How to Customize Mugs
Mugs are often an essential part of a person's day, serving as a vessel for coffee, tea, or another hot and comforting beverage of choice. Customizing a mug can make it a personal and thoughtful gift for a coffee or tea enthusiast, or enhance your own mug collection with this technique.
Things You'll Need
- Plain colored mug Glass paint Paint brushes Oven Cookie sheet Scratch paper Pencil
Instructions
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Customizing Your Mug
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1
Select a suitable glass paint for your project. Craft store Michael's explains that for the best staying power on a piece that will undergo frequent use and dishwasher cleaning--like a favorite mug would--it is best to select a paint that is baked on, not air-dry only. You also have a choice between opaque and translucent colors. For a standard porcelain mug, opaque paint will allow for the most vibrant colors and designs. Most craft stores will have a selection of glass paints to choose from.
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2
Using the pencil and scratch paper, sketch out your design ideas. By sketching your ideas before painting, you are able to plan and make changes to ensure the best final product possible. Design ideas could include: words, geometric designs, scenic designs, flowers, polka dots, stripes and anything else you can imagine.
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3
Wash the mug thoroughly with soap and water, and dry completely.
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4
With the paintbrushes, paint your chosen design onto the clean mug. As glass is not a porous surface like wood, mistakes can be wiped away before they dry.
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Place your painted mug on a cookie sheet and bake according to the instructions given on your chosen glass paint. Allow the mug to cool fully before handling.
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Tips & Warnings
Many glass paints can be baked multiple times, so if you decide after baking that there is something else you would like to add, go right ahead. Then simply bake the mug again after painting.
