Custom Coaster Gifts

If you’re looking for an easy, personalized gift for a friend or family member, then these coasters are the perfect fit! They’re an easy to make, customizable, decorative gift that are useful in any home.

You can make four coasters from the materials listed.

Time to create craft: 2 hours and 20 minutes (2 hours of which are waiting time)

Time until use: 24 hours

Caution: Create coasters in a well ventilated area, since the Mod Podge Glue, Mod Podge Spray, and Superglue give off strong fumes.

Most of these materials can be found at any craft store. You can find the tiles, Superglue, and felt pads at Home Depot.

Materials

• Four 4x4 in. smooth, white ceramic tiles
• Mod Podge Glue
• Mod Podge Spray
• Superglue
• One two-in. wide paint brush
• Four selected images (postcard, printed photo, magazine clipping, etc.)
• Scissors
• Sixteen dime-sized felt pads
• Pencil (optional)
• Newspaper or other scrap paper

Spread newspaper across a clean table surface to protect it from the glue, Mod Podge Glue, and Mod Podge Spray. This is where you will create your coasters.

Take four felt pads per tile and Superglue them onto the bottoms. Glue one pad in each corner. Let dry for about five to ten minutes.

Using a pencil, trace the tile onto your image to create a new 4x4 inch square. This will be the face of your coaster.

Note: If you print out an image matching the dimensions of the tile, you can skip this step.

Cut out one 4x4 inch image for each tile. Make sure the new image is the same size as the tile and doesn’t overlap onto the sides.

To glue your image to the tile:

1. Apply a quarter-sized amount of Mod Podge Glue to the top side of one of the tiles.
2. Use your brush to spread the glue evenly across the surface.
3. Carefully place one of the cut-out images on the tile, making sure the sides of the tile and the sides of the image are aligned.
4. Run hands over the image to smooth it onto the tile.

Wait about ten minutes for the glue to dry before moving on to the next step.

Dip your brush about an inch into the Mod Podge Glue and spread it across the surface of the image you just pasted to your tile. Make sure to run the brush along the edges of the image to make sure it’s completely glued down.

Note: Don’t worry if the Mod Podge Glue appears thick and white. It will dry clear and shiny!

Repeat with the other three coasters and let them dry for about half an hour to an hour.

After letting the coasters dry, go back and apply a second coat of Mod Podge Glue to make sure the image is sealed properly to the tile. Let dry for about an hour.

Once the coasters have dried, use the Mod Podge Finishing Spray to spray each coaster evenly for about three seconds each. Let dry for at least 24 hours before using.

Now you have four personalized coasters! They are perfect for protecting your wooden tables and counters from hot mugs and icy glasses. Your friends and family will love to get them as gifts, but don't forget to make some to spice up your own coffee table!