DIY Doodle Mugs – Do’s & Don’ts
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It all began when I started seeing mugs decorated using Sharpie pens all over Pinterest. I did a little research and found that a lot of people had issues with the Sharpies not staying on the mugs once you wash them. So I went to the craft store, and it turns out there’s a pen made specifically for porcelain. It’s called Pebeo Porcelaine 150. So I decided to make a set of mugs and one sweet little plate to test out this pen, which can also be applied to china, glazed earthenware, terra-cotta, metal, enamelled sheet steel, copper, and glass. Turns out these pens work great, and the drawings stayed intact after a wash in our dishwasher, but I do have a few tips so keep reading!
Supplies:
- White mugs – I bought mine at the Dollar Store.
- Pebeo Porcelaine 150 markers – I only got 3 colors because I wanted to make sure they worked. I wish I would have bought them from Amazon, they are a lot cheaper on there if you buy a set. There’s the bullet tip set, which has a thicker tip, and a fine tip set, which is great for details and writing.
Directions:
- Wash your mugs and dry thoroughly.
- Draw your design.
- Let the mugs sit for 24 hours.
- Bake at 300 degrees for 35 minutes (I put mine on a baking sheet). Before you do, be sure to remove any stickers from the bottom of your mugs, you don’t want to cook those!
Helpful Tips & Information:
- If you mess up, grab a q-tip, add a little water, and remove your mark. You can also scratch it off once it dries (before you bake it).
- Do not draw over a line you’ve already drawn. In some places I tried to darken the lines by going over it several times. This not only didn’t work well, but when the mugs came out of the oven, in the few places where I did this the ink could be scratched off because it did not adhere directly to the porcelain surface.Â
- Avoid coloring in large sections for the same reasons listed above.
- Keep a piece of paper next to you. When the ink flow starts to slow, gently press the tip against the paper to get the ink flowing again.
- Although the pens are labeled “non-toxic”, they are not recommended for surfaces that come in contact with food. You’ll notice I have details at the top where your mouth comes into contact with the mug. This doesn’t bother me, but if you’re worried about it, I would just keep your drawing to the main part of the cup.
Here are the mugs I made to give you some ideas. I spent just a few minutes on each mug. I wish I would have spent more time because now I have lots of ideas, but it’s always easy to take another trip back to the Dollar Store.
My tea mug was a gift for my mom for mother’s day. Inside I included an invite for an afternoon of tea at a local hotel. The California mug was just because I thought it would be cute. Not the best California or lettering, but the concept is good.
There are so many different options for what you could draw on these mugs. I love the idea of making a set for a wedding gift or a house warming gift.
What would you draw on your mug?
Leave me a comment of tell me on Facebook…I love hearing from readers.
I have been trying everything on these dollar store mugs ad everything washes off.. I was able to get the poscomarkers to work but it eventually chips off. I am going to try the paint markers you recommended . When you finish baking the mug do you spray a sealant on it? I was thinking I do not but maybe if I did the design would last longer or do you use midge podge after baking? Sorry I am just starting my cup, glass and rock painting..
These paint markers really are the best. I still have these mugs and even after years of being used and washed they still look great! No sealant required.