From Trash to Treasure: 3 DIY Methods For Miniature Plates for Dollhouses!

If you’ve ever wondered how to make miniature plates for dollhouses using everyday materials, you’re in the right place. In this blog post, I’ll show you two fun and affordable methods to create tiny, realistic dishes without buying any special supplies.

We’ll turn scraps like plastic packaging and old buttons into miniature plates that look perfect on a dollhouse dining table!

How to Make Miniature Plates from Plastic

If you’ve ever looked at leftover food packaging and thought it was useless, think again! In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to turn a simple piece of plastic into miniature plates for your dollhouse.

We’ll go step by step through cutting, shaping, and painting so you can create realistic little dishes that look like porcelain but cost nothing at all.

These plates also pair perfectly with the miniature bowls and plates from quilling paper I shared earlier.

Materials You Need

• A piece of clear plastic (like from food packaging)
• a tealight
• Circular stencil or shape (like a ruler template)
• Scissors
• Acrylic paint (white, optional gold for details)
• Small paintbrush

That’s all!

Step by Step Tutorial

• Cut a square piece of clear plastic packaging large enough for your plate.

• Hold the plastic carefully over a candle flame, moving it around so it softens evenly. Not to close so it doesn’t burn to become black or brown!

• Once soft, press the warm plastic into a round stencil shape to form the plate curve. Underneath the soft plastics, you can use anything , from buttons to coins.
  And to form the top of it, use a circle stencil.
  I hope you understand what I mean? If not, feel free to leave a question in the comment section!

• Let the plastic cool and harden, then cut out the plate neatly with scissors.

• Paint the plate with white acrylic paint so it looks like porcelain. It’s better to use 2 layers, first a primer and then the final layer. ( a real primer instead of just using white paint is probably even better, but I didn’t have it in my house at the time of making this tutorial )

• For extra detail, add a thin gold rim or small decorative touches with a fine brush. You can finish up by adding gloss nailpolish to make them shine!
  

There you go, you can now have ordinary plastic sheets turn into mini plates and decorate them any way you like: by painting or by adding miniature printable plates from paper!

Check out all my printable miniature vintage plates from my Etsy store to have that antique look!

Transform buttons into miniature antique plates!

Turning old buttons into dollhouse plates is one of the easiest and most satisfying miniature hacks.

With just a few household supplies and some printable plate designs, you can create charming little dishes that look like real porcelain. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how I transformed a handful of plain buttons into beautiful vintage-style miniature plates using my own printable designs.

Materials Needed:

• Clear nail polish (top coat) for sealing
• Old buttons (flat ones work best)
• Sandpaper
• White acrylic paint or white nail polish
• Printable miniature plates (get them here: set 1 and set 2)
• Mod Podge or any decoupage glue

Step-by-step tutorial

• Step 1: Prepare the Buttons
  Choose flat buttons that will serve as the base for your miniature plates.
  

• Step 2: Sand the Surface
  Use sandpaper to smooth the button surface and remove any raised texture. This helps the paint/nailpolish and printables stick better.

• Step 3: Apply a Base Coat
  Paint the sanded buttons with a layer of white acrylic paint or nail polish. This will cover the original button color. Make sure the button doesn’t have holes that are too big; as you can see in the picture, paint or nail polish doesn’t cover them up.

• Step 4: Add a Second and even a third Layer
  Let the first coat dry, then add a second layer for an even finish. You can repeat this step until the button is fully covered.

• Step 5: Cut Out the Plate Printables
  Carefully cut out your chosen designs from the printable sheets. Trim slightly around the edges so they fit perfectly on the button. To help them fit smoothly on the slightly curved button surface, make a few tiny snips around the edges of the circle. This way, the paper bends better and won’t wrinkle when glued down.

• Step 6: Glue on the Design
  Apply Mod Podge or a thin layer of glue onto the button surface. Place the printable design on top and smooth and press it down gently.

• Step 7: Add a Gloss Finish
  For a realistic plate look, apply a clear nail polish top coat. This will give your plates a shiny, ceramic-like finish.

• Step 8: Finishing Touches
  Once dry, your miniature plates are ready to display! Mix and match different designs for a beautiful set of vintage-style dollhouse dishes.

Mini Plates DIY with the Air-Dry Clay Method.

If you don’t have buttons or printables at hand, air-dry clay is another simple way to create miniature plates. The process is quick, beginner-friendly, and allows you to paint and decorate your dishes however you like.

Materials required:

• Clear varnish or nail polish (optional, for shine)
• Air-dry clay
• Coin (for cutting circles)
• Pen cap, bottle cap, or marker cap (as a mold)
• Acrylic paint (any colors you like)
• Fine brush or dotting tool

Step-by-step tutorial

• Step 1: Flatten the Clay
  Roll out a piece of air-dry clay about 2–3 mm thick. Try to keep it even for a smooth result.
  

• Step 2: Cut Out Circles
  Place a coin on the clay and cut around it with a craft knife to make a round plate base.

• Step 3: Shape the Plate
  Take a pen cap or similar rounded object and press the clay circle over it. This gives your plate a gentle curved shape.
  

• Step 4: Smooth the Rim
  Run your finger lightly around the edge to even it out. Set aside and let the clay dry fully.
  

• Step 5: Paint the Plates
  Apply a base coat with acrylic paint or nail polish. White works well for a ceramic look, or finished with clear nail polish.
  

• Step 6: Add Designs and another seal for shine.
  
  Use a fine brush or dotting tool to add simple patterns like dots, stripes, or borders. Make each plate unique or create a matching set.

You can finish with another layer of clear varnish or nail polish to give your plates a glossy ceramic finish.

Related article: How to make miniatures from trash and scraps?

My Final Conclusion

And there you have it: three simple but effective ways to make miniature plates for your dollhouse or diorama.

I’d love to know which method you’d like to try first, or if you have another creative idea for making tiny plates. Drop a comment below and share your thoughts. I always enjoy hearing your tips and seeing what you come up with!

I wish you happy crafting!

Kind regards,

Lizzy

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