December 23, 2007

Pass It On Plates FAQ

Thank you for visiting our FAQ.

Pass It On Plates are a relatively new concept that some times needs a little explanation at first. If your question isn't answered here, please leave a comment on this post or send an email to: Pam [at] passitonplates.com and we'll reply within about one or two business days.

Every question is important and we may even add it to our FAQ to help others gain a better understanding of what these unique plates are and what they do.

If you are totally new to the concept, we suggest you start with:

and be sure to check out:

Here are the rest of our Frequently Asked Questions:

April 16, 2007

How Do I Do It?

Enjoy the treats as you check out your Plate Diary to see where it's been and what other treats it has carried. Next, follow these simple steps to Pass It On:



1. Write your name on the plate.

First, wash the plate with a gentle detergent or clean it in the dishwasher to remove surface oils. When dry and clean, use the enclosed special paint pen to write your name on the plate. You can "erase" the uncured paint and start over if you need to. Use a tissue or cotton swab and a dab of window cleaner.
Allow the paint to dry before baking.
Once the paint is cured, it is permanent.
Tip: Use a tissue without lotion.



2. Cure the paint.

After the paint has dried, place it in a cool kitchen oven. Turn the oven on to 300F (150C).
Bake 35 minutes at 300F (150C).
Turn off the oven and allow it to cool to room temperature.
Remove the cooled plate from the oven.
Tip: Why does the plate need to go into a cool oven? This will prevent cracking. If the plate goes into a preheated oven, the sudden change in temperature may damage the plate.



3. Go to the online plate diary.

While the plate bakes, find your plate's own online diary. Enter the number written on your plate.
Type up a little something in the Plate Diary that says who you're giving the plate to and what treat will be on the plate. If there's a special reason you're passing on the plate to this person, go ahead and mention that, too.
If you email a picture of your plate to photos (at) passitonplates (dot) com we'll post it to your plate's online diary for you.
Tip: Please allow up to 3 business days for your picture to be added to your plate's online diary.



4. Load the plate with a treat.

Need ideas? Check out these Food Ideas and Non-Food Ideas.
You can also browse through other plate diaries to see what other Pass It On Plates have carried.
Cover the treats with plastic wrap.
Tip: Plastic wrap protects your goodies from drying out and the keeps the PlateWrap clean.



5. Slip on the PlateWrap.

Tuck in the pen!



6. Pass It On!

For more details on how this works, please see our FAQ.

April 14, 2007

Non-Food Ideas

Do you want to send something non-perishable to someone far away?
Need gift ideas for an extremely particular person?
Unsure about someone's food preferences or food allergies?

Check out all these great Non-Food Ideas:
  • Grocery store gift card - how about one for a gourmet market instead of the usual supermarket?
  • Video rental gift card and microwave popcorn
  • Gift certificates to a favorite restaurant
  • An ultra-fuzzy pair of socks and some yummy foot lotion
  • A little manicure set with a couple bottles of pretty nail polish

Food Ideas for non-bakers & dieters

Don't bake?
Do you want to give the plate to your sister, but she'll kill you for breaking her diet?
Need to earn "brownie points" with someone?
Want your gift to really stand out?

Check out all these great, easy food ideas:
  • A dozen cookies from your favorite bakery (We won't tell; promise.)
  • A loaf of bakery banana bread, sliced on the plate
  • Three or four huge bakery cinnamon rolls
  • A loaf of bakery specialty bread
  • A deli tray or veggie tray - ask your local deli to load the plate for you. They'll have all the supplies to make it look ultra special. You can take the credit.
  • A fruit tray
  • A sandwich & chips
  • Dinner, to take home
  • Party leftovers
  • A Pot-Luck dinner offering
  • Microwaveable brownie in a bowl
  • For a neighbor who's not feeling well, how about some chicken noodle soup, some crackers, and some orange juice?

About the Plate

  • Can I put food on the painted plate?
  • Can I wash the plate in the dishwasher?
  • Is there anything else I should know about the painted plate?


Can I put food on the painted plate?
Once cured, the painted plate is food safe for finger foods. We do not recommend eating regular meals on the painted plate, as metal utensils can scratch the paint. Bacteria could get under the scratched paint. As long as the paint is not scratched, the paint is food safe.

This special pen conforms to ASTM D-4236. For more specific information about the pen, visit the Pebeo website. (This link will open a new window to take you to a page not affiliated with Pass It On Plates.)


Can I wash the plate in the dishwasher?
Once cured, the painted plate is permanent, but because this is a hand crafted item we recommend hand washing.


Is there anything else I should know about the painted plate?
We recommend avoiding using metal utensils such as forks and especially knives on the painted plate, as the paint could be scratched. You won't have to worry about this when using the plate for cookies, banana bread, brownies, or a veggie tray, etc.

About the PlateWrap

  • Can I wash the PlateWrap?
  • Do I need to do anything special to keep the plate & the PlateWrap clean?

Can I wash the PlateWrap?
The PlateWrap is completely washable. You may hand wash the PlateWrap in mild detergent and cool water. No bleach please. You can remove grease spots with a drop of liquid dish soap to the spot and let it sit for about 15 minutes before washing. Be sure to rinse well to get all the soap out.

Hang dry or tumble dry warm. Touch up with a medium iron, if necessary. Please be aware that most of our fabrics are not pre-washed and the dyes used may fade or bleed when washed.

We cannot guarantee that a washed PlateWrap will look exactly the same as it did when it was new. The same can be said for blue jeans, too, and aren't they wonderful?


Do I need to do anything special to keep the plate & the PlateWrap clean?
We know you're busy and like to keep things simple. You may hand wash the plate just as you would the rest of your plates. Just no scrubbies or harsh, abrasive cleaners, though. That would damage or scratch the paint. The PlateWrap can be hand washed and machine dried. Use a mild detergent, no bleach, and cool water. Touch up with an iron, if you like, but you don't have to.

Painting the Plate

  • Do I need to do anything to the plate before writing my name on it?
  • What if I make a mistake and need to erase the paint?
  • How do I cure the paint?
  • Can I put food on the painted plate?

Do I need to anything to the plate before writing my name on it?
If there are any surface oils on the plate, the pen won't adhere. Just hand wash the plate with a gentle detergent to remove surface oils. Wash your hands, too, so any oils or lotions on your hands to get on the plate. When the plate and your hands are dry and clean, use the special paint pen to write your name on the plate.


What if I make a mistake and need to erase the paint?
You can "erase" the uncured paint if you need to. Use a cotton swab or tissue with a dab of window cleaner to erase any mistakes.
Once the paint has been cured by baking in the oven, however, the paint is permanent.


How do I cure the paint?
The only equipment or supplies you need to cure the paint is a little waiting time and the oven in your own kitchen. For complete instructions, read "How Do I Do It?"

The instructions are also written on the special pen.


Can I put food on the painted plate?
Once cured, the painted plate is food safe for finger foods. We do not recommend eating regular meals on the painted plate, as metal utensils can scratch the paint. Bacteria could get under the scratched paint. As long as the paint is not scratched, the paint is food safe.

This special pen conforms to ASTM D-4236. For more specific information about the pen, visit the Pebeo website. (This link will open a new window to take you to a page not affiliated with Pass It On Plates.)

About the Pen

Looking for food safe ceramic paint pens?
We have them in several colors! Visit our online shop to get what you need.
They're currently selling for $10 each and shipping is free for up to 6 pens.


You can learn more about these neat pens here.
Meanwhile, here are the most commonly asked questions about the pens:
  • What is the special pen?
  • Where do I find the pen?
  • Does the pen come in other colors?
  • Is it food safe?
  • Can I wash the item in the dishwasher?
  • Can I use the pen for other craft projects?
  • Who makes the pen?

What is the special pen?
This is a thermo-hardening water based paint pen that is made for writing on ceramic & glass. Once the paint is "cured," it is food safe and dishwasher resistant.


Where do I find the pen?
The pen is attached to the PlateWrap. If you don't find it there, ask the person who gave you the plate if they still have it.


Does the pen come in other colors?
There are several pen colors available. If you would like a color other than the one attached to your PlateWrap, you may order other colors from this website. You can get an assortment of pens to color coordinate with your PlateWrap.


Is it food safe?
Once the paint is cured, it is food safe for finger foods. We say "finger foods" because metal utensils such as a fork or knife will scratch the paint, causing it to flake off. Bacteria from the food could get trapped under the flaked paint, and the bacteria could make you sick. Plus, we're not sure it's all that great for you to ingest the paint flakes.

But yes, you can place baked goods, sandwiches, deli meats and cheeses, veggies, etc on your painted plate without any problem.



UPDATE 1/18/2015:

Are you planning on using Pebeo Pens to paint your own plates?

I had the exact same concern, and did some research before I started painting plates. 
The problem doesn't seem to be the paint itself, but how the use of the item could alter the paint.

Here's an excerpt from a letter Pebeo wrote to Adorn magazine, which I found at http://www.deepfriedkudzu.com/2006/07/practicing-painted-ceramics.html 
(Love Ginger's blog, by the way.) 

"We have contacted Pebeo and have confirmed that the Pebeo Porcelaine Paint 150 used in our Adorn feature is food safe. The paint has been tested at Duke University, and was reported non-toxic and food safe for food contact. 

Though the paint is non-toxic, it is not recommended for use on a dinner plate because sharp objects, such as a steak knife, could damage the design and bacteria could potentially become trapped in cracks caused by utensils. However, the paint itself is not harmful to ingest even if scraped off. 

The reason the paint is not currently FDA approved is cost. The cost for FDA approval is approximately $50,000 per paint color, which Pebeo may pursue at a future time."


Is it dishwasher safe?
Once the paint is cured, your plate can be washed in the dishwasher and the paint will remain. Your Pass It On Plate is a handmade item, though, and we always recommend hand washing hand made things. Just in case.


Can I use the pen for other craft projects?
Of course.
The pen contains a special paint formulated for use on ceramic and glass, so yes you could use it on other ceramic and glass items, as long as the item can be placed in your oven and cured per the instructions on the pen. We cannot assume responsibility for any damages or performance failures if you wish to use the pen for other craft projects. We also cannot assume any responsibility for any use other than the pen's intended use. Please keep the pen(s) with the PlateWrap when not in use so it can continue to travel with the plate. Imagine the disappointment if someone received the plate with instructions to use "the enclosed pen" to write their name on the plate and there is no pen enclosed. You can certainly order more pens from our website if you'd like to do other craft projects with them.

Who makes the pen?
These ingenious pens are manufactured in France by Pebeo, and the particular pens we use and sell are the Pebeo Porcelaine 150. Pebeo makes another pen called the Vitrea 160, which is less opaque and beautiful on glass. We have extensively researched these pens and this type of paint item and as far as we know, Pebeo is the only company on the entire planet that makes a food safe permanent paint marker that you can use to write on plates and other ceramic items, and cure them without a kiln. If they are hard to find in your local area, we invite you to check out our online store and get what you need. Ours include a ribbon and pin to attach them to a PlateWrap, but if you have a special request please let us know and we will work with you to get you exactly what you need.
Powered By Blogger