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Easy Faux Wood Burning Technique

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Are you looking for an easy way to burn wood? I have a super easy faux wood burning technique to show you! And there is actually no burning required!


Supplies needed for this diy:


What is a Scorch Marker?

The scorch marker has a specially formulated heat activated liquid. Once the liquid is exposed to heat, it will create a burned effect onto your surface. It’s wood burning without the actual wood burning! It’s truly genius! Check out this easy faux wood burning process in action

Step one: Tape on your stencil to your wood

I used painter’s tape to attach my stencil to this large wooden round because I was using non-adhesive stencils. You can get these farmhouse stencils from Amazon >>HERE<<.

a large wooden slice with a stencil being taped down onto it

Step two: Start tracing your image

After your stencil is secured, use your scorch marker to fill in your image.

a hand holding a scorch marker with a wooden round behind it with a stencil attached

The marks will be very light in color and it will dry fairly quickly.

a hand using a scorch marker to color in the spaces of a stencil that is attached to a piece of wood

Step three: Heat up your marked areas

Once you have the entire stencil colored in with your scorch marker, you can remove the stencil. Then you will turn on your heat gun.

a piece of wood with a stenciled image applied to it with a scorch marker

Place the heat gun right over the areas where you marked. Hold it steady until you start to see the marks turning darker.

someone using a heat gun to heat up the marks made on a piece of wood from a stencil

Check that out! Way cool, right?!

someone using a heat gun to heat up the marks made on a piece of wood from a stencil

Keep your heat gun over the marked areas until your entire image is revealed.

a wooden slice with a farmhouse image burned into it

If you are not careful, you can burn the wood beyond the drawing if you focus too much time on unmarked areas. I made this mistake, but I think it adds character to it.


CAUTION: This will cause your heat gun to be VERY HOT. Make sure to properly cover it after use anytime, but especially after using it for long periods such that are needed for this process. This is what we do.


Step four: Wax or oil your wood

You will want to protect your image, and I recommend a wax to seal it. This is Old Masters paste wax or you could even use coconut oil or olive oil even.

Old Masters Paste Wax

I just use a paper towel or you might want to use a lint free cloth, and just scoop out some wax and start rubbing it all over your wood piece.

someone using wax to seal a wood burned piece of wood

It will take a little bit for the wax to absorb into the wood, but once it does, it will dry to a matte finish. You could go further and use a polyurethane if you wanted to make this water proof, too.

a large wood slice with a farmhouse image burned into it

I hope you found this super easy faux wood burning tutorial helpful and that it inspires you to try a project using the scorch marker! Make sure to join our email family to keep up with us each week!



What other surfaces can be used with a wood burning marker?

  • Cardboard
  • Canvas
  • Craft paper
  • Demin
  • Leather
  • … and much more!

You can learn more about the Scorch Marker at their website >>HERE<<!

Other farmhouse sign ideas:

This Post Has 3 Comments

  1. Virginia

    Wow! We have a wood burning tool. It takes gobs of practice to use it. This is way better. Very cool!

    1. JRandLBriska

      I know right?! It’s so fun!!

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