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Step by step directions and video tutorial on how to make your own glitter tumbler using epoxy resin! This post was updated on February 5, 2020.
Are you tired of my tumblers yet?? I’ve shown you quite a few ways of how to decorate stainless steel cups and today I have the ultimate glitter tumbler tutorial for you!
I finally took the plunge and tried using epoxy to seal my glitter cups and it was so much easier than I thought. I was scared of it for a long time and preferred just spray painting my cups but I wanted a really glittery one and it came out so cool!
Just to forewarn you, making glitter tumblers is relatively easy but they take days to make! There is a lot of drying time and after you apply the epoxy you need to turn the glitter tumbler for a few hours so you have to do it on a day when you are going to be home.
This glitter tumbler tutorial is pretty long so stay with me! I will go back and forth between cups to show you as many pics as possible. I’m definitely not an expert but I learned a bunch from watching youtube videos and figured some stuff out on my own.
I even have a video of how I apply the epoxy because it was too hard to take pictures of since I had sticky gloved hands. Plus there are printable instructions at the end of the post with key steps.
Table of contents
- Materials Needed for Glitter Tumblers
- Prepping to Make a Glitter Tumbler
- Adding the Glitter to a Tumbler
- DIY Double Manual Hand Cup Turner
- How to Make Glitter Tumblers with Epoxy
- Applying a Decal to a Tumbler
- Full Glitter Tumbler Video Tutorial From Start To Finish – Update!!
- Frequently Asked Questions About Glitter Tumblers
- How to Make Glitter Tumblers Printable Instructions
Ok, let’s get started…
Materials Needed for Glitter Tumblers
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links from Amazon and/or Cricut.com. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my links.
- Stainless Steel Tumbler – I use Ozark Tumblers (found here) and Mossy Oak tumblers from Walmart.
- Epoxy – I use Alumilite from Amazon found here
- Glitter – extra fine or chunky. I used Caribbean, Jumbo True Silver, Marquee Love glitter
- Spray paint
- Mod Podge and paint brush
- Vinyl, HTV or Decals and Cricut or another cutting machine (If you have a Cricut, check out my resource guide of Cricut Ideas here!)
- painter’s tape
- wet/dry sandpaper
You can always browse my Amazon storefront with my complete DIY Tumbler supply list.
Prepping to Make a Glitter Tumbler
The first thing you’ll want to do is tape off the top and bottom (if you want). The Alumilite is FDA approved but I still don’t like my mouth on it so I tape off the top.
The epoxy also can break if it falls hard on the bottom edge so something to think about. If I’m taping off the bottom I also add a piece of press and seal so paint won’t get on the bottom. If you’d like to see a video tutorial on how I tape off the cups, click here.
Turn the cup over in a well-ventilated area and spray paint from about 12 inches away. Just circle around it as you spray a little dusting over it.
I know in my previous tumbler tutorials I said you had to use a specific brand of paint but for some reason, I used two different kinds and they both worked perfectly. I don’t know if the stainless steel composition changed or what because other paint than the enamel used to run for me, but not anymore!
**Update** I now have a video tutorial of how I spray paint stainless steel tumblers, click here to watch!
For my large glitter tumbler, I used Krylon Satin Sea Glass spray paint from Walmart.
For my smaller blue glitter tumbler, I used Rust-oleum spa blue.
Adding the Glitter to a Tumbler
Once the tumbler is dry, it is time to add the glitter. Make sure you have a container or wax paper underneath the mug to catch your glitter!
I put a little bit of Mod Podge in a separate bowl and use a flat paintbrush to put it on. I “paint it on” so that the whole mug is covered in a uniform and smooth layer. I use long brush strokes from the top to bottom so that I don’t get a lot of lines.
I just take the lid off of the container and start dumping the glitter on the cup as I rotate it. Just keep pouring the caribbean glitter on the cup as you move down its length until it’s completely covered.
If you’d like to watch a video tutorial of me applying mod podge and glitter, click here.
Tap the bottom a bit to get the extra glitter off, remove the painter’s tape, and then stand it up to dry (I had mine upside down since the bottom had glitter on it.)
Once it’s dry, usually after a few hours, you can tap it again to see if anymore glitter comes off. Then take a clean dry flat brush and stroke it down all the glitter to get off any pieces that are not glued down.
The glitter tumbler is pretty already!! Then add another piece of blue tape just a little bit above the glitter line. You want the epoxy to be able to seal above the glitter so leave a few mm of space. Repeat on the bottom too if you had it taped off before.
Now you are ready for the fun part! Make sure you have a few hours that you can stay close by. I set up mine in my kitchen with the windows open and put things away or did dishes in between turns.
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DIY Double Manual Hand Cup Turner
At this point, you need to rig up a DIY tumbler turner. So here is my setup… super technical!
I saw something similar online somewhere and modified to use whatever I had in the house. I started by punching two round holes in the sides of a box with a stamping punch.
I had a long rod that we use to attach to paint rollers so I slid that through and added pool noodles to each end. I then wrapped paper towels or bubble wrap around the foam until the glitter tumbler was secure.
I’ve also seen people use small foam footballs from the Dollar Store and cut a hole in them and attach them to the ends.
If I’m not making two glitter tumblers with my double tumbler turner I just put an extra stainless steel tumbler on the other end to balance it out. Then add a sheet of wax paper underneath where your cup will be spinning because the epoxy is super sticky and will fall off!
I did make a mistake on the bigger glitter tumbler with not having enough paper towels around the foam to keep it straight. I think that’s why I got a few diagonal lines because the epoxy was sliding slightly sideways since it wasn’t flat.
A football probably would be better for the 30oz cups. For the second round of epoxy, I stuffed a lot more paper towels in the mug and it helped.
How to Make Glitter Tumblers with Epoxy
This is what you’ll need to epoxy your glitter mug. The Alumilite Epoxy resin comes with a few plastic measuring cups and wood sticks. I ended up ordering extra measuring cups since they were so cheap (found here!). You’ll also need a plastic cup and gloves.
You are going to measure out equal amounts of solution A and B in the two separate measuring cups. I typically use 15 ml each for the smaller mugs. The larger mugs could use 20 ml each.
Pour them both in a cup making sure to scrape down the sides with the wood stick to get everything out of it. I tell Alexa to turn on a timer for 3 minutes and sit down and stir at a slow to medium pace. Popping bubbles as I see them with the stick.
Get your gloves on and your ready to epoxy! Take a deep breath and watch the video at the top…. it’s not as hard as you think!
For the blue cup, I used these glitters pictured below. And I did the epoxy slightly differently. I actually mixed in a little bit of the jumbo glitter and purple rainbow glitter into the epoxy.
I think I added a bit too much on the jumbo silver glitter but I still like the end result. Kind of looks like it’s raining!
Here is another video of me applying the epoxy with the glitter mixed in. It’s about the same as the last video, but in case you wanted to see another one in action!
As I said on the video you are going have to keep your eye on the glitter tumbler and turn it often if you are hand turning!! For the first half an hour it might be every 30 seconds to two minutes.
It depends a lot on the temperature of where you are doing it. Warmer temps will dry faster. I watch the bottom side of my epoxy glitter tumbler and when I see a drip start to form I turn it 90 to 180 degrees.
Just keep watching and turning until the drips aren’t coming as frequently then you can maybe go to 3-5 minutes between turns.
I like to take my tape off at about 45 minutes to an hour in. The first cup I ever made, I forgot to take the tape off for two hours and it ended up pulling up some of the edges making it jagged and some of the tape I couldn’t even get off! So now I set Alexa again for 50 minutes so I remember!
I spin mine for about 5 hours (the last few hours I only turn it every 20-30 minutes). It’s still not totally dry at that point but I just leave it on the foam overnight.
**Update** I have finally made my own DIY motorized tumbler turner. Find out how to make one for cheap here!
The next day I sand the glitter tumbler. Get a spray bottle with water and spritz some water on it and gently rub it with wet sandpaper. You can find it in the automotive department of Walmart or on Amazon here. I used the 400 grit.
After it’s all sanded and smooth, I clean the whole thing with rubbing alcohol.
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!
Applying a Decal to a Tumbler
Now is time to put on your decal. I designed my monogram on an app called Monogram Lite. It’s super easy to use and free or you can upgrade for $0.99 to get more options.
I use a Cricut cutting machine and love it! There are endless Cricut projects you can make and I’ve made a ton.
I design it on my phone and then email it myself so I can download it on my computer. I upload it into Cricut Design Space and I cut it out of glitter vinyl for the Caribbean mug. I weeded the design and applied the Cricut strong grip transfer tape.
Jump over to my posts, if you’d like to learn more about how to use the Monogram It app and make monograms or learn how to make your own split letter monograms.
Then transfer it to the glitter tumbler. If you want step by step and video directions on how to apply vinyl to a tumbler click here.
For the big tumbler, I cut out my turtle and mandala design out of heat transfer vinyl. I tried cutting it out of regular vinyl but it was too intricate and too hard to weed so I ended up mirroring the image and cutting it out of HTV.
He’s so cute, isn’t he?? I adore sea turtles so knew I wanted one on my glitter tumbler.
The HTV was pretty simple to apply. Place it on your mug and use the tip of an iron to press it down. Keep moving the tip of the iron all over the vinyl until the plastic paper starts to pull up.
I wouldn’t recommend a big design like this one on the 30 oz tumbler where it dips down. It’s not so easy to iron down unless you are used to working on curves.
Let the decals sit for a few hours and then you are going to add another layer of epoxy the same way you did before. Add another piece of blue painter’s tape on the same line the other one was on. Watch the video again if you need to!
Remove the tape after about an hour. Turn the glitter tumbler for 4-5 hours again and let it fully dry. Once it’s fully dry (I wait overnight), it’s done!
Full Glitter Tumbler Video Tutorial From Start To Finish – Update!!
If you’d like to see a start to finish video tutorial on the entire process of making glitter tumblers, hop on over to my ombre glitter tumblers tutorial.
I have a bunch of videos on a playlist on my YouTube channel. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any videos!
Woo Hoo!! Now you get to enjoy your sparkly glitter tumbler!
You can also make personalized stemless wine glasses with glitter. Plus you can grab my FREE SVG and PNG Cheers file of eight different fonts!
Make sure to check out my other posts on how to decorate stainless steel mugs. Click pics below the glitter tumbler printable directions to be taken to each DIY tumbler tutorial.
If you want some more ideas, click here to check out my ultimate guide to making personalized tumblers from beginners to advanced!
Frequently Asked Questions About Glitter Tumblers
- Are glitter tumblers dishwasher safe? No, they are not. It is because stainless steel tumblers, in general, should not be put in the dishwasher. There is a coating on the inside of them that keeps them cold and also hot that can get messed up in the dishwasher.
- Can you glitter acrylic tumblers? Yes, you can! I glittered a cute unicorn acrylic cup.
- How do you get the line straight at the top? I agree, this is the trickiest part, and takes time to perfect!! Try to pull the tape straight up and slightly over toward the glitter part of the cup. If you pull it towards the top of the tumbler, the epoxy will spread taller with the tape before it let’s go.
- Can you make glitter tumblers without epoxy? Yes! I have used mod podge to seal some glitter tumblers and they hold up well. They do have a different look to them and are not as smooth. You can see my comparison of the two methods here.
How to Make Glitter Tumblers Printable Instructions
As promised, here are some printable directions on how to make glitter tumblers. There is a print button in the card.
How to Make Glitter Tumblers
Make your own DIY glitter tumbler with step by step detailed instructions. These make a perfect gift for any occassion!
Materials
- Stainless Steel Tumbler
- Mod Podge
- Glitter
- Spray Paint
- Epoxy Resin
- Electrical or Painter's Tape
- Rubber gloves, stir sticks, plastic cups
- Vinyl for Decals
Instructions
- Wash tumbler.
- Apply tape to top (and bottom - optional).
- Spray paint the tumbler if needed. Let dry.
- Apply a layer of mod podge with long even strokes.
- Dump glitter all over while you are turning the tumbler so the mod podge is all covered. Tap bottom so excess falls off.
- Remove tape.
- Let dry fully (over night). Use flat dry brush to remove excess glitter.
- Time to epoxy. Tape off top, 1 -2 mm above paint line (and bottom if you did before).
- Mix A and B solution of epoxy thoroughly, should take a few minutes.
- Tumbler should be on a hand turner or cup turner. Apply epoxy, smoothing it up and down the tumbler while you rotate it slowly. See videos in post for full instructions.
- Continue rotating for 4-6 hours depending on temperature. Remove tape 45 minutes into rotating. Set timer so you don't forget!
- Once it's fully dry, spritz some water and wet sand around the entire tumbler until it's smooth.
- Clean the tumbler off with rubbing alcohol.
- Apply decals and let rest for an hour or so.
- Tape off the top (and bottom if you did before).
- Repeat epoxy step (stir solutions, apply to cup and turn for 4-6 hours).
- Enjoy your nice new personalized tumbler!
Notes
** Make sure you are using epoxy resin in a well ventilated area.
If using a hand turner, you will need to stay by the turner and rotate every minute or so for the first 10 minutes, then every couple minutes for another 20-30 minutes, then maybe every 5-10 minutes for another hour and then every 30 minutes until it's done. Watch it and if you see buildup on the bottom, turn it.
Recommended Products
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Personalized Tumblers
There are so many ways to personalized tumblers. Browse through my tutorials on how to make fun and unique gifts for anyone in your life!
Glitter Tumblers: Easy to Follow Video Tutorial From Start to Finish!!
Step by step video tutorial on how to make glitter tumblers from start to finish.
Glitter Tumbler Step by Step Pics and Video Tutorial!
Learn how to apply epoxy to a glitter tumbler. Step by step photo instructions.
Decorated Yeti Cup or Tumblers with Pictures, Mod Podge & Glitter!
Use waterslide paper to add your own pictures to a personalized tumbler.
FREE Script Split Letter Monogram to Personalize Anything!
Grab some free split letter monogram to make custom tumblers.
Hydro Dipping Tumblers DIY Step by Step Tutorial!
A fun and easy way to add a marbled look to any tumbler.
Applying Vinyl to a Tumbler So That's It's Always Straight!
Learn how to apply vinyl to a stainless steel tumbler.
Learn How to Easily Make a Glitter Yeti Cup or Stainless Steel Tumbler!
Double-sided adhesive paper is a fun way to add extra glitter to a glitter tumbler.
Custom Tumblers DIY Video Tutorial!
Alcohol Ink Tumbler Tutorial!
Wood Grain Tumbler Tutorial: Video Tutorial from Start to Finish!
Make a wood grain tumbler with alcohol inks.
Spray Painting a Stainless Steel Mug
Using spray paint and spray glitter to make an ombre glitter tumbler.
How to Make a Custom Yeti or Ozark Stainless Steel Mug for Cheap!
Use just spray paint to make a custom tumbler for anyone.
Personalized Stemless Wine Glasses DIY Tutorial!
Glitter stemless wine glasses make a perfect wedding or birthday gift.
Cricut Print and Cut: All You Need to Know!
Make your own stickers to decorate a tumbler with! Learn which type of vinyl to use and how to upload and use your own images or drawings!
Want to save this tutorial for later? Simply hover over the top left of the image below and PIN It now!
Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great day!
Tracy says
Hi, thank you for your detailed information. What a great idea for a small business, especially in this time of people working from home. I was wondering if you have ever tired just using a metallic paint with a rhinestone decal?
I don’t have a circuit machine, can I use store bought ones?
Thanks Tracy
Leap of Faith Crafting says
HI Tracy, I have not used a rhinestone decal. I would love to know how they turned out though!
Melissa says
How long do you have to wait after the second epoxy to know it is fully dry?? I just made my first cup but now I have no idea how long before it is done and able to be used.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Melissa, it can depend on the weather and humidity. I let mine dry a good 24 hours. If it’s humid, you might want to let it dry longer than that!
Alyssa E says
Can I put my vinyl decal on the glitter before I do the first layer of epoxy to avoid doing it twice? Also I’ve seen other people seal the glitter before doing epoxy, would you say that is necessary or no? Thanks so much for this tutorial
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Alyssa, the problem with applying a decal directly on the glitter is that it may not lay flat and adhere very well. You’ll probably also see the glitter bumps below. You can try to do a sealant or another layer of Mod Podge over the glitter and then apply the decal. I haven’t tried it that way, but it seems like it should work. There are quite a few ways to make the tumblers! I don’t seal the glitter, but if you let the Mod Podge and glitter dry for 24 hours it’s not going anywhere!
Millicent McKinney says
Hi there! I have just started in this tumbler journey! I applied my first layer of epoxy resin last night. I decided to go into our family’s unheated workshop because it was well ventilated and had a large space for me to work. I checked it my cup this morning, and the epoxy is still tacky, and looks like quite a bit of the epoxy settled on one side. I am assuming it has to do with the temperature dropping well below freezing, and there was no heat on the cups at all last night. Is this cup still salvageable? If so, what are my next steps?
Thank you so much!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Oh no! Yes, temperature has a big effect, especially if it’s that cold, it will take a long time. Did you try to keep spinning it? If there is a lot of epoxy on one side it might be hard to save. You can try running a heat gun over it to see if you can melt it again to get it flowing.
Debbie says
Hello!
I was just wondering about how much glitter you used for each tumbler? I am looking to make a tumbler for my bridal party and was wondering about how much glitter I might need.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Debbie, if you save the glitter, it’s not really that much. I think I made 4-5 tumblers out of one of the Sulyn containers of glitter?? I just get them at Walmart for $2-3 each.
Debbie Hiniker says
Thank you so much for the info! Also after applying the epoxy, when do I pull off the tape? Do I wait until it is dry or sooner?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Make sure you pull it off 45 min to an hour after you apply the epoxy! It won’t come off nicely it’ll it dries all the way… I learned the hard way!
Beth says
Hi! Thank you so much for the helpful information. It has helped me greatly with my first tumbler which is in the epoxy process right now, hand turning. I do have a couple questions though. I have used the same epoxy and added the chunky glitter just as you did. But as it’s drying it’s looking clumpy. I’m not sure if it’s the way I applied the epoxy or if it’s just the chunky glitter. Either way, after it has dried, when I sand it down will I need to add another coat of epoxy on it? I’m not sure, but thank you very much.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Beth! Yes, unfortunately, that chunky glitter can have some bumps if the cup is not really straight or turned a lot. I sanded down my ridges pretty hard with wet sand paper then applied my decal and then another layer of epoxy and it turned out fine. There are a few ridges I can feel, but it turned out great. The more you make them, the easier it gets to fine tune the process!
Kristin says
Ciao! Thank you for taking time to make detailed instructions & video to make Glitter Tumblers. I’m curious to know if spray painting the silver stainless steel tumbler is a must or preference before adding the glitter? If I don’t spray paint the tumbler, would I apply the epoxy directly on the tumbler and then add the glitter?
Thank you for your advice.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
No, it’s not a must. I like to do it because it helps to cover the silver cover with only one layer of glitter. Sometimes you can see through the glitter and have to apply a second layer on the stainless. If you don’t apply spray paint, you just start with applying the mod podge and glitter!
MaryAnne says
Why do you need to sand after the first coat of epoxy? It removes part of the glitter and I can see after the second coat. I have an electric turner.
I loved your instructions, read them several times and referred back to them I read others and they were not as complete.
Thank you.
dotmae
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Thank you so much! The sanding just helps to get everything smooth and removes any bumps. Make sure you are sanding it wet and just lightly do it. If everything is already smooth, you can skip the step!
Nykia says
Quick question… my daughter knocked over my tumbler while it was drying with epoxy.. what do I do to get the lines from where it was dropped out? Do I just sand it and then add another layer of epoxy?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Oh no! Yes, that’s what I would try!
Tomika says
I have to admit. I think these tumblers are outstanding. I have a few tumblers here that have lost their coating and look like they belong in a garbage can. I may have to reconsider and turn them into a work of art as you have done. Thank you so much for the idea and information on how to get it done.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Yes, making old things pretty again is so fun!
Debbie says
Thank you for sharing!
Rene says
Help! I applied a decal and then mod podged and glittered over it but I let it dry too long before removing the decal. Should i just mod podge and glitter over top of it??or try to remove it?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Oh no! I’m not sure if you could get it off without destroying the glitter around it. I would do another layer and see if it hides it or you can try and scrape off the whole layer and start over. Good luck!
Christina says
So weird question but I measured out equal parts of a and b of the alumite epoxy but my bottles of part a and b are now uneven.. is that normal?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Lol! It’s not weird, I usually go through one bottle and have some left in the other bottle. I’m not sure why besides they are different consistency so not sure if there is a little less in one bottle or what.
Suann says
Do you have to do 2 thick layers of epoxy? I’ve seen a couple of videos where they do one or 2 light layers of epoxy and it looks just as good, with little to no run!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
It doesn’t need to be thick just enough to cover the entire cup. It will depend on how chunky your glitter is and how big your cup is. If you are using a rotating motor, there won’t be any run, it’s just with hand turning. Play around with different amounts and see what works best! I try to use the least amount of epoxy as possible because it’s expensive!
Vianey says
I have made 2 cups and on both cups I don’t have a clean lines on the edges. What is the best way to get straight lines!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Lines are the hardest! Pull the tape up straight and/or angled over towards the end of the cup. If the tape is angled towards the top of the cop, some of the epoxy can fan out. Hope that makes sense!
Meishel F says
HI! Thank. you so much for this info 🙂 How long should I wait in between layers of epoxy?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
I wait about a day. I spin it for 4-5 hours and then let it sit overnight and do the next layer the next day.
Karla says
Hi,
I have a question, I’m starting to make my tumbler cups with decals but after a wash the sticker starts to peel off, what do I need to do so the sticker does not peel off?
I REALLY APRECIATE.
Thanks
KARLA
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Karla, what kind of vinyl are you using?? Make sure to use a permanent outdoor vinyl. After you apply them, make sure they set for 72 hours before it gets wet. I also will run an embossing gun or hair dryer over the top of the vinyl and push it down hard with my fingers, but be careful not to get it too hot and burn your fingers! If you have really skinny or intricate details, sometimes they have a harder time sticking.
Deb says
How did you get a different color glitter on the inner petals of the flower tumbler? Looks so awesome!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Thanks Deb! It’s actually glitter vinyl. The cut file had three layers to it, and I used a silver glitter adhesive vinyl for some of the petals.
Rosa says
Hi,
If I don’t use permanent vinyl, do I use epoxy on the whole glass or just on the vinyl decal and lettering?
Thanks,
Rosa
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Rosa, You’ll always want epoxy on the whole tumbler. You will have a bump if you just put it in one place and it will run. It doesn’t matter if you use permanent or not if you are putting epoxy on top! Either will work fine!
Ashley says
I am getting a list together of stuff to get to start making tumblers. How much glitter should I get to start? I am looking at a set that has .3oz bottles of several colors. I want a variety without breaking the bank.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
.3 oz is pretty small. I’m not sure that would make one, but it might. I use the 2.5 oz bottles and they make 4-5. I have found Wal-mart to be the cheapest. A 2.5 oz bottle is under $3. Have fun!
Katie says
You are amazing! This is such a great tutorial and I’m sure it too you quite a bit of time to write it all out. I appreciate how thorough you have been with this! Kudos to you for spending time so we can all be crafty! Much love to you lady!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Thank you so much Katie!! I love helping people be crafty!!
Vanessa G. says
Can I make a glitter tumblr following the same instructions using a plastic cup? Please help. 🙏🏻🤗 Thank you!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Vanessa, yes you should be able to! I used the same method for on a plastic tumbler. I have a tutorial on that one too: https://www.leapoffaithcrafting.com/personalized-tumbler-cups/ Are those the kind of cups you are referring too?
Vanessa G. says
Hello! Thank you so much for your tutorial, and also for the DIY cup turner you are a huge help! I have a huge question to ask (probably not that big lol). Do you need to sand the cup after the first layer of epoxy overtime or only on certain occasion? Thank you so much ! 🙂
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Vanessa, thanks so much! I always sand it after the first layer of epoxy just to make sure it’s nice and smooth. There are usually a few bumps from the glitter and it makes the second layer much smoother if there are no bumps in the first layer. Does that make sense?? Have a great day!
stacey says
How do you decide rather to spray paint the tumbler before glittering it.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
HI Stacey! It is a personal preference. The options are to add at least two coats of glitter/mod podge on a stainless steel colored tumbler or spray paint it the same color as the glitter you are going to use and just add one coat of glitter.
The spray paint simply helps from seeing through the glitter. Since the background color is the same color, if for some reason the glitter is light in one area, you won’t notice. However, if the background is stainless steel color you will see that color show through some spots of the glitter if you don’t have enough on. Does that make sense??
If you already have a color coated tumbler, you wouldn’t need to spray paint it. Just use a glitter that is a close color to the tumblers color.
Hope that helps!
Anna says
Do you have to let the mod podge cure if you are putting epoxy over it all
Leap of Faith Crafting says
HI Anna, I usually let it dry for a couple hours to overnight so I know the glitter is nice and secure and won’t move around during the epoxy step. I’m not sure if it’s totally necessary, but that’s how I’ve always done it!
Janet says
I love how you broke down this tutorial, I’ve been searching for a good one before I attempt to glitter my yeti’s. We are building an automatic turner for me this weekend, and I’m buying all of the supplies and what not today. How many 30oz tumblers do you think one package of alumilite epoxy will cover? I’ve never used it before, so this is ALL new, but I’m trying to get an idea of the cost per cup to glitter them, etc. Thank you so much!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Janet, I think probably 5ish. The bottles have 8 oz which is 237 ml and you’ll need 20ml x 2 for each tumbler, so 5 tumblers would be 200. You might be able to get six if you use 15 on a few. If you are going to start making a lot, I’d recommend buying the epoxy in bulk. They have huge containers of it on Amazon(I think they are over $100 each), but if you were going to start a business, those might better for the price.
Good luck! They get easier and better as you go! I still have tape stuck in my first one!
Amy says
This popped up in my pinterest feed, and my curiosity is piqued. Even though I have months to even think about it, I’m on the look out for Christmas present ideas for my coworkers. I do like the idea of this, it seems like something I can do for fairly cheap. However I do have a slight hiccup….. I would be making at least a dozen, and don’t have time to deal with the constant turning. I’m wondering if there’s an easier/better way of sealing with epoxy. I did a quick search on spray epoxy and from what I read, it’s not safe (you can easily breath it in, get on your skin). I wonder if there’s another way of sealing the glitter that will be as solid as epoxy, something that won’t be washed off….
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Amy, a dozen is a tall order so it’s good you are thinking ahead! I have sealed my glitter cups with mod podge and they have held up just as well. It has a slightly different texture to it and isn’t as smooth as the epoxy, but it still looks nice. I talk about the two in this post: https://www.leapoffaithcrafting.com/personalized-yeti-cups/
Debbie says
On the cup with a lotus flower it looks like the inner petals are a different glitter. How did you do that? Thanks.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Debbie, the flower was a couple different vinyls. I used a silver glitter vinyl for the second row of petals. The rest of them are just the green glitter showing through. Hope that helps! Thanks for stopping by!
Sarah f says
It’s a little difficult to find a how to On painting stainless Steele. I am wanting to have my 2 yr old make a thermos for his grandpa, using his hand print. I have no experience at all in painting stainless Steele. Do you have advice? Would I be able to spray paint the thermos to give it a base, then put on a design in acrylic, and just clear coat spray over it? Do you have a tutorial on this possibly? Help 😭
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Sarah, I spray paint my stainless steel cups all the time. You can definitely spray paint a base coat on it. I have a video tutorial on spray painting here
Or I’ve also used chalk paint on cups with decals over them. Tutorial here.
Janet Reyes says
If I buy a powder coated tumbler can I just add vinyl then epoxy over it or am I missing something?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Yes!! If you already have a colored one, no need to paint it!
Kelly says
The epoxy is drying with a milky white color. Why I dont know what I’m doing wrong.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Kelly, I haven’t had that happen. But from what I gather from others is that the epoxy is probably too cold or if it’s come into contact with anything it can get cloudy. Make sure all your stirring sticks and cups you are using are brand new and don’t have any water droplets on them.
If you think it might be due to too many bubbles, you can also try using a heat gun or hair dryer and run back and forth over the epoxy once it’s on your cup to get rid of bubbles.
I hope that helps!!
Lynndsey says
How much glitter do you think will be needed for the project? I want to make sure I have enough but also I do not want to buy too much for one project!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
It doesn’t take as much as you think! You could do quite a few tumblers with one container of glitter as long as you are saving it and putting it back in.
Lindsey says
You said one container, is that a craft container in like the 2 or 4 oz size or it is like the school glitter jumbo size? I have the same questions as the other Lynndsey! Thanks!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Lindsey, mostly I use the 2.5 oz containers of extra fine glitter and they make quite a few tumblers!
Tiffany says
Thank you for the detailed information!!
I have a questions about mistakes in the epoxy… I have done a few of these now and they have turned out pretty well. But I had one yesterday come out with a big lumpy spot in my 2nd coat of epoxy. I am wondering if anyone has tried sanding down a single area and applying a super thin layer of epoxy over just one spot? Or even if I let it rotate on the turner and did a narrow ring all the way around the cup? Would it blend with the existing epoxy on either side of it or would it leave a definite line? From my experience with the sanding and applying another coat, it seems the new epoxy melts the old epoxy a bit, so I’m hoping I can touch up this one area and have it blend with out adding to the entire cup again. Worried about it being too thick if I had to do that. Would love your input/expert experience, thanks!!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Tiffany, I am actually not sure! I would think you would see a line too if you just touched up one spot. Maybe just sand it down as much as you can and add another thinner layer of epoxy to the whole cup. I think I’d try that first. Good luck! I’d love to know what worked!
Sarah says
Thank you for the wonderful information! I just have one question. When I tape off my cups, the epoxy sometimes bleeds under the tape, is there anything I can use to clean up the cups so they don’t look so messy?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Sarah, I get a little bleed sometimes too. I try to wipe as much off as I can with water and a paper towel, really carefully, right after I removed the tape. If there’s any left on, I can usually get it off with some tea tree oil on a q-tip. Hope that helps!
Tiff says
Hey Sarah, I peel the tape while the cups are still drying but the epoxy is solid enough that it is holding its shape, about 3 hours after applying. I use a makeup applicator wedge and rubbing alcohol to clean up the edges and where the tape overlapped itself. Works great!!
Andrea says
Hi there!
First time reader here! Just wanted to say I appreciate that you really broke it down step by step, and then the little steps you have to take between your step by steps. 🙂
I think a lot of bloggers assume people have a level of knowledge they dont have,so projects turn out wrong… and you can see how frustrated readers get by their comments.
Anyway, I’m sure it takes more work going in to every aspect, but I feel comfortable speaking for a lot of us in saying that it is appreciated.
Andrea
Ps- cups are lovely! I will not be attempting it right now… after major surgery I just cant, but I would have tried if you hadnt given me a real picture of the process.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
HI Andrea! Thanks so much for your kind words! I love helping people and being a Type A detailed oriented person, I like to know every part of the process. I hope you feel better soon and can get back to crafting! Thanks for stopping by!
Haley says
I just started making these and found your blog so so helpful! THANK YOU
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Aww, thanks so much Haley!! Glad you stopped by and found it helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions!
Candayce says
my glitter keeps coming off. I use the spray glue adhesive and the glitter just falls off
Leap of Faith Crafting says
What kind of glitter are you using?? The glitter spray paint? I wonder if it might be too cold. Make sure to read the can’s directions and see what the ideal temp to spray it is.
Jennifer says
Help! I took the plunge and made my first epoxy tumbler, however, I forgot to sand the glitter before I did the epoxy. It turned out kind of bumpy around the glitter. If I did an additional layer of epoxy do you think that it would smooth out?
Thanks for your help!
Jen
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Jennifer, you only sand after the first layer of epoxy. You can sand the epoxy and then add another layer and that should help!
Vanessa says
Hello!
I have just done my first layer of epoxy and glitter on top. I’ve let it turning over night and this morning there are rough/dry spots of glitter. Can you recommend how I can fix this? I plan on adding a decal and second layer of epoxy once I fix it.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Vanessa, did you sand it yet?? The wet sanding helps a lot with the rough spots. Sometimes I sand some spots quite a bit. It will look dull after you do it, but once you add the second layer of epoxy it will be shiny again!
Crystal says
hi .I just wanted to thank you for the tutorial it was just great .it help me so much .I have a quick question on the Mod Podge, I was on Amazon about to purchase the one you have listed but i came accross one that has a blue label: Mod Podge Dishwasher Safe Waterbased Sealer, Glue and Finish (8-Ounce), CS15059 Gloss. Have you used this, and do you think I will get the same result as you did. The only reason I’m considering it cause it say dishwasher safe. What do you think?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Crystal! I do have the dishwasher sage mod podge, but the stainless steel tumblers shouldn’t be put in the dish washer at all. The epoxy covers the glitter and mod podge so it doesn’t ever get wet with hand washing. Either mod podge is fine!
Rhonda DeLaney says
By far this is the best tutorial start to finish I have read. I have watched so many videos and Fb pages that only give partial information on creating a tumblet, thank you so much!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Thank you so much Rhonda!! Glad it was helpful to you!! I had the same problem when I started, that’s why I wanted to make an easy to follow tutorial! I’m working on a few more posts about tumblers coming out soon! Thanks for stopping by!
Nicole says
Hello! Thank you for the tutorial!! I’m excited to try it out! Quick question though, how many cups (30oz) do you normally get out of the epoxy? Just trying to plan ahead. Thanks again!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Nicole! You could probably do 6-7 tumblers out of one box of epoxy. For people that do a lot of them, they sell the epoxy in gallon size containers as well. I don’t do that many, so I stick with the small ones! Thanks for stopping by!
Quesa says
Omg just put epoxy on my first ever tumbler and it’s not looking so hot. I used a 20oz tumbler and used 15ml of the export. It seems to be dripping off a lot! What did I do wrong? Good thing this one is mine. I have it drying upside down now. I had it on its side on a paper towel holder and I was turning it but it seemed to drip more. Now I have it upside down. I’ll see how it looks in the morning. Any tips would be appreciated. When I put the second coat of epoxy will that cover imperfections of the first? Please help thank you!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
HI Quesa, you definitely need to keep turning it for a few hours. It will drip a lot at first, but just keep turning every few seconds or so. I’ve never dried it upside down so I’m not sure what will happen?? How did it come out?? You combined 15 ml of both A and B solutions together??
Paula Smith says
This is one of the coolest things I have ever seen done with A Cricut! What a great tutorial! Thank you for posting it. You must be a crafting genius. I’m so glad I that I have found your site and I know that I will be visiting often!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Paula! Thanks so much! I am definitely not a crafting genius, but I love to show people how to do things! I love my Cricut! It can do so much!! Thanks for stopping by!
Fay competio says
Why do you us3 631 vinyl
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Fay, I just love 631 vinyl and think it’s easy to weed but any other vinyl would be fine. You can even use iron on for these mugs. You can use 651 too. Since you are applying epoxy over it, it doesn’t matter if it’s permanent or not because the resin will protect it. Thanks for stopping by!
Christel says
These look GREAT! I never would have thought of using this type of epoxy. My question is how are the tum lers holding up over time? Has the epoxy peeled or cracked? Have you washed them in the dishwasher or just hand washed?
Thanks for sharing, this is so cute!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Christel, thanks so much!! So far, they are perfect! No peels or cracks at all. We only hand wash, but these mugs are used daily. I always have one with me when I go out and have one as my drinking cup in the house. I love them!
Sherry says
Doing my first tumbler. Already applied the fabric. How many coats of epoxy should I do? I’m scared to death. My first tumbler
Leap of Faith Crafting says
HI Sherry! Good for you! Yes, it is scary the first time but once you realize how easy it is, it gets much better! I apply one layer of epoxy and once that’s completely dry, add your vinyl to that. Then add one more layer of epoxy. Hope it turns out great!!
Ashley says
I love this tutorial, thank you for the great info. I have watched multiple videos and attempted to epoxy 3 or 4 wine glasses. The problem i am having is that there are so many air bubbles that the end result doesnt look quitte right. How do i get rid of the bubbles on the glass so that the end result is flat and smooth?
Thanks
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Ashley! I have actually never epoxied wine glasses but to help reduce air bubbles on my tumblers, I run an embossing heat gun back and forth a few inches from it after I’ve applied the epoxy. The heat should pop some of the air bubbles. You could also try a hair dryer. Hope that helps! Have a great day!
Beth says
Thank you SOO much for the detailed instructions!!I just started to make my first 2. Question tho- Why do you sand the epoxy after the first coat? Is it so the vinyl has something to stick to? Do you need to sand it down if you are using HTV? Thanks!!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Beth!! Great, I’m so glad it’s helping you!! The sanding is more to make the glitter layer smooth. Sometimes there are little lumps and bumps after the first layer of epoxy and the sanding helps to flatten everything out. If you add the second layer of epoxy on top of bumps, you won’t’ be able to get those out. Hope that helps! Good luck and have fun!
Jessica Z says
Do you have any suggestions on removing dimples or “wavy ridges” I mix slowly, let the mixture sit for no more than 10 mins and apply with gloved fingers. You can really feel the ridges but you can see them, its kinda like wavy all the way up and down the cup. Thanks!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Jessica! Thanks for stopping by! Are you using the larger glitter?? I had some ridges with some that I used the bigger glitter. I sanded them a lot to try to get them smooth but I can still feel them a little. Try to get the cup as level as possible when it’s rotating so that the epoxy doesn’t roll towards the top or bottom. I ended up liking the ridges! It gave some depth to the cup!! I don’t have a rotisserie rotator yet, but I think that would help the ridges a lot since it’s even rotating the whole time. Hope that helps!
Brittany says
Should I seal a regular tumbler (Ozark Trail) with no glitter added, just the normal initials, or images. I currently use Oracle 365 on my tumblers with no seal, just by applying the vinyl and letting it cure for a few days. I haven’t had a problem yet with no seal and handwashing only, But I am wondering if I should be sealing these?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Brittany! I don’t seal my regular tumblers with just vinyl. You could if you want to make sure the vinyl won’t come off, but it doesn’t really need it. A lot of work and expense, so unless you are adding glitter I wouldn’t bother!
Ana Rosa Elliott says
Hi Amy –
I love this tutorial and I bought the stuff and I will be attempting this, this week (EEEK!). My question is could I use my hair dryer to speed up the drying process??? I will have to make one of those hand turners. I have some stuff at home, I will be going to pick up a pool noodle. I have the aluminite brand epoxy. Ok thank you again for the tutorial.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Fun!! Excited for you!! Good luck! You know, I’ve never used a hair dryer so I can’t say for sure but I think it would speed it up towards the end. I use an embossing heat gun at the beginning to get bubbles out, but I feel like it makes the epoxy start running more. I would think using one a little farther away towards the end would speed it up some. I will have to try next time!
Debbie says
I was super intimidated about attempting this, but thanks to your awesome tutorial, I am now excited to try it!! Thank you so much for this ❤
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Debbie! Yay, you are so welcome! I was very intimidated too! It’s much easier than it seems. Once you do one or two it gets much easier! Good luck!
Courtney Jackson says
Hi,
Does the cup have to be stainless steel? I have a pink 30 oz. Ozark Trail cup that I would like to glitter.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
No, it doesn’t have to be silver! You can glitter over it. I used a teal cup in one of my tutorials. It saves you from having to paint it. Just add some mod podge and paint!
Jacklyn M Speziale says
Did you sand and alcohol again after your second coat ot epoxy?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Jacklyn, Nope!! Just washed it with soap and water and it was ready to use!
Kirsten Earle says
Was wondering if you ever used spray epoxy instead of mixing your own? They sell clear epoxy in a spray paint like bottle. Thanks!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
HI Kirsten! No, I never have!! I might have to try that! Thanks for stopping by!!
ASHLEY says
Great tutorial! Was wondering what it was that you used in the past before using epoxy? I like to put vinyl on my personal tumblers but want to seal them because of small details, I just don’t want to use epoxy
Leap of Faith Crafting says
HI Ashley, that was always my issue too. I never sealed them. After I applied a permanent vinyl, I would take my embossing gun and hover over the vinyl and then I pushed it down with my fingers (be careful because it’s hot!! Wait til it cools a bit). This seemed to help the tinier pieces. When I went to take them off I really had to scrape it. I have used triple thick and mod podge over vinyl if I had painted or glittered underneath but not on a plain mug. Hope that helps some!
Pam says
Could not see video cause of phone update issue. But got the jist from utube. So is metal cups all you suggest with apoxy & decals with glitter??
Looking for Mother’s Day gifts lots of moms to do for! 5 in total. So.…… For enisal cost factor. Can you suggest another chip type or style by chance? Dollar store no metal cups. All plastic an utube said won’t sick to any plastics? But I thought I seen some clear type plastic cups. (Appeared to be anyway) thanks for your thoughts on what to do on budget. I’d like to do Father’s day gift for Dad, father grandfather. (3) so that’s 8 in total an cups are 9.88 at Walmart cheapest I’ve seen. But didn’t buy any.
But looks like this would cover the name an decals on those mugs or cup’s. Thanks for any advise, an this is the best tortoral I’ve seen ever. You covered every issue! Great job thanks for sharing an all details after such a long process an give pics, words, an video, an following up on all post as well! Wow I’m impressed! You Rock!!!!
Thanks
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Pam, thanks for stopping by and your kind words!!! I have glittered an acrylic tumbler cup too. You can find the tutorial here -https://www.leapoffaithcrafting.com/personalized-tumbler-cups/ – it is the same process. It is one off Amazon but I think it would be similar to dollar store. Our Walmart also has a 2 pack of the 30oz Ozark tumblers for $10 and I know others have found them for even cheaper. Check around in the camping section, that’s where the Ozarks are and sometimes they have them in different places. I’ve seen a few different ones for $5 and under.
Good luck!!
Amy
Shantel Besson says
When putting a decal on before putting mod podge and glitter and wanting to remove decal for stainless steal effect at what point do you remove decal?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Shantel, you know I’ve never done that yet! I think I would take it off right after I put the glitter on though so it doesn’t dry too much with the mod podge. When I try it, I’ll let you know!
Tammie says
It also sets the glitter and decals so that they will not rub off!
Kathy says
Amazing!!! Where do you get the permanent vinyl?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Kathy, thanks so much! I use Oracal 651. I get it from Amazon or Expressions Vinyl online. Sometimes Ebay will have some good deals too!
Samantha says
You aren’t supposed to put the stainless steel mugs like these in the dishwasher at all. It will mess up the lining/insides between the metal that makes it retain the temperature like it does.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Thanks for the great tip!! It never seemed right to put these in the dish washer but it’s nice to have the actual reason why!!
Rebecca says
These are great!!! Does the epoxy make them dishwasher safe at all? When I apply vinyl I try to only hand wash. What are your thoughts?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
I’ve read other peoples comments and they say that it will survive the dishwasher but we don’t put ever put the stainless steel mugs in the dishwasher so I don’t have a definite answer for you! Sorry!
Leigh B says
These are gorgeous!!! It seems like a ton of work though. Why do you do the epoxy? Why doesn’t something easier work? I am new to this so I’m trying to figure stuff out! This is a really great tutorial!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Leigh, thanks so much! They are really not a ton of work, they just take quite a bit of time that you need to stay close by! I am actually in the process of making a mod podge glitter cup and will show the difference between the two when I finish it. The epoxy just adds a shinier appearance and makes it sparkle more. Hope that helps! I should have the comparison pictures up in a week or so!
Nilu says
The Tumblers turned out so beautiful! Thankyou for the detailed tutorial.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Nilu, thanks so much! Have a great day!
Vicky says
Hi! These are awesome! Do happen to just sell them, like on Etsy? If so do you do custom orders?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
HI Vicky! Thanks so much! No, I don’t sell them but there are some very talented people on Etsy that do and they usually will do custom orders if you ask. Thanks for asking though!
Leigh Dye says
Great tutorial! Just a couple of questions…The last coat of epoxy—after decal is placed—is epoxy without the glitter? Since you didn’t sand again, I wasn’t sure. Was it also applied by hand?(as opposed to a brush, which would probably leave stroke marks)
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Leigh! Yes, the last coat of epoxy was just clear epoxy. Adding glitter to the first coat is totally optional! I applied the epoxy the same way for both coats with a glove. I think with a brush would be fine too since as you rotate it, the epoxy moves a lot so I don’t think it would leave lines but I’m not totally sure since I’ve never done it that way. Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out my post!
Amy
Angela says
Do you apply epoxy to the mugs that just have a vinyl decal, no glitter?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Angela! No, I don’t apply epoxy if they don’t have glitter. The permanent vinyl sticks pretty well if you let it cure, but if there are skinny or tiny pieces they can lift.
Jess says
These are great! I’m wondering if you need the spray paint? Does it help the other layers stick better, or is it to help cover the stainless fully?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Jess, no you don’t need the spray paint! I’ve made some with two layers of mod podge and glitter without spray painting them first. The paint just helps coverage and saving glitter since you only need one layer! Hope that helps!
Marisa Diamond says
Oh My Goodness! Thank you so much for the detailed tutorial and video. I may just do these for Christmas this year (2018) Starting now! lol. That’s alot of work, but they look so pretty.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Marisa, You’re welcome! Let me know how they come out! They are great to make for gifts!! I have a few more I need to get making too! Have a great day!
Shay says
I love these! What do you charge for them? It seems very time consuming so I was wondering if the price is worth the work? Thanks
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Thanks Shay! They are very time consuming. I actually don’t sell them, I just make for friends and gifts. I’ve seen them on Etsy from $35-60. A lot of them will have multiple motorized turners so they would go pretty fast.