Weekend Project – Tile Coaster Tutorial
May 26th, 2012
Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone! For those of you looking to get some crafting done on this long weekend, I’ve got the perfect project for you! Remember these?
I’ve been getting a TON of comments and questions on my original post recently, so I decided the Tile Coaster Tutorial needed to be revisited. Here we go!
First, gather your materials. You will need:
- 4 – 4″ x 4″ pieces of paper
- 4 – 4.25″ x 4.25″ tiles
- Mod Podge Gloss
- Rustoleum Crystal Clear Enamel
- 3″ foam brush
- 3/8″ self adhesive felt pads
NOTE: I chose these matching scrapbook papers, but you can use photos, wrapping paper, napkins – just about any paper good! Also, if you are making a several sets I recommend buying the 12″ x 12″ scrapbook paper – you can get nine squares from each page!
Using your foam brush, apply a light layer of Mod Podge to your tiles.
Place your paper in the center of the tiles, and run your finger over top to get out any bubbles. Wait fifteen minutes to allow to dry.
Apply 3 coats of Mod Podge to over top of the paper – allowing 15 minutes dry time in between each coat.
Wait at least an hour after you applied the third coat to apply the Rustoleum Crystal Clear Enamel spray. In a well ventilated area (preferably outside) apply 2 or more light coats (within minutes of each other) of the enamel spray – spraying in a steady back and forth motion, slightly overlapping each coat. Wait at least 30 minutes to fully dry.
Final step – add a felt pad to the four corners of the bottom of the tile. And you’re done!
I made these coasters for game prizes for my friend’s baby shower last weekend. They were a big hit! I had extras leftover, so if you’d like one of the sets pictured below, please visit my Etsy store!
And if you’ve made any tile coaster, please send me pics! I’d love to share them on my Facebook Page.
Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone! Tune in next week, I’ve got a new fun tutorial on how to make your own fabric labels! Until then!
Hi there! I love this project so much, and it’s perfect for the holidays. I wanted to make a couple of sets for my relatives but I was wondering if the sealant would be okay for hot mugs too. Or should I use a different sealant for really water? Thank you!
Hi! I love these and decided to try to make myself some. I used pretty average weight scrapbook paper, wasn’t thin or super thick and used only a thing layer of mod podge but the edges are peeling up. If I wanted to I could lift the entire paper from the tile. Any suggestions? I was going to try to hot glue the corners down but I think it would form a bubble you’d see. :(
Is it possible to make these with natural materials like pressed leaves or flowers?
Brittnay – I have not tried it, but I would assume it would work!! Let me know if you try it :)
Kate – When you apply your first coat of mod podge to your coasters, make sure you get enough in the corners. And when you lay your paper down, press the corners down. Then try blowing it dry with a hair dryer – that has always worked for me!!!
These are such a great idea. I love them! I’m mentioning them in my blog post about homemade Christmas gift ideas. Thanks for the idea!
http://theaccomplishedwomen.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/homemade-christmas-gifts/
Thanks Lauren and Christine!
Do you have any idea how to cut tile? I got some free 12inch by 12 inch tile and have no idea how to cut.
These are great! I, too am making a whole batch for relatives for Christmas and I’m wondering if the sealant is absolutely necessary (simply because of the cost of a spray enamel). I hate to be so cheap but for a college student, those 6 bucks are precious!
Sarah – I don’t! Perhaps you could ask your local hardware store?
Allegra – YES! It protects the coaster from heat and moisture. And I HIGHLY recommend buying the Rustoleum Acrylic spray, and using a hair dryer between coats of mod podge and spray to ensure the coats dry properly. Best of luck!
love love this!!! if your doing multiple sets for Christmas and wanna save $$$ get the felt blankets instead of the felt pads and just cut them your self more work but saves you a buck :) Merry Christmas
This is really cool! I was wondering where you got your white tiles at?
Sarah, instead of cutting the tiles, how about making a large display trivet? I saw one with a stenciled initial that looked great.
Can I use fabric instead of paper?
Sharon – Absolutely!
Karlee – I got my tiles at Lowes. They have them in just about any hardware store!
Thanks Heather! Merry Christmas to you too!
Have you made DIY mod podge before? and if yes did it work on this project??
Caitlin – no I haven’t. But if you try, please let me know how it goes!
I have made it to the last step but bought acrylic clear spray …did anyone use this instead of the enamel ? I have seen this idea around other blogs , now I’m worried the enamel won’t hold up.
Stacy – I’ve only used the Rustoleum, and I highly recommend you use it too!
Think you could write a quote/message with sharpie then gloss over once more as a final personalization step????
Roseanna – I would do the sharpie after your first layer of spray, because I think if you did it before the mod podge it might smear. What a great way to personalize!
I decided to make these coasters as Christmas gifts and it’s ending in disaster. I first used Patricia Nimocks Clear Acrylic Sealer and it turned my pictures pink! So I started over and used Mod Podge Acrylic and now those aren’t drying all the way. Anything you place on top of them (even fingerprints) are leaving indents which makes for a pretty crummy coaster. Any suggestions?!?!?
I was printing pictures of my guys fav football teams on card stock but the color was running. I decided to try spraying my card stock with the clear enamel and IT WORKED! No running at all. You just have to make sure that you spray the paper a few times (letting it dry in between).
Do you think this would work on larger tiles used for hot dishes out of the oven? Would the Rustoleum withstand the heat of the hot dish?
I made this with homemade mod podge and it worked great I am putting them in a basket of entirely homemade goods this year for Christmas, my kids even got on the homemade bandwagon and all found cute things to make as gifts instead of giving store bought. We are all so happy with the gifts that we have made and I’m sure they will mean more to those that receive these beautiful gifts. Thanks so much for the tutorial!
I used this tutorial to make a bunch of coasters and they look great! However, the rust-oleum spray left an odor. After 3 days, the coasters still smell like spray paint. Did you have this problem? In addition, when I put hot drinks on the coasters, the coaster sometimes stick to the bottom of the mug. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Karen – I’ve never had the problem with the coasters still smelling like spray … but that might be because I sprayed them and let them dry outside in the sun. I have had my mugs stick to the bottom, so I started using a hair dryer in between coats of mod podge, and then applying the rustoleum outside in the sun. Hope that helps!