Are you wondering how to make Photo Coasters at home? They’re actually so easy to make!
Be sure to check out these sweet Gifts in a Jar, too!
How to Make Photo Coasters
I’ve got another fun, easy & thrifty project to share with you ~ How to Make Photo Coasters. Grab the Mod Podge, it’s time to do a little crafting!
These easy DIY Photo Coasters start with a simple tile, and transform into sweet keepsakes that make great thrifty gifts!
Make some for yourself, and make some extras to give as a Frugal Gift Idea!
So what are you waiting for? It’s time for another frugally Fun Craft project!
Making your own personalized photo coasters is the perfect excuse to get some of those cute photos off of your phone. Plus, this easy craft isn’t very expensive.
So what exactly do you need to get started?
Keep reading…
Related: Fun Crafts To Do that Anyone Can Enjoy! (huge list)
What is Needed to Make Coasters?
Here’s what you’ll need to round up to make your own fabulous DIY photo coasters at home…
- Small Foam Paint Brushes
- Ceramic Tiles (I found these at Lowe’s for 16 cents each!)
- Mod Podge (I used ‘Glossy’)
- 4×6 Photos (I had mine printed ‘Matte’ style)
- Waterproof Acrylic Sealer Spray
- Note: if you are using different brands of products, the results may vary.
- White Acrylic Craft Paint
- Felt, Fleece or Cork scraps for backing + Hot Glue to attach the backing
How to Make Photo Coasters with Mod Podge
Here’s what you’ll do…
1. Paint the rough, unfinished side edges of the coasters. Now, be sure not to rush the project. 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.
2. Once the tile has dried, grab your photos. Trim each photo into a square shape, to fit the your tile.
*Note: Black and white photos are also fun to use on this craft!
How Do You Transfer Pictures To Coasters?
3. Apply Mod Podge to the back of the photo with a sponge applicator.
4. Then press down onto tile. Allow to dry completely. (note: make sure each coat dries completely before applying the next coat.)
5. 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)
6. Allow to dry completely.
7. Repeat with 2 more layers of Mod Podge (allowing each layer to dry completely before applying the next).
How Do You Make Photo Coasters Waterproof?
8. 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! This is what you will seal the coasters with.
9. Lay coasters on wax paper. Or something else you don’t mind getting sprayed with some over-spray.
10. 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 overnight before applying the next coat.
11. Now it’s time to add some backing to the coasters.
I used felt on some, some fleece scraps on some, or you could even use some squares of cork material…
12. Apply the backing with a hot glue g*n, and allow to dry completely.
You did it ~ aren’t these too cute??
Now its’ time to choose. Do you save some for yourself, or give some as Thrifty Gifts? Or should you do both?
Then promise me, whatever you do… don’t forget to make one of the dog! 😉
Once the coasters are completely dry, it’s time to stack up a set. Then grab some ribbon for a bow.
Voila!
Now you’ve got an extra-cute and thrifty homemade gift to give to someone special!
A BIG thanks to frugal friend Joli for sharing this fun project idea with us!
RELATED: Grandma Gift Ideas
Photo Coaster Reviews
What Your Frugal Friends are Saying About This Photo Coasters Project…
Maria writes: “Awesome! Gave them to my mother-in-law for her birthday, she loved them! Super cute & very inexpensive!”
Rachel writes: “I had my son decorate 2 tiles and then used pics for the other 2 and gave them as teacher gifts at the end of the year. They were a big hit!”
Eric writes: “Turned out great! Super easy and fun to make.”
Anita writes: “Made them as Baby shower favors!”
Lindsey writes: “Absolutely my favorite Diy project by far”
RELATED: Coffee Lover Gift Ideas
More Fun Crafts and Homemade Gift Ideas
So now that you’ve learned how to How to Make Photo Coasters, be sure to check out more Fun Photo Crafts and Homemade Frugal Gift Ideas.
Homemade gifts can be some of the most memorable gifts you can give.
Plus, giving homemade gifts is great for your budget!
Clipboard Crafts (DIY Decorating Clipboards Ideas)
You’ll love learning How to Make Customized Decorative Clipboards with these easy DIY decorating ideas for clipboards!
Easy DIY Photo Ornaments
Deck the halls and trim the trees this Christmas with more fun photo ornaments!
How to Photograph and Create 3-D Photo Cards
Ditch those cheesy store-bought cards, and learn How to Make 3D Valentine’s Day Cards your friends and family will LOVE!
Needle Minder Magnets DIY (How to Make Your Own in 5 Minutes)
Keep your needle handy when you’re sewing, cross stitching and embroidering with DIY Needle Minder Magnets! They’re SO quick and easy to make!
No Sew Toilet Paper Pumpkin Craft
These no sew toilet paper pumpkins are about as simple as can be to make, and will honestly take you less than 5 minutes to put together!
No Sew Fleece Blanket Tutorial
Create the perfect cozy blanket for a chilly day or make some extra special gifts with this easy No Sew Fleece Blanket Tutorial!
How to Make a Fleece Scarf with Fringes
When you know how to make a fleece scarf, you can afford as many scarves as you want!
DIY Floral Swag Tutorial
Use this tutorial to create your very own budget friendly DIY Floral Swag… and enjoy beauty inside or out that will never wilt!
DIY Hydrangea Wreath For Front Door
Need to freshen up your front door for Spring? You can make this DIY Hydrangea Wreath for Front Door in just 5 minutes!!
DIY Stocking Wreath
This cheerful Christmas DIY stocking wreath will make such a fun statement on your front door!
Fun Crafts To Do that Anyone Can Enjoy! (huge list)
There are Crafts for every season, holiday, and occasion ~ perfect for both kids and adults! So many of these ideas make great homemade gifts, too!
Photography Tips and Tricks For Your BEST Photos Ever!
Becoming an AMAZING photographer is easier than you think, thanks to these little-known Photography Tips and Tricks for your phone and DSLR!
101 Gifts in a Jar Recipes
Get ready for one humongous gigantic list of homemade gift giving inspiration!
Frugal Gift Ideas for Everyone on your List!
Score frugal gift ideas for the Kiddos, Teens, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Co Workers and more!
So have you tried this tutorial for How to Make Photo Coasters yet?
Leave a comment & share!
I know you printed your pictures Matte but can you use glossy print?
Hi Makenna ~ I’ve found that matte printed pictures have worked best for me. If you do give a glossy picture a try, let me know how it turns out!
I was wondering if you can use the same process to make a trivet with a 6″ x 6″ tile? Not sure if putting a hot dish on it will ruin the tile. Have you tired this?
I honestly haven’t tried that, Marilyn… but if you do, let me know how it turns out! I’d love to hear!
I’ll let you know!
Love the coasters and the box. Great job and never thought about the spray. Great idea.
First off, this is a lovely tutorial! Thank you! I’m hoping you can help me save my coasters! As I was adding the gloss finish over the top, I noticed some dust on the surface. I quickly tried to pinch out a spec and because the sealer wasn’t totally dry, it smudged. Without thinking I grabbed a paper towel and it left even more residue! Unsure what to do, I ran it under water, but there is still quite a bit of paper towel residue on my favorite coasters. 🙁 !! Do you know of any tricks to fix this??
Can I use regular photo paper on the tiles? I was just going to print a few photos at CVS or something. Thanks!
Hi Danielle ~ yes… I always just use regular photos. Have fun making yours!
There are a ton of comments here so I may have missed it but…
Why do you have to put mod podge over the pic before the sealer? I want to make these to be used at my wedding and don’t like this “there will be lines” thing I keep reading about. If you’re going to seal them in anyway, why bother with the mod podge on top of the pic? (I get that you need it under to glue the pic to the coaster [i think?]).
Super new to crafting, thanks for any help!
I don’t know if this has been mentioned prior, but you can get 4×4 square pictures printed at Walmart in the 1 hour. I ordered mine online anpicked them up in store. This saved me tons of cutting time since the tiles are 4×4.
That’s a great tip, Kyleigh… thanks for sharing! 🙂
Also if you wrap your brush in aluminum foil it won’t dry out so you can use it the next day. Instead of having to get a new brush with every coat. This will save a little money
Oh my goodness! I have big bubbles underneath the photos! And they seemed to have appeared out of nowhere – seriously!!!
Anyone any thoughts??? Please!!!
Have experienced this myself. Be sure not to skimp on the Mod Podge on the tile before placing your photo on the tile. If the tile isn’t completely covered, obviously the photo won’t stick in the “dry” areas, resulting in bubbles. If using glossy photos, you want to avoid touching the photo directly as much as possible, so you don’t leave fingerprints. Wear a pair of cotton gloves, press a finger on the center of the photo to hold the photo in place and use either your fingers (glove covered) or a piece of cardboard or a credit card to press on the photo, moving from the center out to the edges, like a squeegee. Be extra careful not to get any wet Med Podge on whatever your using when you get to the edges, so you don’t transfer it onto the photo as you continue the process. Personally, I use my fingers, so I can feel if there are any “bubble” areas.