Looking for easy Sharpie mug ideas to create personalized gifts? Custom DIY mugs are a budget-friendly favorite, and you don't need any artistic talent to make them look amazing. Whether you’re using simple stencils or modern gold accents, these easy Sharpie mug tutorials will help you create a stunning, handmade masterpiece in minutes.
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A “No Artistic Skills Required” Project
I am crafty, but unfortunately not artistic! I don‘t have the ability to make the gorgeous freehand Sharpie mugs floating around the internet.
There are handmade mugs with beautiful artistic designs, inspiring quotes, and silly jokes. Freehand designs would result in one ugly mug if I were the artist!
If you’re looking for Sharpie mug ideas but aren’t an artist, you’re in luck! You can use this SUPER EASY tutorial to create a heart handle mug with a simple stencil… no artistic talent or drawing skills needed!
Must-Have Mug Supplies
Before you start your project, gather these essentials:
- Mug with Heart-Shaped Handle: Look for cheap mugs with a curved handle that resembles half of a heart. (The mugs used in this tutorial were purchased at Dollar Tree and Pier One.)
- Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Pens – Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Pens with a fine or medium tip make great dots. (I used red and gold in this tutorial.)
- Rubbing alcohol or vodka: Use an alcohol-based cleaner to remove dirt and oils from the surface before decorating.
- Oven or Sealant (optional): Some DIYers like to finish the mugs by baking or sealing them to help the Sharpie design last longer.
2 Easy Sharpie Mug Ideas & Tutorials
Use these easy guides to make two distinct styles: a classic red-heart handle mug or a modern gold-heart mug.
Idea 1: The Heart Handle Mug
1. Prepare the mug. Remove all labels, then wash and dry each mug. Wipe the surface to be painted with rubbing alcohol or vodka to remove any fingerprints or oils. Allow to air dry.
2. Make a heart stencil to match the mug handle. Trace the handle of your mug onto paper. This pattern will form one side of the heart (just like making paper hearts in grade-school!).
- Fold the paper in half along the edge of your tracing, then cut along the line. Unfold to reveal a paper heart. Check to see that the heart shape is the same size as the mug handle.
3. Create the Adhesive Stencil: Trace the heart onto the back of a piece of contact paper (any color or adhesive vinyl works; dark or contrasting colors are easier to see).
- Fold the contact paper heart in half to stick it to the mug, placing the center folded line along the edge of the handle.
- Adhere the rest of the heart to the mug as shown. Re-position if necessary.
4. Paint the mug: Use an oil-based Sharpie paint pen to make a dotted line around the edge of the heart. Push straight down to keep the dots perfectly round. Do not mark on the edge of the sticker, as this will distort the shape.
5. Reveal and Detail: Allow the paint to dry for 10 minutes, then carefully remove the contact paper.
- Add dots to the handle, then re-stick the shape to the opposite side of the handle to create a mirrored effect.
- Add a heart to the opposite side of the mug by reattaching the contact paper and adding dots. (Tip: Save the sticky heart shape for the next mug.)
6. Add a Message: Use a fine-point oil-based Sharpie to write a freehand message. This example says “I love you.”
Idea 2: The Gold Heart (Ombre Style)
1. Prepare and Stencil: Follow the same cleaning and stencil-positioning steps as for the red heart mug.
2. The “Dotted” Technique: Use a gold oil-based Sharpie to make random dots around the edge of the heart. Make the dots denser at the edge of the heart and farther apart the farther you go from the stencil.
3. Detail the Handle: Allow the paint to dry for 10 minutes, then add dots to the opposite side of the handle. The pattern should be dense on the side of the handle closest to the heart and farther apart the further you go out.
4. Add the “Confetti” Effect: When the hearts are finished, use the pen to randomly place dots in any empty spaces and around the bottom of the mug. The dots at the bottom should be dense and get farther apart as they move toward the rim.
More Sharpie Mug Ideas to Try
If you want to expand your collection, here are a few more simple Sharpie mug ideas:
- Monogram Stencils: Use sticker letters to create a “negative space” initial surrounded by dots.
- Quote Mugs: Use a printer paper stencil if you don’t trust your handwriting!
- Geometric Patterns: Use painter’s tape to create crisp lines or triangles.
- Watercolor Flower Mugs: Use light and dark-colored markers to fake the look of a painting.
Baking, Finishing, and Care
Sharpie (and other oil-based paint markers) will not be embedded into the ceramic glaze of your mug. The only way to get a 100% permanent finish is to use a kiln. However, with a little tender loving care, DIY Sharpie mugs can last a LONG time!
How to Bake Your Mug (Optional)
Some DIYers swear that baking the mugs can help the paint “cure” more quickly.
- Allow the mug to dry for at least 20 minutes.
- Place in a cold oven.
- Heat the oven to 350°F and allow the mug to "cook" for 20 minutes.
- Turn off the oven and allow the mug to cool completely before removing.
How to Seal Your Mug (Optional)
- Spray Sealers: (Krylon Crystal Clear or Mod Podge Clear Acrylic) Tape off a ½ inch band around the top edge, turn the mug upside down, and spray a very light coat.
- Brush-on Sealers: (Martha Stewart Decoupage or Mod Podge Dishwasher Safe) Use a foam brush to quickly apply a thin coat. Do not go over areas a second time, or it will bleed.
Essential Care Tips
- Hand washing only: Sharpie designs are NOT DISHWASHER SAFE. The high temperature and water pressure will melt the paint away.
- Food Safety: Sharpie paint pens and sealers ARE NOT food safe. Use them on OUTER surfaces that do not come into contact with food or drinks. Tape off the rim (top ½ inch) to keep the area where lips touch the drinking area free of paint.
Project Tips
Fixing Mistakes: Don't worry about perfection! Mistakes can be removed using vodka, nail polish remover, or a little rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip or paper towel.
Related Sharpie Crafts
Looking for more Sharpie craft? These easy projects use free traceable patterns:
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Lindsay says
I am making a plate with my class. Is there a way to make it food safe after having the kids decorate it with sharpies? If I baked it and sealed it with with acrylic spray, would this be sufficient?
Thank you so much! Your site have been very helpful with this project.
Bren says
The only way to make it food safe is to use a sealing spray that is food safe. I have not found one. Good luck!
Shamim says
Hi. Would like to know that if metallic sharpie is used as shown, can you microwave the mug? Will the gold create a spark?
Bren says
I am not sure, I would be careful if using the microwave.
Heidi Castagno says
Can you microwave the mug after sealing it?
Bren says
I have never had trouble but you should test yours to make sure.
Aliah Ulufale says
I made pun mugs as gifts , followed directions and used mod podge over it and it completely wiped the drawn pic away but not the words . I drew a pic of grapes and put you are grape under it and the mod podge made the grapes disappear. Tried the heart thing you had on another same thing . Is it supposed to do that?
Bren says
No, the mod podge should not erase the design. Check the formula you are using, the company makes several versions.
Marilyn Grice says
I use alcohol ink and I want to do a mug. Do you think krylon triple thick would work as a sealer? Thanks
Bren says
I’m not sure, I’ve never used that combo. I would test it on a spare mug before using it on your whole project.
Nancy Sullivan says
I made a few mistakes when doing my dots. I did discover that I can erase them with finger nail polish. That might be helpful for others. I found Qtiips to work great for fixing the mistakes.
Susan R says
My local library sponsored this last week. When I baked my mug, the dark and light blue portions of my design turned an unappealing mustardy brown 🙁 Is this typical? The directions they gave said to heat to 425. Maybe it was too much heat?
Do you think I could go over those areas and leave to cure without heating? Or maybe the dishwasher-safe Mod Podge? What do you recommend?
Thanks!
Bren says
I would give each a try… it can depend on the mug’s original glaze and the pens being used. Luckily it call all be removed with nail polish remover if you don’t like the results.
Louise Roux says
I want to make coffee cups as gifts at a weekend away. Can I bake the cups a week after it has been painted?
Bren says
Yes
Anna says
If I use Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer, is it still important to bake beforehand?
Bren says
I have not tried it baked vs not baked. You may want to do a test.
Valerie Hill says
I had my kids do some test mugs before we made our final ones as gifts. With no glaze they seem to be holding up to regular hand washing, but the oil based marker seems really easy to scratch off. It comes of right away with a finger nail. If people are putting them in a sink to wash with other dishes, I worry the color will scratch off. Do you have any suggestions. I’m not sure about the Krylon, because it doen’t seem food or microwave safe at all. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Bren says
Did you wipe the surface with alcohol or nail polish remover before starting? You could try sealing with Mod Podge dishwasher safe or just allow the paint to dry for a few days to see if that makes it more permanent… it tends to “harden” with time.
Archie says
Is it necessary to bake them if we’re using the cups only as decoration? Will the ink fade if not baked?
Bren says
No, you can just let the paint dry if just using as decor.
JoJo says
I am starting a coffee cup club at my job where people can buy a cup decorate it and have it hanging up. its their mug. Such a cute idea right?! Here is my question, we don’t have an oven. So has anyone tried the microwave method and did it work.
Bren says
I’ve never tried the microwave method but I have heard of people just letting the Sharpie paint markers dry for 48 hours and then using the mugs without baking. Make sure to hand wash.
Shayne says
Are these mugs washable and/or microwavable?
Bren says
Shayne, you should hand wash the mugs. I have not had a problem with them in the microwave.
Krista says
Thanks for the great tips. Just bought some markers and some mugs. I see cute plates done too. Are there any markers that ARE food safe?
Bren says
Krista, I have never found any food safe markers. You can do the back of glass plates since the design with show through but you eat off the unpainted glass side.
Emily says
My little guy is having trouble using the pens on the round mug, if I were to buy paint that he can use with a brush, any advice on what kind of paint will work to do this? I still want to bake them.
Bren says
Emily, I would check your local craft store for glass or porcelain paint. You have to check the specific paint for baking directions.
Atile says
If I use the mod podge, do i have to bake the cup again
Bren says
If you use Modge Podge I would follow the directions on the label. Good luck!
Joy-Lily says
Thanks so much for your clear and complete instructions. I’ve been looking through many websites for this DIY information. None of the others mention double curing, sealer or that the Sharpies are not food safe. Now I feel confident to get on with my Zentangle designs on mugs.
Bren says
Thanks!
Lillah Harris says
Hi Bren,
I appreciated your tips because I have tried a few different baking methods to get my Sharpie paint pens to last through hand-washing but nothing is working 😕 My first mugs I baked at 450 F for 30 mins. When the mugs cooled some of the paint had turned brown and after one or two hand washing’s it was fading away completely. The second try I baked at 250 F for two hours. After cooling the paint looked great! But I have only washed one time and I can already see fading again…ugh! So frustrating. I am eager to try your “twice baked” method. Also, I think the Krylon sealer may do the trick. Where do you purchase the sealer? How long does it take to dry? Should the sealer be baked as well? Any other tips? Thanks in advance! 🙏🏼
Bren says
Lilah, you can get the sealer at a craft store or home improvement store. I think I bought mine at Michael’s. It dries pretty quickly but I would let it sit at least 24 hours before washing. I did not bake the sealer.
Nikki says
Seriously cute idea! I love both designs. Thanks for the post.
Bren says
Thanks Nikki!
Roberta says
Bren! These are so cute and fun!!! You won me over with them! But I gotta tell you, I bought everything needed, markers and the same mugs you used, but I’m afraid to try it! Haha!!! I’m scared I’m going to mess it up! Isn’t that silly?! I just re-read the whole tutorial and noticed you mentioned it’s easy to clean any mistake with alcohol or vodka with a q-tip, so now I’m a little more relaxed about it, but still a bit nervous. I’m taking a shot at it with one of the mugs this weekend (I bought 4). So if anything, it’s just one of them and not all 4! lol
Wish me luck! I’ll let you know how it turns out! Thanks for the inspiration.
Marilyn says
Adorable and just in time for Valentine’s Day coming upon us with great speed. Even I can probably pull these off.
Thanks.
Bren says
I hope you enjoy the project, Marilyn!
Mellany says
Hello Bren,
Which krylon spray do you use and can you also write a message inside the mug and spray it inside with the spray to make it able to safely drink from the mug?
Thank you in advance and such a beautiful mugs you made.
Kind regards,
Mellany
Bren says
Thanks for the questions, Mellany. As I mention in the post, Sharpie paint pens ARE NOT labeled food safe. Use them on OUTER surfaces of mugs that DO NOT come into contact with food or drinks. The sealer I used was Krylon Crystal Clear. No, you cannot write on the inside, spray it and have it be food/drink safe. The only way to make the inside food safe is to go to a pottery store and have the design baked on with glaze.
Emma says
I accidentally bought mugs with a gold rim, 🙁 if i put them in the oven they will most likely explode! Is there any other way to not do the oven step?
Thank you!
Bren says
Emma, people make the craft without baking so that might be your best bet. Sorry, I’m not an expert at gold rims on mugs! Good luck!
Kaza says
Wow you have won me on this project. I have just bought 2 sets of glasses to do for friends and can’t wait to see how they turn out. Thanks Bren
Safia says
Hi these turns great…adorable mugs
I want to buy sharpie but not sure of the tips sizes.
What is the tip you used is it medium or fine tip???
Bren says
I use the medium tip to make dots and the fine point to write the words. Hope you have fun making them!
Sara says
When I used the sealer, it smeared the sharpie. Do you have any suggestions. Also, if I don’t use sealer will they still last through washing?
Bren says
I used the sealer in a attempt to make the mugs last longer. As I mention in the post you have to spray a very fine mist or it will run. The Sharpie should still last through hand washing with or without the sealer. However, since it is not a baked on glaze it will eventually start to fade. I hand wash mine with no problem.
Rhonda CLawrence says
Hi Bren, I LOVE this project! I wanted to know can I use any mug that is oven safe for this project?
Bren says
Yes, it should work on any mug that is oven safe. Thanks for the lovely compliment!
Tina says
Hello, trying this out, do we have to pre-heat oven prior to putting the cups in or do we just put in and turn on? Does it require repeating the same batch? Or is once good enough ?
Bren says
Put the mugs in the cold oven. I bake mine twice, cooling in between.
Ashley says
When does the twenty minute period start? I’m doing it and I was wondering if the twenty minutes includes the time it takes for the oven to preheat? Or does the twenty minutes start after the oven has finished preheating?
Bren says
Start timing when you place the mugs in the oven.
Victoria C Estrada says
Hi Bren, thanks for the awesome tutorial! If you use the mod podge acrylic sealer, can you put the mug in the microwave?
Bren says
Victoria, I am not sure about Modge Podge in the microwave! I would double check on their website.
Linda says
These are so cute. Very good tutorial too.
Bren says
Thanks Linda!
Shannon says
Hi Bren! Would this work with regular sharpies? I bought the wrong ones on accident, and hoping I don’t have to return them?!
Bren says
Shannon, I have seen a few tutorials using regular sharpies however I have also heard that these tend to wash away after a few uses. The oil based sharpies tend to be more durable and stand up to washing better. Hope this helps! -Bren
Shannon says
Hi Bren, could you do this with wine glasses or tumblers?
Bren says
Yes! I used the same concept to make Pint Glass, check out the tutorial!
Svatia says
Ive tried it and it looks cute, but the golden sharpie turned into grey after baking. so now its still ok, but its much less fabulous 🙁
Bren says
So sorry yours didn’t work! Did you use oil based Sharpie paint pens? The photos are from baked oil based sharpies. The gold turned out great for me, even after baking.
Svatia says
Yeah, I did :/ I baked it 50 degrees higher than you. I wonder if that could do the trick (seems unlikely)…maybe its the mug itself. Like the original glaze or something. Ill try again…:)
Jennifer Miller says
Seriously cute. I’ve seen these before but you make them look easy!
Bren says
Thanks! They are easy, you should try making some.?
Ayana says
Omg cool I will definitely try that and give it as a gift where can u get those cups from??
Bren says
Thanks Ayana. The mugs I used are from Pier One Imports. They are called “Luminous”.