Introduction: Dirty Plates
Christmas is a time for reconnecting with old friends and giving them gifts with naked people on them. Or at least that's one of my own personal traditions. I gave friends bars of dirty soap a few years ago and many of them still have them in pristine condition and on display in their homes. So I figured I'd make something new: dirty plates!
These plates are 9" glass plates from IKEA that are pretty cheap so it's a very affordable gift. All the value is in the awesome art you're going to add.
Step 1: Get an Image
Go forth and explore the internet until you've found an image you really like.
Picture intentionally left off of this step.
Step 2: Clean Up the Image
Open the image with your favorite photo-editing program. I use Photoshop, but GIMP is free and I hear it works well enough.
This image didn't need too much clean up. My process was this:
- Make image grayscale
- Tweak the levels to brighten it up and make light grays white
- Erase bits and pieces left over
- Rotate 90 degrees to fit on 8.5" x 11" sheet
Other images might require more work with the eraser tool.
Step 3: Print and Cut
Print out the image on the office printer during work hours and rush over to pick it up. Or do like I did and print it, start some other project, remember what I printed, and run over to the printer to find the printout under some expense reports.
Trim off the excess with a razor.
Step 4: Stick It and Paint It
I used some spray adhesive on the image and stuck it to the back of the plate. I've seen others recommend a diluted white glue (2 parts glue, 1 part water) to stick it on.
Let that dry and then spray on your favorite color for a backdrop.
When the paint is dry, apply a couple of coats of clear coat to preserve it.
Enjoy!
Step 5: Two Layer Paint
For something slightly fancier, you can use two colors for a backdrop.
Put a stencil on the plate and spray your first color. In this picture that is the blue paint.
After the first color has dried, remove the stencil and spray on the second color. Here it's green.
Now wrap up the plates and give them out to your friends!
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20 Comments
12 years ago on Step 5
So can you eat on them? This is very important, because I want to include care instructions with the plates.
12 years ago on Step 4
will the finished plate be dishwasher safe or at least safe to wash in the sink? Or is this only to be used as decoration?
Reply 12 years ago on Step 4
I doubt it because glue or spray adhesive rarely last in water (had a project go to hell because of that). You could use a resin or epoxy to seal the back but I'm not sure how well it would look. Unless you're really experienced with using resin.
12 years ago on Introduction
Your project makes me lol. Very clever.
12 years ago on Introduction
Now, what you should do is:
Get a picture of a t-bone or eggs and hash browns.
After they have eaten the food.
Take a picture and put that on the plate too.
Huh...Dirty plate....with a bonus!!
Good instructable!
Heads up!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
LOL.... I like your idea.....hehee
12 years ago on Introduction
Next, dirty laundry?
Nice project!
12 years ago on Introduction
Have you tried xerox ink transfer to the plate glass, or doesn't that work these days?
It was really big when I was in college, but we had some behemoth xerox machines in those days with black powder ink that got everywhere when you changed the 2 pound cartridges.
For a while we were doing photo copy transfer to anything that would stand still.
12 years ago on Introduction
these are COOL and they dont have to be nakied pictures, You could do a full colored flower or a picture of your friends or parents home, their dog or even a grandchild... nice job fungus
12 years ago on Introduction
Brilliant.
How do they stand up to use, or are they purely for decoration?
Can they be put in a dishwasher?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I've only used them for decoration so far. They should be OK for use with handwashing.
12 years ago on Introduction
Hey, I'm still looking for a gift for my mom, think she'd like this? LOL. :D
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
DO IT
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Go for it xD
12 years ago on Introduction
great ideaa
12 years ago on Introduction
tastefully documented, and would be an awesome gift to receive!
12 years ago on Introduction
Very Nice, I needed an unusual gift for a unique friend. Do you use a special paint or just any spray paint? thanks
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I use Montana paints because the color selection is awesome. They're a little harder to find, but our local art supply store stocks 'em.
12 years ago on Step 4
So you spray the paint on the back of the plate too...? and what type of clear coat do you recommend?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Everything on the back. I used Krylon clear coat, but I haven't done a thorough test of different clear coats. It's a side that won't be seen nearly as much anyway.