Easy DIY Paint Pen Coffee Mugs

This is Part 1 of the 4 Ways to Customize Coffee Mugs DIY Series. Find Part 2: Chalkboard Painted Mugs here. Find Part 3: DIY Marbled Coffee Mugs here. Find Part 4: DIY Coffee Mugs with Sharpies here.

Something that gives me the warm fuzzies? That’s easy – it’s custom made coffee mugs! My grandparents always had an array of different, unique mugs. So mugs that are oh-so-special bring me right back to being at their house during the holidays.

You can make chalkboard painted coffee mugs. You can make Sharpie Paint Pen Mugs. But one of my favorite ways to make mugs is to use Acrylic Paint Pens. So let’s make them!

Supplies to DIY Paint Pen Coffee Mugs

A Set of Any Ceramic Coffee Mugs (I used these)
3 or More Acrylic Paint Pens (These are my favorite paint pens)

Supply Pro Tip:Your mugs will need to be placed in the oven to set the ink. So you must use mugs that are safe, sturdy and can handle the heat. If you get your mugs at a thrift store or any place you don’t trust, test a mug in the oven before you spend time decorating only to be heartbroken with a shattered mug.

Additional Supplies You Can Try: Sticker Stencils or Templates

That’s it! The supplies are simple but so versatile.

But before we get started let’s talk about the supplies. I recommend using 3 or so paint pens. But I don’t recommend using every color of paint pen you have. The more colors you use, the harder it is to make the color palette cohesive.

Instead, try using 3-5 and using colors that work together. My favorite place to find new colors that work together is Pinterest. Just enter your favorite color in the search and scroll to find thousands of palettes that might be perfect for you.

Step 1: Shake the Paint Pens

Before you start to paint, shake your paint pens thoroughly and completely for at least 1 minute. It’s something you have to do when you use any paint pen for any purpose!

Then press the tip into a scrap piece of paper to see the paint start to flow.

ornamental arrow ribbons valentine and wedding hand drawn line art

ideas-for-paint-pen-coffee-mugs-craft-tutorials

rose-and-stem-template-for-making-paint-pen-mugs

Download for free – from left to right: Arrows & Doodles | Candy | Roses & Vines

Make Your First Layer of Paint

Now, once you have your paint pens ready, it’s time to decorate! I love creating mugs with short word phrases like “Be You” “Be Strong” or “You’re Worthy.” But doodles are also a really great approach to making DIY DIY Paint Pen Coffee Mugs.

The doodles above are approachable, fun, and just about anyone can make them.

When you start your lines, try to make a smooth, even line. It doesn’t need to be perfect. But try to not pick up and place down the pen over and over. Sometimes that will make pools of ink. Instead, form the entire brushstroke or line without picking up the pen.

It doesn’t need to be perfect because you