Start Today 5 Minute Decal Transfer on a Coffee Cup + free printable

Start Today 5 Minute Decal Transfer on a Coffee Cup + free printable – learn how to easily decorate your coffee cups with your favorite images with this easy technique, that will completely transform a simple (sometimes boring) cup into your new favorite coffee cup! 

Hello, friends! ♥

Today I have easy project for you – Start Today 5 Minute Decal Transfer on a Coffee Cup + free printable

If you are thinking right now … there’s no way this project only takes 5 minutes…well, it actually does only take 5 minutes to make! And when I’m saying this I’m assuming you already know how to use decal paper and you have somehow become experts when it comes to mastering this technique! :)

It’s an easy technique once you get the hang of it, and if you are a regular reader to Dreams Factory, you already know how much I love using decals for decorating different surfaces.
ALL KIND OF DIFFERENT SURFACES!

If you are new here, you can start by first checking
• this post here -> All about waterslide decal paper transfers and
• all the other projects here -> waterslide decal paper projects.

For me, this technique is one of the most amazing and forthcoming techniques, because I already use decal paper on a regular basis for our handmade decorations. I always have decals on hand and this has somehow become my second nature :) Whenever I feel an object is a little bit dull,  I print a French graphic from The Graphics Fairy or I design a printable using one of the fonts I love at that moment.
The dull object instantly comes to life and for a while becomes my favorite object! At least until I find a new favorite one! :)

I’m sure you can remember the last time I shared a similar project, when I showed you how you can quickly decorate a coffee mug – if not, let me just quickly refresh your memory -> click here to check the project.
Back then I created a beautiful French postcard and I decorated a chic mug that I absolutely adored … and still do!
And just to give you an update – I decorated this chic French mug in November, 2016 and it still looks like when I first decorated it! ↷

That’s the beauty of decal paper – when properly used and cared for, it can hold for many many years!

OK, back to today’s project!

Start Today 5 Minute Decal Transfer on a Coffee Cup + free printable

Before actually moving to creating this project, I have to tell you that I initially designed the ‘Start today’ printable for me!

I’m being completely honest here, so I’ll just admit it’s basically one main reason – I have a need for taking things to perfection lately! This is great and all because we all have to put our hearts into becoming better versions of ourselves, but this make-everything-perfect thing can sometimes work against me – I’m not able to start any new projects or fully enjoy the things I do, and I have the tendency of procrastinating things … a lot.
Why? Because I’m afraid the result won’t be PERFECT.
Maybe its something in our DNA or it’s a more modern issue our society has to face with all the social media that somehow creates a false need for perfection, but this thing can sometime turn into a problem.

So I created this printable as a reminder for me … and for all of you who can relate. We all need to just … start today!

(to download the image on your computer -> right click on the image & save image as)

Start with an open heart doing the things that you love, clear your mind and create something beautiful for yourself or for your loved ones. The final result is important, but sometimes the process that gets you there can be relevant. And fun! And quite therapeutic, too!

And speaking of the ‘start today’ printable – I used a farmhouse script font I found on Creative Market that I really really REALLY love these days – the font it’s called Bushell and Peck  and it’s perfect for all kind of DIY projects!
It’s a ‘flirty, bouncy, SMOOTH script with over 50 alternate characters, a truck-full of vectors and bushel-basket of logos‘, as the creator Callie Hegstrom nicely describes it.
Callie has other amazing fonts in her MakeMediaCo. shop and I really love following her on Instagram too, she always makes my day with her funny-I-can-totally-relate-to posts :) Like this one.

(photo courtesy of  Callie Hegstrom/Creative Market)

The beautiful cup that I’m decorating today is a cup I found in a Pepco store (a European based company that sells affordable objects for your home). Once I saw it I knew I could easily turn this great looking cup into an amazing one … using only waterslide decal paper.  You could try finding something similar online, but keep an eye open in kitchen and home decor shops in your area, even thrift stores or antique markets. You will find your ‘perfect’ cup! :)

Start Today 5 Minute Decal Transfer on a Coffee Cup + free printable

This tutorial only applies to a laserjet printer and decal paper suitable for this type of printer! For inkjet printers follow the manufacturer’s instructions!!!

1. Download the ‘start today’ printable on your computer and print it on the waterslide decal paper.
NOTE:
This is the printer I’m using right now -> HP Laserjet Pro Color Printer
This is the decal paper I’ve been using forever -> Forever Waterslide Decal Paper (I buy it from a retailer in my country)

2. Use your scissors to cut and remove as much as you can of the white paper, as close as you can to the writing.

3. Submerge the printed decal paper into a bowl with cold water and wait for a few seconds (to a few minutes – depending on the type of paper you are using). While still in the water, check to see if the decal film easily slides from the white back paper but don’t peel it off just yet.

4. Add some water to the surface that will be decorated and add the decal paper. Slowly and gradually slide and remove the back white paper and gently arrange the transparent film on the object. 

5. Center and position the decal paper as you wish on the object, the water will help you move the decal up and down, left and right a little bit. When properly centered, use one or two paper towels to gradually remove all the water. Start from the middle of the decal and GENTLY wipe off the excess water moving toward the edges. Again use up and down, left and right moves until all the water and all the air bubbles are completely removed.

6. All done! :)

If everything goes well, this whole process should not take more than 5 minutes!

Start Today 5 Minute Decal Transfer on a Coffee Cup + free printable

Tips & tricks

• If the decal has moved while trying to remove the excess water, and some of the parts are already stuck to the decorated object, add plenty of water and re position it again while still wet.

• If the corners of the decal are bending while trying to position the printable,  try adding more water so that the decal can easily glide on the wet surface and the edges will slowly unbend. If this doesn’t work, carefully add the decal back into the bowl of water along with the white back paper, and re position it on the white back paper while still in the water. Then apply it again following the steps mentioned above. (This might take some practice).

7. Let the decals dry on their own for a few hours, even overnight.

OPTIONAL: After air drying you can also better fix the decals in your oven for about 15 minutes at 180 °C (356 °F) until the decals become shiny and somehow glossy. This is the ‘baking’ time I usually use for my decals when I decorate porcelain, glass or ceramic objects, but this time really depends on the type of decals you are using, on your oven, etc.

Be careful because decals can easily burn if not properly supervised, so I would say this is step is basically a trial and error process for each and everyone of you.

While in the oven, try checking the decals every 5 minutes and see how they look.
• When the decals become more shiny and glossy, they will be ready, so you can remove the object from the oven (using heat resistant gloves and trying not to touch the decal).
• If the decals start to crackle and become matte, they are overly ‘cooked’ … and basically ruined. If this happens, soak the decorated object in hot water for half an hour and you might be able to peel off the burnt decal and start the whole process again.   

Whether you air dry or bake them in the oven, the decals won’t be dishwasher safe! It it best to use warm (not hot!) water and wash them by hand so you can enjoy them for a long period of time!

I hope you guys have fun with this project, if you have any questions, just leave them below.

And speaking of ‘starting today’, I have some great and exciting news! I’m working on my new food blog! Yuhuu!

My new blog will be Foodie Factory, a place where I will be sharing my favorite vegetarian and vegan recipes, lots of how to’s when it comes to a healthier lifestyle and many other foodie finds – like shopping for healthier ingredients, kitchen utensils that will make your life easier, but will also help you get creative in the kitchen and many more. My need for making things perfect tries to kick in here too, but I have a few recipes ready and I’ve decided to just post them and figure ALL the other things as I go.

I will have to actually  find the time to get things going as soon as possible, because food is one of my passions and I really cannot wait to invite you into my kitchen! :)

Of course I will be also sharing my latest finds when it comes to my latte obsession – like my Earl Grey Tea Latte with a secret ingredient recipe or this Tulsi Tea Latte recipe that I absolutely LOVE right now!

Don’t forget to pin for later and share! ↷

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