Is it just me or is there just something about photos with a marble background? Call me romantic (or ridiculous) but for some reason marble evokes a sense of elegance, of misty castles and vaulted ceilings, and is able to elevate an average afternoon coffee to a somehow whimsical experience, even if it’s just me, myself and I in a roadside cafe. It’s for that reason that I think marble makes such a perfect background for photos, but who has the dollar bills or bicep strength to use actual marble? Even if you’ve being doing your pump classes and carrying marble isn’t an issue for you, you’ll find that it’s actually quite a very brittle stone and is likely to crack when not treated really carefully. Enter a well kept secret of the instagrammer/blogger out there – the faux marble background created using marble paper. So simple to create and such a neat trick! To be honest I wavered as to whether to share this or not, it’s really such a good trick and I use it all the time – and I’d hate to think you know it’s just a piece of paper and not real marble, but thought you might appreciate this little behind the scenes!
Daniel Wellington Watch, Necklace from a street side stall in Williamsburg (like this)
#shitbloggersdo
Vintage camera, Gorjanna gold necklaces, Grown Alchemist lip gloss and face cream, Pure Earth Face Mist, Body Oil, Face Sand and Face Cream, Nick Campbell Sunglasses, Daniel Wellington Watch.
You need:
- A piece of plywood (ours was 50cm x 50cm (20 inches x 20 inches)
- Marble paper with adhesive backing
- Scissors
How to:
1. Measure out the paper on your piece of plywood.
2. Trim to size, making sure to leave at least 2.5cm (1 inch) along the edge.
3. Starting on one side, press the contact paper onto the plywood, working your way carefully and removing the backing as you go so that you don’t have any bubbles. Use a tea towel to press the contact paper down well. A neat trick if you find a bubble along the way, use a small pin to prick the surface and squeeze the air out and then smooth down the bubble.
4. Turn the plywood over and fold the edge over.
5. To finish the corners, trim the folded edge to the corner as shown below.
6. Fold the other edge down into a triangle.
7. Fold that edge up and over the create a clean fold.
Voila! I said it was easy didn’t I?
Although when you KNOW the background is faux it might be a little more obvious, I’ve used it a lot and not once has anyone asked if it was faux. If you feel it might need a boost, increase the brightness of your photo and then also the contrast (I use Afterlight app on iPhone to do this) and you’ll find the marble looks more genuine. And if you make sure to put focus on the items in your photo (whether it be a coffee, a macaron or a necklace) rather than a marble itself, I promise people won’t notice.
Lovely items!
xx
Stephanie
http://www.stephaniegille.blogspot.com
Wow looks totally amazing! I can’t wait to try this. This is the perfect background!
xx Mira
http://www.glamdevils.com
What a great idea!!! Thank you
http://tarragonain.blogspot.com.es
This is a brilliant idea! Love it.
Saskia / girlinbrogues.com
Definitely tempted to try this one!
xx Nicole
http://eastandpeony.com
that is such a fab and creative idea love it
xx
I used to print my own marble pattern in large paper and now I use same as yours :)x
So gorgeous!! Thanks for telling us your secret – I will definitely try this one 🙂
xo Johanna
Hahaha I’m glad you like it 🙂
Amazing DIY thank you for sharing. I’m looking for a Marble plate too but I can’t find one. I’ll deff try this DIY out.
With love,
Oumayma from The Fashion District
I looked and looked for something easy to transport of the marble variety, but couldn’t find anything – this has proved really useful!
GENEVA, YOU DON’T KNOW HOW HELPFUL THIS IS!! Seriously, as a fledgling diy blogger, it is immensely reassuring to know I don’t need to look for a nice surface every time I’ve got a new project to photograph.
Quantum
The Scientist Who DIYs
A nice light background is so important for a good project that is easy to read and understand, hope this helps you! x
Sneaky! I love this DIY! I don’t have any attractive surfaces to use as background in my apartment (it’s really just a lot of dark wood), so something like this would definitely be useful! Thanks for sharing!
Hahaha I know what you mean – I’ve heard of blogger friends that shoot their flat lays on top of the washing machine! x
Really easy! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
This is a fabulous idea! Never would have thought of it – thanks for the share x
http://www.bohochiccafe.com
Haha, this is genius and it makes so much sense, considering people do the same thing with wooden backgrounds. Do you think there’s also a convincing way to paint the marble or should I just stick to purchasing it at some construction market? Anyway, I somehow feel like now I can fake all kinds of other backgrounds. XD
I would go with the paper actually. x
Yup, that is one Dam Good Tip (not sure i would have shared it, haha, but I appreciate the share nonethless)
Pics look great 🙂
x tink x
allabouttink.co.uk
Hahaha I had to think long and hard about this – but it’s so good I couldn’t not!
Wow! hahahha i didn’t notice it in you pictures, but I love this trick .. I use TONS of props and “faux” backgrounds for my pictures and as you say with a little bit of editing it looks great … I will definitely try this one. Thanks for sharing
The Key Item
I agree, editing is key. I haven’t found any wood surfaces that are genuine enough for me but always looking! x
Oooo it looks so good! Thanks for sharing! I can’t wait to try this out..
x
http://www.vintagechic.com.au
This is brilliant! I was just talking about how I wanted to get a slab of marble to shoot on, but this might do the trick until then! Thanks for the idea 🙂
Such a great idea 🙂 AMAZING!
I’m sorry, but LOL I’ve been using white poster paper to create the studio “all white” look so reading this just makes me feel a whole lot better. I’ve been a long time reader, and it’s my first time commenting. I just couldn’t help it. This post is really that funny/creative/vulnerable(?). I think it’s a side of bloggers that readers never get to see. I know we’ve never met or talked, but I can tell you’re super chill, and it would be awesome to meet you one day 🙂
Welcome to the comments section! Haha. Thanks so much for saying that! And yes, I always use poster paper for projects when I’m travelling or not able to work in the studio, it never fails. In fact I used it for like 2 years when I was working from home. Who can afford fancy background? x
love this! gonna need to do it
http://hashtagliz.com
I love this trick! I’m always looking for interesting backgrounds for my photos and I’ve started to get bored of the ones I use. I’ll have to try this out and maybe make a few more backgrounds with different contact papers. Thanks!
http://www.thefoxandtheclown.com
Look at that! So easy and beautiful x
http://www.wild-cherrytree.com
It is incredible I have been trying to find that paper for ages in London! I also noticed all the marble and thought that my wooden table is just not going to do it hahaha! Thanks for the tip! X
I’m all about lighter coloured background for my photos, so yes white or marble paper works a treat! 🙂
but how do you manage to get such good lighting?!
The question of the year. On iPhone I use mainly after light to increase the brightness, exposure and contrast etc. For photos on my computer taken with a DSLR, like almost all the pics on my blog, I use aperture and then perhaps a highlight tool in photoshop. Argh! xxx
this is GENIUS. I wasn’t sure where this was going at first (swirly paint?), but the contact paper is a great idea.
Oh my goodness! This is absolutely amazing! great tutorial!
xoxo, Katy
Wow! I totally would not have known! Thank you for sharing your secret! The results look absolutely amazing! Can’t wait to try it myself!
Annie
The Mama Gazette
Glad to hear you can’t tell it’s faux!
Omg I’ve never even thought to look for marble contact paper! This is WAY easier than the marble slabs I use. They’re beautiful but they’re a hassle.
Such a lovely idea!
Now I’m left wondering if your wooden floor is just a faux backdrop to your marble backdrop? 😉
Neat trick and thanks for sharing the secret! I have a piece of white card for shots like this but as I include my dog in a lot of them it has some distinctly brown pawprint shaped marks at the moment! Time for an upgrade… maybe to ‘f’arble.
Thankfifi
Hahaha I’m yet to find a good wooden background that doesn’t look a bit tacky, but always open to suggestions! I love the sound of your dog in your pics.
Marble is everywhere lately. I am so down for some faux marble. It looks exquisite & makes your photos pop in the nicest way. :] // itsCarmen.com ☼ ☯
This DIY is super helpful! I need to make this ASAP, so that I can use it for my photos.
-Helen
http://www.sweethelengrace.com
Definitely a cool DIY proyect!! I guess we are both ridiculously romantic about marble!! I want to have every table in my home with a marble top on it, but… that can get super expensive! Btw, I was really blessed to have my dear friend gift me a white-lacquer bedroom set in mint conditions with beautiful marble tops. You can see some photos here: http://www.sincerelycarmen.com/search?q=bedroom
After this post, I think I’m going to start using it more for product photography. 😉
Wow gorgeous! I would love to have that! Super jealous.
What a good idea! I think I might make one soon 🙂 It’s better (= less expensive) than buying a real marble slate, and this is less heavy and easy to put aside. Thanks!
Perfect
Kiss kiss.*Jo
http://joandcompanystyle.blogspot.com/
Oh my, what a clever idea! I never would have thought of it but it looks beautiful. Marble definitely adds a bit more fancy to photos 🙂
http://www.lovinglykate.blogspot.com
this is amazing! thanks for the idea, I’ll definitely give it a try!
Sophia | sophiebysophia.blogspot.com
Brilliant- thank you so much for sharing! (even if you weren’t so sure about doing it)
This is perfect! I will be trying this out ASAP 🙂
Would love to find and follow any new blogs or get any advice on my blog
xxxx
http://www.itsnicnic.blogspot.com
I love love love this idea and I definitely want to give it a go. Does anyone know where else I can order the marble print paper from as the link Geneva used above says that it is sold out and I am dying to try this! love this post xxx
I think it’s back in stock now 🙂 x
Love this DIY! It’s such a good idea!! 🙂
http://livstudios.blogspot.com/
xoxo
This is so COOL! Im gonna try it for sure 😀
Because marble is the most beautiful thing in the entire world! These results look incredible, I can’t believe your technique.
Lots of love, xx
http://www.marysreturn.com
http://www.marysreturn.com
You would literally not know that was paper. It looks like the real thing. Such a good idea!
Love this idea so much! It will certainly help out with taking better flat lays xx
Very clever and crafty idea. Following your guide I will get the perfect background for my next photo session and totally on a budget. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing way to make different backgrounds.
Wow! That was really easy and a very good trick. I am just getting more and more interested in photography, making videos and editing and I find great interest in articles like these.
Most of the DIYs are very tricky or require lot of stuff which just scares me off. But this is easy. Thanks for sharing. Would try it out!
This idea is so simple yet brilliant! I have to try this soon.
What a clever idea! I will definitely have to try this as I’m always looking for good backdrops for my instagram photos! Marble prints are very on trend in fashion right now, so marble photo backdrops feel really on point as well!!! 🙂
xo. Jilli
http://www.justjilli.com
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Thanks for the idea and tips! I’d love to try it out 🙂
http://www.whatajoyfulday.com
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Love love love this! xo
http://www.chasing-peonies.blogspot.com
Absolutely love this! xo
http://www.chasing-peonies.blogspot.com
This is so genius! Definitely gonna make my own marble photo background <3
vivianlinar.blogspot.fi
This is so genius! Definitely gonna make my own marble photo background <3
http://vivianlinar.blogspot.fi
such a great idea! Glad you shared
Lauren
livinginaboxx
So clever! Thanks for sharing the step by step tutorial!
Elaine
http://www.OMGlifestyle.com
Amazing! I will DEFINITELY be using this! Such a great idea!!
Thanks!
xo
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Such a great idea! I always thought everyone had giant blocks of marble hanging around!
I got myself a few white chart papers to act as a background for my pictures!! NEver thought of using a marbled paper though. Thanks for letting us know your secrets. I love all your blog pictures..
Debasree // All She Needs
Great you are sharing your secret. I think I would be hesitant, too. haha
I got a marble clipboard and everyone’s been saying how nice it looks. all fake 😀
this is absolutely genius. Thank you so much for sharing!
Supergreat!!
https://justsem.wordpress.com/
That is just brilliant! I was getting tired of using my wooden table every time…
Okay, I’m going to be trying this one – it’s SUCH a great idea! 🙂
Thanks for sharing this amazing tip. I will definitely put this into practice. I’m thinking of making various different backgrounds to use them interchangeably.
EXCELLENT idea! Thank you for breaking down and sharing! I really suck at taking photos of my soaps, so I’m hoping this helps! Thanks again!
http://cindykhor.blogspot.com
Wow, marble back drop seems to be the in thing right now as people love its smooth and cool effect. Very unique indeed. Thanks for this tutorial as I didn’t know that you can DIY a Marbling effect board for a low cost and thru such easy steps. Your tutorial is so helpful. Will need to starting searching for a nice marble adhesive film on ebay now. ^_^
I didn’t know marble paper existed! I was going to go out and buy a heavy chunk of marble for my photos, ha! Thanks for this post. So simple yet so helpful!
Ashley.
http://www.nothymetowaste.org
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Really great idea! I love the look of it! 🙂
Much love from
http://www.devilreturnsprada.wordpress.com
Oooh, I love it, thank you so much for deciding to share <3
Well this is a marvelous idea!
Thanks for sharing this timely secret 😉 A really helpful read!
Absolutely brilliant ! Love it so much and can’t wait to try use this trick. Thank you so much for sharing !!!!
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Great DIY! This looks so expensive! Thanks for sharing.
This is such a fantastic idea!! I’ve just bought myself some from e-bay and cannot wait to try it out!
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Hey! I really like your blog, and your DIY was very creative 🙂 I only just started on my blog today but your blog inspired me!
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Love it! I just joined the blogsphere and I find myself looking for fabric to place behind certain items as a background, but I would never turn to “paper”. This is deff. something that I will try.
P.s. Love the Camera, Does it shoot well?
Thanks
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Love seeing behind the blog type posts. This is great.
This is really lovely – thank you! I have granite countertops which I always need to cover, as they’re too dark for pics. Great life hack 🙂
Sarah
Definitely going to be trying this! Thanks so much for the awesome tips xx – Stella
http://stellasjournal.com
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Love this!! I always just assumed everyone was using my dream kitchen counter tops, but I was wrong! Now I have to try it! Where did you get your marble paper from? I love how light and whiter yours looks!
Genius! I love this idea. thank you for sharing.
I cannot wait to try this out! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
XX, SS || A Little Seersucker Sass
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Ah this is so handy! Never thought to do this before. Thank you.
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This is SO smart! I’ve been dying to have marble backgrounds for my photos, and this is the perfect way to achieve that look. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Such a wonderful and creative idea! I was wondering how come everyone has these gorgeous marble top tables 🙂 Definitely doing some marble DIY this weekend!
Hi
Thanks for your great work! I’m looking for this for several days. And find your posts here. Would you like to email me the link of the marble paper? I can not find same one as yours. Because I love the pattern of yours. Hope you can reply to socksbean@hotmail.com
Thanks in advance!
Very helpful! Thank you!
Hello – Thank you for sharing such a great tip for a DIY background! I’m always looking for ways to have more backgrounds for my blog, and this is a great way to do that for cheap. I was wondering where you purchased your marble adhesive? I don’t see a link in your post, but maybe I missed it? Also, is there any reason why using white foam board instead of plywood wouldn’t work? It would be great to simplify this even more, but maybe there is a reason why you need something heavier for this to adhere to that I’m not aware of. I would love your input on this. Thank you again! ~Kylie | A Slice of Ky
I LOVE THIS POST!! Been looking at something like this for forever!! Where exactly did you get the marble paper??
What a great idea! I need to create one asap! Thanks for the inspiration!
http://stylesprinter.com/
Brilliant idea! Thanks so much for sharing!
LOVE the paper you chose! Can’t seem to find the link for it. Do you mind reposting?
Appreciate it!!
Great post! I’ve been looking for DIY backgrounds to use and will definitely be making this one. 🙂
Cool idea! Do you have a link to the adhesive marble please?
Love this~ thank you so much for sharing!!
I love this! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Sarah
theaccidentalartist.me
where did you get the marble paper?
Thanks,
Gentry!
This is a really great idea. I think I will have to try this out.
Kristine
Seenaskristine.com
I was looking for a background. I thought I’d have to use someone’s kitchen. This is great. Just have to source the materials. Any suggestions on where the marble paper is sold?