DIY Wood Coasters
These DIY wood coasters are a perfect way to use pieces of your Christmas tree before disposing of it! This is a quick and easy DIY project. These wood slices can be used to make DIY wooden coasters or even new Christmas ornaments for your tree next year!
Step 1: Cut the Wood Slices
Before my husband disposed of our Christmas tree, I had him cut a few wood slices off the bottom trunk of the tree. Using a chainsaw, he cut them about ½ inch thick.
If you don’t have wood rounds handy, you can purchase a box or wood slices from Michaels!
Step 2: Sand Wood Slices
I lightly hand sanded each piece of wood using 220-grit sandpaper. I would’ve loved to have used my palm sander, but the DIY wooden coasters were too small. Once the surface was smooth, I wiped each wood slice with denatured alcohol.
NOTE: Because I hand sanded my wood slices parts, I did not get a perfectly smooth surface. Therefore, parts of the photo did not transfer. Overall, I was going for a rustic look, so this did not bother me at all. However, if you want a perfect photo transfer, make sure your surface is completely smooth.
Step 3: Print Selected Pictures
In order for this to work, the pictures have to be printed on a laser printer. Most in-home printers, including mine, are inkjet. Therefore, I had to go to UPS and have them print the photos for me. It only cost about $5 to get 8 prints done.
Black and white photos tend to look best in a wood transfer; however you can use color photos if you want!
Step 4: Cut Out Photos
I traced the wood rounds on the portion of the picture I wanted to transfer and cut the circles out of the main photo!
Step 5: Apply Mod Podge
Mod Podge is a waterbase sealer, glue & finish. It will also transfer photos onto wood! Using a foam brush, I applied a layer of mod podge onto the pictures. Then I flipped them over and stuck them onto the wooden coasters. I smooths out any air bubbles to ensure the paper was fully stuck to the wood slice.
This is where it gets frustrating – you have to wait! I let them sit for 24 hours – the time killed me! I’m so impatient but trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Step 6: Rub Away Paper
Using a damp rag, I rubbed the paper off the wood slice coasters. Be careful to not rub too hard or you will remove the ink!
If you want to turn these into ornaments, I recommend drilling a hole into the wood slices before sealing them!
Step 7: Apply Finish
I used 2-part epoxy to seal the drink coasters. This was to ensure each DIY wood coaster would not absorb moisture from drinks. I skipped applying the seal coat since this was a small project. With the epoxy applied, I let dry for 24 hours.
If you have never used epoxy, check out our post on how to use epoxy here!
Looking for more Holiday Inspiration? Check out all our Holiday DIYs here!
DIY Wood Coasters Links
DIY Wood Coasters
Equipment
- Laser Printer
- Scissors
- Foam Brush
- Rags
materials
- Paper
- Wood Slices
- 220-grit Sandpaper
- Denatured Alcohol
- Mod Podge
- Epoxy
Instructions
- Cut the Wood Slices
- Sand Wood Slices
- Print Selected Pictures
- Cut Out Photos
- Apply Mod Podge
- Rub Away Paper
- Apply Finish