Budget-Friendly DIY Projector for Cookie Decorating
I'm so excited to share with you a simple and budget-friendly DIY solution that will take your cookie decorating skills to the next level: a homemade projector! With this simple method, you can effortlessly project designs onto your cookies without breaking the bank. Let's enhance your baking game together!
What you need
These are the things you need:
Phone
Acrylic circle: search "Acrylic Circles" on Amazon (I got the ones in 4-in diameter and 1mm thickness).
Stack of books (about 9" - 10" tall)
Sharpie
Alcohol wipe
Step 1: Trace the image onto the acrylic circle.
Open the image you want to project on your phone, then place the acrylic circle on your phone screen and trace using the Sharpie.
I recommend opening the image in an app that lets you resize it because for better results when projecting, the image shouldn't be too large. It may take some trial and error, so it's a good idea to use a simple design as a test first.
Tip: Instead of opening the image in the album, I used an app called Flowly, which offers another option to draw and write on cookies without a projector. The app allows me to resize the image and adjust the opacity and contrast to make it easier to see the Sharpie ink while tracing.
Note: Flowly app is currently available on iOS only, but similar apps exist for Android as well. The app is free to download and comes with various free fonts for preview and tracing. A Pro version is required if you want to use your own images or fonts.
Step 2: Re-trace the outlines to make the image more clear
Once you finish tracing, it's recommended to go over the outlines again to make the image more visible when projected.
Step 3: The fun part!
Turn on the torch on your phone and place it on top of the book stack. The height of my books is around 9.5 inches. You might need them to be slightly taller or lower depending on the situation.
Place the acrylic circle under the light and voilà ! Simply insert the acrylic between the book pages at the desired height, and you're good to go!
Remove Sharpie
Remove the Sharpie using alcohol is extremely easy. It comes right off.
About the Author
We're a small, passionate team of two committed to empowering cookiers with smart, innovative tools. In 2021, we launched Flowly, an iOS app that serves as a camera-based alternative to traditional projectors, allowing cookiers to effortlessly create intricate writings and designs without the expense and hassle of setting up a projector.
The app quickly gained popularity, inspiring us to develop another product: Flowlylink. It’s a free, all-in-one ordering system tailored specifically for cookiers. Acting as a link in bio, shop, and order management tool, it’s designed to streamline order handling and payment tracking. With its intuitive interface and built-in order forms, Flowlylink enables cookiers to start taking custom orders and launch presales within minutes.