How to Put a Picture on a Switchplate
Switchplates are some of the most functional, yet often most boring, items around the home. You can turn them from ho-hum to hilarious, or any degree of creative, by adorning them with art. One way is to put a picture on a switchplate. This activity is simple and can make a switchplate stand out or blend in with the room. It also gives you a minishowcase of fond memories around the home. You can put a picture on a switchplate with a few simple steps.
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Things You'll Need
- Sticker paper
- Computer and printer
- Digital photo or one scanned into your computer
- Pen knife and scissors
Instructions
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Pick a switchplate. It can be a main light switch or an electrical outlet in the middle of the wall that just needs a touch of adornment. Unscrew or otherwise remove the switchplate from the wall so you have it in front of you to work with. Keep a small cup handy to place the screws in so you do not lose them.
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Measure the switchplate. Gauge the height and width and add at least 1/2 inch to each measurement so you know how big your photo should be. Also gauge the amount of space you will cut out for the switch or electrical outlets to fit through, so you know which type of photo will work best.
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Pick a photo based on the size of the switchplate and size and position of the holes you will need for the switches and outlets. You may want to pick a landscape photo so it will not matter if you cut out part of its center to accommodate the openings. Or you may want to pick someone’s face so you can have the switch stick out through the person’s nose.
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Size and adjust the photo as necessary. You can open the photo in a photo editing program, such as Photoshop, or import it into a word processing program like Microsoft Word. This allows you to adjust the overall size, crop out any unwanted portions and play with the brightness and color.
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Print the photo on sticker paper. You can find a variety of sticker paper at office supply, stationery or arts and crafts stores. Load it into your printer, change the printing option for paper to heavyweight matte or gloss, depending on the type of sticker paper you chose, and send the photo to print.
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Cut the photo to fit the switchplate and stick it on. Use sharp scissors or a pen knife to cut around the photo’s border first, leaving the extra 1/2 inch to bend around the sides of the switchplate. Place the sticker on the switchplate and, with the plate face down, use a pen knife to cut the holes for the outlets or switch from behind. Bend the sticker around the borders of those holes. Don’t forget to poke small holes for the screws.
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Tips & Warnings
For added protection, you can spray the covered switchplate very lightly with a clear sealer or apply a clear sticker or sticky laminated paper over the photo. Do this carefully so you do not ruin the photo by getting it too wet or buckling it.
Rather than a photograph, you can use these same steps to put a drawing on a switchplate.
Be careful screwing the screws back in when you put the switchplate back on the wall. If you screw them in too forcefully or deeply, you may rip the photo.
- Photo Credit Photo and switchplate art by Ryn Gargulinski
