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!
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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”
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So have you tried this tutorial for How to Make Photo Coasters yet?
Leave a comment & share!
Has anyone tried using the watertight Outdoor Mod Podge? I think this form of the product is perfect for this craft and elliminates the need for a spray sealer making the craft even more cost effective. Also-if some are still afraid to try the craft as a coaster-have you concidered glueing a ribbon hanger to the back of the tile? Just a couple of thoughts off the top of my head.
Please let us know if the other type of Mod Podge work without the sealer.
Just finished 91 total. I had to do them in batches but they came out great. I took my time and let dry longer than first time,partly just because I’ve been busy! I know there will be a lot of happy parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters and brothers this x-mas though! They turned out so cute! Thanks again for the idea!
Started mine out tonight…Stole my mom’s photo album to make coasters of my parents giving eachother those looks of love that only true people in love can have from when they first got married. I am doing this as a 34th wedding anniversary present. The only bummer is when I bought my can of what I thought was acrylic spray, I noticed was adhesive in the bag. Does anyone know if walmart sells a sealer? Because I live too far to drive back to the craft store.
Thank you very much! I’ll let you know how they turned out!
Hi Sarah ~ I used 3 coats of Mod Podge and 5 coats of spray. 😉
Let each coat dry thoroughly in between coats ~ I spread this out over the course of a week, so each coat was thoroughly dry. Hope that helps!
~ Heidi
Did this work? You can put wet glasses on the coasters and no marks? How about hot coffee cups, etc…
So, I really really want to make these, it seems the perfect gift for my family this Christmas on my super tight budget but some of the comments are scaring me. I’m going to let them dry a day inbetween mod podge coats and then three days after the gloss… I certainly hope this works because I’m kind of putting all my eggs in one basket. How many coats of clear spray do you need?
Cassandra, it looks like you put more than one coat of spray?
Anybody else have any advice besides time and latex gloves??? I’d really appreciate it!
I didn’t use gloves for this project. To press the pictures down I just flipped an unused tile upside down and pressed down while sliding my picture around to remove any air. Then while the tile was still down I made sure the picture was straight. They turned out great. (so fat)
I still have the last two layers of of Mod Podge to go. I’m wondering if the lines will ever go away. Anyone know?
I love this craft. I made a small set for DH’s and my parents. Let them set about 20 between mod podge coats and then let them set a day before spraying. An hour between each spray on coat and then let them set out side till I finally found the glue sticks, about 3 days. lol They turned out GREAT!! Thank you. 4 Christmas gifts for less than $20.
Becky, Sorry I haven’t been on in awhile and didn’t see your post but I’ve been so busy I started mine on sunday with putting the pictures on. Monday I put the first coat of mod podge on and tonight the 2nd coat. I’m going to try just doing one coat a day for now and hopefully it will work. The first time I tried it I made like 75 and when I went to start the second batch I had about 3/4 of the mod podge left after 3 coats. I still had some of the sealer spray left after doing the 5 coats but not sure how much exactly.I bought by sealer spray at A.C. Moore and used a 50% coupon and the mod podge at hobby lobby using a 40% off coupon. Since I was making so many I bought a 100 pack of tiles at Lowes. I think the price was 16.98 and used a $10 off coupon from their Facebook deals awhile back to get them for under $10 with tax. I will let you know how it goes after I use the spray I’m a little worried since it has gotten so cold here as of lately I can’t leave them outside to dry after I spray, but fingers crossed everything works out because they are just too darn cute!
Suzannah- Let me know how they turned out. I just did a few more. The first I let each coat dry 12 hours, it looked beautiful.. Then I put a cup of water on it. It left an imprint of the cup. I was crushed. the other 12 that I had in the works, apparently got to cold. I left them in the sun room each day and we have had freezing weather. They all are messed up to a degree. I quit. I’m so disappointed in my work. My inexpensive holiday gifts cost me double and I still have no gifts.. 🙁
In 3 hours, I’ve completed painting the sides of 25 coasters, cutting the pictures, applying the pictures to the tile, and 2 coats of mod podge. I’m going to do the other coat of mod podge tomorrow and spray the first coat of spray. the mod podge dried really quick, I didn’t use a lot. I’m thinking the sealer takes longer to dry. I will let you know. i’m hoping by Sunday I have 25 done. They are turning out great. I used the latex gloves, (no smudges) and the mod podge does leave some lines. Not big lines or noticeable. That’s mod podge though. The spray shouldn’t leave lines, it should just seal them. Turning out great. Really happy with them.