DIY Sharpie mugs are still all over Pinterest, but do they really work? This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to make them and tells you exactly which markers won’t wash off! Great gift idea!

For the past year or two, I’ve been seeing these Sharpie mugs all over Pinterest. And every time I see them, I think, “those are so cute. I should totally try that! They look SO easy!” But then I started noticing a lot of comments on those Sharpie mug photos, most of them complaining that while these darling little mugs are indeed the easiest craft ever, the marker is not actually wash resistant when applied to ceramic. And who wants a coffee mug they can’t wash?

But then I was on a hunt for some cute mugs for my new office and I couldn’t find a single one I liked, probably because in my head I was envisioning all those cute Sharpie mugs I had been drooling over. A little research helped me figure out how to make them permanent and washable!

I found out that plain old regular Sharpie markers do not work at all for this project. The trick, I discovered, is that the markers must be OIL BASED, not water-based (which regular sharpies are). Thus, if you want to attempt this project, be sure to ONLY do it with the oil-based Sharpie paint markers! 

Even so, as my field testing proved, these cute little mugs will NOT be dishwasher safe. They do just fine with soap and water but the dishwasher means sure and sudden death to all your artistic effort. That said, they really are a fun & easy DIY project, and turn out SO cute without much effort. The possibilities are practically endless, and they would make a fantastic gift idea for just about anyone. (Just make sure to include washing instructions!)

UPDATE:

LWSL reader Ana shared the following comment on Facebook: “I used oil-based paint markers and even after curing them, they smudged when they got too hot. Instead, I bought DecoArt glass paint markers, followed the directions to a T and I have washed it in the dishwasher several times, no smudges or washing off.”

DIY Sharpie Mugs

Gather mugs and oil-based Sharpies to make these adorable DIY Sharpie mugs.

Here is what you need:
Plain mug
Sharpie paint oil-based markers or DecoArt glass paint markers
pencil (optional)
masking tape (optional)
 

Use tape to mark off the design areas on your DIY Sharpie Mugs.

Step 1: Wash and dry your mug, if new. Decide on a design and prep design with masking tape, if necessary.

Sketch your designs on your mug with a pencil before you use a Sharpie to fill it in.

Step 2: Use a pencil to rough out a design for any words or lines. Remove masking tape.

Use a fine-tip oil-based marker to draw the designs on your DIY Sharpie mug.

Step 3: Carefully draw your design with Sharpie paint markers.

You can use colored oil-based markers on your Sharpie mug as well.

Step 4: Add accent colors, if necessary.

Once your DIY Sharpie mugs are painted, they simply go into the oven to set.

Step 5: Bake mugs at 350 degrees for 20 minutes to set paint; let cool completely.

This "Like a Boss" Sharpie mug was so easy to make and is the perfect gift.

This DIY personalized coffee mug would be an excellent present for anyone on your list.

Finally, remember that these will NOT be dishwasher safe! Be sure to hand wash ONLY!

Sharpie mugs are only safe for hand washing. They will fade in the dishwasher.

Want more? Check out these other handmade gifts you can make!

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Sharpie mugs are still all over Pinterest, but do they really work? This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to make them and tells you exactly which markers won't wash off! Such a fun & easy project and an awesome DIY gift idea! DIY Sharpie Mugs | Sharpie Mug Project | Sharpie Marker Mugs | DIY Painted Mugs

Ruth Soukup

Ruth Soukup

Founder at Living Well Spending Less
Ruth Soukup is dedicated to helping people everywhere create a life they love by follwing their dreams and achieving their biggest goals. She is the host of the wildly popular Do It Scared podcast, as well as the founder of Living Well Spending Less® and Elite Blog Academy®. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of six books, including Do It Scared®: Finding the Courage to Face Your Fears, Overcome Obstacles, and Create a Life You Love, which was the inspiration for this book. She lives in Florida with her husband Chuck, and 2 daughters Maggie & Annie.
Ruth Soukup

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