Label Ephemera: Your Next Go-To IOD Transfer

If you’re anything like us, digging through dusty corners of auction houses and forgotten bins in junk shops is a favorite past time. We’re always hoping for a treasure — often revealed when we see that maker’s label.

There’s some kind of magic in that distressed, faded lettering that transports you back to another time and place. A time when every piece of furniture had dovetail joints and was made of real wood (imagine that!).

While not everything you find is going to be a treasure, that doesn’t mean YOU can’t make it look like one.

That’s why we made the Label Ephemera transfer. Use it whenever a project or piece just needs a little bit of a label magic to transform it.

What’s the Label Ephemera Transfer and How Can I Get One?

This IOD transfer is a typographer’s dream come true! If you like vintage advertisements, maker’s labels and old time-y script, you’ll love this design. You can use the whole transfer on one project or cut it up and use different pieces as accents here and there. (Learn more about cutting up and combining different transfers on a project by reading this post.)

IOD furniture transfer called Label Ephemera featuring vintage advertising labels

To get a Label Ephemera transfer, click here to find the IOD stockist nearest you.

What kinds of DIY home decor projects can I do with the Label Ephemera transfer?

Before showing off the beautiful projects we’ve gathered to inspire you, let’s talk about IOD decor transfers and how to use them.

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IOD transfers are pressure sensitive and applied by rubbing them onto the project surface. Always use a high quality water-based sealer before and after applying the decal to make sure they look beautiful for years to come.

Completely new to IOD transfers? Check out this post first.

Dress Up That Old Dresser

This might be our most favorite way to use Label Ephemera because it makes an old dresser or wooden bench travel back in time. It effortlessly gives your piece a feeling of handmade authenticity and antique craftsmanship without the price tag.

Chalk paint dresser with Farmhouse rub on decal — Peggy of Gardenhouse Studio in East Corinth, VT shares before and after pictures (and everything in between) of the dresser above in her out her step-by-step blog post.

gray chalk paint dresser with typography and butterfly furniture transfers — Check out how Alison of re.in.vented in Luthersberg, PA complimented the carvings and curves of this dresser with IOD transfers

black painted dresser makeover with decals by IOD — Is black painted furniture your thing? Get inspired by how Valerie of Bluebird Mercantile in Winter Garden, FL transformed this old dresser by layering several IOD transfers.
Look at all the delicious details below!

layering vintage rub on furniture transfer in dresser makeover

Label Ephemera IOD transfer on a white chalk paint dresser — Label Ephemera layered with butterflies from Lynne of Ellen J Goods in Medina, NY

french country cottage dresser makeover with furniture transfers — Dianna of Mabel and Martha’s Vintage Style Decor in Saskatchewan, Canada

Learn how to create a grunge look with Debi of Elsie Lane Boutique in Spokane, WA

Doesn’t HAVE to be a Dresser…

antique secretary desk makeover with turquoise paint — Antique secretary desk by Siobhan of Von Boo in Brisbane Australia

buffet makeover with IOD transfers — Michelle of Serendipity House in Southern, NH gave some label love to the back of this buffet so that it looks gorgeous when floating in a room

Shabby chic furniture makeover (press play to watch her step-by-step) with Carmen of Curious Farms Market in Bennett, CO

DIY farmhouse bench — Farmhouse bench created by Leslie from A Quaint Market in Colorado Springs, CO

sewing cabinet makeover with chalk paint and rub on decals — Antique sewing cabinet by Kathy of The Vintage Dames in Lemoyne, PA

upcycled card catalog into a diy vintage coffee table — Janice Sain, member of the Iron Orchid Designs Creative Tribe, completely transformed this old card catalog into a coffee table with the Label Ephemera transfer and hairpin legs

Hall table makeover with floral furniture transfer — Hall table and stool makeover by Nicole of Altered Ending in Northwest, OR

tea cart makeover as part of furniture painting project with IOD — Tea cart makeover by Gina of Vintage Charm Homestead, Libertyville, IL

Look at the subtle color Susan of The Withered Barn in Homedale, ID layered with stamped roses over the transfer on the front of this blanket chest. Fancy!

Make a Gallery with All These DIY Wall Decor Ideas Using Label Ephemera

Whether you have a whole wall in need of a gorgeous gallery or are just looking to fill in a little blank wall space – we’re bringing you some inspiration!

DIY wall art with rub on ferns and plant images — Collection created by Lynne of Ellen J Goods in Medina, NY

DIY vintage wooden sign with label typography from decal — If you love the look of this weathered wood sign, you won’t want to miss the step-by-step tutorial by Lisa of Sweet & Sassy Treasures in Shelby Township, MI.

Shabby chic DIY butterfly wall art — Perfect piece for a little nook made by Melanie of The Painted Bench in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Check out her complete step-by-step tutorial to make this wall art by clicking here.

DIY vintage market sign with Label Ephemera — Wall art created by DIY with Jayne from Funkiture Gifts and DIY Studio in Hiawassee, GA

how to upcycle a frameless thrift store painting into a vintage sign — In this Waste Not Wednesday video with Jami Ray of Jami Ray Vintage, you can learn how to upcycle an ugly old thrift store painting into the masterpiece above

Craftsman frame makeover with IOD transfers — Valerie of Bluebird Mercantile in Winter Garden, FL added her own style to this old wooden Craftsman frame

DIY faux tin tile wall art — Love how Diane of Diane’s Designs of Williston, ND created an old tin tile look using the Cubano Stamp before layering on Label Ephemera to create this piece

How to upcycle a cheap wooden frame into DIY boho wall art — Watch this step-by-step video showing how to create this wall art using an inexpensive frame by Susan of The Withered Barn in Homedale, ID

DIY botanical wall art — Another creative piece of DIY wall decor by Diane of Diane’s Designs of Williston, ND

DIY reclaimed wood sign — Made using reclaimed wood by Stayce of The Duchess Of Yorktown, in Yorktown, VA

DIY Vintage window decor — How cute is this painted vintage window and window box combination created by Barbara of The Treasured Home in Fair Oaks, CA

Upcycle mirror idea — The perfect mantel decor created by Mitzie of The Reclaimed Treasures in Occoquan, VA

This Transfer Can be Used More Ways Than We Can Count!

rub on decal on picnic basket lid — Ready for a day at the beach with this picnic basket by Linda of Seaporium in Hyannis, MA

Make your own field journal! You won’t want to miss this super creative upcycle project by Carmen of Curious Farms Market in Bennet, CO

DIY display plate — Display plate created by Susan of Extending Grace in Hubbard, OH

vintage boho body forms — Vintage styled dress forms by Rhonda of Fruitful Life Studio in Exeter, CA. Check out the “how-to” video below so you can make this chic decor accessory yourself!

upcycled dresser drawer idea with furniture transfers — Farmhouse tray made from a repurposed dresser drawer created by Barb at Vintage Finds & Redesign in Temperance, MI

Here’s an easy beginner project that takes your decor to the next level! Paint and use rub on transfers on a wooden tissue box cover like Dagny of Redefined For You in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada

Did we inspire you with all the project ideas for the Label Ephemera Transfer? We want to see what beautiful things you make with this IOD transfer so don’t forget to share them with us on social media.

20 Comments

Janice Sain on July 17, 2020 at 9:41 pm

This is one of my favorite transfers. So many ways to use it and love all the ideas you shared

Reply
LaWana on July 20, 2020 at 8:51 am

Amazingly versatile transfer! Have to have this one!

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- IOD Customer Service on July 21, 2020 at 6:18 am
  
  Hi LaWana,yes one of our favorites!Thanks love!
  
  Reply
Lisa Friend on July 24, 2020 at 3:33 pm

So much inspiration here. Thanks soo much.

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- IOD Customer Service on July 28, 2020 at 9:46 am
  
  Thank you Lisa! So kind! 😊
  
  Reply
Diane L. in Portland on July 24, 2020 at 3:56 pm

I love all the project ideas – especially the tings that can take a mirror from plain to spectacular! Thanks for the ideas – and the love.

Reply
- IOD Customer Service on July 28, 2020 at 9:46 am
  
  Hi Diane, so happy you enjoyed sweetie! 💖
  
  Reply
Valerie Edwards on July 24, 2020 at 5:29 pm

Love all the ideas you guys give me!

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- IOD Customer Service on July 28, 2020 at 9:47 am
  
  Hi Valerie!! It’s what we love to do!!😍
  
  Reply
Elizabeth on July 24, 2020 at 8:05 pm

All pretty. Do you make transfers with just the alphabet? Also, just birds? Lastly, more blue and white flowers as I note there seems to be a lot of pink, purple flowers.

Lastly, can the transfers be applied to sheetrock walls?

Thank you, Elizabeth

Reply
- IOD Customer Service on July 28, 2020 at 9:50 am
  
  Hi Elizabeth,
  We do not currently have any Alphabet or just bird transfer currently. You can find all of our current designs here:https://ironorchiddesigns.com/iod-products/
  I will pass along your request for some blues and whites! 👍😊 Using transfers on sheetrock is off label use but many users do it. I would check over on the tribe facebook page for some tips.
  
  Reply
janet metzger on July 25, 2020 at 11:09 am

So many inspirational projects!!
Janet xx

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- IOD Customer Service on July 28, 2020 at 9:41 am
  
  Thank you Janet!! 💖🙏
  
  Reply
Angela on July 27, 2020 at 12:27 pm

I would like to paint in some color on my transfer I applied onto an old window. What product can I use?

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- IOD Customer Service on July 28, 2020 at 9:57 am
  
  Hi Angela,
  
  Not all of our transfers are paintable. However, if you do have one that is we have a great resource with the different options here:
  https://ironorchiddesigns.com/iod-paintable-decor-transfers/
  Happy creating!
  
  Reply
Tracee on July 28, 2020 at 10:37 am

I 🧡U all so much! Thank you for the inspiration—it’s definitely lightening up my heart and filling it with beautiful possibilities!

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Hellen Edwards on July 28, 2020 at 7:55 pm

Thankyou SO much for such a beautiful choice of ideas for using this transfer!! Can`t wait to get my hands on one. Simply gorgeous and you are both so generous.
Best wishes Hellen –from Australia

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Barbara Miller on July 29, 2020 at 9:00 am

Love your stuff, it is so sophisticated.

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Belinda Withers on September 2, 2020 at 9:38 am

What is the tool that was used in your video to press down on the transfer ?

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- IOD Customer Service on September 4, 2020 at 10:14 am
  
  Hi Belinda, That is just a stick that we included with the transfer to rub it onto the piece.
  
  Reply