint. I cover both sides with napkins.
Directions for Paper Napkin Transfer on Wooden Bunnies
The Dollar store has a pack of ten unfinished bunnies with little holes in one ear. These will make an adorable bunny garland.
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Supplies
- Paper napkins
- Unfinished wooden bunnies
- Glad Plastic wrap
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Scissors
- Ribbon
- Sandpaper or Sanding block
- 1/8 inch hole punch
- Pom-poms for tails
- Tacky glue
Prepare the Napkins
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.
Stack the Layers
First, lay a large piece of parchment paper on the ironing board to protect your ironing board cover. You’ll want these long enough to completely cover the wooden bunny, the plastic wrap, and the napkin. It needs to be large enough for plenty of room on all sides of your wooden bunny.
Place the wooden bunny 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.
Tip* If you are one of those people who can’t tear off the plastic wrap without mangling it, use your scissors to cut off a piece! This is one time you don’t want to wrinkle and stretch the plastic.
Place the napkin in the position you want.
Carefully, 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.
Ironing the Napkin onto the Wooden Bunnies
This is a simple process. The iron has to melt the plastic, which acts as the glue. I set this little iron on high heat. It melts the plastic wrap quickly and works like a charm.
Gently press the iron over the parchment, and press the entire paper napkin. Then, press an area, slide the iron slightly and repeat until the napkin covering the bunny has been heat-pressed. Lift the edges of the napkin gently to make sure the napkin has adhered.
Be sure the plastic is completely covered with parchment paper and does not come in contact with the hot iron or it will stick to your iron!
Sand the Edges of the Wooden Bunny
Turn the napkin-covered bunny over. Look how nice and smooth the napkin looks! Use a sanding block or sanding paper to gently remove the excess paper.
Place the sanding paper on the edge of the wooden piece and use a downward motion to remove the excess. I used an artist’s pencil sharpener sanding pad for this. If you use a sanding block, you might want to cut a small piece off of it to make it easier to control.
The sanding pad can’t reach into some of the indentations. This is where the crafting scissors come in handy. Just snip the excess napkin and plastic away from the wooden edge.
Then, use the hole punch to remove the napkin from the hole. Be careful when you slide the hole punch into position. You don’t want to tear the napkin.
Next, repeat the process of adhering the napkin to the back side of the bunny. Remove the excess napkin with sandpaper and crafting scissors. Punch the hole.
Repeat the process for each of the wooden bunnies.
Decorating the Wooden Bunnies
Sheer hot pink 1/2-inch ribbon seems the perfect ribbon for tying around the bunny’s neck. The sheer ribbon has a little give and wrapped around the neck easily.
My plan to add white pom-pom tails changed as soon as I saw these bright pink glitter pom-poms! Tacky glue holds the tails on securely.
You can add buttons, rhinestones, beads, lace, and flowers to the bunny. Let your imagination go and make it your own.
I have a few more to make for the garland, but aren’t these adorable? Just imagine the pretty napkin designs you can find to make your own version of these wooden bunnies!
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