This instructable will teach you how to apply cool images of your choice to your electrical switchplates.
My wife and I like to have cool switch plates in our house. And usually we buy them from stores, or ebay. Recently we saw one that we really liked for our hallway project, but it cost $34.99!!! At that point I figured I was going to take matters in my own hands and make my own. Since then, I have made several of these for our own home and for gifts. What I have done is essentially backward engineer how to decorate these plates; they are very nice but perhaps not as polished as the truly professional ones. But this is an easy project that you can complete in just 3 or 4 hours, must of which is time waiting for the glue to dry.
Things you need to make this instructable:
1) An image, you can use an existing image on paper or you can print it yourself
2) A switch plate, new or used, metal or plastic, doesn't matter
3) A pair of scissors to cut the paper
4) A bottle of Mod-Podge, $7 at any craft store or ebay, you will need less than an ounce
5) A brush, sponge-type or regular bristle
6) Utility knife
My wife and I like to have cool switch plates in our house. And usually we buy them from stores, or ebay. Recently we saw one that we really liked for our hallway project, but it cost $34.99!!! At that point I figured I was going to take matters in my own hands and make my own. Since then, I have made several of these for our own home and for gifts. What I have done is essentially backward engineer how to decorate these plates; they are very nice but perhaps not as polished as the truly professional ones. But this is an easy project that you can complete in just 3 or 4 hours, must of which is time waiting for the glue to dry.
Things you need to make this instructable:
1) An image, you can use an existing image on paper or you can print it yourself
2) A switch plate, new or used, metal or plastic, doesn't matter
3) A pair of scissors to cut the paper
4) A bottle of Mod-Podge, $7 at any craft store or ebay, you will need less than an ounce
5) A brush, sponge-type or regular bristle
6) Utility knife
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Start with a brand new or used switch plate; keep the screws handy, you may want to paint them to match.
Obtain a piece of suitable artwork that you might like. If you find it online, tweak it in an imaging program like Photoshop, or MS Paint until you get a size that works with your plate.
Plain copy paper works great for this project, but thin glossy paper is fine too. Thicker paper may work but you may need to soak it in water until it relaxes. If you print your image, a LASER printer is ideal, an inkjet printer will work, but the quality may be inferior (especially when it comes to the long term). I will show you examples of plates done with both. I would let images that you print yourself at least a few hours to dry before you proceed with the project.
Obtain a piece of suitable artwork that you might like. If you find it online, tweak it in an imaging program like Photoshop, or MS Paint until you get a size that works with your plate.
Plain copy paper works great for this project, but thin glossy paper is fine too. Thicker paper may work but you may need to soak it in water until it relaxes. If you print your image, a LASER printer is ideal, an inkjet printer will work, but the quality may be inferior (especially when it comes to the long term). I will show you examples of plates done with both. I would let images that you print yourself at least a few hours to dry before you proceed with the project.
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Just a thought....
Yeah I just hand made a switch cover that was really easy! I bought some stuff from Michaels and just painted on designs. Lots of fun and cheaper than trying to order some... I found some on Decorative Switch Plates .com But they were to expensive for me.