Learn how to make a personalized decorated yeti cup or any other stainless steel tumbler by adding water slide decal pictures to them.
Hi Friends! I have another glitter tumbler tutorial for you today but this time I tried something different – Mod Podge instead of epoxy!
I wanted to see how a tumbler with mod podge would hold up since it is much cheaper and easier to make than the epoxy.
I also wanted to show you how to make a decorated yeti cup or Ozark tumbler or any stainless steel mug using your own pictures.
So you don’t even need a cutting machine to make a personalized tumbler (but I still recommend getting one because they are SOOOO awesome!! You can read all about all the amazing things you can make with a Cricut here).
Materials for Decorated Yeti Cup / Stainless Steel Mug
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- Stainless Steel Mug of your choice – I like Ozark Tumblers or Mossy Oak
- Mod Podge – gloss
- Water slide paper – I use the inkjet one since that’s what kind of printer I have!
- Crystal clear enamel – I got mine at Wal-mart
- Extra Fine glitter of your choice – I used white so the pictures would show up better
- Wet Sand Paper
You can always browse my Amazon storefront with my complete DIY Tumbler supply list.
Painting a Tumbler Mug
The first thing you’ll want to do is paint your tumbler. Put a piece of painters tape around the top rim. (If you’d like to watch a video on how I apply tape to a tumbler click here.)
I tape off the top of my tumblers so my mouth doesn’t touch the mod podge or glitter part.
I use spray paint (Rustoleum gloss protective enamel) instead of using 2 or 3 layers of glitter but that’s a personal preference. I just spray the upside-down tumbler as I walk around it about 4 times.
If you’d like to see a video of how I paint a mug with a turntable click here.
Using Mod Podge on a Tumbler
Once it’s dry, apply a smooth layer of mod podge and then start pouring on glitter all around the cup so that it’s fully covered.
If you’d like to see a video of applying the mod podge glitter, go to my tutorial by clicking here.
Remove the tape and let the cup dry upside down.
Once it’s dry, tap the cup to shake off any extra glitter and use a dry paintbrush to also remove the extra glitter by sliding it down the cup all the way around.
Apply tape again to the top rim and then apply a layer of gloss Mod Podge like you did before and let dry.
Remove the painter’s tape so it doesn’t dry with the glue on it, which makes it harder to come off.
Once it’s dry, sand it with wet sandpaper. Spray the bottle with water and then gently sand it up and down to make smooth. (I found the wet sandpaper in the automotive department of Wal-mart)
Prepare Pictures to Add on Tumbler
You can prepare your printed decals at any point during your drying times. (Check out my post here on how to design water slide decals in CDS or google slides!)
Pick out whatever pictures you want, size them, then print them on the glossy side of water slide decal paper. Or you can use a Cricut print then cut feature.
Let them dry and then spray a layer of crystal clear enamel over all the pictures. Let them dry for 30 minutes or so and spray another layer.
Repeat for the third layer and then let them completely dry and then cut them out.
It’s super easy to attach the water slide decal paper to your decorated yeti cup. Make sure to watch the video on the top or side to see it in action!
After I applied them I added another layer of the gloss mod podge to just the pictures.
On the other side, I added a shadow layer Monogram cut with my Cricut. Check out my video tutorial here on how to make a shadow layer for text!
Once everything is dry you’ll need to add another few layers of gloss mod podge about 30 minutes apart.
Apply the tape a mm or two above your glitter line so that you seal the glitter edge.
I’d love if you come craft with me on Instagram! I post a ton of short video tutorials on all sorts of different DIY projects. Click the button below!
I also added a layer of this gloss glaze spray to add extra gloss in between the layers of mod podge but this is an optional step. Remove the tape before the final layer of mod podge dries.
There you have it! A way to make a decorated Yeti cup or Ozark tumbler without having to use epoxy.
As you can see from the pictures, it’s not as smooth as epoxy but it still works and actually has a nice texture to it!
The photos are blurry in this picture because I was trying to get a good pic of the sparkles in the glitter!
Another way to add waterproof pictures to a tumbler is by sublimating a tumbler blank.
Make sure to check out my post here on how to epoxy glitter tumblers. It’s not as hard you might think!
Also, if you want to see my complete guide to personalizing tumblers from beginner to advanced click here!
Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day,
Hi Amy. Thanks for the great and detailed tutorial. I really want to try this. My question is, can this be done with alcohol inks as well or do you not recommend. Thanks again. Sue Gebhardt
Hi Sue, I actually have never tried alcohol ink but it is on my list to try!
I followed your tutorial but the water slide paper didnt stick on very well , what am I doing wrong?
Hi Debra, hmmm, are you talking about when you first put it on or after it’s dried?? Definitely let it dry fully before you do anything with it. Make sure the cup is very dry too before you try to put it on. Hope that helps!
Are you able to use epoxy for a cleaner texture?
Of course! That’s what I usually do! I just wanted to show people there is another way besides epoxy.
If I use mod podge and glitter and then want to add a worded decal, what type of decal do I need to use? I want go make it as simple as possible!
Do you have a Cricut or Silhouette? Cutting out a decal is super easy. Or you can always order one off Etsy or sometimes Amazon. I always use permanent vinyl or oracal 651 (indoor/outdoor).
I am trying this today. I used holographic silver glitter. It looked really pretty u til I sprayed on the Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze. Now it’s cloudy. I haven’t sandpapered it yet , or applied the coat of spray after that. It looks cloudy, will it dry clear and shiny?
Hi Kathi, did you have a layer of mod podge under the clear glaze?? I added the clear glaze in between layers of mod podge, so I’m not totally sure if that would cause it to be cloudy or not. After you sand it, it will look cloudy and some sprays do cloud things up at first. I hoped it dried shiney!!
So how has your cup stood up compared to an epoxied cup?
I’m in the process of doing glitter tumblers, and I’m wanting to make a tumbler with pictures on it but with epoxy-resin. Could you, by any chance, please let me know all the steps you do with the epoxy-resin with actual pictures on a glitter tumbler?? Please and thank you!!
Hi Angie, I have one of those! Once you get the glitter and first coat of epoxy on it, add your water slide decal. If you want a vinyl decal on the other side, add that at the same time. Once it’s all dry, then add a second layer of epoxy. Here is my cup I did with it https://www.leapoffaithcrafting.com/glitter-yeti-cup/. Adding the water slide is the exact same way, I explained in other tutorial. Is that what you were asking??
Great! My mom has had it over a year now and still uses it all the time. Looks like new!
Yes exactly! Thank you SO MUCH!! What size are your pictures?
HI Angie, the biggest one is 3 x 4.25″ on the Mossy Oak tumbler. All the other pictures on the mod podged tumbler were around 2″. Have fun!
Does this have to be done with the water -slide? Or can you use regular paper?
Is it possible to put a vinyl decal On just mod podge glitter?
Hi. Can this be done on a plastic tumbler? Or does it have to be metal? Thanks!
Hi Elizabeth, I have done a plastic/acrylic tumbler with a straw. You can see here: https://www.leapoffaithcrafting.com/personalized-tumbler-cups/ Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Brittany, I’m not sure what you mean?? If you have the glitter sealed well with mod podge or triple thick you could put the vinyl decal on top of that and then add another layer of mod podge.
Hi Caitlin, you could also use printable vinyl. I’m honestly not sure about regular paper. If you mod podge it on, I’m not sure how smooth you could get it, plus it might tear easier, but that’s just my guesses. I’ve never tried it, so I’m not sure! Let me know if you do, I’d love to know!
Can you put photos on a metal tumbler using this method, but skipping the glitter stage? (I’m thinking about making one for my husband.) Is there anything that would need to be done differently?
Also, are these dishwasher safe after or hand wash only?
Hi Jamie, all stainless steel tumblers should be hand washed only. They say that on them even without the added glitter. You know I’ve never tried to add water slide decals on to the stainless steel itself, but I would think you can. You could also spray paint the tumbler and add them on that too. You might want to use the opaque or white water slide decal paper so the stainless doesn’t show through. Or you could use printable vinyl, that actually might be the best bet. Seal it like you would water decal. I just made a wood grain tumbler using the printable vinyl. You can see how they look here: https://www.leapoffaithcrafting.com/wood-grain-tumbler-tutorial/
Hope that helps!
Hi Amy,
I have some college stickers that I want to put on a cup that the surface is sandy filling. The stickers are not wanting to stick to the cup because of the surface. What can I put on the cup or the sticker to keep them on the cup? Do I need to use Mod Podge or some type of glue?
Hi LeAnn, hmm, could you spray paint the surface or is it too gritty? If it’s a plain tumbler you might see the mod podge streaks. You could try and apply a spray adhesive or spray mod podge to the back of the stickers and put them on that way, so that hopefully the glue wouldn’t drip. If the stickers aren’t coated, they will probably run or fade though when you wash the mug. You might want to spray a sealant on them first before you apply them. Hope that all makes sense!
If someone does not use a straw, is the cup safe to drink out of with the Clear Glaze and Mod Podge on it?
My mouth doesn’t even touch the part where the glitter is. That’s why I tape off the top inch of the tumbler. If you want to have the glitter go to the top of the tumbler, I’d recommend using epoxy resin!
Hi. I have been looking for 3 days of a way to use glitter without epoxy and I’m so glad I found your video. It was very helpful and seems to be a lot easier to do, with less time than epoxy. I’m in a spall apartment with 2 little ones and I didn’t want to expose them to the chemical. The epoxy really hindered me from using glitter on anything. Thank you for this.
What type of brush are you using for the Mod Podge? Also could you possible remember a brush for epoxy?
Thanks,
Becky
Hi Becky, I like flat brushes. I have some Plaid brushes and also ones I got from Walmart. They usually come in like a three pack. I don’t use a brush for epoxy, just a gloved hand! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi, I just printed out your Tutorial on how to make Glitter Tumblers with Epoxy, I was wondering do have one for the Tumblers with Mod Podge, or am I just missing it. Thanks
No, you’re not missing it! That feature did not come out until a couple of months ago and I haven’t had time to add them to all of my old posts. Sorry! I am in the process. Thanks for asking!
Hello, I have tried using Modge Podge to help seal an acrylic paint on wine glasses. The Modge Podge came off along with the paint when I attempted to hand wash them. How are you able to wash them without everything coming off the tumbler?
How many layers of mod podge did you use? You might also want to use a spray sealant before applying the mod podge on top. I’ve never had any issues with the paint coming off beside one time a stemless wine glass sat in water overnight and it stretched the paint a bit but still never came off. Also, make sure the Mod Podge cures for over 24 hours (I’d say 72 for sure) before you get it wet. Hope that helps!
I am making a glitter tumbler with DISHWASHER SAFE Mod Paudge. What I want to know and can’t find anywhere is if anyone has used epoxy over it or if it is necessary to make it dishwasher safe using glitter and a decal on the tumbler with the Dishwasher Safe Pod Podge?
I wouldn’t advise putting any stainless steel tumblers in the dishwasher no matter what you have on them. It’s actually the tumbler itself that should not be in the dishwasher. There is some kind of coating or material on the inside that keeps everything cold and the dishwasher messes with that. Sorry I couldn’t answer your question!
HI,
When would you use a water slide down decal vs a sticker vs vinyl? Or would you please share some pros and cons of each? Thank you
Honestly, it’s a personal preference. If you use a clear water slide decal the background will show up so it looks less like a sticker. I think they are a little thinner so they actually kind of mold onto the surface and look like they are part of it. I don’t think printable vinyl prints quite as vibrantly as the waterslide or the sticker paper. I’ve added this to my list of what to make a post about, so I’ll do some projects with all three to compare! Thanks for the question!
Do you have directions on how to make this picture tumbler with expoy instead of mod Podge?
If I am using a vinyl cut out (instead of the pictures) would I have to use the enamel or could I only seal with mod podge?
Hiiii!
I came across your tutorial (which is awesome btw!) while I was looking for ways to secure stickers that my friend made me on a tumbler of some sort. The stickers do have a glossy finish to them. Would you recommend this tutorial for that or something else ?
Thank you for taking the time with this!
Hi Gabby, you definitely can use Mod Podge or a spray sealant of some sort. The drawback on a plain tumbler (not painted or glittered) is that you will probably see the lines of mod podge, but honestly, I have never tried it so I’d love to know how it came out if you did it! Usually, I will use permanent vinyl on my plain tumblers and I don’t seal them. Hope that helps some!
If you are just using vinyl, you probably don’t even need to seal it! I’ve done it both ways. Permanent vinyl is pretty good about not peeling as long as it’s not too intricate of a cut. I’ve also sealed it with Mod Podge and it works too but you’ll see that sheen of the mod podge over it.
Is the epoxy dishwasher safe? I know they should be handwashed but would anything happen if they were put in the dishwasher? Also what are the most economical cups to use? Thanks
Honestly, I don’t know for sure, but I don’t think so. Some of them are FDA compliant to be around food but I can’t find anything that says it is dishwasher safe. I generally use tumblers I find at Walmart or sometimes Costco. I think they all perform about the same!
How long did the modge Podge cup last? Especially with washes once it’s fully cured?
It’s still going strong after years of use and hand washing!
No they should be hand washed
@Julie,
Also be sure to allow the mod podge to cure a full 28 days before washing or doing any of these things as well because that can have an impact on the sealing process itself!Also try using the Hard Coat Mod Podge & the dishwasher safe one even thought you wont be placing in the dishwasher it still adds that extra protection I use both when doing anything with glassware when using Mod Podge products! Hope this helps!