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…
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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!
Hi Heidi – I love this project and would like to share the details and a photo on my site. Can I please get your permission to do so? I’d credit you and link back to your site and post, of course! Thank you!
Hi Stacey ~ I’m so glad you liked the project! I just sent you an email. 😉
~ Heidi
Awesome! I made these today for my mom’s birthday and they came out amazing. Thank you!
You’re very welcome, Danielle! I’m glad you enjoyed the project ~ I’m sure your mom will love them!
~ Heidi
I am curious as to how your coaster gifts came out for Christmas and if you had any problems with the quality of the photo coasters. Are they holding up well? Would you do anything differently? I am planning on making these as coasters for gifts to wedding guests using a cute photo of the newlyweds.
Instead of coasters (i have many already) I am going to use larger tiles and make a ribbon hanger for the back and put them on the walls with my family pictures on them. I am redoing my living room this spring and thought they would look fabulous! And I dislike choosing frames and when I need an extra one, I can never find a matching one. This way I can make them when I need! I love craft projects and with my mom working at a craft store, I can get a discount (and even better if they have a sale on the items) and save myself a good chunk of money! Thanks for the ideas frugal girls! Keep em coming!
I would live to see a picture of you photo project. It sounds cute.
Thanx
I made these for Christmas presents for my parents and my in-laws and a dear friend who babysits for us. They all LOVED them! Best idea! I need to make some for myself now….
Yay ~ I’m glad they all liked their photo coasters!!
~ Heidi
Hey everyone, just wanted to update and let people know that I did finish these and for the most part I think they turned out pretty well. No word yet on whether or not they can hold up to cups or mugs but I think most of the people who I gave them to are using them as decoration.
I did 12 hours between each modpodge coat. Then 24 hours between the first two coats of spray, and 12 hours after that (because of time). I feel like I should have put a thicker coat of spray on it because they turned out a little matte kind of. I let them sit after the last coat for 3 days and the felt on the bottom kind of still smudged it a little bit but not bad enough to where they were ruined.
Thanks so much for this idea. I loved it and everybody else thought they were wonderful gifts. (And they were so cheap!!!)
🙂
What a great idea Kendra ~ I love it!!
~ Heidi
I was also thinking about making these as welcome to you new home gifts/graduation presents for students moving out by including favorite recipes printed on them. That way they can’t lose their favorite recipe!
That sounds like a great idea!
My coasters turned out great! I made a set for my parents wedding anniversary. I stole a photo album out of their house and turned all the photos into black and white after I scanned them on the computer. I then printed them out, made the coasters. I thought my mom was going to be the most touched however I watched my dad cry when he opened them. They use them at their bar and they have NO problems with them.
I made these for Christmas this year to rave reviews! Looking forward to making them again next year!!!!