Choose a material
Coasters are a good small project because they are quick, use little material and make easy gifts. The best material depends on what you have and how the coaster will be used. A coaster has to cope with condensation, so absorbency and sealing matter.
Ideas by material
- Ceramic tile: Plain tiles can be painted, decoupaged with paper or photos, or covered with alcohol inks. Add felt or cork to the back so they do not scratch surfaces.
- Cork: Cork sheets or cork rounds are naturally absorbent and easy to cut. They can be painted, stamped or layered.
- Felt: Felt is soft and quick to cut. Wool felt tends to be sturdier than craft felt, but check what you have.
- Fabric: Patchwork squares are a good use of scraps, as covered in our guide to crafts with material scraps. Layer two pieces of fabric with a cotton or similar absorbent filling and stitch around the edge.
- Wood: Slices or squares of scrap wood can be sanded, burned, painted or stained. See scrap wood craft ideas for sourcing and safety.
- Clay: Rolled air dry clay can be cut, textured and painted. Our clay crafts for adults guide covers working with it.
- Resin: Poured resin coasters are popular but need careful preparation. See our resin art supplies list before starting.
- Leather: Offcuts can be cut, stamped and edged. Our leather crafting patterns guide lists coasters among good first projects.
- Unconventional materials: Shells in a resin or clay base, slate pieces, crocheted or woven rounds, or old records and tiles reused.
Sealing and protecting
Most coasters will meet damp glasses, so sealing is worth doing for tile, wood, clay and paper-topped designs. Water-based or acrylic sealers, varnish, or a food-safe or heat-resistant finish are all options, depending on the material. Read the product label to see if it is rated for water exposure and how long it needs to cure, as drying times differ by product. Apply thin coats and let each dry. Hot mugs can damage some finishes, so test or label a coaster as being for cold drinks if you are unsure.
Making coasters with a Cricut
A cutting machine such as a Cricut can cut vinyl for tile coasters, cut felt or cork shapes, and cut stencils for painting. A basic approach is to cut a vinyl design, transfer it to the sealed or blank surface, and seal over it. Settings vary by machine and material, so use the manufacturer’s material guidance and run a test cut first.
Ways to display coasters
- Stack in a small tray, basket or wooden holder
- Hold on a stand made from a block of wood with a dowel
- Set in a ceramic or clay dish on a coffee table
- Hang small ones on a wall as a grid of tiles
- Present in a set tied with twine for gifts
Selling coasters
Sets of four with a consistent theme are a typical way to sell. Designs often follow seasons, personalisation (names or monograms), maps or botanical themes. Fashion changes, so look at what sells in your own market. Consider cost of materials and finishes when pricing, and make sure your coasters are properly sealed so customers get something durable.
What else can you make with coasters?
Blank coasters can also be used as small bases for candles, trays for rings, plant saucers (if sealed), or trivets in larger sizes. Several coasters can also be mounted together into a tray or lazy susan top.
FAQ
What is the easiest coaster to make? Felt or cork cut into rounds needs only scissors and a template.
Do coasters need backing? Hard coasters like tile and ceramic benefit from felt or cork on the back to protect furniture.
Can I make coasters from leftovers? Yes. Fabric, wood and leather offcuts all work well.