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

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...
 
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Step 1Getting started

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
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321 comments
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Dec 19, 2011. 9:26 PMhanako16th says:
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!
Jul 22, 2011. 12:59 PMdburcombe says:
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.
Dynaflex.jpg
Dec 18, 2011. 12:50 PMTCPils says:
How long will it take for the sealant to dry? The package says 7 to 14 days!
Dec 16, 2011. 2:55 PMbatvans46 says:
we did this same thing in my alternative photography class.
Nov 24, 2011. 5:18 PMnhatch2 says:
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?
Oct 16, 2011. 3:00 AMFaxcion says:
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/
Oct 4, 2011. 1:58 PMPattiZ says:
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?
Jul 8, 2011. 4:37 PMbstiehl says:
How do you print separate parts of a picture? I'm using a mac.
Jul 5, 2011. 3:26 PMjoefed62 says:
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!
Jun 28, 2011. 8:21 AMTotalCityKidsTCK says:
Fantastic project, just finished mine and it turned out great, I used a desk-jet printer along with the ironing technique :) good ible
Jan 11, 2008. 3:45 AMCaroline_gaag says:
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!
Jun 21, 2011. 3:00 AMolywer says:
it works perfectly.. but when i apply another layer of glue 2 seal it the ink got runny & the tissue got wrinkly.. please help :(
Jun 21, 2011. 3:28 AMCaroline_gaag says:
You better seal it with a spray. Varnish or a lacqeur.
Jun 21, 2011. 11:56 AMolywer says:
i just noticed your comment was 3 years ago. thanks for the reply :D
May 10, 2008. 6:34 AMKeith-Kid says:
good idea!
Jan 11, 2008. 4:44 AMcalirare says:
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!
Jun 19, 2011. 9:12 AMolywer says:
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..
Jun 10, 2011. 8:34 AMairfan1 says:
good idea thumb for you
May 22, 2011. 9:29 AMtinker234 says:
wow that is great i mean this is perfect for my mum she would love picture of us me and my sister
Jul 23, 2010. 10:10 PMpsyche81 says:
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?
Mar 7, 2011. 3:48 PMcybertrixie says:
you can try a liquid resin or a polycrylic (clear) or you can even use a spray clear coat.
Mar 7, 2011. 3:43 PMcybertrixie says:
Thank you for this great idea. I'm going to try this but cover with a liquid resin.
Mar 2, 2011. 8:51 AMMitza. says:
Awesome! This could go even faster with www.blockposters.com. Great idea with the tiles! Thanks. :)
Mar 30, 2009. 11:52 AM28.martine says:
what do you think about wedding pics as coasters!! my friend just got married
Feb 27, 2011. 2:43 AMballetbell22 says:
I was thinking the same thing!!! :)
May 18, 2009. 11:04 AM28.martine says:
finish it of with glitsa? paint is for stairs. Maybe it works I did not get around it yet.
Feb 10, 2011. 7:09 PMRinaa says:
wat did u use to edit the pictures on for the size ?
Jan 23, 2011. 9:57 AMunanoodle123 says:
can you just use a regular printer? would it still work?
Jan 23, 2011. 10:17 AMmatthijs_melsen says:
You can, I did it :)
Dec 28, 2010. 9:44 AMmatthijs_melsen says:
This is Regina Spektor
I made it for Marthe
Marthe is awesome
PICT0004.JPG
Jan 16, 2011. 2:02 PMvaughnkitty says:
awesome!
May 2, 2009. 10:57 AMartist without a medium says:
I took your instructions and then applied it to this
HPIM2447.JPG
Dec 23, 2010. 11:28 PMMehehehful says:
I really love this, it gives it a more homey look to apply it to cork. Great work!!! Also, love the user name.
Dec 4, 2010. 12:36 PMmatthew5384 says:
WOAH! Hello Roanoke!
Dec 20, 2009. 5:04 PMscuttlebutts says:
did you do it on wood? that's very nice!
Dec 27, 2009. 1:10 AMartist without a medium says:
Actually used cork ( Recycled old cork placematts)  back does have woodblock for hanging on screws. Thx for asking.
Feb 14, 2010. 4:40 AMporcupinemamma says:
Very nice indeed!
Feb 14, 2010. 8:41 AMartist without a medium says:
thank you. This was the last thing I've gotten to do in quite a while but one of my favorites.
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