How to Gather Supplies & Make a Photo Lamp Shade
A lampshade decorated with photographs can be made inexpensively using decoupage techniques. You will need to find photographs that you wish to use and resize them using computer software. The printed images are cut out if necessary, pasted to a plain lampshade, then varnished. Choose a base for your lampshade that is appropriate for the photographs featured: For example, old sepia or black-and-white photos would look best on a traditional or antique base. This is a good project for incorporating favorite photographs and images into a room's decor in an unusual and creative way.
Things You'll Need
- Photoshop or other photo-editing software
- White glue
- Paintbrushes
- Clear varnish
Instructions
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Choose photo images that you want to use to decorate your lampshade. If the images are not digital, scan them into your computer. Use Photoshop or other photo-imaging software to make the photos the appropriate sizes for your chosen layout on the lampshade, and adjust the images if desired.
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Print the photos on regular office paper or thin glossy photo paper, then cut them out with scissors. Print digital images rather than using actual photographs, because the paper needs to be thin enough to stick smoothly to the lampshade. The back of the photo also must not have print on it, as anything on the back will be visible when the light is on.
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Determine the positions of the images before applying glue by holding the pieces up against the lampshade. Apply a layer of white glue to the image with a paintbrush, and press down the first photograph.
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Continue to glue and stick down the photographs until the lampshade is covered. You can paint glue over the photos, as it will dry clear.
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When the glue is completely dry, paint a layer of clear varnish over the lampshade. When the varnish is dry, the photo lampshade is finished.
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Tips & Warnings
Arrange different photo images by cutting around the outlines and overlapping them, or arrange rectangular images in a neat grid. Try the different preset artistic effects on Photoshop or other software to experiment with changing the look of the photos.
Apply the varnish in a well-ventilated area.
