DIY Coloring Placemats: Easy Laminating Tutorial

Contents hide

1 🎨 DIY Coloring Placemats: Turn Your Coloring Pages into Reusable Table Art

1.1 ✂️ What You’ll Need

1.2 🖍️ Step-by-Step Guide to Making DIY Coloring Placemats

1.3 🌟 Creative Ways to Use DIY Coloring Placemats

1.4 💡 Laminating Tips for Best Results

1.5 🩵 Free Printable Pages to Start Your DIY Coloring Placemats

1.6 ❓ FAQ: DIY Coloring Placemats

1.7 ✨ Final Thoughts

🎨 DIY Coloring Placemats: Turn Your Coloring Pages into Reusable Table Art

DIY Coloring Placemats - Overhead flat lay of a dining table setting with colorful laminated placemats featuring mandala and floral coloring page designs, surrounded by colored pencils, laminating sheets, and a cup of tea, warm natural lighting, cozy craft aesthetic — Overhead flat lay of a dining table setting with colorful laminated placemats featuring mandala and floral coloring page designs, surrounded by colored pencils, laminating sheets, and a cup of tea, warm natural lighting, cozy craft aesthetic

If you love creative crafts, you’ll adore this project — DIY coloring placemats!
It’s a fun and straightforward way to give your finished coloring pages a second life. Whether decorating for the holidays, crafting with kids, or adding a personal touch to your dining table, this project combines art, practicality, and pure joy.

With just a few simple materials and your favorite coloring pages, you can create beautiful and functional placemats — washable, reusable, and unique. It’s a wonderful blend of mindfulness, creativity, and sustainability.

Neatly arranged crafting supplies on white background: stack of colored coloring pages, laminating pouches, scissors, cardstock paper, washi tape rolls, and markers, clean product photography style — Neatly arranged crafting supplies on a white background: a stack of colored coloring pages, laminating pouches, scissors, cardstock paper, washi tape rolls, and markers, clean product photography style

✂️ What You’ll Need

Materials:

Printed or colored pages (8.5×11” or A4 size)
Laminating sheets or a laminating machine
Scissors or paper trimmer
Optional: cardstock or decorative paper for backing
Soft cloth or wipes for cleaning

Optional extras:

Washi tape for borders or accents
Metallic pens or markers for highlights
Hole punch and twine (for hanging or storage)
Stickers or embellishments for themed placemats

🖍️ Step-by-Step Guide to Making DIY Coloring Placemats

1. Choose and Color Your Designs

Pick coloring pages that suit your style or the season. Cozy fall scenes, snowflakes for winter, blooming florals for spring, and beachy patterns for summer all make perfect table companions.

Color them using pencils, fine liners, or markers (avoid heavy paint that might buckle the paper).

Tip: Try themed sets for each holiday — pumpkins and turkeys for Thanksgiving, snowmen and ornaments for Christmas, or hearts and flowers for Valentine’s Day.

You can use pages from your favorite coloring books or print free designs from EGCreativity.art/free-coloring-printables.

2. Flatten and Prepare Your Pages

If your paper curls after coloring, place it under a heavy book overnight. A smooth surface gives the best results when laminating and helps your placemats look professionally made.

3. Add a Backing for Strength and Style

Glue or tape your colored page onto a piece of cardstock or decorative paper before laminating. This adds thickness and allows you to play with contrast — pairing bright artwork with a soft cream or kraft paper background.

You can even back two designs together (front and back) for double-sided placemats — perfect for quick theme changes!

4. Laminate Coloring Pages

You can laminate your DIY coloring placemats in two simple ways:

A. Laminating Machine Method:

You can insert your page into a laminating pouch, leaving a small border.
Feed it slowly through the machine.
Let it cool before trimming.

B. No-Machine DIY Method:

Use self-adhesive laminating sheets or clear contact paper.
Peel one side and apply slowly, smoothing out air bubbles with a ruler or credit card.
Add a second sheet to the back for full coverage.

Your placemat will now be waterproof, durable, and easy to wipe clean — ready for daily use!

5. Trim & Finish

Cut off any excess laminate, leaving about a ¼-inch border to seal it. Round the corners with scissors or a corner punch for a more polished look.

To add sparkle, you can edge the border with washi tape or metallic markers.

🌟 Creative Ways to Use DIY Coloring Placemats

There’s more to these crafts than just table settings! Here are fun and inspiring ways to make your DIY coloring placemats extra special:

🍽️ 1. Themed Table Settings

Match your placemats to the season or holiday. Think cozy autumn leaves for fall dinners, snowflake mandalas for winter meals, or watercolor florals for spring brunches.

👧 2. Kids’ Activity Placemats

Let each child color their own design, then laminate it. They’ll love seeing their artwork used at the table! You can also print simple activity sheets — mazes, word searches, or doodle prompts for reusable fun.

🕯️ 3. Mindful Dining Moments

Use mandalas or geometric patterns for calm, mindful meals. When surrounded by soothing designs, coloring, and dining can become grounding, meditative experiences.

🎁 4. Handmade Gift Sets

Create themed sets of four laminated placemats, wrap them in ribbon, and gift them to friends or family. Perfect for birthdays, teacher gifts, or holidays! You could even include coordinating coasters or napkin rings.

Bonus idea: Pair your gift with colored pencils or a small coloring booklet for a creative bundle.

🌈 5. Craft Market or Etsy Products

If you sell handmade goods, consider offering digital kits for “DIY coloring placemat printables” or finished laminated sets. This eco-friendly, creative product is one that families love year-round.

🌻 6. Decorative or Functional Uses

Use your laminated art as:

Desk mats to protect work surfaces
Kids’ craft mats for painting or clay
Shelf liners or wall décor — yes, they’re pretty enough to frame!

Hands using a laminating machine to seal a finished coloring page with autumn leaf design, close-up view showing the placemat entering the laminator, bright craft room setting

💡 Laminating Tips for Best Results

Avoid thick glue or layered embellishments before laminating — they can trap air bubbles.
Clean with a soft, damp cloth (no harsh chemicals).
Store placemats flat to prevent bending.
If corners start to lift, reheat gently with an iron on low, using parchment paper on top.
To make your laminating last longer, use 3–5 mil thickness for added durability.

Beautiful table setting with four different seasonal laminated placemats - fall leaves, winter snowflakes, spring flowers, and summer beach themes - arranged on wooden dining table with plates and cutlery, magazine-quality styling — Beautiful table setting with four different seasonal laminated placemats – fall leaves, winter snowflakes, spring flowers, and summer beach themes – arranged on wooden dining table with plates and cutlery, magazine-quality styling

🩵 Free Printable Pages to Start Your DIY Coloring Placemats

Want to try this today? Download your free printable designs here:
👉 Free Coloring Printables – EGCreativity.art

You’ll find seasonal pages, mandalas, and nature-inspired art — perfect for turning into your next DIY coloring placemats.

❓ FAQ: DIY Coloring Placemats

Q1: Can I make coloring placemats without a laminator?
Yes! Self-adhesive laminating sheets or clear contact paper work are just as good for waterproof protection.

Q2: What kind of paper is best for coloring placemats?
Thicker paper (100–120 gsm) gives the best results. It’s smooth for coloring but sturdy enough for laminating.

Q3: How do I clean laminated placemats?
Wipe with a damp cloth or soft sponge. Avoid soaking or scrubbing to protect the laminate coloring pages.

Q4: Can I reuse placemats for different holidays?
Of course! Create and switch multiple themed sets out — easy storage and endless creativity.

Q5: Are DIY coloring placemats safe for kids?
Absolutely! Kids love coloring and using their own creations. Just supervise the laminating or cutting steps.

Q6: How long do they last?
When laminated properly and cleaned gently, your DIY coloring placemats can last for years while keeping their colors bright.

✨ Final Thoughts

DIY coloring placemats perfectly blend creativity, mindfulness, and functionality. You’re not just making crafts — you’re turning your art into something useful, personal, and lasting.

Whether you’re setting the table for a family dinner, crafting gifts, or simply enjoying a quiet coloring moment, this project transforms your favorite hobby into everyday beauty.

So grab your coloring pages, laminate your masterpieces, and make every meal more colorful — one placemat at a time.