How to Transfer Photos to Lamp Shades

On your computer, open the digital photos you want to apply to your lampshade. If you only have hard copies of the photos, scan them in and then open the digital files.

Edit the photos (if you wish) using software such as Adobe Photoshop. You may want to resize them, change them from color to black and white or sepia, lighten them, crop them or use special effects.

Print the photographs onto regular white printer paper. Don't use heavy paper or photograph paper as it is too heavy and thick for the decoupage techniques involved in transferring them to the lampshade.

Cut the photographs out and hold them up against the lamp shade to decide on their positions. You could just place one photo on the front of the shade, wrap a panoramic print around the entire shade, or make a collage of multiple photos.

Paint a thin layer of white glue onto the first part of the shade you will be sticking a photo to, then smooth the printed photo down onto the glue. Smooth it down carefully with your fingers to eliminate any bubbles or wrinkles.

Continue applying white glue and sticking printed photos over the shade until your design is complete. Wait for the glue to dry completely.

Paint a thin layer of white glue over the entire shade, covering all the photos. Let the glue dry completely; it will become transparent and reveal the photographs.