How to Add a Transfer to a Dresser

Last month as we switched the office to a guest room, I thrifted a super cute $40 dresser. It looked ok from far away, but close up it was a little bit beat up. I figured since I needed to paint it, I might as well dress it up too! So here’s a post on how to add a transfer to a dresser.Here’s the dresser before. It’s super nice to have this closed storage now! And it’ll work great for guests too! Close up, there were some scuffs.

how to add a transfer to a dresser

Let’s start with the video tutorial so you get an overview on what I did. Then, I’ll dive in with more details below:

If the video doesn’t work here, you can watch it on YouTube here. P.s. I’m trying to build that page up, so if you’d subscribe, I’d really appreciate that!

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step 1

Start by cleaning the dresser really well. This is especially important with a used dresser. This one was gross! Cleaning before painting means the paint will adhere better.Remove the drawers and lay down on a drop cloth. I left the pulls on while painting since they needed to be painted too. It simplified things and they came off easily later when dry.

step 2

Next, it was time to paint! I did one coat of white chalk paint- I used my favorite color, fluff. Since the dresser was already white, one coat did the trick. I let it dry. The best thing about chalk paint is that it dries in 20-30 minutes.

step 3

And now, transfer time! If you don’t know what a transfer is, it’s like a temporary tattoo for furniture. Except it stays on! You cut it to size, put its in place, rub it on, and then pull off the plastic protective coating. I cut the first piece the same size of the drawer and used a t-square to keep the line straight.

I marked the center of the drawer and then lined up the registration marks on the transfer. I pressed it to the drawer when I had it in the right spot.

Then I rubbed the transfer to the drawer and slowly pulled the plastic protective cover off.

step 4

Then, just keep going down the dresser. I cut small pieces between the drawers. The transfer comes in 3 pieces. That didn’t work perfectly for me- some of the drawers have a seam in the middle of them where two transfer pieces match up. It’s barely noticeable though.