Pick something that is around 1⁄2 and 3⁄4 inch (1. 3 and 1. 9 cm). If it is too small, you’ll lose too much detail in the photo. If it is too big, it will be too heavy and slide off of the fridge. Another alternative is to use a plastic cabochon, which you can find online or in a store that sells casting supplies. You may be able to find square-shaped glass gems in the mosaic section of a craft store.
The photo should be small enough so that you can see the subject through the cabochon. If it is too big, resize the photo using an image editing program, such as Photoshop.
It’s important to trace the cabochon because they are rarely perfect circles.
Don’t use a craft hole punch if you used a glass cabochon; glass cabochon are rarely perfectly round. If you are using a plastic cabochon, you can a craft hole punch in a matching size. This is because plastic cabochons are machine-made and perfectly round.
You can also use a silicone sealer instead. [6] X Research source For best results, wipe the back of the cabochon with rubbing alcohol first. This will help the glue stick better.
Let each coat of decoupage glue dry before adding the next coat. Extend the glue past the edges of the photo and onto the glass to help seal it in further.
How long it takes for the glue to set depends on the type that you are using. Hot glue will only take a few minutes, but other types of glue will take a few hours. Do not use decoupage glue for this step. It is not strong enough.
Make sure that your photo is high-quality. Don’t use a fuzzy or pixelated image. You can use photo paper, but you will be covering the photo with decoupage glue, so it won’t make too much of a different in terms of texture.
Cut just inside the lines that you traced so that they aren’t visible on the photo. Consider cutting the photo a little smaller than the tile. This way, the tile will create a frame-like border around the photo.
If any of the decoupage glue leaks out from under the photo, wipe it away with your finger or brush. It will take about 15 to 20 minutes for the glue to dry.
It can take several hours for the decoupage glue to dry completely. Some glues also have several days’ curing time, so check the instruction label. A glossy finish will look the nicest, but you can use any finish you want. Extend the decoupage glue past the edges of the photo to seal it in and prevent it from peeling up.
You can use other types of glue too, such as tacky glue or industrial strength glue. Do not use decoupage glue for this. If the magnet is too small, you can glue more magnets to the back of the tile. For example, you can glue 1 in each corner, or glue 3 to make a shamrock shape.
If you don’t have an ink jet printer, take the photo file on a USB drive to a print shop, and get it printed there.
Make sure that the lid is clean. If it is dirty, wash it with warm, soapy water, then pat it dry with a towel. You can sometimes buy mason jar lids separately in a craft store. For a more unique magnet, spray paint the ring portion of the lid a different color, then let it dry.
You can try using a pencil for this, but it may not show up, especially if you used photo paper.
The ring part of the lid will create a frame. Skip this step if you don’t want this frame. [19] X Research source For a nicer finish, glue the disk inside-out so that underside is visible on the outside of the lid.
If you want to add more depth to your magnet, glue a piece of cardboard into the lid first.
Use a round magnet if you used both the inner and outer parts of the lid. Use a magnetic strip if you used just the inner part of the lid.
For a fancier magnet, use a rhinestone or pearl trim instead.
You can enlarge the photo by changing the file size, then inputting your desired dimensions. For a simpler program, such as Microsoft Paint, you’ll need to enlarge it using the magnifier.
The ink will be wet once it prints out. Wait a few minutes for it to dry, otherwise it will smear when you touch it.
If you are leaving a border, keep in mind that it will be 3 times narrower after you bake it.
You don’t have to wait for the photo to uncurl all the way. As long as about 90% of it is flat, you are good. Keep an eye on the photo. The bigger your photo is, the longer it will take to bake.
You can press down on it with your hands or with a textbook. This will help flatten the plastic further. How long it takes for the plastic to cool depends on how big it was to begin with. The bigger it is, the longer it will take. Expect to wait only a few minutes, however.
A thin, magnetic strip will work the best for this, but you can use a round magnet too. Self-adhesive magnets may be strong enough to hold the Shrinky Dink up. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to glue it, however.
