Five tips for decorating mugs with porcelain markers

Last year I learned that you can doodle on mugs and plates (any kind of dishware, really) and bake it so that it's permanent. I went on kind of a "mug decorating jag." Decorating your own dishware is a great way to make fun gifts for other people. And it's very affordable, to boot! Here are some tips I have learned along the way.

1. Buy the right tool for the job
Sure, you CAN use a Sharpie. But depending on the circumstances, people report that about half the time, the Sharpie washes off after a few uses. Bummer!

Pebeo Porcelaine markers are created especially for the task of baking onto dishware. Follow the easy instructions and you will end up with a decorated mug that can withstand the dishwasher, the microwave, even scrubbing with steel wool. (If you want to paint on glass, they have another line of paints designed for that purpose.)

2. Keep your costs down
It's easy to go over budget if you're paying $5 or $6 per mug or dish at Target. Instead, cruise thrift stores and dollar stores for your dishware. Give it a good wash, and no one will know the difference (I won't tell if you won't!).

3. Support your hand
It can be tough to draw on a curved surface like a mug. Roll up some towels and place them on either side of the mug. These will serve both to hold the mug steady, and as a wrist rest for your drawing hand.

4. Prep it with alcohol
Oil is the enemy of your designs. Before you begin, wash and dry your mug thoroughly. Then wash your hands. And finally, prep your surface by wiping it with rubbing alcohol. Once the rubbing alcohol dries, you're good to go.

5. Use pencil and an "eraser"
Use a pencil to lay out the basic lines of your design, so that you don't have to go in freehand with the marker. The pencil lines will wash off once you have baked the mug.

And if you mess up the marker, you can wipe off the bad bits with rubbing alcohol. Dip a Q-tip or the corner of a paper towel into rubbing alcohol and use it as an eraser.

Image courtesy of Flickr/onlyontheradio