I've always wanted to make one of those personalized welcome mats that I see all over Pinterest. My business is custom oriented so, when I received an inquiry about making one from a pin I saved on my Pinterest page, I was kinda excited to give it a try!
First, I educated myself then, I ended up making it how I would make it without education! I think it turned out great!
Here are the steps I took in making my personalized welcome mat. I started with a blank coir doormat. They can be found at any big box home improvement store.
Here is a list of the other supplies needed for this project:
-Masking tape
-Acrylic paint (burnt umber)
-Small foam dauber
-Plastic container or pallet for the paint
-Scissors
-Freezer paper sheets
-Copy machine
After you pick the font you want for your design, use your computer to print enough letters to spell your words on printer paper. Also, print or draw your graphic on printer paper. Next, I roughly cut out my letters, spelled out the words needed for my design by taping them in a straight line, taking into consideration the space available on the printer paper and on the door mat.
After my mock up was complete, I copied each piece of printer paper onto freezer paper pre-cut sheets. I then carefully cut out my letters and graphic (cattle brand). Basically, cut out any part that will be painted.
Carefully cut out the printed letters and graphic.
After graphic and words are cut out.
Layout your graphic and word templates on the mat where you want them, then iron them down using the highest heat.
Place small pieces of masking tape underneath the template in places where better adhesion is needed. For extra stability, carefully tape the outer edges. Believe it or not, freezer paper attaches nicely to the coir mat but the masking tape shouldn't be ironed so, only add it after your finished ironing the templates to the mat.
Now, time to paint! I squeezed a workable amount into my plastic bowl. Dip your foam dauber into the paint and carefully dab the paint firmly on edges of the cut out areas. Don't linger too long in one place with the paint dauber. Acrylic paint isn't very runny but, it's better to be safe then sorry! Continue filling in the centers of your cut out letters. You can go back and add second layer of paint before the template is removed or after. I did 2 light coats, one right after the other and then touch ups after my template was removed.
The template can be removed immediately or you can wait an hour or two. When Acrylic paint dries, it gets kinda hard so, it's best to do your touch ups before it completely dries.
Here's my finished personalized welcome mat! Not bad for a first timer!
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Danali Home-Custom Studio
danalicustom@gmail.com
danalihome.wix.com/danalihome
