Looking to paint some cute coffee mugs? These painted coffee mugs are dishwasher safe and make a cute keepsake or DIY gift. From paint to glitter, learn how to decorate your own coffee mugs with these step-by-step instructions.
Have you seen those DIY coffee cups painted with sharpies on Pinterest? Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but they aren’t dishwasher safe or permanent at all on surfaces such as ceramic, glass, or even most fabrics (horrible fading).
But don’t despair! I have some great solutions to paint your own mug that will last and be dishwasher safe!
Supplies
- White Ceramic Coffee Mug – The dollar store is great for these.
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Paint – See below for types and where to get them
- Paint Brush
- Q-tips or Paper Towels
- Oven
- Mod Podge (Optional)
What Kind of Paint to Use for coffee Mugs?
Many times, we paint mugs to personalize them, for gifts, or cherished keepsakes (I heart all the kid painted mugs!). Therefore, we want them to stay so we have to use the right products.
There are a few different paints you can use on glazed ceramic mugs.
- Oil based sharpies
- Acrylic Urethane Enamels that are meant for ceramics.
You can find these at craft stores and those are decent. If you are looking for something with better quality, I recommend the Pebeo Porcelain paints, which come in a variety of colors and have a watercolor style, or these professional paint markers.
If you have doubts, read the label and description. It will usually say, “dishwasher safe” and made for glazed ceramics. Unglazed mugs have different requirements.
Painted Mug Decorating Ideas
There are so many cool things you can paint on mugs!
- Glitter and Mod Podge – Mod Podge makes this dishwasher safe top coating that can be mixed with glitter to use on mugs. Do not bake the mod podge!
- Water Marbling – This is a great tutorial using nail polish, but do not put the nail polish on the rim. To make them dishwasher safe, you will have to seal them as well.
- Stenciling – Use stickers to create a negative to paint around, like a letter or shape. This is similar to how I did the mugs shown today.
- Monogram Design
- Handprints – The cutest kid craft!
- Repeating Patterns – simple brush strokes in different colors, chevron, or something as simple as evenly spaced peaches or trees is one of my favorites.
- Mandala or Zentangle Patterns – these are some of my favorite designs!
Instructions for Coffee Cup Painting
1. Clean the mugs well. Hand wash with a mild dish soap and dry them. Then use some rubbing alcohol and allow to completely dry, around 30 minutes. This is to break down any oils that may be left on the surface.
2. Draw or trace an outline of a shape with a pencil. Pencil wipes off easily but also provides a good guide. You can also use a sticker as a stencil to get the basic shape.
3. Paint your design. Make sure to mix the paint or shake paint pen very well. If you make a mistake, you can rub the paint off with Q-tips. Some paints are easier to remove if you dip the Q-tip in rubbing alcohol.
4. Let paint dry for 1 hour to make sure all layers of paint have dried.
5. To cure the paint and make it top-shelf dishwasher safe, you can use 1 of 2 methods:
Bake Method: Place the mug in a cool oven. Set oven temperature to 350ºF. Once temperature has reached 350ºF, start timing for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, turn the oven off. Glass must heat gradually with the oven to avoid breakage. Do not place glass or coffee cups in a hot oven. Let the cups cool completely in the oven. Do not use for 72 hours.
Air Dry Method: Air dry project for 21 days before use.
Hope you get to make your sweetheart a painted coffee mug! I think I am going to show these babies off with breakfast in bed or maybe just a quiet coffee in the morning before the little one wakes up. Whatever you do, I am sure it will be lovely.
Expert Tips
- I used an old technique from art class called stippling. Stippling is basically creating any shape or object out of drawing only dots.
- You can wipe off small oopsies with a Q-tip or a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol if you use oil-based paint pens. You will have to let it dry completely again to paint over that area.
- The mugs must cool in the oven, so do this project on a day where you won’t need your oven for several hours.
- While these will hold up great in the top rack of the dishwasher, it’s still best to protect them from scratches and dings. Don’t scrub or use abrasive sponges.
- If you use a paint or medium you aren’t totally sure of, you can try sealing it with dishwasher safe mod podge. However, you will have to allow it to air dry or wait until after baking and cooling.
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FAQs
Acrylic enamel paint is suitable for most ceramic mugs. However, check the label before purchasing because some aren’t suitable. After you paint your mug and allow it to dry, you can use a clear sealant to add shine and prevent the acrylic paint from cracking.
Bake your mug to cure the paint. Place them in a cold oven, then turn the oven on to 350 degrees and let it come to heat. Once preheated, set a timer for 30 minutes and let the mugs bake. Turn the oven off but do not remove the mugs. Instead, let them completely cool in the oven. You can open the door after a few minutes.
Regular sharpie markers will wash off, but there are oil-based Sharpies that last much better and are dishwasher safe.
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PS I love seeing your creations! Be sure to take a photo and tag #cravingcreative on Instagram! You can also stay in touch with me through following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and subscribing to the newsletter!
How To Paint Coffee Mugs
Tools
- Paintbrush
- Oven
Supplies
- White Ceramic Coffee Mug
- Paint *See note for types*
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Q-tips to clean mistakes
- Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge Optional
Instructions
- Clean the mugs well. Wash and dry them. then use some rubbing alcohol and allow to completely dry, maybe 30 minutes. This is to break down any oils that may be left on the surface.
- Draw or trace outline of a shape with a pencil. Pencil wipes off easily but also provides a good guide. You can also use a sticker as a stencil to get the basic shape.
- Paint your design. Make sure to mix the paint or paint pen very well. If you make a mistake, you can rub the paint off with q-tips. Some paints are easier to remove if you dip the q-tip in rubbing alcohol.
- Let paint dry for 1 hour at least to make sure all layers of paint have dried.
- Bake Method: Place the mug in a cool oven. Set oven temperature to 350ºF. Once temperature has reached 350ºF, start timing for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, turn the oven off. Glass must heat gradually with the oven to avoid breakage. Do not place glass in a hot oven. Let glass cool completely in oven. Do not use for 72 hours.
Notes
-
There are a few different paints you can use on glazed ceramic mugs.
- Oil based sharpies
- Acrylic Urethane Enamels that are meant for ceramics.
- You can wipe off small oopsies with a q-tip or a q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol if you use oil-based paint pens. You will have to let it dry completely again to paint over that area.
- The mugs must cool in the oven, so do this project on a day where you won’t need your oven for several hours.
- While these will hold up great in the top rack of the dishwasher, it’s still best to protect them from scratches and dings. Don’t scrub or use abrasive sponges.
- If you use a paint or medium you aren’t totally sure of, you can try sealing it with dishwasher safe mod podge. However, you will have to allow it to air dry or wait until after baking and cooling.
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