December 10, 2015

DIY Coasters

A few years ago I made some tile coasters with maps of countries I had visited. So many friends have asked about where I got the coasters, and wondered how to make them. So, I thought I'd do a video tutorial to show the process! It is a very quick and simple project. Plus, it is super affordable. A 9 pack of tiles is $4.00, and the other supplies you buy will last for dozens of additional coasters.

How to make Mod Podge Coasters*Please note some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase supplies through a link, you will be helping support more free project tutorials on DIYPETE.com. Thank you!

Tools and Supplies:

9 Pack of Tiles (any type) – I used a travertine style tile that is 4 inches x 4 inches – $4
Mod Podge – $7
Photos, magazine clippings, old Maps, post Cards, travel tickets, etc as designs on the tile
Scissors or Craft Trimmer (Optional)
Foam Brush $1.00
Ruler
3/8 inch felt pads (4 circles for each coaster) $4.00
Spray Sealer (to waterproof and protect coasters) $4.00 at Home Depot
Roller (optional)

Total Project Cost: Approximately $20 for everything. With the sealers / mod podge you'll be able to make at least 50 coasters. Simply buy more tiles to make dozens of holiday or birthday gifts!

Design Ideas:

Photos, Magazine Clippings, Old Maps, Post Cards, travel tickets, ski trail maps etc.

DIY GIFT IdeasProject Steps:

Clean Tiles

Clean the tiles using a rag and water or rubbing alcohol. This will remove any dust or debris from the tile.

clean-tiles-for-mod-podge-coastersCut Designs

Cut designs for the coasters. Use photos, magazine clippings, old maps, newspaper, memorable travel tickets, or anything else that would be fun to have on a custom coaster. I've used maps of towns I've lived in and places I've visited on vacations. In the video tutorial I use some cool photos of paintings, wildlife, and a few maps from a recent trip to Costa Rica. I'd recommend cutting the designs slightly smaller than the actual tile. The tiles I used are 4 inches by 4 inches. I cut the photos down to 3 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches. The artist of the colorful wildlife used in this project is by Teshia Art of Missoula, Montana.

DIY coasters

DIY CoastersApply Mod Podge to Tile

Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the top of the tile with a foam brush. This will act as an adhesive to stick on your design.

mod podge on tileApply Photo / Design

Put the design on the tile. Push air bubbles from the center out to the sides and make sure the design is centered on the tile.
cool coastersUse a roller (optional) to help flatten the image and remove air bubbles. Let the coaster's adhesive layer dry for 10 to 20 minutes.

Roller on tilesApply Mod Podge to top and sides

Use a foam brush to apply three thin coats of Mod Podge to the top and sides of the coasters. Brush in alternating directions for each coat. Let the Mod Podge dry to the touch (about 10 – 20 minutes) between coats. The Mod Podge will dry clear.

Mod Podge on CoasterApply Spray Sealer

Apply 2 coats of a clear spray sealer to the coasters to seal and waterproof them. Make sure to do this in a well ventilated area. Spray the top, sides, and bottom side. Let the sealer dry for 20 minutes or so. Allow the smell to dissipate before taking inside.

CoasterAdd Felt Pads

Apply felt pads or cork to the bottom side.

Felt pads on CoasterEnjoy or Gift your new DIY Coasters!
DIY-COASTERS-GIFT-IDEA

Wrap them in some twine and gift them to a friend or family member for a birthday or holiday gift! If you are thinking about selling your coasters at a Farmers Market or online, I'd recommend selling for between $18 and $30.

How to make coasters

Coasters for giftsPlease re-pin and share with your friends and family if you enjoyed this tutorial. Comment with questions and post photos below. I hope you have fun with this project. Cheers from Montana! – Pete

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Shop DIY Project plans!

Instant PDF Download

>