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In this post: Easy to make, these DIY Photo Coasters will keep your favorite photos nearby and totally display-worthy! Sorta like old-school photo albums, only more useful!
Want to make your own picture coasters so you can keep fun memories close by and have them be useful too?!
Sometimes I miss photo albums. I miss sitting down and flipping through the memories held in the faces and events that are captured in old photographs. I miss the feel of holding a real picture in my hands. Sometimes looking at photos all lit up on a screen just isn’t the same as studying a tangible photo. Do you know what I mean?
Months ago I printed a dozen or so photos from my Instagram feed and then promptly forgot about them. Yesterday while cleaning up the disaster that will become my office/studio in the basement I came across them again, this time deciding that I’d actually make some DIY photo coasters.
(I was inspired by A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book for this project.)
Table of Contents
DIY Photo Coasters
I think when I initially ordered the prints (12 for $6 from Snapstagram or 24 for $12 from Printstagram), I was going to make a little gallery wall. But we are quickly running out of wall real estate in the backsplit so I nixed that idea. Just this morning (nothing like last minute!) I realized I had all the necessary supplies to make my own DIY photo coasters instead.
Supplies
- cork
- photo prints
- laminate sheets (sticky clear vinyl type)
- Mod Podge
- ruler
- utility knife
- pencil
Instructions
1. Using one of your prints trimmed to the size and shape you like (mine were 4″x4″), trace squares onto cork tiles. Trim each square using scissors or an exacto knife and a ruler. If you use a knife be sure to protect your table surface with a glass cutting board or a self-healing mat. Set aside.
2. Also using one of your prints trimmed to size, trace squares onto back of vinyl book protector. This is the stuff libraries used to use to protect paperback books. (Do they still do that?) Trim each square of vinyl to size. You could also you laminating sheets.
3. Peel backing off of one vinyl square and adhere to front of one photo. If your photos are glossy you should be able to reposition vinyl if necessary. This will protect your photos from spills. Repeat for all photos.
4. Using a brush, apply Mod Podge/glue to a square of cork. Then affix photo to cork. Repeat for each photo and let dry.
Make Your Own Coasters - DIY Photo Coasters Tutorial
Materials
- cork
- photo prints
- laminate sheets (sticky clear vinyl type)
- Mod Podge
Tools
- ruler
- utility knife
- pencil
Instructions
- Using one of your prints trimmed to the size and shape you like (mine were 4″x4″), trace squares onto cork tiles. Trim each square using scissors or an exacto knife and a ruler. If you use a knife be sure to protect your table surface with a glass cutting board or a self-healing mat. Set aside.
- Also using one of your prints trimmed to size, trace squares onto back of vinyl book protector. This is the stuff libraries used to use to protect paperback books. (Do they still do that?) Trim each square of vinyl to size. You could also you laminating sheets.
- Peel backing off of one vinyl square and adhere to front of one photo. If your photos are glossy you should be able to reposition vinyl if necessary. This will protect your photos from spills. Repeat for all photos.
- Using a brush, apply Mod Podge/glue to a square of cork. Then affix photo to cork. Repeat for each photo and let dry.
Do you miss photo albums too? Have you ever made picture coasters? Have you found other creative ways to display your photographs?
