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DIY Coasters: 50 Designs for Decor or Gifts!

Learn how to make your own DIY coasters using one of these 50 tutorials! Homemade coasters are perfect for decor or gifts, and these projects are easy enough for beginners!

DIY coasters to make

If there’s one thing we know well around here, it’s coasters. I’ve been making DIY coasters for years, not because I have so many glasses and so many tables. The deal is that they are just *that* fun to make!

When I learned to decoupage, coasters were the first thing I tried after I failed at a photo frame.

I decided the frame was too large for a first timer, and that I should start with something smaller. This goes for any beginning crafter trying a new medium.

They are the perfect small surface to try a technique. And then of course there’s the practical application as home decor and giving as gifts.

Who doesn’t want a pack of coasters, especially when you can personalize them? They make great gifts for friends, family, neighbors, teachers . . . anyone and everyone, really.

Tips for Making Coasters

I’ve compiled a list of my favorite ways to make coasters. The list isn’t JUST Mod Podge, by the way. I wanted to do a comprehensive guide, and the fact is that people make coasters without decoupage medium (I know, I know).

But I practice a lot of crafts besides decoupage, so I’m sharing a little bit of everything in this list: paint, sewing, decoupage, concrete, resin, etc.

How do you make homemade coasters?

To make Mod Podge coasters, you need four things (besides your basic tools):

  1. Surface
  2. Mod Podge
  3. Paper, fabric, or something to attach to your coaster
  4. High heat sealer

That’s just a basic coaster. Now, some of these are sewn, some of these don’t use Mod Podge (though a lot of them do) . . . some are made just of yarn and some of resin.

What can be used as a coaster?

Um, just about anything! My favorite surfaces are tiles from Home Depot, cork squares, wood slices, and mason jar lids.

DIY Coasters collage

Is Mod Podge waterproof for coasters?

No, Mod Podge is not waterproof. It’s highly water resistant . . . even the regular formulas . . . but not completely waterproof.

It’s also not highly heat resistant. That’s why for DIY coasters, you’ll want to use a final sealer like VHT Engine Enamel.

Which Mod Podge formula should I use?

The most popular are Gloss, Matte, and Satin. This is if you are doing basic coaster assembly as I outlined above.

If you’re using fabric on fabric, you’d use a different formula. Leave a comment if you need help selecting a formula.

How do you seal homemade coasters?

If you use Mod Podge to create your coasters (add a photo, for example), you’ll want to use a final sealer that is waterproof and maybe also heat resistant.

Mod Podge can remain tacky for a bit as it cures, so crafters typically always want to add a final sealer. Here are the options:

  • Clear acrylic spray
  • Brush on polycrylic (like Minwax)
  • VHT Engine Enamel or other high heat clear coating
  • Resin

My recommendation for a final sealer is the high heat clear coating or resin, which are both water and heat resistant.

Unless you know you aren’t ever going to put hot mugs on the coasters, in which case the other two (spray and polycrylic) will be fine.


Are you ready to see 50+ DIY coaster projects? Continue scrolling down!

DIY Coasters

DIY coasters are easy to tackle for beginning crafters! Learn to make these handmade coaster ideas for decor or gifts!

Wacem

Monday 5th of July 2021

Great, thanks for sharing this, you really helped me!

Jaime

Friday 21st of May 2021

Such great ideas! Definitely trying some of them out!

Amy

Friday 21st of May 2021

Thank you so much!

Rebecca Payne

Friday 14th of May 2021

So many great ideas. Thank you for sharing.