Adding your own image to a plate is not difficult.
Sharing the memories of our loved ones in every day items can become a fun family craft. Taking a photo of a loved one, pet or place and sealing it onto a clear glass plate can be a great way to display a memory. It is easy enough for children to do, and makes a great family activity once you know get started in applying your photo to the plate.
Instructions
1. Make a digital image of the photo you wish to display on the plate. You can do this by using a scanner or taking the photo with a digital camera.
2. Load your inkjet printer with waterslide decal printing paper. This is widely available in most department stores, or you can order it online at Lazertran.com. The chalky side of the paper should be facing up. Print your image onto the waterslide decal paper and set it aside to dry.
3. Submerse the dry waterslide decal paper with the printed image on it in water for 15 to 20 seconds. The image will begin to separate from the paper backing. Remove the waterslide decal paper from the water and carefully slide the image off. Be careful not to tear the image as it is very fragile and thin.
4. Position the image on the plate wherever you'd like it to be. With a wet finger, rub out any bubbles or wrinkles in the waterslide decal. Allow the decal to dry completely on the plate.
5. Take a paint brush and dip it into an open bottle of Mod Podge, which can be purchased at any arts and crafts store. Be sure to load the brush completely so that it floats smoothly over the surface of the plate. Start at the corners of the image and paint outward onto the glass. Then, paint the sides of the image, working outward onto the glass. Then cover the rest of the image with Mod Podge and let the plate dry completely.
6. Add another coat of Mod Podge until the entire front of the plate is covered. You should run a clean brush that is damp with water around the edges of the plate to remove any excess Mod Podge. Allow the plate to dry completely.
7. Spray acrylic sealant, which can be purchased at any arts and crafts store, on the entire front surface of the plate. Allow this to dry, then spray on a second coat. Allow the plate to dry and cure for 24 hours before using it as a decoration.
Tags: waterslide decal, decal paper, waterslide decal paper, Allow plate, arts crafts