Jump to Project Print Project

Create stylish DIY cork coasters with this easy tutorial! Personalize with Mod Podge and paper designs for a fun and functional home decor project.

These Decoupage Coasters are Really Unique!

I don’t know about your neck of the woods, but summer’s here full-force in Atlanta!

I always like to throw a few nautical or beach themed crafts into the rotation this time of year, and I decided to make some coasters for my patio.

I love sitting outside with a cool beverage in the evenings and saying hello to neighbors. I need something fun to protect the wood furniture so that I can set down my glass while I’m outside!

I made these coasters out of cork.

cork coaster craft

These coasters are very easy to make and would be perfect for a sunroom or a beach house.

I’ve provided fun, free nautical themed papers for you to make your coasters. They are so simple, you’ll have them done in minutes. Learn how to create this beach decor below.

These are going to look perfect on my patio. I may even make a few sets for the neighbors! Get the printable how to below:

how to make decoupage coasters
Save Print
No ratings yet

Cork Coaster Craft

Learn how to make these cork coasters and seal them with Mod Podge! This is such an easy project.
Prep Time15 minutes
Active Time45 minutes
Dry Time2 hours
Total Time3 hours
Yield: 4 coasters
Cost: $3

Equipment

Materials

Instructions

  • Print out the freebies or grab some scrapbook paper. From there, measure the paper and mark it with a pencil. My coasters were 4”, so I measured approximately 3.75”.
    Draw a line with a pencil and clear ruler
  • Use your craft knife to cut and trim the paper down that you measured and marked.
    Craft knife cutting paper next to a ruler
  • Select and trim four different papers, or one for each coaster.
    Separating pieces of paper that have been cut by a craft knife
  • Use your edge punch to trim down TWO of the edges, parallel to each other. Edge punches are nice because there is a template on the top to line up the design. So once you have punched, move slightly right, line up and punch again.
    Punching down the edges of paper with a Fiskars edge punch
  • Place a medium layer of Mod Podge on the top of the coaster AND on the back of the paper.
    Applying Mod Podge to a cork coaster with a paintbrush
  • Place your paper down in the center of the coaster and smooth. Your paper might start to curl like mine did, depending on the climate . . . In which case, a brayer is very helpful for keeping it smoothed down. Don’t give up, just keep rolling and rolling until your paper flattens. Let the coasters dry for 15 – 20 minutes.
    Paper placed down in the wet Mod Podge
  • Place a layer of Mod Podge over the top of your coasters. Let them dry and place another coat on top. let dry.
    Applying Mod Podge over the top of the paper
  • Seal the coasters with a few coats of brush on polycrylic or spray with several coats of Engine Enamel to resist water.

Notes

Step 1: Doing so created enough room to punch my design and show off some of the cork underneath.
Step 4: You could do all four edges, but you’ll have to do some math to make the design work . . . I found this to be easier and I liked how it looked.
It’s easy to line up the punch and repeat the pattern:
Lining up paper in an edge punch
Step 7: If you brush back and forth too much along the paper, your ink will start to bleed (especially the red).
Don’t brush too much on your first layer; let that dry and you can brush a little more on your second layer. You can also hit it with a clear acrylic spray before brushing to help stop bleeding if you would like.
Step 8: if you want to use them right away and you are in a humid climate like me, I’d use a brush on sealer like Minwax Polycrylic or a spray on sealer like VHT Engine Enamel as a final top coat on your coasters. Then you won’t experience tackiness issues.

Did you enjoy this coaster craft? I’d love for you to take a peek at these other posts:

I've been crafting for over 40 years! Professional writer with blogs, books, and a product line. I can teach you how to make just about anything.

Similar Posts

9 Comments

    1. Hi Angie! I should have noted this in the post – if you want to use them right away and you are in a humid climate like me, I’d use a brush on sealer like Minwax Polycrylic. Then you won’t experience tackiness issues. Here in Georgia I pretty much HAVE to add that extra layer over the top or the coasters take forever to dry. Then if you stack them they stick, etc. It’s just easier to use the brush on top coat. I prefer the brush on top coat to the spray, also. Though many people use a spray and love it. Thanks for the great question!

      Reply

  2. This is so cute & super easy to try! About the tackiness ^^^ , Once you told me about using zero sand paper & I am always doing this to make it less tacky. it works well.
    Thanks for sharing this interesting idea.

    Reply

  3. Do you use the packages of cork tiles that are in craft stores? Do you have to use Mod Podge on the back also?

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Project Rating