DIY Teacher Name Tile

We’ve been upgrading and re-decorating our new home. That means there are LOTS of tile samples in my garage. As a crafter and DIY girl, you know how hard it is to let go of things “I could use” at some point. The good thing is that I knew exactly what to do with the some of the tile samples.

You’ve probably seen beautiful glass tiles like this one.

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These are super popular and I get tons of orders to make them for weddings and anniversaries. Then I thought to myself, “Mrs. Craft Lady, why not make a ‘casual’ version?” So that’s what I did.

The hardest part was choosing which tile to use. In the end, I decided that for this teacher, I’d use a thin 2″ x 8″ ceramic wall tile. This one has a slight contour, giving it a little bit of dimension. It seemed to be more of this particular teacher’s style.

Speaking of style, let’s talk colors and fonts. Miss O is a middle school teacher. She’s one of the “cool, but firm” teachers. She likes things neat and clean. She’s been at the same school for close to 30 years. So I felt pretty safe using the school colors, blue and green, to create her name plate.

As for the font, something pretty, but not super fancy was in order. She usually goes for bold, sans fonts. In fact, her favorite, goto font in Cricut Design Space is “Beefcakes”. That’s all good and fine. But I’m making this, not her. (😂) I wanted something a little more dainty. I decided to go with “ Falcon” for her last name. I paired it with “ CLN String Greens” for a little bit of contrast. I found both fonts on Design Bundles (dot NET). In the end, adding the year she began teaching in regular plain font seemed appropriate.

• ceramic, glass, or other tile (any size will work)
• adhesive vinyl in your choice of colors
• transfer tape
• Cricut cutting machine or other cutting machine
• Design software
• rubbing alcohol
• paper towel

• acrylic paint
• paint brush
• bling rhinestones

1. Measure the tile. Be sure to measure the actual work area, especially if your tile is beveled or contoured like mine.
2. In your design software, insert a shape the same dimensions as your tile work area.
3. If you’re working in Cricut Design Space, you can make the shape you just created a “template.” Select the shape and in the menu where it says “basic cut,” change scroll down to “guide.” Now, you won’t have to worry about hiding or deleting the shape before you cut your project.
4. Select “text” and type the name you want to add to your tile.
5. Position the name on the tile template (guide) where it looks best. Sometimes I’ll unlock the text proportions to see if the name looks better if it’s shorter, taller, etc.
6. If you’d like, add a date (like I did for Ms. O’s tile)
7. Select “make it” and send it to cut.
8. Once your design is cut, trim it down and weed out the extra vinyl

Transferring

1. Clean your tile with a spritz of alcohol and a paper towel or lint-free cloth.
2. Cut a piece of transfer tape slightly larger than your vinyl design.
3. Remove the backing from the transfer tape and apply the transfer tape to the front of your design.
4. Use a scraper or other tool (like a used gift card or something) to burnish the design onto the tape.
5. Peel the transfer tape from the vinyl backing. The idea is to “transfer” the design from the vinyl backing to the transfer tape (I know… I’m funny)
6. Now, for the final transfer: place the transfer tape with the design onto the tile and burnish it to the tile.
7. Slowly peel away the transfer tape and you are set!

What an easy, quick, and FUN project, right. Plus, you can make any alterations or adjustments to make this project for ANYONE for ANY occasion.

We have an amazing community of talented and generous creators. Here are some more blog posts from some of those crafters featuring teacher appreciation diy ideas. Enjoy!

Country Chic Cottage

Candy Bar Wrappers for Teacher Appreciation

Custom Desk Name Plates with Sublimation

“Candy Bar Wrappers for Teacher Appreciation” — The Country Chic Cottage

First Day of School Teacher Gift

“Custom Desk Name Plates with Sublimation” — The Country Chic Cottage

DIY EOS Lip Balm Teacher Gift Idea

“First Day of School Teacher Gift” — The Country Chic Cottage

Craft Tara Creates

How to make your own lanyard with Cricut

“DIY EOS Lip Balm Teacher Gift Idea” — The Country Chic Cottage

https://www.craftaracreates.com/magnetic-faux-leather-bookmark-with-cricut/

This Is Tisa

https://www.thisistisablog.com/2016/05/teachers-gift-dipped-pencils-printable.html

https://www.thisistisablog.com/2017/08/teacher-stationery-free-printable.html

Sweet Red Poppy

https://sweetredpoppy.com/layered-apple-mandala/

https://sweetredpoppy.com/first-day-of-school-teacher-coffee-gift-card-printable/

My Designs In The Chaos

Easy Apple SVG Free Gift Card Holder

“How to make your own lanyard with Cricut” — Craftara Creates

Free Teacher SVG Cutting Files

“Easy Apple SVG Free Gift Card Holder” — My Designs In the Chaos

Well Crafted Studio

How to Make a DIY Tear-Off Notepad

“Free Teacher SVG Cutting Files” — My Designs In the Chaos

Pineapple Paper Co

Teacher Appreciation Printable Tags

“How to Make a DIY Tear-Off Notepad” — Well Crafted Studio

Teacher Appreciation Gift Tag FREE Download

“Teacher Appreciation Printable Tags” — Pineapple Paper Co.

Dinosaur Mama

https://www.dinosaurmama.com/post/cricut-teacher-appreciation-gifts

The Artistry

https://www.creativefabrica.com/the-artistry/sublimation/hooray-for-teachers-three-fun-teacher-gift-ideas/

Crafting In the Rain

Amazon Card for Teacher Appreciation {Craft Lightning}

“Teacher Appreciation Gift Tag FREE Download” — Pineapple Paper Co.

https://craftingintherain.com/washi-tape-teacher-gift-with-printable/

https://craftingintherain.com/ruffled-notebook/

Pigskins and Pigtails

https://www.pigskinsandpigtails.com/2019/04/how-to-screen-print-paper-bags/

https://www.pigskinsandpigtails.com/2020/05/screen-printing-on-cooler-tote-bags-teacher-appreciation-gift-idea/

https://www.pigskinsandpigtails.com/2020/08/screen-printing-teacher-aprons-with-your-cricut-or-silhouette/

Minor DIY

Easy Tear Away Gift Card Holders with the Cricut Joy

“Amazon Card for Teacher Appreciation {Craft Lightning}” — Crafting in the Rain

Craft Box Girls

https://craftboxgirls.com/blogs/articles/85516164-mason-jar-terrarium

https://craftboxgirls.com/blogs/articles/85408772-hand-stamped-kitchen-towels

Polka Dotted Blue Jay

https://polkadottedbluejay.com/clipboard/