Create crisp, sharp graphic transfers with no special materials or machines. Now you can have gorgeous graphics for any furniture piece!!!

French Graphic Transfer DIY

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Using a beautiful french graphic transfer on a piece of furniture has been on my “Wanna DIY” list for quite a while – and I’m finally jumping in with both feet!

*This post contains affiliate links in mocha for things I use and love. If you choose to make a purchase using a link, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at NO extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my family in this way. Full disclosure here.*

In this post, where I shared a video of me painting this little table, you can see how easy it was to transform this table from black to white. And with only two coats of paint! No primer, no prep. Easy peasy. I’m still so obsessed with my HomeRight goods!

(Pssst….there’s a HomeRight giveaway going on at the bottom of this post, so keep reading and then enter for your chance to win!) 😉

But first, I’m excited to show you the finished table – with it’s fun french graphic. (I’ll spare you the saga of my “artistically minded” three year old who scribbled blue highlighter marker all over the table and I had to REPAINT around the half-finished graphic. Another story; another time). The real life stories of a DIY mommy blogger. That should be a TV series. Just sayin’.

But I digress. Back to the graphic. There are many different methods you can use to create a graphic transfer. The Graphics Fairy shares multiple ways on her site. (Be sure to check her out for fantastic graphics!)

For this table, I knew I’d want a french graphic that was relatively “round” in shape, to fit the shape of the table. This one was perfect (and not overwhelmingly detailed). Since this was my first time around, I wanted it to be easy enough that I didn’t regret it – yet still achieve the look I was envisioning.

Here are some great French stencils I found, if you’re a person who would rather not mess with doing a graphic transfer. (I’ve gotcha covered) 😉

The Table

Once my little table was white, I was ready to try my hand at this graphic transfer thing. I used the instructions in this video to print off my graphic. I even did another small table using the chalk transfer method- and it worked great – though admittedly, quite tedious. After my “tester” table, I decided that I’d like to skip the mess of chalk and just use graphite transfer paper instead. I called all over town looking for this stuff (to no avail) and finally resorted to ordering it on Amazon. I’m so glad we live in a time where we have Amazon – amen?!

Graphic Transfer Supplies

Your project of choice (table, wooden sign, upcycled tray, old window…the options are endless)
Printed graphic
Graphite paper
Pencil or Ballpoint pen
Paint pen in whatever color you like (I used the super fine and fine for this project)
sanding block if you want to distress your piece when you’re done

French Graphic Transfer How-To

With my french graphic printed off, I centered it on the table (no perfectionism here – I just eyeballed it). Then, with the graphite paper underneath, I began to trace the outline of my graphic.

While I cannot say this is a quick process, it really isn’t hard. Just a little time consuming as this is not something you want to rush through. Take your time so that you are ensured crisp, clean lines for your project.

Once the entire graphic was outlined, – BEFORE removing the tape – I carefully lifted the graphite paper to double check that I hadn’t missed any details.

Please Note:

**It is essential that you double check BEFORE removing your paper and tape because if you remove the whole thing only to realize you missed a chunk, you’ll have a really hard time repositioning it accurately.**

Now that everything is outlined, the graphic transfer is ready for paint.

If you’ve got the patience of Job, and a steady hand, I’m sure you could do this all just by using a regular craft paintbrush and some paint. I am not blessed with these qualities. Especially the patience part. 😉 So these paint pens were my saving grace for this project.

*Cue all the angels singing!*

I used the “ultra-fine” tipped paint pen for the outlines, then went back and filled in the thicker areas with the “fine” tipped one. Considering the tiny details on this french graphic, these two options were the best fit.

Here is a fun little time-lapse video I shared on Instagram – it’s fun to see how the graphic takes shape. Be sure to follow me there for “behind the scenes” with 1915 House.

After the paint was dry, I ever-so-lightly sanded the top and edges, bringing in just a smidge of distressing to add some age to the table.

You know I have a thing for side tables. Little $2 ones and ones made from an old Birch tree stump…well, I can now add this one to my list of “favorite side tables”. I love how it turned out, and while it doesn’t exactly fit the “fast” or “quick” projects that we all love, it’s definitely worth the time and detail.

A Word on Paint Pens

*Note: I did do a side-by-side comparison of a black sharpie and the black paint pens. (I figured if the sharpie looked just as good as the paint pen, I’d stick with the sharpie because they’re cheaper). Let me tell you…there is NO comparison. The sharpie looked like…a sharpie (surprise!) but the paint pen looked professional and crisp. Night and day difference! This is one of the few times, I’ll tell you to spend the few extra dollars to get the paint pens. They do gorgeous work for this kind of stuff.*

Pin for later! 😉

Now for the GIVEAWAY!!!

If you saw me use my HomeRight goodies in this post (and the included video), you KNOW how much I love HomeRight products! They. Are. Phenomenal.

I’m teaming up with some of my blogger friends and we are having a GIVEAWAY!! One winner will get the Large Spray Shelter, the Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer AND the Tabletop Shelter! This is HUGE! I’m so thrilled to be a part of this! The MSRP over $185 value, and it all goes to one winner.

~ HOW YOU CAN WIN ~

All you need to do is answer one question and enter your email (so you can be notified if you’re the winner).

*You will NOT be automatically added to my email list through this giveaway. If you’d like to keep up with all the DIYs and yumminess that happens here, I’d love to have you. You can sign up in the top right corner.*

Giveaway is open for entries until midnight (EST) of November 20. The winner will be randomly chosen on November 21 and will receive a notification email.

Be sure to check out all the fabulous projects we’ve done with our HomeRight goodies below! So much inspiration to be had! 😉

Wishing you all the best!!

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