Introduction: PVC Pipe Photo Planters

About: I enjoy repurposing and restoring old furniture and making woodwork projects that are not seen every day. I make most of my projects using wood that is either, recycled,reclaimed and love to repurpose and rest…

My Great niece planted these succulents one day when she came for a visit, and every time she visits she says she has to water her plants. So I decided to make her some planters all of her own to look after.

Step 1: Materials Needed

  • PVC Pipe
  • Temporary Tattoo Paper
  • Inkjet printer
  • Handsaw
  • Succulents
  • Soil
  • Mod Podge

These pipes were left overs from a building site, all they needed was a clean. I measured out the size that I wanted my planters to be, mine were 15cm and 10cm. I cut them with a handsaw and sanded all the rough edges off to tidy them up.

Step 2: Sand Off Rough Edges

I used some nail polish remover to remove all the black bar codes and numbers that were on the pipes. And used superglue to glue the caps on to the pipes.

Step 3: Print Your Picture

I ordered some temporary tattoo paper of the Wish site, I paid $15.00 for 10 sheets A4. I selected the photos that I wanted to use. I used a program called Lunapic, which you can use for free online to mirror your images and make them black and white.

Step 4: Add Your Clear Film

The paper was loaded into my inkjet printer and I selected to print 4 pictures per page so I did not waste the paper. Once it was printed the tattoo paper comes with a self adhesive clear page that is then put over the image and smoothed down. Start at the top and smooth out with a credit card to remove any bubbles.

Step 5: Apply Image to PC Pipe

I cut my photos out as close to the border of the pictures as I could, and planned where I was going to place my pictures. Applying the image was the best and easiest image transfer method I had used. No mess and not fuss, perfect image every time. First you remover the clear film from the front of the image and place the image where you want it on the PVC pipe. Place the image face down on the PVC Pipe and smooth down with your fingers to remove any bubbles in the image. Wet a small cloth and lay it over the image, you do not need to soak the image.

Step 6: Protective Coat to Seal

And within seconds the the paper can be peeled off, just peel off slowly. If you have any creases you can very gently smooth them out with your fingers. You can seal it with a coat of Mod Podge for extra protection. I really wish I had know about this technique before I spent weeks, doing my last image Transfer project. Which I must say was not even close to the quality and ease of this technique. http://uniquecreationsbyanita.com/ned-kelly-outdoor-cooler/

If you like my project please vote for it in the PVC Pipe Contest. Thank You !

PVC Contest 2017

Runner Up in the
PVC Contest 2017

Hand Tools Only Contest 2017

Participated in the
Hand Tools Only Contest 2017