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How to Make DIY Sharpie Mugs With Dot Design

April 26, 2014 Amy 67 Comments

Have you seen all the cute ideas for homemade Sharpie mugs?

There are just about everywhere. Giving personalized gifts add so much more meaning. Especially when someone has a unique name.

Two of my children do not have common names. So finding anything with their name on it is a challenge. Let’s just say, when I decided to name them, my first thought was not will their name be available in gift shops?

We have mugs in the house, but only one of the kids has a personalized mug with their name on it. I decided to DIY personalized mugs with their initial on them using their favorite colors.

The stores around here had the little five pack Sharpie oil based marker set, but I wanted more! So If you want more too you can pick up this pack of 15 Sharpie Oil Based Markers (I earn a small commission at no cost to you). There were so many colors for so many projects. I think 15 will be enough for now.

Custom Sharpie Mugs

Custom DIY Sharpie Mugs Dot Design by Pounds4Pennies

Materials for Sharpie Marker Mugs

Oil Based Sharpie Markers (In favorite colors) (affiliate link)
Mugs of your choice

How to make Custom Sharpie Mugs

1. First pick out the mugs.  Dollar store mugs are a great start. They did not have three matching white mugs in my store. It is a small store. So I went to my favorite place Ikea. Next clean the surface of the mug where you are going to place the sticker. I used a little homemade glass cleaner and washed them off.

Vinyl Application to Sharpie Mug for Sharpie Mugs

2. Next if do not have your markers at this point, stop and order them here. (affiliate link) Find some vinyl letters with the initials or design you want or you can use stickers. Here is something to think about, if you are designing a mug for a right handed person, be sure the handle is on the left side when placing your sticker. So the initial will face out when they are drinking. This just may be the OCD part of me. Do this in reverse for a left handed person.

3. Carefully place the stickers on the mug. Be sure to get out any air bubbles for a smooth clean letter on the front of the mug.

Applying Sharpie dots on Mug for custom Sharpie Mugs

4. Outline the sticker with little tiny dots using the Sharpie markers a few spaces apart. Leave enough room to add more. I started about a space between the dots then I went out three spaces then more and more space until the front of the mug was covered. I found 3 colors to be a good combination. For a little flare, make one color shiny with a gold or silver. Once you are done see if you need to add a few dots here and there to make the design complete. Let the paint dry for about 30 min to an hour.

5. Before baking carefully remove the vinyl letters. Bake the Sharpie Mugs in the oven at 350 for 40 min. I found many different times online for this, so I decided longer is better.

6. Wrap up the Sharpie mugs and give as gifts. I have only hand washed these to this point with no issues. See update below. I am going to test on a separate mug and run through the dishwasher to see if the design will stay on these Sharpie mugs. I will update this post to let you know.

DIY Custom Sharpie Mugs - Pounds4Pennies

My kids loved to get their personalized Sharpie mugs. I am making these mugs for everyone I know, just don’t tell anyone. These would be perfect for a teacher’s gift, Mother’s Day gift or Father’s Day gift. You can even use the oil based Sharpie markers on wine glasses for this design technique. These Sharpie mugs will make the perfect gift for any occasion and on any budget.

UPDATE: This L cup was accidentally put on the bottom shelf and washed in the dishwasher. I cringed when I saw it there. I just knew it had been ruined. But it came out perfectly clean and no dots were gone. It still looks the exact same. These are bottom rack dishwasher safe. (I still put them in the top rack just as a precaution)

Do you enjoy making personalized gifts?

Crafts, Gift Ideas, Great Gifts sharpie

About Amy

Amy Greene has a passion for creating items from scratch. She created Mainly Homemade to inspire families to cook homemade meals and create homemade crafts to create lifelong family memories. Receive creative family memories in your inbox.

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Comments

  1. Bernadyn says

    April 26, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    Perfect gift idea…I’ve been wanting to test writing on mugs with a sharpie so this makes me happy to see how creative you can get with it! I need to get these markers, nice job and thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
  2. [email protected] says

    April 27, 2014 at 8:37 pm

    That is so simple yet so cute!

    Reply
  3. Jodi says

    May 2, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    Love this! I will be featuring it next week at Meaningful Mama. I think it would make a fabulous Mother’s Day gift. Thanks for linking up at Mom’s Library. Pinning this now too.

    Reply
  4. Shachenika says

    May 12, 2014 at 10:44 pm

    Where did you get the letters?

    Reply
    • Amy says

      May 21, 2014 at 11:06 am

      I used a Cricut machine to cut out the letters on vinyl. Then I carefully placed the stickers on the mugs. But you could also use large scrapbook letter stickers for the same effect. Ant letter sticker would work.

      Reply
  5. Barb says

    June 27, 2014 at 9:46 pm

    I washed mine in the dishwasher and the design came off:(

    Reply
  6. Jessica R says

    October 10, 2014 at 5:40 pm

    What size tip did you use?

    Reply
    • Amy says

      October 11, 2014 at 11:30 am

      It says medium. To make it easy, I have provided a link in the post of the markers I used.

      Reply
  7. Karin says

    October 19, 2014 at 10:23 am

    I drew on the mug, now I’m ready to put it in the oven and bake BUT I’m not sure how it is supposed to be baked. So should you bake it with the base of the mug down (open end face up) or with the base of the mug up (open side down)? Also cookie sheet or no cookie sheet

    Reply
    • Amy says

      October 19, 2014 at 1:46 pm

      I baked mine on a cookie sheet with open side up. I really don’t think it matters that much. Just as long as it is in the oven at the correct temp for the correct time. I hope this works for you.

      Reply
  8. M Probert says

    November 22, 2014 at 12:08 am

    When I baked mine the colors changed. Red became purple, gold became silver. Have you had that happen?

    Reply
    • Amy says

      December 3, 2014 at 9:13 am

      Yes the colors do change a little. Mine became a little darker after baking. The picture is after baking them.

      Reply
  9. Lauren says

    December 10, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    These turned out so awesome.. I am tempted to try it!

    Reply
  10. Chris says

    December 11, 2014 at 4:57 pm

    you say above that you used med. tips? but the link you gave is for fine point tips? just double checking on which you used?

    Reply
    • Amy says

      December 11, 2014 at 8:51 pm

      I used the medium point tips. But it looks like the fine point would work too.

      Reply
  11. saywm samad says

    December 15, 2014 at 3:11 am

    y do i have to bake this in oven?
    plz let me know.. what if i dont bake? in oven

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      December 16, 2014 at 12:53 am

      You bake them so the color doesn’t wash off

      Reply
  12. Sarah says

    December 16, 2014 at 12:52 am

    I just made 18 of these for Xmas! Gold and black still need to bake them! Really hope the color doesn’t change!!!
    Putting homemade hot cocoa on a stick in them with homemade cookies as gifts! Super excited to give!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:32 am

      Oh that sounds wonderful. I hope these turn out to be great gifts! The gold does go a little darker. I used gold on the L mug above.

      Reply
  13. Alyssa says

    December 16, 2014 at 7:58 am

    Can someone post a link from where they got their sticker letters from? I can’t seem to find them anywhere! 🙁 THANK YOU!!!!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      December 16, 2014 at 8:33 am

      Some people have ordered these: Vinyl Letters

      Vinyl Letters Or these Vinyl Letters

      I hope this helps.

      Reply
    • Debbie says

      January 23, 2017 at 8:57 pm

      I have purchased vinal letters at Wal-Mart and OfficeMax

      Reply
  14. Ashley says

    December 17, 2014 at 7:10 am

    i have sticker residue left on mine. How do you suggest i remove it before baking? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      January 13, 2015 at 2:23 pm

      I would suggest using a little window cleaner and scrubbing a little to get it off.

      Reply
  15. Alexis says

    March 29, 2015 at 8:58 pm

    I just searched on Google images for letters that I liked and printed them off. Then I cut them out and taped the letters on. That seemed to work easily, and once I took the letters off no residue was left from the tape. 🙂

    Reply
  16. Jenn says

    April 9, 2015 at 10:36 pm

    I’ve been dying to try this! Glad to see they ARE dishwasher safe.

    Reply
  17. Sandrine says

    April 11, 2015 at 4:13 am

    is this 350 F of 350 C ?

    Reply
    • Amy says

      April 14, 2015 at 8:58 am

      Bake at 350 Degrees F, since 350 C is really hot!

      Reply
  18. adriana says

    May 10, 2015 at 12:18 am

    What if you don’t use oil based sharpies. Can regular permanent sharpies work?

    Reply
    • Amy says

      May 17, 2015 at 12:22 pm

      They can work, but then they will wash off. Even if you hand wash them.

      Reply
      • Mel says

        March 10, 2018 at 2:45 pm

        I’ve used regular sharpies and they don’t wash off if you handwash. Haven’t tried in dishwasher yet.

        Reply
  19. Brogan Laine says

    May 10, 2015 at 12:50 am

    I have seen these sharpie mugs everywhere and am trying to think of a way to prevent them from fading while baking and making them dishwasher safe. I thought about drawing in sharpie, finding a spray to seal it with and then using dishwasher safe mod podge.. and totally by passing the baking part. Has any one tried this??

    Reply
    • Amy says

      May 17, 2015 at 12:24 pm

      I have not tried this. But I would see if dishwasher safe modpodge is safe to eat from. That would be my biggest concern.

      Reply
  20. Aimee says

    August 31, 2015 at 7:28 pm

    When you baked them did it make a bad smell? Mine caused a horrible smell in my house.. any tips for this not to happen!?

    Reply
    • Amy says

      September 1, 2015 at 2:10 pm

      It may have been the mugs you were using. I don’t remember any smell in my house when I baked them.

      Reply
  21. Kaj says

    November 22, 2015 at 1:50 am

    Did you use oven safe mugs? Or just regular mugs?

    Reply
    • Amy says

      November 27, 2015 at 3:59 pm

      I just used regular mugs.

      Reply
  22. Crystal says

    December 13, 2015 at 1:30 pm

    I can’t find any oil based sharpies that have a good variety of colors. Can you recommend anyt other options. Or stores I can maybe find more then a 5 pack. Thanks so much

    Reply
    • Amy says

      December 14, 2015 at 8:34 am

      I have links throughout the post. Simply click on them and they will take you to purchase markers.

      Reply
  23. Hanna says

    December 17, 2015 at 6:58 am

    I found my letters at the dollar store where I got the mugs. The oil paint sharpies I purchased at Hobby Lobby which can be a tad expensive but just use a coupon. I loved this project

    Reply
  24. Unique says

    December 17, 2015 at 9:06 am

    I made these for my co-works for Christmas, They love it!!!!!

    Reply
  25. bremarie says

    May 1, 2016 at 8:45 pm

    Can they be microwaved (if I buy a microwave-safe mug) after they are done? Thinking of making them for “mug cakes” as a gift.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      May 2, 2016 at 9:34 am

      Yes we use ours in the microwave all the time.

      Reply
  26. Amy Pelzner says

    May 11, 2016 at 10:58 pm

    Thanks for a great idea! I think my kids will love to make them since they all like having their own hot cocoa mug – even though it’s already 90 degrees here in CA. Love the dollar store and can’t wait to try these!

    Reply
  27. Anita says

    May 12, 2016 at 7:47 pm

    Very pretty! Thanks for sharing at Freedom Fridays.

    Reply
  28. Tisha says

    February 11, 2017 at 7:34 am

    You mentioned it works on wine glasses. Do they need to go in the oven as well?

    Reply
    • Amy says

      February 15, 2017 at 8:28 am

      Yes they do. The paint needs to set and the oven heat sets the paint. Place the wine glassed upside on the baking sheet to give them more stability taking them in and out of the oven.

      Reply
  29. Shelby says

    November 6, 2017 at 11:43 am

    If i were to use this for plates, bowls, etc. would they be food safe?

    Reply
    • Amy says

      November 6, 2017 at 2:14 pm

      I would not recommend them for food safe where you would eat off of the painted surface. But they are safe for the outside for decoration.

      Reply
  30. Pam Avoledo says

    November 8, 2017 at 8:38 pm

    Those are really cute! It must take a lot of patience, though. Awesome job!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      November 9, 2017 at 12:36 pm

      Sometimes crafting is therapy. 🙂

      Reply
  31. Cristina says

    December 12, 2019 at 9:57 am

    Hey where did you get your vinyl letters at??

    Reply
    • Amy says

      December 14, 2019 at 11:54 am

      Great Question Cristina. I used a Cricut Machine like this one to cut Vinyl letters. If you don’t have one I know people who have used letters like these instead. If you make them please tag me @mainlyhomemade or use the hashtag #mainlyhomemade. I can’t wait to see them!

      Reply

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