How to Make Personalized Tumblers at Home

No matter how DIY-savvy you are, there will be a method that’s right up your alley. Here’s how to make personalized tumblers at home in three ways.

Method 1 – Vinyl Decals

Personalizing tumblers with vinyl decals is among the most popular choices for a few reasons. This method is typically straightforward to pull off, fairly low cost, and offers a huge range of personalization options. With the many vinyl decal manufacturers available, virtually anything can become a part of your personalized tumbler.

Of course, this description fits the process of using pre-made vinyl decals, as this is by far the simplest way of personalizing your tumbler. To use this method, do as follows:

1. Purchase the vinyl decal(s) of your choosing.
2. Thoroughly clean your tumbler with rubbing alcohol.
3. Position the decal on your tumbler.
4. Remove the paper covering the decal’s sticky side.
5. Apply the decal to your tumbler, avoiding any creases or air bubbles. Use a credit card or a squeegee to help you.
6. Remove the transfer tape from the top.

And that’s it; you’ve got an awesome tumbler.

But let’s say you can’t find any vinyl decals you like or want to make personalized tumblers with unique artwork. If that’s the case, your only option is to make the vinyl decals yourself. Now, this is a more expensive (and complex) option, but it can pay off if you start selling personalized tumblers. Otherwise, purchasing specialized equipment and mastering a new skill might seem like a waste of time and money.

Method 2 – Glitter

This method is ideal for people who love all things shiny. But beware – this method might seem like just slabbing glitter all over your tumbler. However, this process is quite involved and requires lots of time, effort, and supplies.

First things first, you’ll need something to seal in the glitter. Epoxy resin and Mod Podge are the most common choices, providing a glossy, protective finish. For the purpose of this tutorial, we’ll use Mod Podge, both as a base layer and as an adhesive.

Besides these sealers (and the tumbler and glitter, of course), you’ll need the following supplies:

• Spray paint (matching your glitter’s color)
• Painter’s tape
• Sandpaper
• Rubbing alcohol
• Paintbrushes

With all the necessary supplies gathered, you can start following this tutorial on how to make personalized tumblers with glitter:

1. Tape off the top of the tumbler to prevent glitter from settling on unwanted areas and potentially entering the container. Do the same for the bottom.
2. Spray-paint your tumbler all over. This will help you use less glitter and avoid any missed spots.
3. Apply Mod Podge all over your tumbler evenly and smoothly using a paintbrush.
4. Rotate your tumbler slowly, covering it with glitter. Do this over a covered area to avoid (or reduce) the mess.
5. Leave the tumbler to dry for a few hours.
6. Using a clean paintbrush, remove the excess glitter.
7. Add another layer of Mod Podge to seal the glitter.
8. Remove the tape and let the tumbler dry again.
9. Sand the tumbler until its surface is smooth.
10. Clean the surface with rubbing alcohol.

And voilà – your tumbler is now a shimmering goblet of fun.

Method 3 – Paint

Do you like playing with colors? Do you have a steady hand and a creative mind? If you answer these questions with a resounding “yes,” this method might be perfect for you. It’s slightly more challenging than applying a vinyl decal, but it’s still simple. Plus, it gives you more customization options than Method 2.

Here’s how to make personalized tumblers using paint:

1. Apply painter’s tape to the tumbler’s top and bottom.
2. Add extra protection to the top to prevent the paint from reaching the inside of your tumbler. You can use press-n-seal plastic food wrap to do so.
3. Apply white spray paint as a primer to make the other colors pop.
4. Spray-paint your tumbler as desired. Use a few layers of each color to ensure it stays on.
5. Leave the tumbler to air-dry.
6. Apply a clear wood finishing spray all over to seal your paint job.

The exact paint you’ll use depends on the tumbler’s material. For instance, enamel spray paint does wonders for stainless steel tumblers, which can be trickier to paint.

As fun as most DIY projects are, some people aren’t cut out for them. They might lack the necessary skills, make too much of a mess, or can’t justify spending all that time, money, and effort on crafting.

If you fall under any of these categories, don’t worry – you can still have personalized tumblers. But instead of making them, you’ll simply order them from Custom Cups Now. With this method, you get the best of both worlds – the striking appearance of a personalized tumbler and the convenience of not lifting a single finger to get it. Talk about a win-win scenario!