How to make a unique tile picture for less than $3!

Want to make a unique piece of art to decorate your empty walls? Or to make the perfect gift for the grandparents or in-laws?

Here is a simple way to make this modern and minimalistic design using just tiles, tissue paper and a laser printer.

It is time to amaze your friends...

Step 1: Getting started

You will need:

1. Nice photo
2. Computer
3. Nine pieces of 10x10cm tiles
4. Five sheets of printer paper
5. Five strips of 10x20cm tissue paper
6. Double sided adhesive
7. Printer
8. Exacto knife
9. Decoupage glue
10. Paintbrush

Comments

[Pavlo6666]

Thanks for sharing. It looks real nice. Professional.

[khunter-hardy]

Can you do this to a mirror? I can't find how to make a decal for a mirror anywhere! I can hardly even kind mirror decals or mirror stickers anywhere except for mirrors that already come with them. HELP PLEASE! Thanks

[imcournal]

Do you have a video tutorial of this by any chance?
I'm finding it very difficult to do step 3.

also, what program are you using? I'm using GIMP

[yngla]

I was actually lucky enough to have access to Photoshop at the time... Unfortunately I suck at GIMP :(
And no video tutorial, sorry!

[3tuxedo]

Hey guys, i'm attempting this project, where did you guys get the tiles? I can't find them at Lowes.

[annie38]

home depot

[loribeck]

That is awesome! Do you teach art or are you just creative and crafty?
Nice job, thanks for sharing.

[malibini]

OMG thats so cool! im definitelly doing this for my new room. Did you use Photoshop for the editing? I might have my dad (who's a computer whiz) do this part for me, if it's on Photoshop.
Thanks so much for this instructible!
:P

[joesally]

The website that Faxcion put in her comments says forbidden. Is there another addy?

[avidreader11]

I think you should consider the space between tiles and cut out the spaces out on the tiles. Otherwise things would look distorted, since your eyes "fill in" the empty spaces.

[olywer]

im having trouble printing the right size. i scaled it 30x30cm in a normal page but when i drag it to an A4 page it shrunk to 10x10cm. also, did u print it as a JPEG or a PSD file & did u print it through microsoft word? thanks..

[db'alexander]

Follow the link that Facion posted: http://homokaasu.org/rasterbator/ it will solve all your printing issues as it does all the tiling for you and makes it any size you want it to.

[skarsteen1]

This is so cool! would anyone know if it's possible to decorate tiles that are already attached to the wall? it would be such a cool way to decorate my small bathroom!

[hanako16th]

Here's my take on this project! Thanks for the idea! It'll make a lovely Christmas gift for my family and friends.

As you can see, the my first attempt was a photo with my friends and I. I completely messed up... because I messed up on measuring my tiles and only estimated... I learned not to make that same mistake again on the second time around! The photo with the butterfly and flower was actually my second attempt at it.

Although I loath the bubbles and wrinkles, my friends say that it gives the whole gift a very vintage look! (; Score!

[dburcombe]

I'm new to this site, but thought I might be able to offer another inexpensive idea, which I have used in mixed media collage pieces, to transfer the image. This will work with color images as well. Get your image, flip it so it is mirrored, print onto standard laser paper (will not work with and inkjet printer), brush Clear caulking sealant onto the tiles(shown in picture: Home Depot; Approx $4.00), press the reversed image face down onto the tiles, let dry. Make sure none of the sealant gets on the back of the paper. Once dry, soak the entire thing in water. Start rubbing the paper off as it's disintegrating. The image will stay as the paper is washed away. If you'd prefer, coat the new image with one more layer of the caulking. Super duper easy.

[TCPils]

How long will it take for the sealant to dry? The package says 7 to 14 days!

[batvans46]

we did this same thing in my alternative photography class.

[nhatch2]

I need help figuring out how to resize an image IDK if i dont have the right program to do this in. What program do I need to use for this?

[Faxcion]

Its called rasturizing or to rasturbate. It blows up the picture by making each pixle a dot of different sizes and darkness. Use this website to make even bigger blow ups: http://homokaasu.org/rasterbator/

[PattiZ]

I dont usually have a problem with computers BUT I cant make my image larger without making it extremely fuzzy. Can anyone help? What am I doing wrong?

[bstiehl]

How do you print separate parts of a picture? I'm using a mac.

[joefed62]

This is awesome! I've been looking to do this sort of thing, but was never sure how to go about it. Thought about using liquid Femo, but have never had much success with that method. This seems like just the process I am looking for and I can't wait to try it. Thanks so much for putting this together!

[TotalCityKidsTCK]

Fantastic project, just finished mine and it turned out great, I used a desk-jet printer along with the ironing technique :) good ible

[Caroline_gaag]

It's very hard to get the picture on the tile without any wrinkles. But it works perfectly with an iron. Put the decoupage glue on the tile, let it dry. When it's dry, lay the paper on the tile, place a piece of bakingpaper on top and begin to iron (heat on 2). Within seconds, the paper is stuck on the tile without wrinkles!

[olywer]

it works perfectly.. but when i apply another layer of glue 2 seal it the ink got runny & the tissue got wrinkly.. please help :(

[Caroline_gaag]

You better seal it with a spray. Varnish or a lacqeur.

[olywer]

i just noticed your comment was 3 years ago. thanks for the reply :D

[Keith-Kid]

good idea!

[calirare]

I love this idea of the Iron...I will give it a try!!! I have alot of tile projects to start working on!!! Thanks for the thought that counts!

[airfan1]

good idea thumb for you

[tinker234]

wow that is great i mean this is perfect for my mum she would love picture of us me and my sister

[psyche81]

I cant find decopatch glue here in Dubai, what other alternative can I use? for laminating effect or sealer, I found sealers for paintings here would that do?

[cybertrixie]

you can try a liquid resin or a polycrylic (clear) or you can even use a spray clear coat.

[cybertrixie]

Thank you for this great idea. I'm going to try this but cover with a liquid resin.

[Mitza.]

Awesome! This could go even faster with www.blockposters.com. Great idea with the tiles! Thanks. :)

[28.martine]

what do you think about wedding pics as coasters!! my friend just got married

[balletbell22]

I was thinking the same thing!!! :)

[yngla]

That would make a great gift! I guess you would have to seal them with a better kind of glue.

[28.martine]

finish it of with glitsa? paint is for stairs. Maybe it works I did not get around it yet.

[Rinaa]

wat did u use to edit the pictures on for the size ?