When sticking anything directly onto your laptop (not the laptop’s protective cover), make sure you are careful to choose decals, skins, and stickers that are meant for that purpose. Stickers meant for this purpose are often made from vinyl.
Use a damp, not soaking, towel to wipe down the surfaces to which you will be applying any kind of decoration. Wash your hands to help ensure the laptop stays clean after wiping it down. Use a dry towel after the wipe down to ensure the laptop is completely dry and ready for applying decals. [1] X Research source
You can buy washi tape at many craft stores. It is also available online from many vendors. Cut strips of tape the size of individual keys, and stick them to the keyboard. You may want to gently write the corresponding letter on the tape. Sometimes washi tape is quite thin. In that case, you might be able to see the lettering through the tape anyway.
Many websites sell pre-made laptop skins or even allow you to upload your own images to be made into skins. You can also make your own laptop skin by buying sticker paper and printing the image you want onto the sticker paper using your computer’s printer. Apply the skin by slowly peeling one edge of the skin back and sticking it to one edge of the laptop. Then, slowly peel the back of the skin away a little at a time while smoothing the skin down with a straight edge (a credit card will do the trick).
Decals are often vinyl. Vinyl decals are easier to remove than ordinary stickers. Remember that stickers that look upside down when the laptop is closed and facing you will look upright to everyone else when the laptop is open. Ordinary stickers may be very difficult to remove, so be sure you want them before you stick them on.
Use painter’s or masking tape to protect any parts of the cover that you don’t want to paint.
If you do not have any old newspaper lying around, any kind of paper or an old tablecloth will work. Make sure the area is well ventilated and consider using a mask to prevent inhaling any fumes while spray painting. Inhaling fumes from spray paint can be dangerous. [3] X Research source Avoid areas with any open flame or extreme heat. Spray paint is flammable![4] X Research source
Use 100-180 grit sandpaper to prepare plastic for paint. [5] X Research source Optionally, coat the case in primer. Primer can help prepare the surface for painting, but is not always necessarily with plastics. [6] X Research source
Spray evenly and avoid building up too much paint in any one area. This will help your paint job from appearing blotchy and uneven. Apply two to three coats, letting the cover dry in between coats. Using several coats will help ensure complete coverage. [7] X Research source
You can use paint, stickers, photos, glitter, sequins, rhinestones, ribbons or fabric to get a laptop cover that is totally unique. Decide if you want to keep the base color the same. Use a piece of paper to sketch out your design.
Some specialized decals and stickers can be purchased directly either in stores or online. You can explore this option too. Otherwise, most common materials can be purchased at any craft store. Lay down newspaper or an old tablecloth to work on to ensure you keep your workspace clean.
Try several different options before settling on one. After you glue things down it is very difficult, if not impossible, to remove them again without damaging the cover.
Choose a glue that is appropriate for your cover. If you are using a hard plastic cover, use an epoxy. Epoxies work best when gluing to plastic. [8] X Research source
The most common and easier varnish is polyurethane. Polyurethane spray can be purchased in craft stores and is much easier than trying to paint the varnish onto a decorated surface.
Allowing your varnish to dry will help keep everything attached, and prevent any of the glue from getting on the laptop.
