Emily Griffis is a senior literature and creative writing major and writes DIYs for The Daily News. Her views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper or The Daily. Write to Emily at epgriffis@bsu.edu.
Some apartments and dorm room mini-fridges are bland and boring. These Polaroid photo magnets are the perfect solution to add some color and personality to your space.
What you'll need:
- Photos
- Design software
- Paintbrushes
- Glue
- Exacto knife
- Magnets
- Art board
- Paint (optional)
Step 1:
Decide what photos you want on your magnets, and then place them into a Polaroid template.
You can easily create your own template using design software, such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator or Gimp. For Ball State students, these programs are readily available on most university computers.
Once you’ve put your photos into a template, print them out on a thick cardstock or photo paper. You can do this with your own printer, at a photo kiosk (like in Wal-Mart) or a printing services center. I got mine printed at Cardinal Copy Center in Robert Bell 160.
By Krista Sanford
Step 2:
Next you need to attach your photos to the base. The base can be any kind of thick cardboard or paper. I used mounting board, which can be found in any art store and most craft supply stores, like Hobby Lobby, for less than $5. You can also use standard cardboard or photo mat, but the finished product might not be as sturdy.
Use a paintbrush to spread the glue across the back of your photos and press them securely to the board. It’s easier to attach the entire sheet of photos onto the board without cutting them apart first. It minimizes the amount of cutting you’ll need to do in step 3.
Note: Use strong, liquid glue that can double as a finish. I used Modge Podge Matte. You can also use Modge Podge Gloss for a shinier finish.
By Krista Sanford
Step 3:
Using your Exacto knife, cut the Polaroids apart. If you use mounting board, this process might take a while; it’s very thick, and you’ll need to run your knife along a cut multiple times to break all the way through. Continue cutting until all the pieces are separated. If the edges get a little rough, use your knife to refine them. If this doesn’t work, you can use a clean emery board to shave down the jagged edges.
Optional: If your mounting board, or alternate base, is not white, you can use a cheap, white craft paint to cover the edges and backs to match the Polaroid frames for a more professional look.
By Krista Sanford
Step 4:
Once your paint is dry, attach magnets to the back of your Polaroids. Hobby Lobby sells packs of thin magnet strips that already have adhesive on the back. They can easily be cut with scissors, so all you need to do is cut them to size and stick them on.
By Krista Sanford
Step 5:
Use your Modge Podge, or another type of finishing, to coat the tops of your Polaroids. This will make the photos look shiny and protect the tops from scratches. Don’t panic if it looks white at first, Modge Podge always dries clear.
Lay the Polaroids out to dry for 10-15 minutes.
Note: If you use something other than Modge Podge, make sure it says “clear finish” or “dries clear” somewhere on the bottle.
Read More
Indiana Pacers defeat the Washington Wizards at home
By Derran Cobb / 2 hours agoIn the Pacers first of four straight home games, the Blue and Gold would defeat the Wizards 115-103. Pascal Siakam led the way with 22 points.
Cardinals fall to Western Michigan in MAC Championship Final
By Daniel Kehn / 4 hours agoBall State ended the 2024 season with a loss to Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference Championship Final.
Turning the Tides: How Ryleigh Skaggs is changing Wes-Del girls' basketball
By Logan Connor / 13 hours agoHead coach Ryleigh Skaggs is looking to turn the narrative on Wes-Del girls’ basketball
