Every now and then I come across an item that is just begging for a creative makeover. This acoustic guitar was one of those moments. It had great bones, a beautiful natural wood face, and a big empty space that practically said: “decorate me.”
So of course… I grabbed one of our rub-on transfers and got to work. (ignore the red curtains from my son's previous Purple and Red Toronto Raptors room) yikes they are bright!
Step 1 – A Clean Slate
First things first, I gave the guitar a quick clean to remove any dust or oils. The surface needs to be smooth and dry so the transfer sticks properly. The natural wood tone on this guitar made the perfect canvas.
Step 2 – Tape is Your Friend
Because guitars have curves, holes, and hardware, I used painter’s tape to protect areas I didn’t want the transfer touching—like the sound hole edge, bridge, and fretboard. It also helped me visualize exactly where the design would sit.
(Plus, tape makes everything look official… even when you’re just winging it 😄)
Step 3 – Transfer Time
Next came the fun part.
I cut out several elements of the transfer and positioned the rub-ons or rub-offs (never sure what to call them) on the guitar body and slowly burnished it onto the surface. A simple craft stick or transfer tool works great here—just rub firmly and evenly so the design releases from the sheet.
Then the magic moment:
Peeling the backing away and watching the artwork stay perfectly on the guitar. So satisfying.
Step 4 – Admire Your Work
Once the transfer was fully applied, I removed the tape and stepped back to admire the transformation. I used a clear coat flat to protect it.
What started as a plain guitar suddenly had a beautiful vintage-style deer illustration, botanical details, and a rustic field-guide vibe. It honestly looks like it came that way from the factory.
Except… way cooler.
Why I Love Using Rub-On Transfers
Rub-on transfers are one of the easiest ways to customize almost anything:
Furniture - Instruments -Wood signs - Craft projects -Decor pieces
No water, no mess, no artistic talent required—just place, rub, and peel.
And the best part? They look painted or printed right onto the surface.
Try It Yourself
If you have something around the house that feels a little plain—maybe a tray, a box, or even a guitar—rub-on transfers are a ridiculously fun way to give it new life.
Warning though: once you start transferring things… you’ll want to decorate everything.
Thanks for checking this out,
Cheers,
Andrea