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How to DIY Alcohol Ink on a Mug

Crafting with Alcohol Ink has been around awhile. You might have even tried it. I saw someone doing this technique and knew I had to try it out. The variety comes from plastic wrap for the wrinkle technique. This was my first attempt using the wrap technique, and I am thrilled with the outcome. I wanted to be extra safe and I didn’t put any materials around the top part of the mug where your lips would come in contact. 

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Materials:

Directions:

Layout one layer of plastic wrap on your table surface.

Center your mug on the plastic wrap and draw a circle around the bottom of the mug. Remove the mug and place another layer of plastic wrap on top.
 

Off to the side, tape off the bottom of the mug if you don’t want the ink to get on it. (this is optional) Trim the tape to the size of the mug. Use the Rubbing Alcohol and paper towel, clean off the outside of the mug.
 

Go around the circle in a random fashion with all the different colors of ink you desire. There is no need to waste ink on the bottom of the mug. This is why we took the time to draw the circle. I didn’t want the entire mug covered with ink so my circle of ink is rather thin.
 

Place the mug in the center of your ink circle and then lift up the plastic wrap to cover the entire mug. 
 

Press the plastic wrap around the mug pushing the ink up the side of the mug. Make sure there is a tight contact all around the mug and that the plastic wrap will not come undone. Let it sit for 24 hours. Then unwrap the plastic wrap and discard it.
 

If you are happy with the results spray a light coat of spray glaze over the entire outside of the mug. Wait for it to completely dry. Using the foam brush, paint a thin layer of the Mod Podge. Allow it to completely dry, at least 2 hours. Paint 3 total layers of Mod Podge. 

Follow the directions on the Mod Podge and allow it to sit the required amount of time. When this is done, the mug will be top-rack dishwasher safe.

15 Comments

  1. Tracy

    Does the midge podge leave a rubbery feel to the finish like pva glue does

    • Janet Trieschman

      No, it doesn’t. You do need to wait the curing time on the bottle. I think it is for 2 weeks.

  2. Linda Kelman

    Beautiful! I want to try it. Thanks for sharing.

  3. Simona

    I used dishwasher safe mod podge to make the mug with alcohol inks safe to wash in the dishwasher. I let the mug to cure 3 weeks. But when I wash the mug in the diswasher the ink comes off the mug. I didn´t use Clear Spray Glaze before. I only used dishwasher safe mod podge. What happend I would like to now?

    Thank you

    • Janet Trieschman

      I have a few questions – did you clean the surface with alcohol first? How many coats of mod podge did you use?

      • Simona

        No I didn´t clean the surface with alcohol first. I use 2 coats of mod podge.

        • Janet Trieschman

          You may not have put on enough layers of Mod Podge, or they may not have been thick enough. Or if you didn’t clean your surface before beginning, regular oils from hands and other things can cause the formula not to adhere properly.

          • Simona

            Thank you. I will try again.

  4. Debbie Weicht

    Hi, if I understand correctly, you skipped spraying the mug with clear spray prior to mod posting it? If so, that might be part of the problem along with the alcohol pre-clean. Hope this helps!

  5. Lynne

    I have not seen that any of these products used to seal it are heat resistant. So can you put these cups in the microwave to reheat your coffee?

  6. Debbie

    Did you get any special kind of mug?

    • Janet Trieschman

      Just a plain white mug from the Dollar Tree.

  7. susan holtry

    Is this safe for microwave use? Thanks!

  8. Linda S

    So, is the mod podge safe to put all the way up where lips would touch?

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