Reface a Cabinet With Computer-Generated Graphics

Steps:

1. Measure area of cabinet door that lends itself to refacing — a flat surface in the center surrounded by a carved border, for instance. Consider also the capability of your printer — can it handle media wider than 8-1/2", etc.? Wide-carriage printers increase your refacing options.

2. Choose a design; then size and color it to your specifications in your software.

Figure A

3. With scissors, cut a piece of wood veneer slightly larger than your final design. Set your printer to manual feed (versus an automatic, in-tray setting), and select a back, straight pass-through mode, if you have one. Print design on the veneer.

4. Spray printout with art-fixative and let dry 15 minutes. Spray once more and dry same time.

Figure B

5. Use scissors to trim final design. Lightly sand edges to smooth.

6. Spray veneer with varnish, according to package instructions. Use several coats, depending on humidity of room and desired finished look.

7. When dry, spray back of veneer (plain or sticky-backed, with backing removed) generously with adhesive. If design will be placed under a door handle, mark with a pencil and use a screw to gently poke through any holes.

8. Place in position on clean, dry cabinet door; press and hold until set.

Tips:

- To avoid printer jams, be sure to watch unconventional papers as they pass through your printer; gently push wood veneer as it enters printer paper path and stand by with a helping hand while printing.
- If your printer allows for straight-path printing, use it. Be sure to set your software to manual feed and turn off any options you might have for automatic paper-size sensing.

Custom Fabric Printer Sheets

Materials and Tools:

light card stock
non-stretch fabric (size of card stock)
basting spray
clear tape

Figure C

Steps:

1. Spray card stock with basting spray.

2. Carefully smooth fabric into position on card stock. It must be absolutely flat. (The basting spray allows easy repositioning, if necessary.)

3. Cover bottom edge of the fabric with a length of tape. The objective is to get an even, smooth entry edge to the sheet for the printer to grab.

4. Print onto the fabric.

5. Carefully remove the fabric from the card stock, and remove the tape from the fabric.