I’ve got another fun, easy & thrifty project to share with you ~ How to Make Photo Coasters!
Make some for yourself, and give some as thrifty gifts!
This project idea comes from my friend Joli ~ I spotted some at her house that she had made, and I just had to share this fun project with you!
What You’ll Need:
- Ceramic Tiles {I found these at Lowe’s for 16 cents each!}
- Photos {get a deal with these Photo Freebies & Deals!}
- Mod Podge {I used ‘Glossy‘}
- Tree House Studio Clear Acrylic High Gloss Coating Spray
- Note: if you are using different brands of products, the results may vary.
- Paint in a tone similar to the coasters
What You’ll Do:
Paint the rough, unfinished side edges of the coasters. Once the tile has dried, grab your photos… {black and white photos are also fun to use on this craft!}
Trim photo into a square shape, to fit the tile.
Now, be sure not to rush the project, and give it plenty of time. I made these over the course of several days, and allowed each coat to dry completely for many hours before applying the next coat.
Apply Mod Podge to the back of the photo with a sponge applicator, then press down onto tile. Allow to dry completely. {note: make sure each coat dries completely before applying the next coat}
Once dry, apply a layer of Mod Podge with a sponge applicator to the top of the photo. Use even left-to-right strokes {as always with Mod Podge, lines will show}. Allow to dry completely.
Repeat with 2 more layers of Mod Podge {allowing each layer to dry completely before applying the next}.
Once the coasters have had 3 layers of Mod Podge applied… and have dried completely, take them on outside. It’s time to spray with Acrylic Sealer!
Lay coasters on wax paper, or something else you don’t mind getting sprayed with some over-spray.
The Acrylic Sealer is an important step ~ it will seal the project. This will ensure the coaster is waterproof, and can handle wet glasses sitting on the coasters.
You’ll want a strong coat of sealer on each coaster. I applied a total of 5 coats of sealer, allowing each to dry completely before applying the next coat.
Now it’s time to add some backing to the coasters. I used felt on some, and even some fleece scraps…
Apply the felt or fleece with a hot glue gun, and allow to dry.
You did it ~ aren’t these too cute??
Save some for yourself, and give some as thrifty gifts!!
And promise me… whatever you do… don’t forget to make one of the dog! 
Once the coasters are completely dry, stack up a set, grab some ribbon, and you’ve got an extra-cute and thrifty gift!
See Also:
40 FREE Photo Prints from York Photo! {+ s/h}
50 FREE Shutterfly Photo Prints! {+ s/h}
I do something similar with stamps. Instead of painting the tile, pick one with an interesting texture and stamp whatever you want on the tile. I did initials for Christmas two years ago and it went over so well it’s kind of my go-to gift now. You just spray a sealant over the tile when the paint dries.
I love the picture idea and will definitely add it to my rotation.
Kelly, I love this idea. I’m thinking of making these as gifts for my wedding party using a stamp in the theme of our wedding. What kind of paint did you use for the stamp? What kind of surface should the coaster have? What kind of sealant do you need, and is that the only spray you need to use on the tile?
Thanks so much!
I actually used a stamp. Just find an archival, permanent ink and a foam stamp. I used the foam because not only was the stamp less expensive, it also gets in the little nooks and crannies in the marble tiles better.
You can either use a craft sealant from Hobby Lobby or somewhere like that, or you can just get the Krylon sealer. It’s lots cheaper and works just as well. The only thing you need to be sure to do is get a matte sealer. For whatever reason the shiny ones don’t work and the ink will come off. The matte sealer keeps it on nicely, and it complements the texture of the tile better anyway (I think, at least.)
Great! Thanks!
Can you post a picture? This sounds like a great gift but I’m a visual person!!
I have made these before, but I printed out the photo on tissue paper from my own printer. Just trim the tissue paper to fit an 8×11 sheet of paper and tape it together lightly at the top before you put it in your printer. It worked really well and made the photo look like it was printed right on the tile. Then I embellished with stamps. It was a great look at you even save the cost of photo printing! Thanks for the great project!
did you mod podge the tissue paper onto the tiles then? did it look a little more textured.. am very interested in doing these for a shower gift for a bride …..
I did use mod podge to put them on and then covered them with another coat when they were dry. You do have to be more careful since the tissue tears easily when wet. The textured look ended up being really cool. You do have to be careful what photo you choose, not all of them look good when printed on tissue.
Hi there,
I have been trying to make these on tissue paper, I’ve taped the tissue paper to a regular sheet of paper. My printer keeps destroying the tissue paper in the feed. Do you have a special printer or tissue paper?
Thank you,
you need to attach the tissue paper to something a little more rigid, like say, card stock.
I always use printer paper for my photos on tiles. Works great with everything. You might have to adjust the color and/or contrast when you print the photo out. I find that the photos come out a bit darker when I print on regular paper. I also use Mod Podge Glossy spray to seal, using about 5 coats. When spray is applied, the photo tends to come out a bit darker that’s why I adjust the color first. Works great for me.
I love this idea! We don’t have very much money and would make a great gift for the holidays.
I was searcing for an easy gift to make for this holiday…I have found the perfect gift right here!! Thanks so much….off to Michael’s and Lowes!!
GREAT idea(s)!! Thanks so much for sharing, and for the extra tips in the comments! Love being able to get new ideas from other crafters!
love this idea! i’m making a wall “plaque” with the same idea in mind for my in-laws. i’m getting pics of all the grandkids and using the same technique to put it on some scrap wood from a broken bookshelf to hang on the wall.
now i think i’ll make the plaque and some coasters. 
Hey Marie,
I just wondered what you ended up using to attach the tiles to the wood and if it held up good? I am doing this same idea as we speak for a bridal shower gift:)
thanks!
I love this idea. I think I am going to try this for grandma gifts for Christmas. I have done this before with a large tile, but had the kids handprint in paint and wrote their names with a paint pen.
I’m super excited about this idea!!! I will totally be doing this for Xmas.
I love this idea. I’m going to definitely be making some of these for holiday gifts.
Love these! I wonder if you could use a larger tile and make a trivet? I guess it’s worth a try. Thanks Heidi!
Great idea! definitely a good idea for the inlaws!
Ok, ANOTHER great idea…seriously, my Christmas gift-getters are receiving just about everything you’ve taught us to make!
You are a blessing!!!!!
What a perfect gift for the grandparents! So much more budget friendly than the ones from the online photo stores! THANK YOU!
Love this idea. Is there any way to make Mod Podge? At my Joanne’s it was priced $7.99 for the larger bottle. Thanks.
Hi Donna ~ my sister-in-law makes Mod Podge using watered down tacky glue. I haven’t tried it myself yet, though.
Mod Podge is pricey–I try to use a 40% or 50% off one item coupon @ A.C. Moore when I need to get it.
Thanks for reminding me. I did this a while back with napkins. I had a thought, what about making them photo frames? I am going to try to come up with a backing to use. I kinda like the tile with unfished edges and propped up in my bookcase
What an awesome project idea!! I’m just wondering- do you use glazed or unfinished/unglazed tiles for this?? And what do you mean by painting the edges?
Thanks so much for the ideas and tips!! Also- you can make your own Mod-Podge with regular Elmer’s glue and water. I forget the ratio but you can google it.
Hi Erica ~ these particular tiles I used were the already glazed, shiny surface tiles.
The sides of the tiles are rough and unfinished, so I painted the side edges with a similar color off-white paint.
Hope that helps!
~ Heidi
I’m looking for a little more info on the tissue paper printing?
Tracing paper is a bit more sturdy and works, tissue jammed.
Get some 110lb cardstock – Office Max ImPress (the printers inside Office Max) will sell you a few sheets for just a few pennies. Use white tissue paper and try not to get any creases. I tape all 4 sides with masking tape so there are no gaps. A little tape on the tissue paper and fold over to the back. Make sure it’s pulled nice and tight for an even print, but not too tight or the paper will bow.
Feed it into your printer and print. No need for special settings or anything – at least not with my HP inkjet. Let the finished sheet dry AT LEAST an hour, then cut it apart. I actually find that gently tearing it makes it easier to hide the edges than cutting, but to each their own.
Been doing this for years on everything from tiles to rocks to picture frames to clothes pins.
Oh, and I don’t use Mod Podge – I use a 50/50 mixture of Elmer’s glue and water. Make sure to use a good acrylic sealer, though.
You mention you did this using a rock could u explain the method more sounds interesting
I made one the other day as a trial. Worked well except when you press on the surface, your fingerprint is left behind. You can smudge it out. Any idea how to prevent this? I’m afraid a heavy mug would leave a ring.