Place a sheet of black carbon paper under the pattern or design you wish to burn on top of the wood. Tape the design and carbon paper into place on the wood to ensure that it won't slip and ruin the work.
Use a colored ball-point pen and trace the lines of the original pattern using slight pressure. Ensure that when working with softer woods like cedar that you don't press too hard or you will rip the carbon paper and imprint unwanted grooves into the wood.
Remove the tape and the pattern and check the wood for gaps and spaces in lines and shading. Replace the design exactly as it was originally placed and trace the areas that weren't properly transferred if gaps are present. Repeat this step if necessary.
Check thoroughly to ensure that the design has been properly transferred and remove the design and carbon paper. Begin burning the wood, being careful not to rest your hand directly on top of the wood as this will cause smudging of the transferred pattern.