Use a Sharpie Marker to Decorate a Coffee Mug
Home » CREATE » Crafts » Homemade Gifts »I’ve seen this craft all over the web and thought it was high time that I take my Sharpie markers and start decorating ceramics! I’ve read that if you bake the ceramic after you’ve decorated then it makes the pen stay on the piece of crockery permanently. Only time will tell on this one!
To decorate a coffee mug, you’re going to need a plain mug – any colour will do and some Sharpie marker pens.
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UPDATE! Turns out that regular Sharpie markers do not hold up so well – after several washes, they’ve all but faded *sad face* on the look out for a way to make this last!!
UPDATE #2 I discovered POSCA Pens in 2017, and they work on ceramic and porcelain (and so many more materials!). You have to bake the mugs afterwards for 45 minutes at 200C. I’ve also read that cheaper mugs work best for this craft. Check out the test results sheet from POSCA which gives full details about all the materials you can use these pens on. You can also use oil-based Sharpie Paint Pens, which I didn’t even know existed until recently.
- I bought some cheap (80p) plain mugs from the local supermarket – I would advise you do the same – you don’t want to go ruining expensive stuff!
- I already had a pack of different coloured Sharpie markers – I love them! But you can pick up the plain black markers for a couple of quid.
- Clean and dry your mug thoroughly before starting your design work.
- Before you start drawing on your mug, plan out your design first and then draw! I made a little mistake and I used a tiny bit of nail polish remover (acetone) to get rid of the pen.
- Leave your mug to dry for 24 hours before baking it.
- Place your mug in a cold oven and turn the heat up to the maximum and leave for half an hour. (That’s gas mark 9 for me) Turn off the oven and leave your mug to cool down overnight. You need to do this so that they don’t crack.
- On my first baking, I found that the coloured sharpies faded, but the black was fine. I re-drew over the colours and baked again as above. This time, the colours stayed. I think it may have helped that I had the design facing outwards, away from the gas flame. If you try this out in an electric oven, please let me know the results!
- I’ve yet to put them to the washing up test, but ran a cold tap over them and rubbed over the design and nothing moved – so far so good!
- Turn your mug (or mugs) into a gift for Christmas by adding a packet of coffee or tea and wrapping up in some cellophane or inside a gift box!
If you have a go at this, do let me know! I’d love to hear how the results turned out for you. I have read so many different ways of doing this craft and it would seem it can be quite trial and error! Me, I can’t wait to create some more Sharpie art on ceramics :D
This post is part of Cook, Craft, Create: December 2013, why not check out the other ideas this season?
Louisa
April 20, 2014 @ 1:35 am
A lovely fun project, perfect for a father’s day mug. I’m on the look out for tips to avoid fading because I’m very keen to try this :-)
Michelle Ordever
April 21, 2014 @ 12:52 pm
If you find any let me know too! These didn’t last as well as suggested when I found tutorials online!
Hodge Podge
February 6, 2014 @ 10:25 pm
These would make a great DIY wedding present! Did the design stay post-dishwasher, I’m dying to know..?
Thanks for linking up to #Pintorials x
Michelle Ordever
February 7, 2014 @ 8:52 am
Don’t have a dishwasher – but we use the mugs every day, and yes, as I had feared, the sharpie has started to fade!!!!!!!! I could just go over it again, or try a different kind of pen. Or something to varnish it maybe?? It’s all trial and error and I’m glad I tried this! x
Hodge Podge
February 7, 2014 @ 10:37 am
Ah well, at least it didn’t wash off right away! I’d be interested to hear from other people who’ve tried it if they have found a way to make the Sharpie truly permanent… I’ll pop back & let you know if I hear any top tips! x
chantelle hazelden
December 20, 2013 @ 5:03 pm
Will be trying this, my mum loves a good mug x
Nicola Meredith
December 20, 2013 @ 4:24 pm
Those are fabulous! Might have to give this a try :)
Hazel Christopher
December 20, 2013 @ 3:33 pm
Great idea – I might try this with my little boy, then I’d have something he made to treasure forever! I might even draw around his hand on a mug or a plate and use them as gifts next year ….! :)
ellie caldwell
December 20, 2013 @ 2:48 pm
I keep meaning to try this, bough the mugs and have sharpies, just need to find time to try it. We have a fan oven so will let you know how it works in ours
Michelle Ordever
December 20, 2013 @ 2:51 pm
Please do let me know :) Used to have a fan oven and when we replace this one, likely to get one again. I think the true test though is how long they last when washing them over and over. It may be just a quick, fun project on an item that doesn’t get used too often.