We pause our Halloween content to share a cheerful birthday project created with our partners at Hallmark: colorful edge-painted dessert plates. These easy-to-make plates were a birthday gift for our resident food contributor, Theresa, and were inspired by a bright, quirky Hallmark Studio Ink card. The idea is simple, fun, and quick — you can make a whole set for friends who love serving treats.
I chose this card for Theresa because its clean layout and bold colors matched her style. The card’s playful food elements made it perfect for a gift centered on serving treats. We translated the card’s bright palette and quirky touch into simple white plates by painting just the rims, creating a small but effective pop of color she can use every day.
DIY Color-Edged Dessert Plates
Total Time: 10 Minutes per Plate
Supplies
Plain white ceramic plates
Non-toxic, ceramic-safe paint
Cotton swabs
Directions
1. Follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions for surface preparation. In our case, we wiped the plate rim with alcohol to remove oils and dust.
2. Dip a cotton swab into the paint and run it along the very edge of the plate. Re-dip as needed to maintain a smooth, even line. Add a second coat after the first has dried if you want a more vivid color.
3. Allow the paint to dry completely and cure according to the paint’s instructions to ensure durability.
Note: These plates should be hand washed only to preserve the painted edge.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
This technique is also a great way to refresh a thrift-store find or give mismatched plates a cohesive, colorful update.
This post was created in partnership with Hallmark. All content and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that help keep Studio DIY going. Read more about editorial policies on the site.