How to Apply Redesign with Prima Transfers: A Beginner’s Guide
Have a piece that needs a little personality? Redesign with Prima Décor Transfers let you add beautiful artwork to furniture and smaller décor projects without painting every detail by hand.
Start with a manageable project, choose a design you love, and give yourself time to enjoy the process.
This guide covers traditional rub-on transfers. Follow the package directions for your particular product.
Watch: How to Apply a Re·Design with Prima Décor Transfer
Want to see the process before you try it? This official Re·Design with Prima tutorial demonstrates how a traditional furniture transfer is applied and burnished with a transfer tool.
Gather your supplies
You’ll need your transfer, its included application tool, and your prepared project. Our Transfer Tool is an optional separate tool for rub-on application. Scissors or our Craft Knife with 4 Blades help separate design sections; use a cutting mat with the knife, keep the protective backing attached, and cut between motifs before placing them on your furniture. Craft Knife Replacement Blades—6 Pack are available when your blade becomes dull.
1. Prepare your surface
Begin with a clean, dry surface. Dust, oil, and wax can interfere with adhesion, so preparation matters just as much as the application itself. Do not apply wax, furniture salve, or an oily conditioner before your transfer. Let paint and any underlying finish reach the readiness required by their labels and the transfer instructions.
2. Plan your design
Decide where each element will go before removing the protective backing. You can use the design as supplied or cut it into smaller sections for a custom arrangement.
3. Position and apply
Remove the paper backing and place the transfer carefully against your project. Keep it from shifting while you rub over the clear carrier sheet with the application tool. Work through the design a section at a time.
4. Peel slowly and check your work
Gently lift the clear sheet. If part of the artwork hasn’t released, lower the sheet back into place and rub that area again before continuing.
5. Choose your finishing protection
Prima says sealing is optional, but a compatible finish can provide added protection on frequently handled pieces.
Redesign with Prima lists clear wax and water-based polyacrylic as finishing options. Options to ask us about include Wise Owl Water-Based Varnish in Matte or Satin, Dixie Belle Clear Coat in Flat, Satin, or Gloss, and Dixie Belle Best Dang Wax in Clear for a wax finish. Confirm compatibility with your particular transfer and underlying paint, and test your complete combination on a sample first. Contact Canterbury Creative for current availability and help choosing.
Choose one compatible finishing system—not a layer of every product. See our guide to sealing furniture transfers for the difference between protective topcoats, clear wax, and furniture conditioners.
Save those extra pieces!
Keep unused sections flat in a cool, dry place. A leftover flower or small decorative detail could become the starting point for your next project.
At Canterbury Creative, we love helping you turn an idea into something personal. Browse our Redesign with Prima transfers and find a design that inspires you!
Shop supplies for this project
Click a product below to view its details in our store. Choose supplies that suit your project and follow the product directions.
Keep creating
- Why Isn’t My Furniture Transfer Sticking
- Do You Need to Seal Furniture Transfers? A Simple Finishing Guide
Shop Redesign with Prima Décor Transfers to find a design for your next project.
Keep learning
Having trouble getting the design to release? Read Why Isn’t My Furniture Transfer Sticking? Before you finish the piece, see Do You Need to Seal Furniture Transfers?
- Heather Soman