This past month, we did our first ever no-spend month. (More to come on a future post on what we did and the outcome!) With it being Mother’s Day, I still wanted to get my mother and mother-in-law a present but wanted to limit how much we spent to keep it affordable and inexpensive. We decided to make homemade DIY photo coasters out of ceramic tiles!
They came out so cute and the grandmothers loved them!
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From start to finish, these DIY photo coasters were done in about 4 hours, and honestly, the majority of that time was spent drying. (The actual work to put them together only took about 10 minutes!)
I honestly can’t wait to make more. My husband may get some for Father’s Day and I think these may be my go-to housewarming gift in the future.
I’d also love to try these with black and white photographs for a more sophisticated look.
Read on for a tutorial on how to make DIY photo coasters from tiles.
How to Make Easy DIY Photo Coasters from Tiles
Watch instructional video now or scroll down for instructions.
I found these white ceramic tiles at Home Depot for $0.16 a piece! I decided to include four coasters in each set, so I purchased eight all together.
The tiles were 4.25 inches x 4.25 inches so I wanted my pictures to be as close to possible in size.
I used Walgreens one-hour photo to print pictures of my daughters in the 4 inch x 4 inch size.
Money saving tip – Walgreens frequently offers coupon codes on photo purchases. Do a simple web-search for coupon codes before purchasing to save money! I found one for 40% off!
You can also use standard 4 x 6 photos and cut them down to size.
You will also need Mod Podge, a foam brush, and an acrylic sealer spray.
Because the Mod Podge can be quite sticky, I would put down some paper or cloth to protect your workspace before you begin.
Supplies
April 2020 Update: Many supplies are sold out at Amazon, Target, and Walmart, but I’ve been able to find most in stock at Michaels. They do curbsite pick up as well!)
- Mod Podge (I use Gloss Mod Podge) (Michaels link)
- Acrylic Sealer (with a Gloss Finish) (Michaels link)
- Foam Brushes (Michaels link)
- Ceramic Tiles
- Pictures cut 4” x 4”
- Self-Adhesive Felt Pads (optional)
Instructions
Your first step in creating DIY photo coasters is going to be to paint a thin layer of Mod Podge directly onto the back of your photo (edge to edge) and stick the photo to the tile.
You are basically using the Mod Podge as a glue. Make sure you press down on all four corners to ensure the photo isn’t peeling up around the edges.
Allow this to completely dry before moving to your next step.
Once dried and the photo is securely attached to the tile, you are going to paint the Mod Podge on top of the photo and tile (from end to end and around the edges).
Because Mod Podge will leave faint lines from application, you want to be consistent in your brush strokes – I painted left to right. The Mod Podge will go on white, but as it dries, it will turn clear in color.
Allow the Mod Podge to dry and repeat. (And then repeat again for a total of three coats.)
After your final coat of Mod Podge is dried, you will want to apply your acrylic sealer.
I would suggest moving your project outside or to a well-ventilated area as the spray is quite strong in smell.
Spray your tiles, being sure to spray the edges and sides as well. Allow the spray to dry completely and repeat for a total of three coats.
Allow the sealer to dry completely between each application.
If you do this outside, be sure to securely fasten any papers or drop cloth you may be using to the ground. The acrylic sealer is sticky until it dries, and anything that it touches may stick.
The final step to create DIY photo coasters is to add padding to the bottom of the tile so it minimizes the chance of breakage.
You can do this a few ways. I chose to add self-adhesive felt pads to the bottom of my coasters. (They were an easy peel and stick!)
You can also purchase thin cork coasters and attach them to the bottom of the coaster using a hot glue gun.
There you have it! The easiest DIY photo coasters for a super cute gift!
How to Make DIY Photo Coasters from Tiles
Homemade DIY photo coasters are the perfect gift for anyone!
Materials
- Mod Podge (I use Gloss Mod Podge)
- Acrylic Sealer (with a Gloss Finish)
- Foam Brushes
- Ceramic Tiles
- Pictures cut 4” x 4”
- Self-Adhesive Felt Pads (optional)
Instructions
Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge directly onto the back of your photo (edge to edge) and stick the photo to the tile. You are basically using the Mod Podge as a glue. Make sure you press down on all four corners to ensure the photo isn’t peeling up around the edges. Allow this to completely dry before moving to your next step.
Once dried and the photo is securely attached to the tile, you are going to paint the Mod Podge on top of the photo and tile (from end to end and around the edges).
Allow the Mod Podge to dry and repeat. (And then repeat again for a total of three coats.)
In a well-ventilated area, spray your acrylic sealer onto the tiles. Be sure to spray the edges and sides as well. Repeat for a total of three coats allowing sealer to dry completely in between each application.
Add padding to the bottom of the tile using either self-adhesive felt pads or hot glue cork pads on bottom of tile.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Smart Surface 8825 Heavy Duty Self Adhesive Furniture Felt Pads 1-Inch Round Brown 96-Piece Value Pack in Resealable Bag -
ROYAL BRUSH RFOMW-3P Foam Brush, 3-Pack
-
Aleene's Spray Gloss Finish 6oz Acrylic Sealer, Original Version
-
Mod Podge Waterbase Sealer, Glue and Finish (16-Ounce), CS11202 Gloss Finish
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After the mod podge dries can you see lines?
Mine do have faint lines from my brush strokes. It’s only noticeable when viewing them up close though!
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I was wondering did you use the actual photo or did you get copies of the photo on regular print paper with ink jet printer?
I used the actual photo! I was just over my parents house this weekend and noticed that they were using them for their drinks. It’s been over a year and they said they use them non-stop. They looked just as good as day one, so they are holding up nicely!
Should you use matte or glossy photos?
I have .ines after i finished my coasters is there anyway of covering them or is this normal I probably spread it too thick
Do you have to use photos that were printed by laser printer or can you use an inkjet printer photo?
Did the smell from the sealer go away?
How well do these hold up to hot drinks?… I have a problem with my hot coffee/tea cups sticking to the coasters…
We have had no issues with hot drinks!
So this sealer is good for cups? I saw on another site you have to use water sealant?
I’m having the same issue. I used Mod Podge Acrylic Sealer and wondered if that’s what caused the stickiness.
I used engine enamel spray and cured them by baking them. No issues with hot drinks now!
Hi! I was wondering if these would work using wood instead of ceramic? 🙂
Hey does the finish look like bubbles on some of them when they dry.
Bubbles when drying sometimes
Hi! I haven’t come across any bubbling on the coasters I put together.
Did you use glazed or unglazed tiles to start?
I saw the photo of the 4 1/2″ tiles that you purchased but I couldn’t see the store name. Where did you buy them?? Thank you! Cute idea and I can’t wait to make these for my daycare parents 🙂
I got mine at Home Depot for 13 cents each
Some of mine bubbled too. I wonder if I didn’t let them dry looking enough before adding the mod podge to the top.
I’ve seen people use those torches to get rid of bubbles… wonder if it would work in this case?
After i put the acrylic smear on the pictures smudged. What happened?
I’m having problems that over time the picture begins to come loose from the coaster. I have even used a small roller to seal the picture to the coaster. Any ideas???
I’m having trouble finding the adhesive backing ,or the Cork screw thing I live near Martinsville Virginia any suggestions were t to get them at?
Doesn’t the condensation from the glass puddle on these types of coasters and the the glass like sticks to them when lifting? That’s my concern, no where for the condensation to go
Sorry I’m late to the game here. I plan on using this technique on reasonably thick cork coasters. I presume I use M podge to attach the photo but don’t need to paint the bottom of the cork. But I do intend to seal top and bottom with acrylic. Does that sound like a plan with using cork coasters instead of tile?