How to Use IOD Transfers on Glass: One of My Best-Selling Booth Projects

How to Use IOD Transfers on Glass: One of My Best-Selling Booth Projects

One of the fastest-selling hand-made projects in my booth isn’t complicated, precious, or hard to teach.

It’s using IOD transfers directly on glass, most often on old mirrors. The kind you find at thrift stores, ReStores, antique malls, estate sales or in Grandma's dusty guest room. The same method also works beautifully on old farmhouse windows and other glass surfaces.

This project is beginner-friendly, repeatable, and gift-worthy. It works whether you’re making for yourself, building booth inventory, or thinking about ways to bring people into your space to create.

Why this project works (especially for sellers)

Old mirrors are everywhere, but many of them have problems like scratches, worn or missing silvering, and/or cloudy or damaged spots.

Those flaws make mirrors hard to sell as-is. Transfers change that.

By applying an IOD transfer directly to the glass, you can cover damaged areas intentionally, add beautiful detail without needing artistic skill, and create something that feels custom and finished.

It’s not unusual for me to buy a mirror for around $20 and sell it for $60–$80 after completing this project, depending on size and style. More importantly, it’s a process you can repeat over and over again without reinventing your workflow.

Where this technique works best

I use this technique on mirrors that are intended as decorative wall pieces, not on high-use or frequently cleaned glass. Because the transfer is not sealed, the finished surface needs to be low-touch.

Decorative mirrors are a good fit because they hang on the wall, reflect light, and are rarely handled. The transfer adds visual interest without interfering with the mirror’s function.

The same method can be used on other glass that is treated as décor rather than utility, such as old farmhouse windows used strictly for wall display.

The basic method (what actually matters)

This is not a complicated project, but a few steps are critical.

Paint the frame
Decide on your transfer first and then chose a complementary color. I used DIY Paint on my mirrors and give them a bit of age with the wet distressing technique. Then use a sealer on your frame.

👉 Shop DIY Paint Here

Clean the glass thoroughly
A clean surface is important for transfer adhesion. Scrape any paint or sealer that made it onto the glass and thoroughly clean it with your favorite glass cleaner.

Apply the IOD transfer directly to bare glass
Do not seal the glass first. Sealer will fog the glass and ruin the mirror’s reflective quality.

👉 Shop IOD Transfers Here

Burnish carefully
Use a lint free cloth or the transfer backing to rub the transfer making sure that all of the bubbles are out. Take your time here.

Why you don’t seal transfers on mirror glass

Sealing a transfer on mirrors or glass causes the glass to fog. Imagine frosted glass. To maintain the reflection of the mirror or to see clearly through the window it will need to remain unsealed. Because of that, the finished piece is purely decorative and not suited for high-traffic.

To clean your finished project, dust lightly with a dry cloth. If necessary, spray cleaner onto the cloth, not the glass and avoid wiping directly over the transfer area.

The project is slightly more fragile, but that tradeoff is what keeps the mirror clear and usable.

A closer look at this project in action

This mirror is a great example of why this technique works so well:

  • The frame is painted using a simple, repeatable method

  • The transfer is applied directly to the mirror glass

  • The design covers worn areas without hiding the mirror entirely

The same approach can be adapted across different mirror shapes, sizes, and styles without changing the process.

Why this is a great make-and-take project

This project isn’t just good for sales, it's also an excellent make & take class.

A make & take is a class format where people show up, create a project, and take it home the same day. This technique works especially well for that format because:

  • It’s beginner-friendly with a high success rate

  • The steps are simple and easy to explain

  • The finished piece feels substantial and gift-worthy

  • One IOD transfer can often be split across multiple projects

In many cases, a single transfer sheet can cover two or three mirrors, which makes it cost-effective for group settings.

Make & takes are a powerful way to help people build confidence in a product and buy the supplies they’ll want to use again.

Why this project sells quickly in my booth

They sell because mirrors feel practical, not just decorative. Also, each piece feels unique, even when made with the same process.

For sellers, this is the sweet spot: creative, but not slow.

Supplies used for this project

This technique is flexible, but these are the products I use and currently have available.

Final thoughts

This is a project I return to again and again because it works.

It’s recycled, beginner-friendly, adaptable, and profitable. Whether you’re making for yourself, building booth inventory, or thinking about ways to bring people into your space to create alongside you, this one is a winner.

And because the technique stays the same, you can focus on what actually changes: style, scale, and how you use it in your business.

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