How to Paint Mugs

Co-authored by Claire Donovan-Blackwood

Last Updated: October 25, 2023 References

Painted mugs are an awesome way to spice up anyone’s cabinet or coffee table! They make the perfect DIY project or gift. Just get a mug, wash it, dab rubbing alcohol where you intend to put paint, and you’re almost ready to start painting!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Painting with Acrylic Paint

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Make sure that the newspaper covers your entire workspace. If you are worried about the newspaper sliding out of place, tape it down. Use 2 or more layers of newspaper if you are messy.
2
Pour the acrylic paint(s) of your choice onto a paint palette. Squirt a grape-sized dollop of each color around the edges of the palette. Keep the colors separate, with about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in between each one. If you want to mix colors, pour a little of each color into one divot and mix with a separate brush.^{[1]
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- Use a paper plate if you don’t have a paint palette.
- Don’t pour out too much paint!
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Use a pencil to outline a design on your mug. Pencil graphite is the perfect outlining tool because it glides easily on the mug and can be erased. Keep your pencil design off of the mug’s lip.^{[2]
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- Use painter’s tape to help you draw straight lines.^{[3]
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Brush the first layer of paint on the mug and let it dry. Dip your brush in water and dry it on a paper towel. Then, dip it in the acrylic paint color of your choice. Take the paintbrush and paint whatever you want! Just make sure not to paint on the mug’s lip.^{[4]
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- To paint larger areas, like background color, use a thick foam brush. When painting details and smaller designs, use a thin, pointed brush.^{[5]
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Wait until the first layer is relatively dry before adding more. For a glossy finished look, add a top coat of clear acrylic paint. Just take a separate foam brush and lightly glide the clear acrylic over the design.^{[6]
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Place your mug on a piece of newspaper and store it in a safe place. Try not to touch the mug when it’s drying! Doing so can lengthen the drying time and mess up the paint.^{[7]
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For paint smudges, use a Q-Tip soaked in rubbing alcohol to dab at the paint until it’s gone. Move slowly when dabbing so you don’t accidentally remove part of the design you like.^{[8]
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Bake your mug at 350 °F (177 °C) for 35 minutes. Place the mug upright on a baking sheet. Once the oven is at 350 °F (177 °C), put the sheet in the oven. After 35 minutes, remove the mug and set it to cool completely.^{[9]
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- Read your paint labels. If the label provides specific baking instructions, follow them.^{[10]
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- Don’t burn yourself!
Don’t use the dishwasher because it can mess up the paint design. Just use dish soap and warm water to rinse your mug. Once you’ve cleaned your mug, it’s ready to be put to use!^{[11]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Painting with Paint Pens

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1
Pencil a design outline on your mug. While this step isn’t necessary for paint pens, it helps keep your design clean and neat. And, if you make a mistake, you can erase it! Just make sure not to draw your design on the mug’s lip.^{[12]
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- Use painter’s tape to make straight lines.^{[13]
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Use an oil-based paint marker to decorate the mug. You can follow the design you made with pencil or change it up! Just don’t use a sharpie as a replacement paint pen because it will wear off quickly.^{[14]
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Wait a few minutes to let the first layer of paint dry before adding. Continue adding more layers until you reach the color, thickness, and texture levels that you want. Just be careful not to mix the colors!^{[15]
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Erase and or rub mistakes with a rubbing alcohol soaked Q-Tip. Use an eraser on leftover pencil markings. If there are stray paint marks, wait until they are dry to remove them. Then, use the rubbing alcohol soaked Q-Tip to dab at the paint until it’s gone. Dry off the Q-Tip before using so it isn’t dripping!^{[16]
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- Work slowly and dab gently. You don’t want to accidentally erase or remove a part of the design that you like.
Put the mug on a newspaper to dry. Don’t touch the mug while it’s drying. Doing so can elongate the drying process and mess up the design.^{[17]
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Bake the mug at 375 °F (191 °C) for 25 minutes. Put the mug right-side up on a baking sheet. Place the sheet and mug in the oven at 375 °F (191 °C). After 25 minutes, turn the oven off, but keep the mug in the oven for up to 2 hours. After 2 hours, remove the mug and set it to cool.^{[18]
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- Use heat protection when removing the mug from the oven.
Your mug is safe to wash now. However, while the dishwasher may be tempting, don’t use it. It will be too harsh on the mug and can wreck your new design! Once you clean the mug, put it to use! ^{[19]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Painting Watercolor Designs with Nail Polish

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1
Fill a Tupperware container with warm water. Leave around 3 inches (7.6 cm) to the top of the container. The Tupperware should be deep enough to submerge your mug. If you don’t have a Tupperware, use any plastic container, big bowl, or sink.^{[20]
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- The nail polish can leave a residue, so use a container you don’t care about.^{[21]
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Pour a few drops of nail polish in the water. Use as many colors as you want. Add more paint drops if the colors don’t disperse across the water.^{[22]
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Research source} Move quickly to prevent the paint from drying on the water’s surface.^{[23]
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- Look at a color wheel if you are having trouble picking paint colors. It’ll show you which colors work well together.
Hold the toothpick and swirl it in a snake, zigzag, or random pattern. Go slowly to prevent the paint from clumping. Whilst this step isn’t necessary, it helps create an effortless look.^{[24]
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Hold the mug straight and lower its bottom in the water. After 3 to 4 seconds, pull it out. Keep the mug straight when removing it to protect the paint design.^{[25]
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Air-dry the mug for 1 hour. Place the mug on a piece of newspaper or outside to dry. To protect the design, put the mug face down. And remember not to touch it while it’s drying!^{[26]
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Rinse the mug using cold or hot water and dish soap. Don’t use a dishwasher because it can ruin your design. Once you’ve washed the mug, gift it, use it, or place it around your home!^{[27]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Instead of rubbing alcohol, can I use nail polish remover?

Community Answer

Probably, but rubbing alcohol is a lot safer than a solvent like nail polish remover.

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Question

Won't the nail polish smell on the mug be strong?

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If you seal the mug properly and wash it several times, the smell should fade.

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Can I ever use a dishwasher? Is there a way to make it so that I can?

Community Answer

Yes, you can, if you use oil based paint. Sharpie Oil Based Paint Pens work great and your mug can withstand the dishwasher.

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Tips

Keep your acrylic paints stored upside down to prevent air bubbles.^{[28]
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Look at designs online before painting for inspiration.

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Warnings

Keep the paint away from the mug’s lip.

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Baking can be dangerous! Wear oven mitts when handling the oven.

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