DIY: Create Your Own Vintage Plates With Water Slide Decal Paper

Published by 3C Style

Scientific journalist, author and fashion blogger from Montreal - Journaliste scientifique, auteure et blogueuse mode de Montréal View all posts by 3C Style

Have you ever wanted to spice up your dinnerware with a cute design? You don’t have to buy expensive specialty work – you can actually get a great look from a design print, using only supplies that you may have lying around your house right now. You could even give new life to old plates and cups you can find cheaply in a junk shop.

If you love cats or dogs, then you are in the right place. I used for this DIY designs made by Lisa over at Lismore Paper. The dog was inspired by a photo sent to us on our request by Sophie over at Sophie’s Corner.

Take a look at how to add these cute designs to your plates and saucers using an accessible and cost effective method.

Step 1 – The Print

You need to print your design out (you can use the inkjet that you have in your home or go to your local print shop), and you should use Hayes water slide decal paper. If you do not have this type of paper lying around the house, you can get it easily on Amazon.

Set your printer to its highest quality. Set it to receive glossy photo paper as well. Once your artwork prints, let the paper dry for at least three minutes before you move on to the next step.

Step 2 – Spray It Down

Step 3 – Cutting the Design

Don’t worry – you don’t have to be a super accurate cutter in order to make your decal look great. You actually want to cut 2-3 mm away from the border of your design. Use sharp scissors for best results, and be careful.

Step 4 – Splish, Splash

Step 5 – Application

This is another very important aspect of the process, and it is more an art than a science. You will need to find a way to smoothly place the decal on your surface without letting the water or your fingers slip and cause a problematic crease!

Use a damp cloth or a small squeegee to get rid of any air bubbles and extra water on your decal. Be careful.

After it is completely separate, dab off any extra water from the decal on your surface. If you crease or tear your decal, don’t worry. Just go back to the beginning of the process after you print out a new copy.

Step 6 – The Waiting Game

Without exposing it to directly sunlight, set your decal to dry for at least three hours. If you are working on a ceramic surface, then bake the new decal in the oven at 230 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes. Be sure that you do not put ceramics in the dishwasher – EVER. They are not dishwasher safe, and they must be cleaned by hand (gently).

Voila! You have your newly decorated vintage plates and saucers. Enjoy!

Protip: One of the best ways to enjoy a new decal is to give yourself the opportunity to see your artistic skill during a relaxed time in the day – tea time! Placing your cat or dog decal on the side of a teacup or saucer can add an entirely new level of flair to this part of the day whether you are serving friends or just enjoying a bit of downtime by yourself.

(All images by 3C Style – Cat, Dog and Floral Designs by  Lismore Paper)

Thank you Lismorepaper and Sophie’s Corner for collaborating on this project.

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