You don’t expect to see polycarbonate table decoration on a table set for a party. Against all the odds, polycarbonate really comes into its own here, allowing you to give a modern twist to your table decoration. In this blog, we show you how to make unique polycarbonate nameplates, menu cards and napkin rings.
What do you need?
Nameplates and menu cards:
A marker pen for labelling
Cork coasters with a diameter of 4 in
A cutting mat
A knife /Stanley knife
Napkin rings:
Clear polycarbonate sheet 2 mm
An oven and oven gloves
A baking tray with baking paper
A glass bottle with the desired diameter of the napkin rings
For this project, we have opted for transparent polycarbonate sheets, combined with cork. This gives an attractive effect if you plan to dress the table with copper and wooden materials.
Polycarbonate nameplates and menus
For the making nameplates and menus, you use a marker pen to write names and dishes on the polycarbonate. Your handwriting’s not very beautiful? Then choose a font in Word, for example, and print the text. Then place this under the polycarbonate sheet. Now all you have to do is trace the letters.
Use the cork coasters as a base for the nameplates. Use a knife to cut out a 3 mm seam, where you place the nameplate.
Homemade napkin rings
Napkin rings are also an essential part of a festively set table. You bend napkin rings made of polycarbonate into the desired shape by heating them in the oven. You have to act quickly: you will only get the desired result if the polycarbonate is soft enough.
This is how you do it:
1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees;
2. Place the polycarbonate on the baking sheet in the middle of the oven;
3. Remove the polycarbonate sheet from the oven after 5 minutes.
Now it is soft enough to deform;
Pay attention! Not every oven heats the same. Stand by the oven, wait until the sheet is slightly distorted and then take it out of the oven immediately.
4. Place the polycarbonate sheet on the glass bottle and carefully, quickly and evenly bend it around the bottle;
5. Hold the polycarbonate in place until it has cooled.
More tips and inspiration
Further table decoration ideas include coasters, glasses, plates and bowls. You can also use polycarbonate sheets to make a tray. Looking for more table decoration ideas? Then read our blog “Making your own table decoration – part 2” to learn how to transform polycarbonate sheet into a bowl.
www.justpolycarbonate.com