Serve your trays with transfers

Hands-on time: 2 hours.
Total time: add 16 hours for drying.
Skill: Easy.
Cost estimate: Less than $7 each.

Materials & Tools

• Baking or cookie tray (I used an old baking tray that we were ready to discard)
• Spray paint in your choice of colour
• Newspapers
• Image printout on photo-finish paper or quality ink-jet paper (image size depends on the size of your tray, and print-out size capacity of your printer)
• Scissors
• Painter's tape
• Transfer medium (e.g., Decal-It by Plaid, available at craft stores)
• A flat paint brush
• Ruler
• Clean cloths, paper towels

Transfer inspiring images on an ordinary baking tray and transform it into a magnificent magnet board to suit your home office, kitchen or playroom décor.

Before starting the project, clean the tray thoroughly with a household cleaner to remove grease, oil and dirt, then wipe dry.

In a well-ventilated space on a protected work area covered with newspapers, spray the tray with spray paint in the colour of your choice. Allow the primer coat to dry for two hours, repeat with a top coat, and let dry for another two hours.

On photo-finish paper or quality graphic paper, print an image of your choice to an appropriate size for your tray; choose from family pictures, inspirational images, or contemporary prints. Wallpaper, newspaper, maps and photocopies can also be used to accomplish this transfer project.

Tape the selected image or images face up to a clean work surface (garage or laundry room counter). Apply six coats of Decal-It in alternating directions (apply one coat on sideways, the next one up and down, and repeat). Allow each coat to dry until clear. After all coats have been applied, let dry for eight hours, or overnight.

In a sink or plastic container with warm water, soak the image for 30 minutes. Remove from water and place the image face down on a work surface. Remove the paper from the back of the print by carefully rubbing it off with your fingers until all the paper is removed and the image is translucent. To avoid stretching or tearing the image, don't rub the image too hard. Once dry, cut or trim the image if needed. I prefer to use photo-finish paper because after the soaking step it comes off in one piece, creating better results.

Apply Decal-it to the back of the design and to the trays surface, position the image into place. Smooth out the air bubbles with paintbrush and fingers, wipe the edge of the tray with a damp cloth and then let dry for eight hours.

Tips

• To add a fun touch, instead of the usual black magnets, paint small magnets (available at craft stores) in the assorted colours to match your tray.

Variations

• To create original magnets for your new magnet board, printout images directly onto magnetic papers, and cut them in assorted geometric or amusing shapes. Muffin trays, vases, wood frames, boards, assorted bowls, jars and ornaments can also be used for other variations of this project.