Photo Tiles

by Maria Williams

Created custom keepsake coasters.

Supplies

4" x 4" Tumbled Tile (Wipe down with a damp cloth to remove any dust and let dry completely)
Tissue Paper
Mod Podge®
Tape
Foam brush
4” x 4” Cork
Permanent glue
Stamp (optional)
StazOn®
Acrylic Sealer

Step-by-Step

Step 1

Cut a piece of tissue paper and tape it to a regular sheet of paper. (This way it will feed through the printer.)
Step 2

Print picture on tissue paper and trim to fit tile.
Step 3

Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge™ to tile.
Step 4

Place picture on the tile.
Step 5

Apply another thin coat of Mod Podge™ over picture and then let dry.
Step 6

Ink stamp with Stazon™, and stamp on tile. Let dry, then cover entire tile with another layer of Mod Podge.
Step 7

After letting the Mod Podge™ dry completely, spray with acrylic spray, following directions on can.
Step 8

After tile is completely dry, turn it over and apply permanent glue to one side of the cork square.
Step 9

Attach cork glue side down to the back of the tile and press down firmly.
Step 10

Let the glue dry and enjoy your coaster!

Your Turn

You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! We've got a section of the gallery set aside for Photo Tiles. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery. Show us your creations!

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Questions and Comments

We'd love to get your feedback or questions. Leave your comment below.

They shouldn't if you seal them with enough coats. I applied a layer of ModPodge over my pictures and then sealed the whole top of the tile with Crystal Clear Enamel Spray twice. I've heard Acrylic sealer works as well. The mod podge with the spray worked best for me.

Melody Steiner | Fri Oct 23, 2009 at 3:31 PM

My ink keeping running when I apply the mod podge on top of the photo. I am using a b&w photo, printed out on fast normal and let it dry several hours. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Donna | Wed Nov 4, 2009 at 5:42 PM

I am also having a problem with the ink running when i apply the mod podge I am using an inkjet printer and I let the photos dry for a couple of days. The other problem i am having is when i use a foam brush the foam seems to be giving the mod podge a purple tint. Ive tried several different foam brushes.

Heather | Mon Nov 9, 2009 at 8:13 PM

Check and make sure you are not using the shiny side of the tissue paper, maybe use only black and white ink that is waterproof. Hope this helps.

Cathy Sue | Tue Nov 10, 2009 at 8:03 AM

I've been making a lot of coasters like this. It's best to make photo copies of your images - I do it at Kinkos. I can fit six 4" x 4" images on a 8 1/2 x 14 page (same price as 8 1/2 x 11). I use the mod podge to stick the image & seal it - Then I brush on a few coats of polyurethane - water based is easier to clean up & less toxic. (you can also use use spray). I've found the coasters hold up pretty well to heat from hot cup but nothing hotter - like a hot pot off the stove. Happy coastering!

Laurie | Wed Dec 2, 2009 at 12:21 AM

Hi! would like to know how to keep the picture from getting wrinkles in it.

crystal | Fri Dec 11, 2009 at 6:17 PM

To help prevent wrinkles, only apply a light coat of mod podge before you put your picture on the tile; Then let the picture dry completely before you add the layer of mod podge over the picture.

Melody | Fri Dec 11, 2009 at 6:25 PM

Would this technique work with a standard photo?

Wendi | Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 12:10 AM

I have printed pictures on regular copy paper on a ink jet printer and they turned out BEAUTIFUL! I use the little bathroom tiles 2x2 and make magnets. The key with paper and the ink jet printer is to spray the picture with acrylic sealer after it dries BEFORE you put it on the tiles. I print out all of the pictures on a 8.5 x 11 page and let it dry for an hour. I then spray a light coat of sealer over the page. Not too close - you don't want spots.

Then cut, modge podge, add a magnet to the back and Whalla - you have personal magnets for the Fridge.

Happy Holidays!

Kristi | Sat Dec 19, 2009 at 12:26 PM

I have done both black & white and color. I always have success with b/w. I have found that when I do color it runs when the picture is printed on the 'glossy' side. I have total success when I print on the 'dull side' of the tissue paper. Remember to let the picture dry completely or else the colors will run! Hope that helps!

Kimberly | Tue Dec 22, 2009 at 5:38 AM

how do you get the air bubbles out after you put the picture on the tile.

chris | Sun Jan 17, 2010 at 9:09 AM

Sometimes part of the image starts to adhere to the tile before I get it placed exactly where I want it, which causes the wrinkles/bubbles.

So, while the modge podge is still wet, I gently press (do NOT rub...it will tear!) down with my fingers with gentle, but firm pressure and the creases will "melt" into the tile. After it dries I apply modge podge and several coats of sealer and you can't even see them.

Another note: to keep the tiles from having "brush stroke" lines when the modge podge dries, I use my finger to gently press all over the tile...this takes the lines off and leaves a more "flat" texture. Then when you seal them they have a nice, smooth appearance.

Hope that helps!

Lori Coughlin | Sun Jan 17, 2010 at 11:52 AM

I have done these and would like to add, that if you spray a light coat of Fixative on your tissue paper after it is printed and dried completely, then let it dry, then the ink should not run when you coat it with Mod Podge. I also use the sponge applicator and sort of pounce my first thin coat of Mod Podge on there to keep from spreading the ink just in case.

Camille | Wed Apr 28, 2010 at 2:23 PM

My problem is the tissue paper, taped to regular paper JAMS in the printer.... any suggestions?

JAMIE McWATTERS | Wed Apr 28, 2010 at 2:51 PM

There is no problem using an inkjet printer - just apply a fixative....

Chanda Cooney | Thu May 13, 2010 at 12:41 PM

What a fun idea for grandparent's Christmas gifts. Question about step one. Does it matter what kind of glue you use to adhere the tissue paper to the regular paper? Are you eventually going to discard the regular paper? Or does it stay on the back of the tissue when gluing to the coaster? Thanks, Julie
FYI Four little furniture circles that go on the bottom of chairs for hard floors work much better than cork. They are already sticky and there is no mess with glue.

Julie | Wed Aug 18, 2010 at 7:32 PM

I made some of these with tissue and I stamped a flower on tissue with versafine black and let it dry good, then colored several times with copics and let dry completely. My problem was when I put the tissue on the tile, it bubbled when I put the mod podge on top. I sprayed with the acrylic spray and let dry but when I put a cup on it, it left a ring. So I tried to spray witha clear spray from rustoleum and it's not quite as bad. I'm not sure how long you have to let these dry before they won't mark up when something is placed on them. Any ideas?

Sherry Lowmaster | Wed Sep 15, 2010 at 3:11 PM

I have tried and tried to do this, but am having trouble with the tissue paper. How do you get it to go through the printer and now tear. I would appreciate any help in getting this to work. I love the tiles!

Marie | Fri Oct 15, 2010 at 11:24 AM

I didn't put the tissue paper in the printer at all. I tried to cut my tissue about the same size as the tile and stamped directly onto the tissue paper with mementos black ink and let it dry good. I then used copic markers to color it and for the lighter colors I had to go over it 3-4 times so that the ink didn't fade when I put the mod podge on. after you apply the mod podge to the tile put your tissue on and use a brayer to smooth it out. let it dry before putting any on top because mine bubbled up when I put the mod podge on while the tile was still wet. you can use wet or dry sand paper--400 grit to smooth it out and apply more mod podge. My problem was finding something that would dry really hard so that that when I put a cup on it, it wouldn't mark it up. I ended up using polyurethane on them and since it takes two weeks to completely cure out I have been waiting to check them out. not sure what I'll do if they still mark when I put a cup on them. hope this helps.

Sherry Lowmaster | Fri Oct 15, 2010 at 6:59 PM

Where did you get the tissue? When I tried it the tissue was so thin it wrinkled when I put it on the tile over the Mod Podge. Is there a little thicker tissue I can get???

Beginning Stamper | Sun Dec 12, 2010 at 3:43 PM

Page 3 of 4 pages < 1 2 3 4 >

Photo Tiles

by Maria Williams

Supplies

Step-by-Step

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9

Step 10

Your Turn

Questions and Comments

The Author

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