DIY Personalized Tea Towels

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Plaid®. All opinions are my own.

I’m always looking for unique gift ideas, whether for the holidays, a birthday, housewarming, teacher gift, or “just because.” These types of gifts are even more special when they are personalized, so today I’m sharing a unique method of creating DIY personalized tea towels, perfect to give as a gift or to keep for yourself!

Project Supplies:

Mod Podge® Photo Transfer Medium
White Flour Sack Tea Towels
Paint Brush
Squeegee or Rubber Scraper (optional)
Paper Plate
Pieces of Cardboard
Parchment or Wax Paper
Sponge
Scissors
Personalized Printout (Free blank template download available: Click HERE for the .psd file and CLICK HERE for a .jpg file. Can edit to add personalized details in PhotoShop or a free program like PicMonkey.)

Step 1

First, design and print out your personalized label (I used our last name and the year we got married). Be sure to “flip” your text horizontally so that it appears to be backwards/a mirror image. Use a laser printer or make a photo copy using a dry toner powdered copier. Cut out your label as close to the dotted line as possible.

Step 2

Lay your label on a paper plate or sheet of wax paper. Apply the Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium to the face of your image in a medium thickness using a flat brush or squeegee. Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of applications. It’s hand-washable on fabric, and can also be applied to hard surfaces.

Step 3

Place a piece of cardboard covered with a layer of wax paper or parchment paper underneath your tea towel. Carefully lift your label by the edges off of your paper plate or wax paper, trying not to touch any of the printed part. Lay it face down on your tea towel.

Step 4

Lightly smooth the paper from the center outward with your fingers and/or a squeegee, and then allow to dry for 24 hours.

Step 5

After 24 hours have passed, use a wet sponge to carefully rub away the paper to reveal your transferred image.

Air dry for 72 hours, and then you can wash in cool water on a gentle cycle and hang to dry. Now you have a unique gift for a friend, loved one, or yourself!

A few notes: the photo transfer medium can be a little bit tricky if you’ve never worked with it before. It’s a good idea to play around with it and practice first so you can get a good feel for exactly how much is needed and familiarize yourself with the process before applying it to your final project. Ultimately though, it’s a very unique product and can produce really beautiful results.