Our resident manicure expert, Alex, and I first connected over the idea of a donut manicure. We’ve been saving this concept for Donut Week, and it’s finally time to share it. I wanted to try DIY nail decals, and donuts felt like the perfect playful way to introduce an easy at-home technique. Decals are like tiny tattoos for your nails, so even if you’re not confident with freehand nail art, you can achieve a fun, polished look.
Supplies:
- Printable donut decal graphics (printable provided separately)
- Tattoo paper compatible with your printer
- Inkjet printer
- White nail polish
- Clear top coat
- Scissors
- Pen or pencil
- Wet paper towel
Step-by-step Instructions:
- Print the donut graphics onto tattoo paper following the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific paper and printer.
- Carefully peel the backing from the clear adhesive sheet and place it over the printed decals. Smooth it down firmly to remove any air bubbles.
- Use scissors to cut out each donut decal. Trim close to the design for a clean edge.
- Paint your nails white and allow the polish to dry completely. We opted to place donut slices and partial designs across nails rather than whole donuts. To do this, before removing the clear film, lay a decal over your nail and lightly trace where you’d like the edge to fall, then cut the decal along that line.
- When you’re ready to apply, peel the clear film off the decal and position the decal on your nail. Rub gently with a wet paper towel until the paper backing becomes translucent.
- Peel away the paper backing to reveal the decal transferred onto the nail. Seal the design with a clear top coat to protect and smooth the surface.
Photos by Jeff Mindell | Manicure by Beautilitarian | Nail decal designs and creative direction by Studio DIY | Hand modeling by Samantha
These decals make it easy to create professional-looking nail art at home with minimal skill. Once you get the hang of printing and applying the tattoo paper, you can experiment with different placements, colors, and combinations to make the look your own. Have fun turning your nails into tiny, delicious canvases!
For more donut-inspired projects, explore the donut tag in the original collection.