Reverse Decoupage Glass Plate
Intro: Reverse Decoupage Glass Plate
This is a decorative plate that can be customized for any holiday or event. It uses a reverse decoupage technique on the back of the plate, which allows you to use the front of the plate for food.
STEP 1: Materials
Materials needed:
clear glass plate (any shape)
I got this plate at World Market, but I have also seen them at craft stores. Choose a plate with flat, clear glass, no etching or cut-glass designs.
decorative paper for central panel: wrapping paper, magazine picture, calendar picture, greeting card, etc.
Do not use a picture printed on your inkjet printer because the ink will run with the water-based glue.
Glossy Photographs don't work well because they resist the glue and there will be air bubbles between the photo and the glass.
Greeting cards with textures or glitter do not work well. You want to have flat paper to get a good bubble-free seal between paper and glass. I find calendar pictures have a perfect weight, thick enough that the printing on the opposite side does not show through, but thin enough to be flexible and get a good adhesion to the glass. Wrapping paper works great too (especially for holidays and special occasions) and you have an infinite variety of designs.
For this example, I used a paper money envelope from Chinese New Year.
metallic paper doilies
mod podge
acrylic craft paint that coordinates with your featured paper.
paint brush
scissors
clear glass plate (any shape)
I got this plate at World Market, but I have also seen them at craft stores. Choose a plate with flat, clear glass, no etching or cut-glass designs.
decorative paper for central panel: wrapping paper, magazine picture, calendar picture, greeting card, etc.
Do not use a picture printed on your inkjet printer because the ink will run with the water-based glue.
Glossy Photographs don't work well because they resist the glue and there will be air bubbles between the photo and the glass.
Greeting cards with textures or glitter do not work well. You want to have flat paper to get a good bubble-free seal between paper and glass. I find calendar pictures have a perfect weight, thick enough that the printing on the opposite side does not show through, but thin enough to be flexible and get a good adhesion to the glass. Wrapping paper works great too (especially for holidays and special occasions) and you have an infinite variety of designs.
For this example, I used a paper money envelope from Chinese New Year.
metallic paper doilies
mod podge
acrylic craft paint that coordinates with your featured paper.
paint brush
scissors
STEP 2: Gluing the Paper
Remove the price tag from the plate and wash the plate in hot soapy water. You want to remove any dust and oils so the glue will stick the best. Dry thoroughly and avoid getting any lint on the plate.
Cut the paper for the central panel of the plate. This should be the size of the flat central area of the plate from the back, not including the ridge.
Using mod podge, glue your central motif paper to the BACK of the plate, with the picture facing the glass.
Squeeze out any wrinkles and air bubbles and let the glue dry completely. you may need to squeeze out wrinkles as the glue dries.
Cut the paper for the central panel of the plate. This should be the size of the flat central area of the plate from the back, not including the ridge.
Using mod podge, glue your central motif paper to the BACK of the plate, with the picture facing the glass.
Squeeze out any wrinkles and air bubbles and let the glue dry completely. you may need to squeeze out wrinkles as the glue dries.
STEP 3: Gluing the Border
Next, cut the metallic paper doily to fit the border of the plate. You may need to cut up more than one doily and piece the medallions together.
Using mod podge, Glue the doily pieces to the back of the plate, with the metallic side facing the glass.
Squeeze out air bubbles and let the glue dry completely.
You will know when it's completely dry when the glue is clear when viewed from the FRONT of the plate.
Mod Podge is milky white when wet, but will dry clear.
Apply another coat of mod podge over the entire back of the plate (central section too) to seal the paper. Let the glue dry completely.
Using mod podge, Glue the doily pieces to the back of the plate, with the metallic side facing the glass.
Squeeze out air bubbles and let the glue dry completely.
You will know when it's completely dry when the glue is clear when viewed from the FRONT of the plate.
Mod Podge is milky white when wet, but will dry clear.
Apply another coat of mod podge over the entire back of the plate (central section too) to seal the paper. Let the glue dry completely.
STEP 4: Painting the Back
Next, paint the entire back of the plate with your acrylic craft paint. You may need several coats to make the paint opaque. You don't want to see through the spaces in the doilies.
Let the paint dry between each coat.
Last step: Apply one last coat of glossy mod podge to the back, to protect the paint and provide more durability.
Optional- use marine varnish or polyurethane to make it more water-resistant.
Let the paint dry between each coat.
Last step: Apply one last coat of glossy mod podge to the back, to protect the paint and provide more durability.
Optional- use marine varnish or polyurethane to make it more water-resistant.
STEP 5: Care of the Plate
Now your plate is finished! You can display it on a wall or shelf. It makes a great holiday gift, or for birthday, wedding, new baby, etc.
Care:
Plate can be used to serve food- the front is all glass so that side is very durable, it can be used with metal utensils, etc.
I like to use them for serving dry snacks like cookies, cheese & crackers.
The back is a little more delicate.
Do not wash in a dishwasher and do not immerse plate in water. Do not scrub the back of plate with scrubby sponge or abrasives.
Try to wash the front side of plate only, since that is where the food touches anyway. The back can have a little brief water exposure, like a quick rinse, but be sure to dry it immediately with a soft towel.
Care:
Plate can be used to serve food- the front is all glass so that side is very durable, it can be used with metal utensils, etc.
I like to use them for serving dry snacks like cookies, cheese & crackers.
The back is a little more delicate.
Do not wash in a dishwasher and do not immerse plate in water. Do not scrub the back of plate with scrubby sponge or abrasives.
Try to wash the front side of plate only, since that is where the food touches anyway. The back can have a little brief water exposure, like a quick rinse, but be sure to dry it immediately with a soft towel.
STEP 6: Gallery of Plates
Here are some of the different plates I have made using this technique. You can see the different shapes of glass plates that are available.
11 Comments
dgotthardt 10 years ago
Tifto 5 years ago
you can seal the ink on a home printed (or any) photo. Buy a cheap fluid called Button Polish or Sanding Sealer. Dab it all over. It is a pale tea colour but dries instantly and is transparent. As a general rule I always seal paper even good quality prints because it strengthens the consistency and protects the colours if you need to wipe the surface.
Lilianelliot123 8 years ago
I have a question. How do you keep the back of the plate clean looking, no bumps or lumps, after finished product. I've made this, they turn out gorgeous but, the back of the plate looks full of lumps and bumps. I wish that i can get a more clean look. Can you please give me a suggestion? Thank you!
Tifto 5 years ago
try not to use thick papers and make sure you smooth all the edges really flat.
Mommycatt 7 years ago
I loved the tutorial, too! I added a step, however. I glued some thing felt onto the back for two reasons: 1) like you, I wanted to hide the bumps. 2) as a gift, with felt on the back, it helps the recipient know to not wash the back too much. Plus, it helps to protect the paint. My next thing will be to try loose flock. I imagine that will be messy, though.
Lilianelliot123 8 years ago
This is a fabulous tutorial! Thank you.
jampab 10 years ago
My printer is an Epson Artisan, with 5 ink cartridges, but i have also used images from other printers. These images have usually 'dried' for a day or so, but i've also used one's relatively fresh...a half hour or so.
I use modge podge as well as regular all-purpose glue watered down. If you're really a nervous nelly, you might try sealing your image first with a spray something-or-other and I've also used spray glue/adhesive to do this...have Fun, won't Run....
meowsugar 11 years ago
Jessie Marie 11 years ago
mole1 11 years ago
Lorddrake 11 years ago