Sharpie Mug Art

INSIDE : How to create a simple Sharpie Mug Art to give as a gift or just keep for yourself! Follow these step by step directions to create your own masterpiece.

How to create a simple Sharpie Mug Art to give as a gift or just keep for yourself! Follow these step by step directions to create your own masterpiece. Delineate your dwelling #sharpiemugart #sharpiemug
With the holidays fast approaching, my mind is in over-drive for simple but personalized gifts for friends and family.  Today I am so excited to share with you one of my new favorite gift ideas, Sharpie Mug Art.
This is such a fun and easy gift to make.  I made three in a sitting and already have more in mind to make!

This post may contain affiliate links.  See full disclosure here.

What supplies do you need for Sharpie Cup art?

Mug
Sharpie, Oil Based
Oven
 A bit of baker’s twine
Pom Pom maker
Optional : Silhouette Portrait Printer + Black Vinyl

How do I make Sharpie Mug Art?

There are many methods you could use when starting the design of this cup project .  You could free-hand a design, write out a poem, doodle, or so much more.

For my project, I used my Silhouette printer to create my designs.  I came up with three different designs for my three mugs and printed them out on my black vinyl adhesive.  You can see the printed out design below.

 
Sharpie Mug Art sticker, Delineateyourdwelling.com
Before doing anything to the mugs, start by cleaning them with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol to remove any grease from handling.  The sharpie will not adhere as well to a dirty mug.
After I cut out the vinyl, I carefully placed it on the mug.  I had to peel it off a few times to get it just right, but since it’s adhesive, it easily came right up without issue.  
Once you have your designs in the right spot on your mug, make sure to press gently at all the edges to ensure the vinyl is adhered snuggly to the mug… you don’t want sharpie to make it’s way under there!
Sharpie Mug sticker, Delineateyourdwelling.com

Now grab your Sharpie, Oil Based and go to town.  I learned to trace all the edges first and then fill in the designs.

Sharpie color in, Delineateyourdwelling.com
After my designs were done, I carefully removed the vinyl.
Sharpie Mug remove
 

Next, place your mug on a baking sheet and put in the oven.  And then set your oven for 450F.  It is important to put your mug inside the oven as it slowly heats up, this will help prevent any cracking.

Once at 450F, set a timer for 30 minutes.  After the 30 minutes are up, turn the oven off and allow the mugs to slowly cool.  (The entire “cooking” process took me about 40-50 minutes with all the warming up, baking and then cooling down.)

Sharpie Mug bake
Once your mugs have cooled, you can remove them and enjoy your hand-work.
 
instragram-friend2
 
 
 
 
 
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Dress up your mug with some baker’s twine and a few poms.  They make a perfect personalized gift for family or friends!

Sharpie Mug, Delineateyourdwelling.com
Sharpie Mug Art pom, Delineateyourdwelling.com
 

Can Sharpie Mugs be Washed in the Dishwasher?

This is a great question and I was very curious to find out if this project would actually last when washed in the dishwasher.  At the above noted temperature that I used and using an oil based sharpie marker, my three mugs have been dishwasher safe.  I would imagine that over time, the sharpie may start to fade a bit since it’s not professionally printed on the mugs, but so far my mugs have held up very well.

Now, go grab a mug or ceramic cup and a Sharpie and get creative!

 

49 thoughts on “Sharpie Mug Art”

    1. Good question, Sue! I’ve not done any microwaving with them. I have put them in the dishwasher and so far they are good. I’ve heard oil sharpies are the best to use, too.

      Reply

  5. I spotted this on House of Rose’s link party and had to check it out.. so cool!! I’m definitely trying this one… would be an awesome gift idea for a boss or co-worker.

    Reply

  8. Thank you for linking up @ Craft, Create & Inspire last week, your awesome project is featured this week..

    Stop by the linky party tomorrow and grab a featured button !!

    Looking forward to seeing your awesome projects from this week

    Claire @ Live Love Create x

    Reply

  10. OMG, I totally love this. I say “You’re my favorite” to my husband all the time, so I think I need to make one of those. You’re my favorite post from last week’s Eat. Create. Party!, so stop by tonight when we go live at 8:00 EST to grab a featured button! 🙂 Thanks for linking up!!

    Reply

    1. Thanks Chrissy! Yes, I just found those different layouts in the Silhouette Online store. And I have washed them all once in the dishwasher and they came out just fine. I’ve heard the cheaper the mugs, the better!

      Reply

  13. I love these mugs! I have seen plenty of sharpie mug ideas, but I have to say, yours are my favorite! Such cute designs and so on trend. I think that these would be perfect to add a gift card to or some jewelry and lip gloss and give as a birthday gift for my girls friends. You are awesome! Pinning!

    Thanks so much for the inspiration!
    Happy Weekend!

    Tausha
    sassystyleredesign.com

    Reply

  14. Looking just for something like this for the ladies in the office. Inexepensive but looks expensive! Thanks for posting on Gingersnaps. Today I bought two fine china mugs by Cambridge at our TJMaxx has we have no Marshalls. They are dishwasher and microwave safe but do you think they will hold up to the heat of the oven like that? Also do you think advising to hand wash instead of dishwasher would hold the colors longer? I might have to try Dollar Tree for something else. Please advise on what I’ve already purchased. Thanks

    Reply

  15. Amy, was looking for something quick and easy for the gals in the office. Thanks for posting on Gingersnaps! Today I bought fine china mugs by Cambridge at TJMaxx as we have no Marshalls nearby anymore. They are micrwave and dishwasher safe but do you think they will hold up to the heat? Mike’s had nothing but I didn’t think about Dollar Tree not sure what they have. Do you think advising to hand wash instead of dishwasher would help the color hold longer? Awaiting your reply or should I e-mail you elsewhere?

    Reply

    1. I’ll reply here so you get notified. Yes, I believe it works on all ceramics. I would maybe do a test just to be sure before you purchase a classroom of plates. I also read that the cheaper the ceramic the better. I used regular black sharpie markers. I read oil based sharpies worked really well, too. As far as other colors go, I think some colors lighten. A friend did a project using metallic sharpies and all the colors ended up turning silver. So if you want to use various colors, maybe you could do a test ceramic plate or platter and see how different colors work. I only used black, so that’s the only one I can really stand by working. Good luck!

      Reply

    2. Thank you Amy I will do just that. Off to the Dollar Tree I go. Is their an email I could send a picture of our finished products to you. Can’t wait to get started. God Bless. Mrs. Valerie

      Reply

  17. Amy do you think this would work on ceramic plates or vases? Did you use a regular sharpie and would other colors work just as well. Sorry for all the questions but I have been looking for something diferent for my preschoolers to make for their parents. My littles love art and markers. After 25 years of teaching I’m out of ideas, lol. Your mugs are gorgeous. Have a geat day. Mrs. Valerie

    Reply

  25. What a fabulous gift idea! I am definitely pinning this. If I don’t make some for teacher gifts, I will make some for myself :). So cute! Thanks for sharing with the Pin It Monday Hop!

    Reply

  26. Just stopping by to say thanks for linking up at The Merriest Blog Hop! This post was great (and I loved your ornament one too!) I couldn’t decide which one I wanted to feature but since I’ve been wanting to do some coffee mug art, I decided to feature this post for this week’s party 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing!

    Happy (early) Thanksgiving!
    Alicia

    Reply

  28. These are so cute!! I have done this with regular sharpies and oil sharpies- I have read now that the oil sharpies are better and will last longer and that the regular will eventually wash off but haven’t actually tested it myself. Love the designs you chose Amy!!

    Reply

  29. This is a great tutorial! I made a few mugs but the directions I had said to bake them at 350 degrees. I think the alcohol/cotton ball and 450 degrees will help the life of the art. I have pinned this to my “home” Pinterest board.

    Reply

  31. This is a perfect gift for the holidays! Was just telling hubby we need to make personalized gifts this year and this is a great way to make it happen. Thanks for sharing. Pinning! Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply

  32. I love this idea but I just can’t believe the baking in the oven thing really works – does it? How many times have you dishwashered them now? I just remember when my kids were small and we used ceramic paint that we baked in the oven and was then supposed to be washable, after about 3 washes it had all come off!
    I suppose I could just give it a try and see. Your designs are great, especially the speckliness.

    Reply

    1. I’ll be honest, Julia I’ve only washed them all once. I am giving to my family as gifts, so I’ve not used them daily and washed a million times yet. I’ve read other people doing this and they say it stays on… I’ll report back after the holidays once my family uses them more often!

      Reply

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