DIY Dotted Sharpie Mugs Using Dollar Store Mugs

If you get a little bit of deja vu with this post, that’s okay.  If you get a little bit of deja vu with this post, that’s okay.  (See what I did there?)  I wrote a post previously about DIY Sharpie Mugs.  It was one of my favorite crafts, so I decided to revive it for the upcoming craft fair and figure the post could use an update.  This time, instead of doing just an initial on the mugs, I decided to put words and some festive pictures on them.  I also made them in bulk.  24 mugs to be exact, so I’ll sprinkle in a few making in bulk tips that I learned along the way.

Materials for Dotted Sharpie Mugs

• Mugs (Dollar Tree or Dollar Store mugs work the best)
• Oil-based Sharpies
• Letter and picture-print outs (you can grab mine below)
• Tape

Instructions

Grab the patterns I used below and print them out or design and print your own mug pattern.

Cut along the outside lines of your pattern.  If you’re having trouble with the inner lines, use an X-Acto Knife.

Pre-wash your mugs so the tape and the Sharpie will adhere better.

Adhere your designs to your mug using tape circles.  If you (or your gift recipient) are right-handed, tape the letters on with the handle facing to the left.  If you (or your gift recipient) are left-handed, tape the letters on with the handle facing to the right.

(I was making in bulk to sell them, so I made a majority of right-handed mugs with a few left handed-mugs.)

If you are using one color, you can use the tutorial below, just don’t change colors.  For the sake of ease, I’m going to explain how to make a mug with multiple colors.

Dot around the letters or shape that is taped on your mug.  Start with one color and dot, leaving space between your dots for the other colors. If you’re making in bulk, do the first color on each of the mugs so they have a chance to dry.

For each of these I was using three colors.  Notice how I left approximately two dots worth of space between the first color.  If you are using two colors, put less space between the dots.  **Don’t forget the inside space of each letter**

Next, add dots with your second color.  It’s okay to put two of the same color dots next to each other to fill space.  It’ll look less weird once you start adding more dots.

Add your third color and fill in the gaps so your dots are closely packed together.  Once the marker is dry to the touch, you can peel off your design.

If there’s any spot that is smeared or splotchy, use a Q-Tip with nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol to remove the mistakes.

Continue the same process with the outer dots, going one color at a time.  I did two different sections of mug: the dots closest to the design were tightly grouped and the dots farther away were looser.  Working a section and a color at a time, add dots like shown below.

As much as I love the look of the dots wrapping all the way around the mug, I wouldn’t recommend it because Sharpies are not food safe.  My dots covered about 3/4 of the mug with space on the back for the own to drink from.

Put your mug in a cold oven and preheat to 250 degrees.  Once the oven is preheated, bake for 2 hours (to see what that temperature and baking time, go here).  Leave the mug in the oven for at least 1 hour so it can cool with the oven.

Give it as a gift or keep it all for yourself.

To download my free designs via Dropbox, click on the patterns below:

Love your new dotted Sharpie mugs, but want more quick, easy, and inexpensive mug projects? You’ll love Marbled Nail Polish Mugs and How to Transfer a Design to Mugs.

For more DIY mug ideas and patterns (including the secret to making glitter mugs dishwasher safe), check out 10-Minute Mugs.

Happy crafting!

For more Sharpie mug tips and tricks, grab the freebie: 17 Tips and Tricks to Perfect Sharpie Mugs.