
Hello, my furniture-flipping addicts! I think I’m right in saying that cause you are here. It takes one to know one, and today I want to show you how to add a transfer to painted furniture in less than 20 minutes. And all you need is a painted piece of furniture that has been cured for at least 48 hours. So if you got painted furniture already and you’re bored with it, or it just isn’t selling, this is a quick and easy way to zhuzh it up a bit.
This post contains a few affiliate links to help you find the products I use. You are not charged extra to use any of the links, but any income I make will be used for more fun DIY projects that I can share with you! To see my full disclaimer, click here.
How To Add Transfers To Painted Furniture

SUPPLY LIST:
- Chest Of Drawers flat front
- White Lightning (Dixie Belle wood furniture cleaner)
- R.A.D. Pads
- Surfprep Sanding System 3X4 Electric Ray
- BOSS (stain blocker)
- Chalk Mineral Paint Buttercream & Caviar
- Fine Mist Spray bottle (water for paint blending)
- Paintbrushes
- Hokus Pokus Transfer (Majestic Horse Charcoal)
- Flat Top Coat (Dixie Belle)
- Hardware Pulls card catalog
*Don’t forget to clean and prep your piece before you begin painting. CLICK HERE to learn how I get a no-fail finish every time.
Painting Your Furniture With a Soft-Blended Look
Since you’re giving your old furniture a makeover, why not set the background for the transfer that you want to apply? Try adding a soft blended paint look that compliments the transfer. It’s not as hard as it looks. I blended black and white chalk mineral paint to create this dreamy billowy cloud. Watch my step-by-step blending tutorial HERE.

*DON’T MISS THIS IMPORTANT STEP
Be sure to allow your painted surface to dry for at least 48 hours or longer before applying for this transfer because water can get trapped under the paint and cause the glue not to adhere. For best results, follow this rule.
Securing Your Transfer On Painted Furniture
Step 1
Determine the location where you want the transfer to live on your painted furniture. I also found that trimming the excess plastic sheet around the transfer was beneficial. Oh, and you can certainly use a portion of the transfer and keep the rest of the design for another project. Using a blue painter’s tap helps to secure it when you first begin. The tape can be removed as the transfer is applied.

Start from the top of your design and work your way down by gently rubbing it across it with a wooden stick in the package.

Step 2
Gently peel away the plastic as you rub. If you find that a part of the design is not transferring… replace the plastic in place and gently rub it again. This will happen! I guarantee it, but it’s not a big deal. This isn’t a perfect transfer, and to be honest, there’s no one product I have found on the market. Me, I love the tiny cracks and imperfections it gives. And if you’re that close to your furniture to see it, that’s a”perfectionism” issue. And that’s overrated. Don’t sweat the small stuff; have fun with your DY projects!
This transfer is huge, and it took me less than 20 minutes once I had it in place. Super quick and easy to apply.

Step 3
Once the transfer is secure… buff with a soft cotton cloth to ensure that all of the tiny areas have good contact with your painted surface; that’s it! No need to even seal this one. If you have to for peace of mind… (because I sealed this one, too), use a water-based topcoat. I love the flat finish on this piece, so I used a flat topcoat over the whole piece. If you want to distress the transfer for an aged look, go for it. Super-fine sandpaper will do the trick but have a light hand. It doesn’t take much.





This one turned out lovely and didn’t even look like the same chest of drawers. And it now has eight drawers instead of four. Well, four faux drawers. Want to learn more about how to create this look? I did a full video tutorial in The Art Of Painting Furniture membership Library. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Thanks for joining me with this makeover of transfers on painted furniture. As always, I welcome your feedback… the good, bad, and ugly. Drop your comments below and tell me your thoughts, or if you need help, I’m here for that too. Have a fantastic week!?
Until the next project… xo, Do
Gorgeous makeover Do! And the horse is so fitting and perfect for you. XOXO
Thanks, Denise! I have a Granddaughter that loves horses too. She just might be getting a little something-something for her bedroom. 🙂
I love that horse. You did a beautiful job. Can a transfer be applied on a piece that has been waxed?
As long as the wax has been cured it shouldn’t be a problem. Great question! xo, Do
I would really like to know how you cut (?) the transfer where the drawer meets the body of the piece of furniture
Great question! If you’re working with a flat piece, just lay it over where you want it to go and rub away. It will only stick to whatever it is transferred too and the small gaps between the doors… it will be left on the transfer paper. No cutting necessary. That way the pattern still flows. Hope this helps. Best wishes to you. 🙂
Where can I find quality Transfers besides flowers and such?
Hi Linda,
What specifically are you asking for? Patterns?
I love the horse transfer you used my daughter loves horses. Can I find furniture transfers locally or does it have to be online? I like seeing things in person before I buy them… I would like more wording transfers like poems quotes animals stuff like that… can you help? 🙂
Hi Ruby, Redesign With Prima is online, and you should be able to search for a retailer near you. https://www.redesignwithprima.com/
Love your work 💕
Your information is always so helpful.
I’m so glad I could help. 🙂