SuperCrafts: DIY Photo Coasters
Posted by SuperwifeJenny on July 16th, 2012. Filed under: SuperCrafty, SUPERWIFE JENNY.I gave away a LOT of photo gifts for Christmas last year, all of them homemade. One of the neatest projects I did was photo coasters, made very inexpensively with simple tiles from Lowe’s. Here’s a quick overview:
Photo Coasters: What You’ll Need:
- ceramic tiles (4.25 x 4.25) (found mine at Lowe’s for about $0.15 each)
- photos (sized to 3.75 x 3.75)
- Mod Podge
- sponge brush
- hot glue gun
- felt squares (3.75 x 3.75)
- clear acrylic sealer
Okay, these were very simple to make and they came out absolutely beautiful. First, brush a thin coat of Mod Podge onto the top of a tile. Place a photo in the center, smooth out, let dry about 10-15 minutes. Then cover the entire photo and tile again with a coat of Mod Podge. Let that coat dry, and repeat 2 more times.
If you’re planning on actually using these as coasters (and you should!), the next step is to take the tiles outside and spray with the acrylic sealer. Let the first coat dry about 10 minutes before adding a second coat. When all is dry, bring the tiles back inside.
Next, adhere the felt to the bottoms of each tile with the hot glue – I just went around the perimeter with a thin line of glue, and an “x” in the center to prevent lifting. Once this all dries… you’re done!
I gave the coasters as gifts in sets of 4, and they’re still holding up! I see them at Ellie’s grandparents’ houses each time we visit. :)
July 28th, 2012 at 9:54 am
Did you have any problems with stacking your coasters? Mine keep leaving felt imprints, even though they have been completed over a week ago, it seems like the sealer spray just isn’t curing/drying completely…very frustrating, I don’t know what I’m doing wrong…
August 29th, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Hi Ann Marie – Sorry I didn’t see this comment sooner!
I think mine were sticky for a while, but I never had any issues with them leaving permanent felt marks. Perhaps try a different brand of acrylic sealer?
I still see (and use) them every time I go to my in-laws house – and they’re holding up wonderfully even 9 months after I made them. I hope you’re able to have some success – they’re such a good gift! :)
September 27th, 2012 at 8:08 am
You may want to try using craft foam on the back. It adheres very evenly with glue, is washable, and leaves no marks on anything.
November 26th, 2012 at 9:59 am
Ann Marie: I had the exact same problem. I used the Treehouse brand sealer. I am thinking about re-doing all of my coasters and using the mod podge brand sealer to see if that makes a difference. Besides – the smell of the sealer just won’t go away.
November 27th, 2012 at 8:00 pm
if you do the photos in color, when adding the mod podge, does it change this color of the photo in any way??
November 27th, 2012 at 8:02 pm
Also, what it is the best way to print out of the photos? Did you size them then print out on photo paper??
November 29th, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Did anyone find a sealer than ended up working without leaving marks & smell?
November 30th, 2012 at 10:48 am
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December 1st, 2012 at 11:14 pm
Lauren- I saw a teeeensy amount of a color change when adding the mod podge… it might depend on the quality of papr you use for printing the photos though. I used Kodak photo paper and it seemed to work just fine. Oh and yes, I sized them on the computer (just in a word doc) and printed out a few per page (I had letter size photo paper), then cut them out or the coasters. :) HTH, Good luck!
December 1st, 2012 at 11:16 pm
Hi Jen – The sealer I used was just an acrylic sealer I bought from Michaels – I can’t remember the brand though! It did have a very strong smell – I had to spray the coasters on the floor in the garage bc the fumes were pretty bad, but once everything dried the smell went away. Good luck and if you find something better let us know!
December 13th, 2012 at 11:42 am
I used the mod podge spray sealer and the felt left imprints on mine as well. They had also been dry for a week
December 20th, 2012 at 7:29 am
I am having a problem with my sealer it is not drying flat there are not bubbles but it is more like holes. I live in Reno and I am wondering if it is happening because of the cold in the garage. Has anyone else had this problem?
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December 25th, 2012 at 1:53 am
I just made these coasters! They were fantastic! I used the Krylon brand acrylic sealer and it worked really well! They are completely dry within 12 hours and easily stack able. The Krylon spray was very strong straight out the can but I it did not leave the scent on the coasters after they dried.