How to paint on plates that you can eat off with permanent dishwasher-proof patterns, and how to use a paper doily as a vintage-style stencil.

It’s a fun way to match my eclectic collection of vintage pottery. I have a bit of a plate habit and love to buy vintage crockery from junk shops and flea markets. I like fluted-edged plates.

Using paint and paper doilies, I can transform old ceramic plates by adding colour and a lace pattern. The paint on the plates can be made permanent and dishwasher-proof, ensuring your designs last.

Paper and cloth doilies can create so many wonderful lace patterns. They add a Boho touch to your home decor. I’ve also made doily stencilled cushions, which look great on my Shibori sofa.

(There is a printable how-to card for this craft at the end of the post.)

How To Paint Ceramic Plates

Having revamped my boring cushions with a paper doily stencil, I thought, why not do the same with my plates? That’s what I did, and it was a fantastic improvement.

I’ll show you how easy it is to paint ceramic plates with permanent paint. Using a stencil, you can paint intricate patterns without special artistic skills or a steady hand.

It is easy to upcycle old white plates with paint in different colours and a paper doily!

What Paints To Use On Ceramic Plates

There are several different ways to paint old crockery. You can use acrylic paints, porcelain paints, and even permanent markers such as Sharpies. The best paints I have found are those designed for porcelain, especially the baked version, rather than the easier no-bake paint.

For a baked, painted plate, you seal it by putting it in an oven. The paint tends to be more robust than the easy, no-bake paint.

If you plan to eat off the decorated plates, use ceramic paint labelled food-safe and toxins-free. If the China will be used as a wall decoration or for non-food purposes, you can use enamel acrylic paint. Another way to ensure the finished ceramic pieces are food-safe is to use a food-safe sealer.

We’re a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Materials Need to Paint Plates

• Plate – You can use any old china plate for this project. Jumble sales, thrift shops, and Facebook Marketplace are good cheap sources for vintage crockery. I ask relatives and friends if they have old China they don’t want.
• Porcelain paints—There are two types of porcelain paints: bake and no-bake. Baked paints are best if you plan to use the plates rather than for just decorative purposes. There are also porcelain paint pens for more accurate painting.
• Rubbing alcohol
• Assortment of paper doilies – Look for vintage lace patterns you would like as a decoration.
• Repositionable spray adhesive – To easily remove the doily stencil. Or you can use masking tape
• Small paint brush

How To Paint China

Step 1: First, wash your ceramic plates with hot, soapy water. Then, make sure they are thoroughly dry. Rub the ceramics with rubbing alcohol to remove soapy residue or sticky marks from labels.

Step 2: Next, spray the back of the paper doily with repositionable spray adhesive. Then place it onto the plate to where you want the pattern. I placed my stencil on the edges of the plate and off centre.

Step 3: Next, use a small paint brush and load up the tip of the brush. Only use a small amount of porcelain paint. Then carefully dab in the holes of the paper doily. Be careful not to have too much paint on your brush, as this may seep under the doily.

Step 4: When you’ve finished painting in the doily holes, carefully lift off the paper doily stencil.

Step 5: To finish off, make sure the paint on the plates drys thoroughly.

With no-bake porcelain, paints leave the plates to dry for a couple of days before using and washing them. They will only be dishwasher er safe up to 40 °C, so it’s best to wash them by hand.

If you use the baked version of porcelain paint, the pattern will be more robust and last longer.

How To Set The Paint in The Oven

There will be instructions on the bottle of paint used on how to set it. But this is the method I use, the only thing that might be different is the recommended oven temperature.

1. Place the painted plate in a cold oven. This will reduce the chance of them cracking. The ceramics can be placed on either a rack or the base of the oven, it doesn’t matter.
2. Turn the oven temperature to 160 °C, about 325°F.
3. Once the oven has reached the temperature, leave the plates in for 40mins.
4. Then turn off the oven but leave the plates in until it has cooled, this will take a couple of hours.

The plates will then be ready to use. I made my painted plates a few years ago and they look just as good as the day I made them. I used the baked-on paint method to make the paint permanent on the plates. They have even been in the dishwasher a few times and the paint hasn’t faded.

I’m on the lookout for some other plates to paint with stencils. I like the doily pattern, but I also have some Pineapple stencils and Moroccan stencils in my craft cupboard I’d love to try out with painted ceramics.

If you are more artistically confident, you can just free-style paint patterns on your old plates and our designs.

If you have a few doilies left over then you should check out these easy paper doily crafts.

Tips for Success:

• Practice First: Test your technique on an old plate before working on your main piece.
• Clean Mistakes Quickly: Use paper towels to wipe off any mistakes while the paint is still wet.
• Choose the Right Background: Use white plates as a canvas for the best results. The contrast makes the colours pop beautifully.
• Get Creative: Thrifted plates are a great way to practice and perfect your ceramic painting skills. Try different patterns and colour combinations.

Painting on plates is not only a fun and creative project but also a fantastic way to create unique home decor pieces with your hands. Whether you’re looking to add a personal touch to your kitchen or create a special gift, this method of ceramic painting offers endless possibilities. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to upcycle and give new life to old plates.

Other Ideas

I don’t just paint old China crockery. I also paint glass to decorate and upcycle old windows and vases. You should check out my painted bee window herb planter and Christmas window decoration.

This post was updated in June 2024