IKEA Window Postcard

In the quest to find more things to put through the mail I turned to the Swedish masters at IKEA. These guys and gals are the ones to watch in terms of shipping so I figured I'd just hack their picture frames into some funky postcards.

This method is a little high-tech, but there's an easy low-tech modification for it.

Step 1 Get a Cheap Frame

Dig through the photo section of IKEA and you'll find plenty of options to show off a photo. Most of these have glass, but the real score are the cheap cheap frames with the polystyrene windows. They're safer to work with and the post office will definitely thank you for it.

My favorite find is the ISIG frame. Two frames that hold 5x7 photos for $3! A tasty deal and even my cat dug the smell when I tore the wrapper off.

Comments

[sscape]

There is a machine in the PO that is roller like and it sends the cards thru and sorts-reads them. Not only does it crack the card it jams the machine. People have to pull it out and check for pieces remaining in the machine. Perhaps you should send these lovely gifts in a package as this could at best gum up the machine temporarily and slow postal service or at worst break the many thousands of dollar machines and cost the taxpayer mucho bucks.

These are lovely and I hope you find a safer way to send them.

[dpocius]

Even cooler if you used slow glass for the window...

[CameronSS]

This instructable has made me decide two things: a) when I get a job (i'm 14) it will be somewhere that I have access to a laser cutter and b) I really want one of those cinnamon rolls right now fedex it now.

[Trebawa]

ditto.

[binnie]

same here. 14 no job and i want access to a laer cutter lol and by the time that roll thing got here it would be years out of date :( lol

[J_SCAP]

well if you are 14 and have a ds type in "dock ds lite knex" in the search

[F-zero]

You could always engrave it by hand with a sharp paperclip or Xacto knife . :D

[ajpik]

Another simple solution would be to print on a transparency or contact paper and then glue it in there.

[cooy]

infact here is a link to a video that will explain that
http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/1Ig0imgc956yg3Akj

[cooy]

i bet one of the machines the post office uses made it crack.

[fungus amungus]

Yeah, that's what I figured as well. I remember some footage from ages ago that showed letters and cards shooting through narrow channels that would turn. That woul explain the split in the middle.

[trebuchet03]

You can also use glass etchant and contact paper if you don't have a laser cutter :P Although, it is a little expensive (about $11 for 6oz. at my art supplier). At least you don't need much.

[fungus amungus]

Does glass etchant work well on polystyrene? Cutting a stencil for this is a lot more work than writing with a permanent marker.

[trebuchet03]

Honestly, I've never tried it on PS - but it sounds like a good experiment :P I agree -- stencil cutting (by hand) takes a lot of effort - especially for something like this (which may not even make it to its final destination).

[fungus amungus]

I'm almost hoping that one of these doesn't make it. So far I'm five for five with four more in the mail right now.

[zachninme]

Wow... You should try using a mirror instead of glass, and see what happens :-P

[fungus amungus]

Funny you should say that...

[JakeTobak]

Cool, just a note though. You never edited out the last names in the other photos aside from the stencil.

[fungus amungus]

All right, I asked. They're fine with it.

[fungus amungus]

True. I doubt it's a security issue. I'll ask my friends, though.