How to: Make DIY Instagram Coasters with Your Own Photos
Whether you're trying to think of a unique gift for friends and family, or you want to add some personality to your own space, DIY coasters as a perfect option. Using nothing but our own photos and a few crafty tools, we came up with this coaster project which is super fun, super inexpensive, plenty easy, and you can dial it in perfectly for each person on your list - just raid their Instagram or social media accounts! Let's get to it!
DIY Instagram Coasters
Start by cutting the photos so they fit the squares. Remember, if you need to adjust the size, simply use a photo editing tool. If the image stretches too much, then use the original file from your phone.
Materials:
Wood squares (you can buy them already cut at any craft store or you can cut your own). For this project, I used 4.5″ squares.
Your favorite Instagram photos, mirrored and printed with a laser printer. If you need some tips on how to prepare your images, check out this other tutorial by Chris. NOTE: For this project, I took my photos directly from Instagram using the ink361 site, I basically opened the image in Photoshop, adjusted the size, and flipped it (mirrored) to print it.
Sponge, brushes, and a few rags
Make it:
Cut the images to size.
Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the front of the image (printed part) and quickly glue it to the wood square (face down). Try NOT to drag the image or you will tear the paper, rather, just make sure it fits all 4 corners and press down on it from top to bottom. Get rid of any bubbles using a credit card (be gentle!).
Let it dry completely. It'll take an hour or so. Then, grab a rag and soak it with water, squeeze it a little, and place it on top of the glued image. Let the image soak a bit of water and then, GENTLY start rubbing away the top layer. Use the rag to make the paper wet, and use your FINGERS to rub away the paper. Don't use your nails!
Ta-da! Your photo will start showing. But wait, we're not done yet. You have to keep rubbing away until all the paper is gone, try to get as much of it as possible without destroying the photo (which is a bit tricky! So be patient). You will - inevitably - rub off some part of the image, but that's ok, it adds to the whole vintage look.
Once you're done, let it dry again. After it's dry apply one last coat of Mod Podge over the final image (to seal it in) and let it dry. At this point, you can either add some cork on the bottom to prevent scrapes and keep things from sliding around, or you can just leave it as is.
Oh! And here's another idea, you don't necessarily have to use them as coasters, you can also use them as little wall art!
Either way, this project is a super fun way to keep those awesome memories alive.
PS. It also makes an awesome office gift! You're welcome.
Project by: Gabriel Cabrera
Gabriel