How To Print Your Own Window Decorations With Static Window Cling In this article you will be shown you how to make your own window decorations using your home PC with clear A4 window cling film. It is a lot easier than you might think if you follow the step by step instructions. What is Clear Window Cling? Clear window cling is a transparent A4 sheet of plastic which is designed to pass through your home computer allowing for you to print your own customised pictures, text and designs to turn into window decorations. Window cling is available for either inkjet or laser printers and usually consists of a sheet of clear static film with a plastic backing sheet which peels away after printing. On the sheets that I use, there is text which clearly shows which side to print on. Example Christmas Decoration Window Cling Project Obviously, the main advantage and reason for making your own window decorations rather than buying them is that you can personalise them.
Maybe you wish to add a family
message under a Christmas picture or create a series of custom window clings to sit next to each other, there are so many project ideas, limited only by imagination. For a recent Christmas decoration, I knew that I wanted some Christmas baubles and stars along with a festive message for the family on a centre window cling. Finding Pictures For these type of projects a great place to start is Google images. If you head over to Google and click the image tab at the top, you will change the search to be able to see just images. If you type in “Christmas decorations” you’ll see hundreds of related images. What you need to look for are the decorations with white backgrounds, not pictures with backgrounds of rooms or anything else.
Also, your image needs to be large enough to be able to create your window decoration. When looking at images on Google you will see that there is an option on the left to limit your searches to small, medium, large size etc. Select large images only as this will ensure that your chosen picture is suitable. Basically when you come around to inserting the picture into Microsoft word, you’ll be able to drag it smaller should you wish but avoid dragging it larger as this distorts the quality of the original picture. Once you find an image, right click, save as and save the image to your pc. Transferring images onto the window cling Insert your pictures into your Microsoft word document or similar. You will be placing your finished decoration onto the inside of the window so if your intent is for people to view your decoration from the outside, create your design or print in reverse or “mirror mode”. This function can usually be found in the print option preferences. If you are just intending for your design to be seen from the inside, just print in the regular mode. Each sheet of window cling comes with text saying “print on other side” so make sure that you place the film into your printer so that the correct side is printed on.
Once you are
happy with your pictures and text, simply print as you would a regular sheet of paper. You will find that your pictures and text are now translucent. The next step is to cut your design out using scissors, close to the edges before peeling off the backing. This will ensure that the borders are only slightly visible even on close inspection. Now, peel away the backing making sure that you avoid touching the sensitive static side of your newly created decoration and place, static side onto the window. You will be able to reposition if you need to as window cling should not leave any residue due to the back being static instead of adhesive. Voila, your first decorative window cling is complete.
Window signs A popular project is for shop opening times, customised with shop information like telephone number, address etc. Mirrors Great fun for children as they can decorate their bedroom mirrors with pictures and text with their being no problems with sticky residue when it’s time to remove or change them. Try searching for cartoon animals on Google image search for some fun project ideas for kids mirror stickers. Resource There are many craft based ideas that you can embark upon to brighten up your home and the things in it. By using window cling you can make window stickers that look really great and will have people asking you how you made your windows look so good. Window cling is a transparent A4 plastic sheet that can be used with both inkjet and laser printers to create designs that will make your home look really beautiful. All you need is a computer and some ideas. There are many places where you can find great images and you can use search engines such as Google to find the designs that you would like to add to your windows.