May the Fourth DIY Acrylic Coaster Blanks Tutorial (and in time for you to make them!) 2018

In a crafting universe, not so long ago, a woman, Terisa Bostic, made "May the Fourth Be with You" coasters. Thanks for sharing your great idea Terisa!

Supplies:

Items with * have a link to the Craft Chameleon products

* Adhesive Vinyl  (Terisa used solid black)

  SVG Design Program ( Silhouette Studio is used here, Design Space, SCAL, etc)

  Transfer Tape

  Vinyl Application Tool

* Weeding Tool 

* Clear Plastic Coasters
  Star Wars Style Font - Star Jedi is available on DaFont
  Star Wars Quotes  (Google is your friend on this or use Terisa's)

Let's get started!

When Craft Chameleon sends you a shipping confirmation for your coasters, they will attach a link to download the SVG template for the coaster.  This file will have several fantastic designs in it, but for this project, you want the simple coaster outline.  This will give you a guideline for positioning your text. 

If these coasters are for sale and not personal use, here is a tip, I purchased a font from the Silhouette Store titled “In a Galaxy Far Away”.  Select your text icon, and then select this text from your list of font options.

This set of Craft Chameleon comes with 4 coasters, so I created 4 quotes. Type out your desired quote or text.  Each quote or text grouping should be its own individual box.  This makes it easier when you need to change the size to fit the coaster outline.

Click on the transform icon on the right side of your Silhouette Studio screen.  This will allow you to change the size of the text box. My desired size was 3.4”x3.4”.

Type out your 4 desired quotes and adjust them all to fit in the coaster outline. 

Then, highlight the quote within the coaster outline. Right-click to bring up the menu options as shown.  Then click on flip horizontally.  This will reverse the text to allow it to be applied to the underside of the coaster. Do this for all of the coasters.

Send to the Silhouette by clicking 'Send', and then select your material type as Vinyl, glossy. Off it goes and your vinyl is cut.

 Weed out background vinyl, so you are left with only the letters.

 Apply transfer tape to the letters and rub hard on the backside with a scraper.  This allows the vinyl to adhere to the tape.

The acrylic coaster will come with a brown paper covering on both sides. This is to protect the acrylic surface from scratches and dings.  This must be removed before adding the vinyl. 

Simply slide your fingernail under an edge to get a good lift and then slowly peel back. You will end up with a clear piece of acrylic.

Next, peel the paper backing from the vinyl decal.  All the letters will be attached to the tape.

          Line the decal up with the coaster and position as desired.  When you are satisfied, stick the tape to the coaster, and rub hard with the scraper.  Slowly and carefully, pull the transfer tape back from the coasters.  

From this side, the design will look backwards, but this will be the underside of the coaster. Place the clear bumpers on the underside, which will be the side that the vinyl is actually stuck on. Repeat this process for the other 3 coasters.

So are you ready to make your 'May the Fourth be with You' coasters? Remember, "Your focus determines your reality" (Qui-Gon Jinn) and if you think you can't do this then, "I find your lack of faith disturbing" (Darth Varder).  Remember it's easy and "Mind tricks don't work on me" (Watto) and "Great, kid. Don't get cocky" (Han Solo).

Okay, Terisa did not write that corny quotes ending, I did (Jamie). But a big thank you to Terisa for putting together this great idea and tutorial! And May the 4th be with you.