Introduction: Make Waterslide Photo Lanterns!

By Just Might DIY YouTube Channel;
About: My love of making things started young, with a mom who was always coming up with projects and a dad whose tool collection still gives me envy. I got my love of bright colors from mom and my love of working wi…

Having just gotten back from a great trip, we wanted a fun way to display some of our favorite photos. While we've tried many times to apply images to glass, using Waterslide Decal Paper is by far our favorite (and honestly, the most effective) way. Hiipoo provided us a pack of their new Waterslide paper to try out, and we learned quite a few important tips to do this successfully. So grab some of your favorite photos and a lantern or two, and follow along as we make this fun project!

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Supplies

(Amazon links = Affiliate Links)

Hiipoo Waterslide Paper: https://amzn.to/37kfJ6h

Rustoleum 2X Clear Gloss Sealant: https://amzn.to/3yxyuPu

Inkjet Printer (We use the Epson EcoTank 2760): https://amzn.to/3xuBjiZ

Self-Healing Cutting Mat: https://amzn.to/37uaLnf

Cricut Knife (Exacto): https://amzn.to/2VCbdx2

Clear Cricut Ruler: https://amzn.to/2X19vpW

Lanterns (purchased at Michael's, but similar available on Amazon):

Michaels - https://www.michaels.com/8.6in-mini-black-lantern...

Amazon - https://amzn.to/3Adc9XU

Remote Controlled LED Lights: https://amzn.to/2VwdESd

99% Rubbing Alcohol: https://amzn.to/3jvgGy4

Hobby Lobby Stencil Blanks: https://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Hobbies/Stencil...

Cricut Maker: https://amzn.to/3rUoCgh

Cricut Deep Cut Blade: https://amzn.to/2VkdKMZ

Cricut Regular Grip Mat (12x24): https://amzn.to/3xrf5yg

Cricut Spatula: https://amzn.to/2VEDTG0

Clear Tape: https://amzn.to/3CeZANH

Scissors: https://amzn.to/3AhZLWO

Water
Paper Towels

Affiliate/Program Notification
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. You don't pay anything extra for the items you buy...we just get credit for referring you!

Step 1: ​Remove Glass From Lanterns

To get started, you'll need to know what size the glass is in your lanterns and then prep those panes for applying the waterslide.

Gather the following supplies: lantern(s), Cricut spatula, rubbing alcohol, lint-free cloth, measuring tape.

Follow these steps:

1. Remove the panes of glass from the lanterns. If, like most lanterns, there's adhesive keeping the glass panes in place, use the Cricut spatula to gently separate the adhesive from the glass.

2. Clean any smudges and remaining adhesive off with the rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth.

3. Use the measuring tape to measure the panes of glass.

Step 2: ​Print and Seal Images

Now it's time to pick, print and seal your images!

Gather the following supplies: computer, inkjet printer, Waterslide paper, Rustoleum 2X Clear Gloss Sealant (must be this brand).

Follow these steps:

1. Size your images to the right dimensions in your favorite photo editing program. We used Canva for this project.

2. Insert a sheet of waterslide paper into your inkjet printer, ensuring that it will be printing on the glossy side.

3. Mirror your image before you print.

Note: We didn't do this, but it would have been a good idea to, as we ended up flipping the panes of glass around when we inserted them into the lanterns.

4. Print your image using a Glossy Photo Paper setting.

5. Let your prints dry before moving onto the next step.

6. Seal the entire page with 3 coats of Rustoleum 2X Clear Gloss Sealant, allowing for appropriate drying time in between coats per the directions on the can and ambient temperature in your location.

Note: we tried other sealants, but they didn't work nearly as well (and some not at all). Definitely buy this specific sealant - there's a link in the Supplies section of this Instructable.

7. Let the sealant cure for a full 24 hours after the last coat before moving on to the next step.

Step 3: ​Apply Waterslide Decals to Glass

Now it's time to slide, baby slide! Get ready for some fun...

Gather the following supplies: bowl with water (large enough to submerge your largest image), self-healing cutting mat, Exacto knife, clear ruler, rubbing alcohol, lint-free cloth, paper towels/shop towels

Follow these steps:

1. Using the Exacto knife, ruler and self-healing cutting mat, trim the images to size, being careful to not apply too much pressure (which could crack the edges of the sealant).

2. Clean the glass pane one more time to remove any oil, smudges, etc.

3. Wet glass pain with water.

4. Soak the sealed image in water for 60 seconds.

Note: The paper will want to curl when you put it in water; we held the image at the four corners to ensure that it didn't curl, as curling can cause cracking in the sealant.

5. Place one side of the image on the pane of glass and gently hold that side in place while you slide the backing off of the rest of the image.

6. Use a folded paper towel to remove excess water from the applied image, starting in the middle, moving outward.

7. Let image cure for at least 3 hours before moving onto the next step. We let ours cure overnight.

Step 4: ​Create Diffusion Panels and Insert Into Lanterns

As the waterslide photos were quite translucent on the glass, we wanted to add some panels to diffuse the light behind the photos. So, we grabbed some stencil film from Hobby Lobby and went straight to the Cricut!

Gather the following supplies: Cricut, standard grip mat, deep point blade for Cricut, stencil film, computer

Follow these steps:

1. In Design Space, create rectangles the exact size of your glass panes.

2. Adhere stencil film to the mat.

3. Make sure you're using the Deep Point Blade in your Cricut.

4. Cut the stencil film using custom Cricut settings (300 pressure, 2x cut).

5. Remove shapes from mat.

6. Place stencil film shapes on the same side as your photos on the glass.

7. Insert panes + stencil film into lantern.

Step 5: ​Add Lighting

Now all you have to do is add lights! We chose those "fairy lights" or mini LEDs with a remote to make it easy to turn the lanterns on and off.

Gather the following supplies: remote controlled mini LED lights, scissors, regular tape

Follow these steps:

1. Create a cardboard tube out of the packaging that came with your lights.

2. Wrap mini LEDs around the tube, cutting slits at the top and bottom to secure cords.

3. Tape the tube to the battery pack and insert into lantern.

Step 6: ​Enjoy!

We hope that this tutorial was helpful. If you liked this project, please head over to JustMightDIY.com for other tips, DIY stories and more. And if you’re interested in checking out more of our tutorials, check out our Instructables profile or head over to our YouTube channel.