Hand Decorated Switch Plates

Making Custom Designed Switch Plates

I would like to make designer switch plates.

I saw them at the festival of the sea craft fair in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. I would like to learn how to make them. It looked like fancy floral paper covered with some kind of glossy finish.

Phil

I suspect the switch plates you saw were decoupaged; although they also might have been hand painted, stenciled or decaled.

Product Sources

In any event, first find the best source you can for switch plates at close to wholesale prices. You need to figure out if you can make any profit on this or at least pay for your materials - unless you're independently wealthy!

I searched the Internet a bit and was shocked at the prices. The best deal on switch plates I found was at Restoration Hardware. The least expensive switch plates were $7.50 each; but if you buy in quantity, you can get them for $3.75. You might do better at your local hardware super store.

Check out some of the wholesale resources in the article Top 10 Free Onlne Wholesale Resources.

One source to consider is World Wide Brands, and and its light bulk wholesale directory. You might be able to buy at wholesale in smaller quantities.

So much for supplies.

Decorating the Switch Plates

For hand painting, white ceramic would be lovely.

For decoupage, any smooth firm surface would work. See my article on Decoupage Methods for detailed instructions.

Good sources for floral paper are wrapping paper, decorated tissue paper and magazine pictures. Also see the books I recommend in The Art of Decoupage, that contain art specifically designed for decoupage.

You might want to try different themes as well. How about food labels like Tabasco or spaghetti sauce for kitchen switch plates, liquor or wine labels for the bar, etc.?

If you are at all familiar with (or would like to try) computer graphics, see my article on Graphics Programs for Crafters. Print Artist has the best selection of images for what you have in mind.

Graphics programs literally put designs right at your fingertips. You don't have to go scavenging magazines or soaking labels off of jars. Also you have control over the paper to be used for your decoupage.

However, make sure to check the terms of use of any program you use for copyright information. Many programs do not allow use of their designs for articles to be re-sold.

If you decide to hand paint ceramic switch plates, I recommend Delta Air-Dry PermEnamel paints. These are the only paints for glass and ceramic which air dry to a durable finish that is even dishwasher-safe! You definitely want such a finish since switch plates gather fingerprints and need frequent wiping down.

Finally, you can print decals on your computer to apply to the switch plates. Please visit Waterslide Decals for more information.

I think your idea is excellent. Good luck with it! Once you get going, I would be happy to post a sample of your work alongside this letter. Just send me a JPEG picture.