How to Make a DIY Collectors Plates Display
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| Cat Image available from SouthernPearls28 |
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Long, long ago, like a month ago, I participated in the One Room Challenge, which was a fun project where I made over my dining room into a multi-purpose play/dining room. One of my favorite elements was this plate wall. The plates were vital for blending both the sophistication of a dining room with the fun of a playroom.
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| Hipster Cat Image | Flamingo and Pineapple Image | |
I used quite a few plates from West Elm in my display. Their Dapper Animal plates were some of my favorites, but I was unable to find an animal that would match my decor. Also in inspired by West Elm, the pineapple plate was sold out. That’s the best part of crafting – if you can’t find what you want you can make your own, which is what I did in this case!
How to Make a DIY Collectors Plates Display
To create custom collectors plates, you’ll need the following materials:
- A plate the size and shape of your choice – I found mine at Target
- An image to display
- A color printer
- A Silhouette machine
- Cricut printable vinyl
How to Make the Plates
I found all of my pictures on Etsy. I just loved the little hipster cat dressed in blue stripes!
To begin, you’ll want to open import your image to your library in the Silhouette Studio software.
Next, set the dimensions of your design page to that of your plate. My plate was 6″ in diameter, so I set my dimensions to 6″x6″. You’ll also want to turn on registration marks. I like to do this before adjusting the size of my image so that I can make sure it’s inside of them.
From your library, you’ll select the image you want to apply to your plate and adjust it on your design page to the size you’d like. I decided to only use a bust of the cat rather than the entire image, so I adjusted accordingly, by increasing the size and leaving the body of the cat outside of my print and cut settings.
Once the image is to the appropriate size, print the image to your printer onto a pre-loaded printable vinyl sheet.
Once printed, load the vinyl sheet into your Silhouette, lining up the registrations marks on your cutting mat before loading.
To define the outline of your image, you’ll need to work within the trace window. First, select the trace area by dragging a rectangle over your image. Adjust the high and low pass filters, as well as the threshold, to cover as much of your image in yellow as you can. If you can not cover all of it, do not worry, as you can adjust the lines afterward. Select “trace.” You’ll see your image outlined in red, and possibly other outlines within your image as well, also in red. At this point, you’ll select your image and drag it to the side.
If there are spaces in your outline, you’ll need to correct these using the pencil tool. You’ll also want to remove any outlines within your outer line using the eraser.
When you have a clear outline, you’ll want to expand the cut line slightly to ensure it does not cut off parts of your image. You’ll do this using offset. After adding the offset line, erase the inner border and drag your image to the outline to ensure the cut will clear the entire image. If it does not, add the offset line again, and repeat until it does.
Once you have prepared your image and have verified your cut settings, you’ll send the image to the Silhouette for cutting.
Once cut, remove the vinyl image from the backing and apply it to your plate. My image was huge, and my plate had a lip on it, making it difficult to apply using transfer paper – you may need to play with the image if your plate is not flat.
Once your image is applied, your plate is ready to hang!
With custom images, you’ll have a limitless selection of designs, and can customize your plate gallery!
Be sure to check out the other participants for this month! As you can see, there are more
than enough projects to keep you busy and inspired!
1. Crochet Hook Box – Dwell Beautiful
2. Silhouette Etching Vinyl and a DIY Farmhouse Breadbox – Creatively Southern
3. Watercolor Patriotic Napkins & a Simple 4th of July Tablescape – Pocketful of Posies
4. How to Repurpose a Table into Wall Art – DIY Passion
5. How to Use Vinyl Like A Pro Step by Step – Holy Craft
6. DIY Team Banner – Morena’s Corner
7. DIY Wooden Slice Dishwasher Clean-Dirty Magnet – Simply {Darr}ling
8. Custom Wall Plates Using Your Silhouette Machine – Knock it Off Kim
Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you’ll visit again!
I had no idea there was printable vinyl! I love this idea!!
I'm dying! That cat is my favorite. Love this project so much! I've been wanting to try printable vinyl for ages. This makes me want to go place my order!
WOWWWW !!
I can't get my eyes off the cat-plate! It soooooooo cute and so creative.
I'd love to have some plates like this
So cute! I just recently ordered some printable vinyl and have not tried it out yet. You make this look so easy! Love it! I'm going to have to get my stash out now and get creative!! Thanks for sharing!
Oh my goodness I love this so much! That cat plate is seriously my favorite and it looks like something you could buy in a store! I have some printable vinyl lying around that I haven't played with yet – need to get on it STAT.