Plan
Your Objective
A
Photograph of you or your kids makes a great holiday gift for grandparents.
For a coworker, teacher, or coach, why not put a photo of the entire
team on a mug for a unique and memorable parting present? You might
even put your pet's picture on a mug as a thank you gift for their
Vet. Let your imagination be your guide.
Find
Your Image
Begin
by buying the mug you'll use so you can measure the approximate size
of the image you'll need to create. Then locate an image. If you
have a digital camera, the task is easy as lining up the subjects
and taking a range of snaps so you have plenty to choose from. Download
these from your camera, and select one to use. If you plan to use
a regular photo you'll need to scan it into your computer.
Edit
the Image
Open
your image in your graphics software. While most photos are rectangular,
you may not want to use this shape for your mug. You may also want
to cut away (or crop) the unwanted edges of the photo to draw attention
to your subject. Use the selection tool in your graphics application
of choice to highlight your subject, and use the cropping command
to discard the remainder. Or you can select what you want to keep,
Copy it, and then Paste it into a new document. You can use the other
tools in your software to enhance the colors in the image and to
remove or redraw any parts that need fixing up. If you like use the
software's text options to add a message to the image. Choose a font
and a color that compliment the image, and size the text so it can
be easily read. If you're placing the text over the top of the image
you may find that adding a drop shadow helps "lift" the text so it
can be more easily read.
Size
up the image
Before
you can print the image you'll need to resize your masterpiece to
fit onto your mug. To do this, you'll need to know at what resolution
your printer can print. Check the print dialogue box or your printer's
manual for its capability, set your image to this resolution, and
resize it so it will print at the required size. Programs like Photoshop
have a Resize Wizard to step you through the process. Other programs
may function differently - check your program's Help file if you
are unsure how to use it. If problems persist, try printing on plain
paper to gauge your results. When an image is the correct size, save
a copy and you're ready to print the decal.
Print
and Assemble your mug
Print
a test of the image to ensure it looks appropriate, and the sizing
is correct. Then load the Water
Slide Decal Paper into the printer to print your image on the
glossy side. Choose the white paper for colored mugs, and clear paper
for the white ones. Spray the image with the fixative spray following
the manufacturer's
instructions so the ink won't run. Let the paper dry thoroughly,
then cut out the image, and place it in the water until the paper
curls and the decal lifts off. Slide the decal onto the mug, blot
it lightly, and set it aside to dry. Your mug may not do well in
a dishwasher, but with careful hand washing you can drink to your
friends for a long time.
|
Plan
Your Objective
Find
Your Image
Edit
the Image
Size up
the image
Print
and Assemble
your mug
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