You do not want the paint to fade too soon because it will be a bother to repaint your ceramic mugs after a while. Always choose paint after inspecting the product box to see how long it will last. It will be a shame if your hand-painted mugs will fade when you send them to your friends.
What Kind of Paint to Use on Ceramic Mugs
Whether you have recently bought a neutral ceramic mug or made your own out of clay, you might want to add color to bring it to life. So, what better way to do it than to paint it yourself?
But here comes the tricky part. When you shop for paints, there are various kinds of paints available on the market. Even if you exclude other materials and leave only ceramics, you still have a handful of different paints to choose from.
You have chosen the color to paint your ceramic mug. Perhaps you have even selected a lovely pattern to make it more unique. Now you are wondering how you can bring your idea to life. Well, I am here to help.
I have researched all the paint for ceramics out there and put together this helpful guide. As a bonus, I have also included a section at the end that will tell you what to look out for when you go paint shopping.
Different types of paints have distinct qualities and prices. It is up to you to decide which one you want that will make your mug look stunning.
- Types of Paints
- Ceramic Paint Markers/Pens
- Ceramic Paint
- Acrylic Paint (Water-Based)
- Enamel Paint
- Epoxy Paint
- Glazing
- Things to Consider Before Choosing a Paint for Ceramic Mugs
- Color Collection
- Durability
- Curing Time
- Dishwasher-Friendly
- Food-Grade
Types of Paints
Everyone understands what paint is since it is all around me. Everything from the top of your house to your favorite coffee mug is coated with paint.
There are several types of paint to choose from, including oil-based, acrylic, and enamel. Learning about the different properties of each will help you make an informed choice for your ceramic mug.
One thing to keep in mind is whether the ceramic you are using is glazed or not since it will affect the kind of paint that will work with your mug.
Ceramic Paint Markers/Pens
Ceramic paint markers and pens are great if you are looking for cost-effective and easily applicable paint for your ceramic mug. These high-quality markers are oil-based and provide a smooth flow that does not flood, dry out, or jam. They are not as messy to deal with, making them an excellent choice for novices.
Ceramic pens are available in a variety of colors. Their application is similar to that of a felt-tip marker. Hold the marker down gently on your mug. The paint will flow out of the tip, and you can begin to draw your desired patterns. After you have finished painting, simply allow it to dry. Afterward, place the mug in the oven to bake. This will make sure that the paint is permanent.
2 Ways to Seal Acrylic Paint on a Ceramic Mug
Sealing acrylic paint on a ceramic mug is pretty easy, time-saving, and cost-effective. There are two ways to seal acrylic paint on a ceramic mug. You can seal with acrylics and water-based polyurethane glaze or bake using the conventional oven system (baking method). Sometimes, the two methods go hand in hand. Either way, you’re good to go.
Let’s get through each of these methods.
Method 1: Using Acrylic Sealant or Spray Vanishes
Using acrylics or water-based Polyurethane varnish is one of the modern methods to seal acrylic paint on a ceramic surface. The process is quite convenient and simple. But take all necessary precautions by wearing your hand gloves.
Materials needed
- Newspaper
- Acrylic coat/polyurethane
- Painter’s tape
- Kiln
- Gloves
Step 1: Take the Mug from the oven
Now that the ceramic coffee mug has been baked and cured in the oven, it’s time to apply a clear sealant to protect the mug and ensure it lasts a long time. It uses a thin portion of finely produced clear acrylic paint to seal works perfectly.
Please note that this step is optional for glazed ceramics. The truth is that acrylic sealant works pretty well on glazed ceramic mugs. The sealant is dishwasher-safe, and you won’t need to bake the mug before applying the sealant to it.
Step 2: Spread the Newspaper on the Floor
Next is to place the clean newspaper on a smooth, clean flat surface and spread it out. The essence of using the newspaper is to protect your workspace. You can use tape to tack the newspaper down at the edges. This will prevent it from interfering with your work if blown by the wind.
Step 3: Place the Mug in the newspaper
Turning it upside down, place the ceramic mug on the newspaper. Make sure the mug sits at the center of the newspaper. Make sure you tape areas you won’t want the sealant to get to.
Step 4: Spray the mug
With your acrylic paint, start to seal the mug with the acrylic finish. Apply the sealant thinly and evenly to cover and coat every part (except the inside) of the mug. As much as possible, do not let the protective sealant get into the inside of the ceramic mug. Also, avoid letting the varnish get to the top inch of the coffee mug where the lip will touch when sipping.
Step 5: Allow the acrylic to dry
After spraying the acrylic sealant, allow it to dry for about 15 minutes before removing it from the surface of the newspaper. Otherwise, it won’t stick or cure properly. While other sealants or spray finishes may take longer, acrylic protective sealant usually doesn’t take more than a quarter of an hour.
Method 2: Using Baking (Oven) Method
You need the oven method to make your ceramic mug safe for drinking. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using the oven method to seal your acrylic painted ceramics:
Step 1: Paint the Ceramic Mug
Apply the acrylic paint to the surface of the ceramic and allow the first layer to dry before painting the second coat. Allow the actual paint to dry for at least one hour before baking. Leave the mug for about 24 hours to arid—place in a cold oven.
Step 2: Place and Pre-heat the Oven
After drying for at least 24 hours, it’s time to place the painted ceramic dishware in the oven. Just before you do that, pre-heat the oven. Don’t forget to set the temperature at a minimal level. The science behind this is that the ceramic mug needs to heat slowly. Otherwise, they may crack. To achieve this, therefore, you should place the mug in the oven only after setting the temperature range of 300-350 degrees Fahrenheit (about 150-177 degrees Celsius).
Step 3: Bake the Ceramic
After placing the ceramic mug and setting the oven temperature, turn the timer beeper on your oven. The timer alarm should be set to 30 minutes for proper baking. Baking takes some to cure the ceramic mug. Turn the oven off once the alarm goes off.
Step 4: Allow Oven to Cool
Allow the oven to cool for another one hour or so before you touch the mug. Leave the mug inside the oven through the cooling period of the oven. Doing this will achieve two things for you: the baking will properly come out excellent; the ceramic mug will also be dishware-safe.
FAQs
Why should I seal my ceramic mug with paint?
Sealing the paint of the ceramic dishware you wish to drink from should be a culture you should become used to. The reason is simple. Doing this will prevent the acrylic paint from quickly peeling off or flaking. The other side is that the peeling acrylic paint is water-soluble. When it gets into your water, the paint will dissolve and make the water unsafe to drink.
Additionally, adding acrylic sealant to your ceramic mug makes the item shine while providing a quality soft touch. Plus, sealant also enhances the acrylic paint’s color saturation.
Can I bake acrylic paint on a ceramic mug?
Yes, you can. The step is pretty simple. Apply the paint using the steps and allow it to dry. Place the ceramic mug in an oven. Switch your oven to about 177 degrees Celsius. Let the mug stay in the oven for about 10 minutes, then bake the mug for about 30 minutes. Bring it out and allow it to dry. By the time the ceramic mug is dried, the acrylic paint would have stuck to the mug.
Is Acrylic Paint Waterproof or Water-resistant?
Sealing acrylic paint on ceramic mugs doesn’t mean that water won’t penetrate the paint. However, the acrylic paint will withstand contact with or effect of water for a long time. Essentially, water won’t be able to wipe off the paint. Being a polymer, acrylic paint is a bit porous and so will soak up water gradually. Eventually, the paint will feel softer when you touch it before the water dries off.
Are paint pens suitable for ceramics?
Absolutely! For your information, paint pens work pretty well on ceramic dishware. The paint pens also work on pottery and plastic, stone, paper, and glass surfaces. The good news is that the paint colors dry off very quickly but won’t flake easily. In addition, they’re abrasion-free and water-resistant.
Final Thoughts
If, before now, you didn’t know how to seal acrylic paint on ceramic mugs, this article offers you a detailed insight into the process and other related questions. The good thing is that the DIY steps are fun, and the result is impressive and glossy.
You won’t need a professional to handle the job as the procedure saves you a lot of time and money. Plus, with an acrylic painted ceramic mug, you can boast of sending out lovely gifts and souvenirs. You can also check out some acrylics that are primarily suitable for unglazed ceramics. Overall, be on the lookout for dishwasher-safer sealants.
Although it may wear off due to constant washing, acrylic paint is non-toxic. However, ensure that the sealant you’re using on your ceramic mug is of high-quality material and designed to make your drinks safe for consumption.
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