If you are anything like me then you probably have a box full of picture prints that you have no idea what to do with. I printed what felt like every single picture that I took back before high quality camera phones. So I decided to make some fun DIY coasters that cost me a total of (drum roll please)….less than $2! Granted I had most of the supplies on hand and only had to buy the tiles and felt. But even if you don’t have all the supplies, this project is a very inexpensive DIY!
And in honor of Halloween and Dia de los Muertos I stayed on theme by choosing some older Halloween photo prints I had of the kids and some Loteria (Mexican Bingo) cards I had lying around.
This is one of the most funnest and cost-effective way to do something with all the photos you have. I like to buy coasters from Shutterfly, especially since I get them for “free”, except for shipping. The shipping usually costs me around $10 and I get 4 coasters. Although their quality is amazing, for $2 I think I gave them some competition.
With that said crafting beauties let’s jump in to this very easy and fun tutorial.
Supplies
Mod Podge
4” x 4” White Tile – I got mine from Lowes for .16 each
Brush
Felt – I got my felt from Hobby Lobby for .79 for 9 x 12in which makes 6 coasters
Hot Glue
Scissors
Contact paper – optional
Photos/ Loteria/ or cardstock of choice AKA your coaster design
You will want to start by choosing which prints you will want on your coasters and cut them down small enough to fit the tile. Some of my photos cut down perfectly but others were a little too small.
If your pictures are to small you can either use cardstock or contact paper like I did to cover up some of the white behind your pictures.
For the Loteria coasters I trimmed off the white boarder and cut out sections large enough for my coasters, which was 4″ X 4″.
Once you have your designs cut out, you can start mod podging them on to the tile. I like to first place a thin layer of mod podge on the tile and place the design over it and cover with another two thin layers of mod podge over the top. Letting each coat dry before applying the second coat.
Pro Tip: Do not put a thick layer on top of your photo or coaster design as this may cause your design to bubble up. I like to place the first thin layer on my design and gently smooth out with my finger, to get out any air bubble. Then apply the second thin coat on top once the first coat dries.
If I used the contact paper I first placed the contact paper on the tile like a sticker and then a small a layer of mod podge over top and placed the picture over the contact paper topping off with 2 layers of mod podge like before.
After your mod podge is completely dry cut out your felt into 4”x 4” sections enough to cover the bottom of the coaster. I was able to cut out 6 coasters out of the 9 x 12in felt I bought at Hobby Lobby.
Once you have your felt cut out simply hot glue in place. Seal with Mod Podge Acrylic Sealer for extra durability and that’s it!
Make these as a gift or for your home they are very functional and last quite a bit of time.
Also don’t hold back on what you can make the coasters out of, I made some beer coasters for the hub (years ago – I told you they last a while) and he uses them in his man cave all the time. I collected the 6 pack beer cardboard holder that we bought and once I had enough saved I cut them out and followed the same steps above. I will say that the thicker the design on your coaster the better they look and longer they last. But you can always make your photo or design thicker with card stock.
I hope you all enjoyed this easy and fun DIY Coasters tutorial. Have any questions about this project? Leave them in the comments below and I will get back to you. Also don’t forget to share this tutorial with anyone that you think would enjoy it.
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