Curbly Video: Using Paper Napkins to Make Decorative Tile Coasters
By DIY Maven
With the help of some 4" square ceramic tiles, turning decorative paper napkins into a set of very polished-looking coasters is easy.
To make a set of 4 coasters, you’ll need:
- 4-4" square ceramic tiles (you can find these at your big box store for about 15 cents a piece)
- Mod Podge (I used the Matte-Mat)
- small paint brush
- polyurethane (I used Aqua-Zar in satin, but glossy would look great too)
- decorative paper napkins
- Squares of thin cork or felt, both available at your local craft store
- Water-proof glue, like E-6000
- A foam or stiff bristle brush to apply the water-proof glue
Check out the video below to see how they're made. For the wordy route, keep reading!
First, brush the tile tops and their edges with a coat of Mod Podge.
UNFOLD your napkin and find a pretty spot on it, center the image on your tile and then apply them to the tile, making sure you fold the napkin down to cover the edges. DO NOT worry about wrinkles!! They just add character to your coaster!!! Also, you might find it easier to cut your paper napkin into more manageable pieces before applying them to the tiles.
Wait 3 to 5 minutes and then carefully rip away the excess paper napkin, pulling downward as you tear. (This is illustrated in the video.)
After the Mod Podge is COMPLETELY dry, you can address the edges. Leaving them ripped, gives them a ‘hand painted’ look. If you want a more polished look, use a bit of sandpaper to sand off the napkin from the edges.
(At this point, if you aren’t satisfied with the way your coasters are looking, you can still turn back by soaking them in a bit of warm water. The paper napkins and Mod Podge will come off. Wipe the tiles off and let them dry for a re-do!)
Then, apply three coats of polyurethane to the tops and the sides of the tile, letting it dry completely between coats, of course.
Finish up by brushing on a bit of E-6000 to the bottom of your tile and gluing on a square of cork pad or felt.
And that’s it! Here’s another one I did, currently protecting my desktop.
Tagged:
curbly-video-podcast, video, coasters, tile, decoupage, paper, paper_napkins, curblyvideo, fix-its
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About Me: Check out my website diymaven.com for all my original how-to's! Although I'm a writer by education and profession (MFA Hamline University, BA University of Minnesota), I...
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» All commentsDIY Maven
Hey Anonymous...you use water based poly.
Anonymous
Do you use water or oil base polyurethane?
DIY Maven
I'd add HARD plastic pots would work, because I'm guessing the dried varnish could wrinkle or crack on those really cheap came-with-the-plant thin kind.
DIY Maven
Kestrel--Sure! The only thing you'd have to consider is that even glazed tiles aren't glazed on their edges or bottoms, so exposure to significant moisture could be a problem, even if they are raised significantly by cork feet. Although, I suppose you could always finish them (top, bottom and sides) with marine varnish. The same concerns apply to flower pots. Plastic would work without worry, but something porous like terra cotta would be tricky. Unless you finish it inside and out with marine varnish...? Or maybe that terra cotta pot sealer before you decoupage it....?
kestrel
ooops, I meant iron on paper not transfer paper. Not sure transfer will work for a printer.
Just did a quick search and it seems like you need to use the iron on transfer paper for printers.
Here's another thought...take the finished coaster and add little feet (wine cork cut to 1/2" length?) to it to hold small flower pots outside during the summer or inside during the winter. For about a buck you can get larger tiles too, 8" x 8" and 12" x 12". Decorate those, add feet for the corners plus an extra one or two for the center for additional support and now you could use it for larger pots.
Okay, what about using the same technique to decorate the outside of flower pots? ooooo...or those generic flower vases you get when someone sends you flowers? Hmmm....
DIY Maven
I love the idea of using transfer paper. It seems like that would work, but can you print on it? I mean, will my printer 'suck' it in? I wonder if I have any around here.....
kestrel
Do you think there is a way that you could take a photo, print it on transfer paper and use that instead of the napkin? I was thinking it would be cool to take family vacation photos and use that on the coasters.
DIY Maven
No worries! I was actually worried about that bit so after you commented I capitalized and bold-ed the 'unfold' just in case.
ageekymom
Thanks for your reply! I just reread the instructions and noticed that part about unfolding the napkin! D'oh!
DIY Maven
I unfolded the napkin and am using just one layer of it. I think they're 2 ply napkins, but I didn't peel the top ply from the bottom, if you know what I mean.
ageekymom
These look great, and very easy! A question: Are you using the 4-ply thickness of the napkin, or do you open it and just use 1-ply?
DIY Maven
Funny. I'm using Pinnacle 12 which has a lot of nice transistions and things.
ModHomeEcTeacher
Wow! Professional project AND video. How did you do the graphics? Get your outfit and project ready for Martha.
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