How to Set Permanent Marker on Ceramic



When it comes to projects, such as DIY Sharpie mugs or artwork on a ceramic tile, there are several steps to achieve the best results. You may be surprised to find how easy it is to create dollar store mugs by using a DIY Sharpie or oil-based markers.

This post includes the best ways to make sure that your permanent marker ink from alcohol and oil-based paint pens, as well as opaque paint, stays on the ceramic surface so that you can give them as a gift or keep the piece of artwork for yourself. 

Mod Podge

  • Be sure that the ceramic tile or surface is clean. You can do this by using dish soap and water to handwash the ceramic items before adding your Sharpie design. Other materials you may consider are rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, paper towel, damp cloth, and cotton balls but judge for yourself what works best.
  • Use your Sharpie markers to write or draw on the ceramic before using a soft bristle brush to gently apply Mod Podge over the top of the Sharpie ink.
  • Leave the folk art to dry for around two hours before adding 2-3 more layers of Mod Podge and letting it dry for another two hours. 

Sealant Spray

  • Once you’ve used your regular Sharpie to create your ceramic item, hold the clear sealer spray 10 inches away and spray it with a light layer. 
  • Leave the spray to settle for a few minutes or until it’s completely dry. 
  • You can test to see if it’s ready by spraying a little water on the area. If the ink and sealant spray has dried, the ink won’t run. 
  • The spray gives your craft store art a great ceramic glaze.
  • Be sure to wear gloves and a mask and use the sealant spray outdoors. This prevents the strong odour from the spray from lingering in your home. 

Nail Polish

  • Apply the nail polish with a light layer to your ceramic item. Don’t apply heavy coats of nail polish otherwise it could smudge the ink.
  • Leave the nail polish to set on the paint pen overnight.
  • You may want to add additional layers of nail polish to the oil-based paint markers to make sure that it helps the ink set properly. Be sure to only apply new layers once the previous one has completely dried. 

Bake Method

  • Place your Sharpie mug in a preheated oven that’s set to 350°F. Put the mug in on a baking tray as the oven heats.
  • Leave the Sharpie art in the oven for half an hour before turning the heat off. 
  • Wait until you have a cold oven to remove your arts and crafts projects and see if the colored markers are still on the surface. 

Also read: How to Blend Marker

Conclusion

Creating a ceramic mug or tile can be great for birthday or Christmas gifts, however, it can be frustrating when you don’t know how to get your permanent markers to set on your crafts projects.

Hopefully, this post has provided you with some insights into how to get your permanent ink to set on ceramics, such as plates and mugs. The methods laid out above are great for enabling ink from regular Sharpies to be water-resistant and more permanent.

FAQs

Can ceramics be placed in the dishwasher?

Many types of ceramic items are dishwasher-safe. However, it depends on how they were made. Therefore, you may want to hand wash them to get them completely clean without damaging them.

Are ceramics safe?

Yes, ceramics are non-toxic and food safe if they’ve been baked at hot temperatures for long enough. However, if there’s ink from oil-based Sharpies or standard sharpies on the inside, you should wait a few weeks before using them.


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Written By Adam Rushton

Adam has made a name for himself in the illustration industry and is a passionate blogger and writer on the subject of art, illustration and graphic design.

His artwork has been featured in countless publications and used for very well-known media projects. As a professional illustrator for over 20 years, Adams media outlets, a wealth of knowledge, and experience enable him to consult and advise artists and illustrators in this country (from York and Manchester to Southampton and London) and all over the world.


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