How to Make a Decorative Wall Plate

Decorative plates are a great way to express your creativity. They are relatively easy to make and best of all, you can make whatever you want with them. Take an old family photo, a favorite picture or an image found right online and with just a little patience and skill, you can turn it into a beautiful piece of art for your wall! Here is how to make a decorative wall plate.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clear plate
• A picture
• Foam brushes
• Mod Podge
• Paint
• Plate hanger
• Clear enamel spray or polyurethane coat

1. The first step is to purchase a clear plate from your local craft store. They come in a number of different sizes, so pick the one that you wish to use.

2. Next, select a picture to use for the project. This can be anything from a family photo to a section of wrapping paper. You can also choose to use more than one picture for the display.

3. Depending on your artistic vision, you can enlarge the photo using a computer program and print out a paper copy of the photo. You can size it so that it takes up the entire flat portion of the plate. Cut the picture to fit if you have to.

4. On the bottom side of the plate (the part that sits on the table), use the foam brush to spread a thin layer of Mod Podge evenly over the surface.

5. Place the photo in the center of the plate. Hold the plate in your hands and look at it straight on to ensure that the photo is straight and even.

6. Use the foam brush to work out any bubbles between the photo and the plate. Then cover the entire photo with another layer of Mod Podge. Let the plate sit for a while for the Mod Podge to dry.

7. Once the Mod Podge is dry, choose a color to paint the plate. Use another foam brush to paint the entire back side of the plate. Allow the plate to dry again, and then administer another coat of paint.

8. With the plate fully dry, apply either one more coat of Mod Podge over the paint or spray it with a nice coat of enamel or polyurethane to protect it.

9. When the final coat is dry, place the plate wall hanger on the back side of the plate.

Tips & Warnings

• If Mod Podge is too expensive for your budget, simply take some white Elmer's glue and water it down slightly. It will provide the same effect.
• Always allow the plate to fully dry before moving on to the next step.
• If you decide to begin making decorative wall plates to sell, be sure to follow copyright infringement laws so you don't sell an item with a copyrighted image, like the Betty Boop plate above.

[davedonovan]

on 10/12/2008 Hi Corik, I always use Mod Podge. I use the mod podge on the picture to adhere it to the plate. I don't cover the entire back of the plate with mod podge because it can get streaky and it dries a little cloudy. Instead, after the picture is dried, I apply the paint over the entire backside of the plate. Once the plate is dry, I usually glaze it with a spray-on glaze to prevent the paint from scratching off. In reality, any adhesive that dries clear will do. I've even used Elmer's glue. If you have any other questions, let me know. Thanks!

[corik]

on 10/11/2008 I am interested in putting material on the bottoms of clear plates, would I still use mod podge? I know someone that makes them but she will not tell me how. I think she sprays some kind of adhesive on them.