Coco's Crafts

Clay plate series · Part 3

Decorate 3D printed miniature plates

Part 3 of the plate series: ready-made 3D printed plates, sanded smooth, then decorated two ways: hand painted with paint pens, or with waterslide decals.

Affiliate disclosure: this page contains Amazon affiliate links, marked "(paid link)". As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra. More about affiliate links.

Shop this video's productsWatch the videoSupplies used

Watch Part 3

Video thumbnail: How to Decorate 3D Printed Plates: Paint Pens + Waterslide Decals (Miniature Plates Part 3)Play: How to Decorate 3D Printed Plates: Paint Pens + Waterslide Decals (Miniature Plates Part 3)

Length 9:34. On YouTube since October 8, 2026. The player loads from YouTube (youtube-nocookie.com) only when you press play. Watch on YouTube.

What you'll make

The shortcut from the end of Part 2: ready-made 3D printed plates, sanded smooth and decorated two ways.

You'll make: 3D printed miniature plates, hand painted with paint pens or decorated with waterslide decals.

  1. Print and sandCoco printed these plates in Bambu Lab PLA Matte, Bone White, then sanded the surface and edges with very fine sandpaper.
  2. PaintBrush on a thin base coat of glaze, wait 15 minutes, paint with paint pens, dry overnight, then glaze twice.
  3. Or apply a decalDon't glaze first: soak the decal 15 seconds, slide it onto the dampened plate, press out air pockets, dry overnight, then glaze twice.

Shop this video's products

The plates in this video are Coco's 3D print files: print them on your own printer (or at a local print shop), then decorate them with her waterslide decals or by hand. Instant downloads, for personal use only.

Licence for Coco's designs: Personal use only: selling finished items made with these designs or files is not allowed, and the files may not be shared or resold. Instant downloads; prices in US dollars.

Browse all of Coco's 3D-Printed Plates & Tableware →

Products used in this video

Choose the stage you're working on. Open its supply list for the smaller tools and everyday materials.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. "View on Amazon (paid link)" buttons are Amazon affiliate links; Coco's own designs are sold on this site. Check the seller's size and product details before ordering.

Prep & Glaze

Other supplies for this stage (2)
Bambu Lab PLA Matte, Bone WhiteThe filament these plates were printed with
Soft cloth or paper towelTo clean off the sanding dust

Coco's tips

Safety: miniatures have small parts and are not food safe. Keep them away from young children and pets.

Questions & answers

What filament were the plates printed in?

Bambu Lab PLA Matte, Bone White. The glaze warms the white a little: the painted pumpkin plate turned a soft cream after its coats.

Why sand the plates first?

Print lines show through paint, so Coco sands the surface and edges as smooth as she can with very fine sandpaper, then cleans off the dust.

Should I glaze before applying a decal?

No. For decals, sand the plate but don't glaze it first. Glaze twice after the decal has dried overnight.

Can I sell the plates I make with Coco's designs?

No. Coco's designs and files are for personal use only: selling finished items made with them is not allowed, and the files may not be shared or resold.

Are these miniatures food safe?

No. They're decorative and not food safe. They also have small parts, so keep them away from young children and pets.

Keep making