I love scouring thrift stores for the perfect item to upcycle. Turning somebody else's trash into a piece I can treasure leaves me giddy.
I recently found a plain white dish at my local Goodwill store for $1.99. I thought it would look lovely with a photograph printed on it to hang on our wall.
This is a very simple project and all you need are a few basic supplies (most of which you will already have at home), along with a sheet of Lazertran Waterslide Decal Paper.
Step 1:
Decide on the photograph that you want to print on the decal paper. Measure your dish and size the photograph accordingly on your computer before reversing the image (you will want to print a mirror image). Print the photograph on the white chalky side of the decal paper (for an inkjet printer) leaving the printer settings on 'draft' mode. Set aside to dry for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2:
While the image is drying you will have plenty of time to prepare everything else you need. Begin by cleaning, drying, and ensuring there is no dust on the dish. You will also need a paper towel or napkin, and either a small rubber squeegee or a silicone spatula.
Step 3:
Once the image is dry cut it out. Prepare a baking dish with lukewarm water and submerge the image. The decal will begin to peel away from the backing paper, carefully remove it from the water and place it face down onto the dish.
Step 4:
Alternating between the spatula and paper towel press out any air bubbles and blot all the water. Once there is no more liquid or bubbles set your dish aside to dry.
Step 5:
My particular dish was not oven proof, and I was not planning on placing food on it, so instead of baking I used a fine piece of sandpaper to gently roughen up the edges of the image.
Take the dish outside and spray with a coat of acrylic finish such as Plastercraft's Acrylic Gloss Spray Finish. Leave to dry overnight.
