Supply List:

• Melamine Plates
• Decorative Napkins
• Mod Podge Matte
• Plastic Wrap
• Pitt Pens
• Optional – Stickles
• Optional – Art Resin

Today’s project involves adding napkin art to melamine plates and trays, which I love because they can double as cute pieces of decor and as functional plates for holiday treats! These plates will not be dishwasher safe – this is a type of plate that you can use for wrapped items or candy, or you can place a napkin underneath the food item. However, if you would like to make your plate food-safe, you would need to apply resin on the top of the plate (which I will explain how to do!)

Adding Napkin Art to Melamine Plates

First, I’m going to create a template for cutting my napkins. Grab a piece of copy paper and place it on your plate, creasing around the inner circle. You can do the same thing with the tray as well. Then, cut your templates out and you can use these as you are cutting your napkins.

I’m using a cute Santa napkin for my plate. First, I’m going to cut around the image and then separate the plys until I just have that top layer of napkin art. Apply a coat of Mod Podge Matte onto your plate. Place your napkin on top and then use a plastic sheet to smooth it out. Let it dry, add a second coat of Mod Podge on top, and then dry it again. 

For my other plate, I will use the circle template to cut out “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” and then I’ll also cut out some ornaments from another napkin. I’d like to have these ornaments overlap the red napkin a little bit, so I’ll need to paint underneath it. Trace around the ornaments with a Frixion Pen and then fill that area in with white chalk paint. Use the same technique to apply the napkin art and dry it with a heat tool.

Adding Details to Your Napkin Art

At this point, you can use Pitt Pens to do outline and add detail lines to your napkin art. I also have a Gold Krylon Pen that I’ll use to outline my entire red circle to create a pretty gold accent. Feel free to also add Stickles to different areas of your napkin art that you would like some sparkle.

How to Make Your Christmas Plates Food-Safe

If you would like to make your Christmas plates and trays food-safe, you will need to apply resin. This will give it a nice glossy look too. I use Art Resin, which includes a bottle of hardener and resin (Just follow the directions on the bottle!)

Once you have your resin, you will just lightly paint it on with a silicone brush or gloved hands. It will spread and self-level, even if you add a thin layer. 

I love working with these melamine plates because they are so durable and can be painted on and napkinized very easily! Plus, this project doubles as both home decor sitting on an easel or as a serving plate or tray for treats.

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