Quirky Vinyl Prints

This week Gloria is joined by Susan Rudman from ceramic art studio and she will be showing us how to make quirky vinyl prints using recycled wood. We will learn different and exciting painting techniques and how to use different colour shades to create depth. Susan will also show us how to use vinyl prints on different surfaces like ceramics, wood, walls and glass.

By Susan Rudman

Ceramic Craft Studio

 susan@ceramiccraftstudio.co.za

Vinyl Application

Requirements

  • Vinly letters or shapes
  • Squeegee or credit card

Instructions

  • Step 1: Clean the surface (wall, wood, glass, window etc) and dry. Surface needs to be smooth and dust-free.  Do not apply to freshly painted walls! Wait for about two weeks to cure.
  • Step 2: The product is made of three layers – the clear/tissue transfer tape, the vinyl decal, and the white grid backing paper. The decal may have pulled away from the transfer tape – just take a squeegee or credit card or ruler and use the edge to rub firmly across the entire image, starting from the centre and working your way to the edges (transfer tape up). Try to work out any bubbles you might see by pressing them towards the edge.
  • Step 3: Slowly peel away the transfer tape making sure the vinyl is coming away with the transfer tape. If it starts to separate, help it stay together by pressing the decal back onto the transfer tape. After the backing paper is removed, slowly roll the decal and transfer tape onto the destination surface. Slowly work out any air bubbles with a squeegee or credit card. Rub the entire image, applying pressure to adhere the vinyl to the surface.
  • Step 4: Gently peel away the transfer tape starting from one corner. If vinyl decal sticks to the transfer tape, help it to stick to the destination surface with your finger. Be patient and go slow. Once the transfer tape is removed, place the backing paper upside down over the vinyl (shiny side down) and rub over with the squeegee / credit card or ruler. Your project is now complete.

Painted Picture Frame

Requirements

  • Floor Polish
  • Vinyl words
  • Port Arthur paint in Blue (darker shade) and Pastel Port Blue (lighter shade)
  • Paint brush
  • A cloth rag

Instructions

  • Step 1: Paint your frame with two coats of Pastel Port Blue.
  • Step 2: Apply the vinyl (see separate instructions).
  • Step 3: Paint a generous layer of the polish all over the painted frame and vinyl.
  • Step 4: Dab spots of paint – the darker shade now – and then lightly rub it with a clean rag.
  • Step 5: If you are battling to evenly spread the darker colour, apply more floor polish. You will continue with this method, back and forth, until you achieve your desired effect.

Wooden Palette Art

Requirements

  • 5 x Pieces of wood – 3 make up the heart and 2 are for the bracing
  • Screws  & screwdriver
  • Black & Original White Acrylic paint
  • Floor Polish
  • Vinyl words
  • Paint Brushes & tweezers

Instructions

  • Step 1:  Assemble the heart by turning your pieces upside down in the correct layout.  Screw the two strips onto the back thus joining the three pieces together with a +- 2mm gap between each slat.  The holes on the two strips of wood line up to the holes on the three planks making it easier to screw them together.
  • Step 2:  Paint the entire front and sides of the heart black. Allow the paint to dry and then apply the vinyl – see vinyl instructions for this application.
  • Step 3:  Paint the floor polish over the black paint. Before the floor polish dries up, paint a very thin coat of Original White over all three slats. Remember this coat needs to be applied thinly so it dries quickly.
  • Step 4:  Now paint the 1st slat with a 2nd thicker coat of Original White and immediately peel off the vinyl using a very sharp tweezer or a Craft knife. Repeat this step with the 2nd and 3rd slats remembering to peel off the vinyl before painting the 3rd slat. Leave it to dry.
  • Step 5:  When the paint is dry, lightly sand it using an 80g sand paper.  Sand your piece as much or as little as you desire to achieve the vintage look. When you’re happy with the outcome, leave the piece for a few hours and then paint another coat of floor polish as a sealer. Your palette project is now complete and ready to be used.