These DIY map coasters are super easy so break out your Mod Podge and follow along. You might even make a few sets as these make great gifts as well. Once you know how to make your own coasters, you will be making them for gifts and so much more!
Want more coaster ideas? We have all of our coaster crafts here.
I love maps y’all. Love, love, love. I decided to put some maps on coasters for my living room. I’ve used maps many times before in our home. There are so many different ways you can use them and display them.
I love to frame them or display vintage maps as art, repurpose them as placecards, or use them to elevate a tray.
This project doesn’t require pouring epoxy or anything complicated. Just coasters (you can even use old ones!), Mod Podge, and a few maps.
How to Make Your Own Coasters with Maps
Supplies needed to make your own DIY map coasters:
Some links below may be affiliate links which means that you do not pay anymore.
- Mod Podge
- Maps
- Tiles (I actually had painted some tiles with a monogram many years ago and they had seen better days, so I revamped those instead of buying new tiles. The tiles were originally from the flooring section at Lowe’s.)
- Self-adhesive felt
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Paintbrush
Decide which part of the map you want to use for each coaster. Then, place the coaster over the center of that area and trace around your coasters onto the maps. After the and cut your maps to size with scissors.
Something I just recently learned that has ROCKED my Mod Podge world…before you begin your Mod Podge project, apply a layer of Mod Podge to the BACK of your paper and allow to dry. This has basically solved all wrinkling issues that I have had in the past with projects.
After that dries, add a layer of Mod Podge to the tile itself and adhere your map to it.
After that dries, apply about 3 layers of Mod Podge to the top of your coasters allowing them to fully dry between each coat. The Outdoor Mod Podge is best for this as it will hold up better. I then allowed my coasters to cure for 48-72 hours before using.
NOTE: I have had several questions about how long these will last. We used them daily for about 2 years before changing to other coasters. This stuff holds up so well!
Want to see these step by step instructions in an easy to follow video? Check it out below!
You can use any maps that you wish on your coasters. I basically started with a map of North America.
Then I “zoomed in” a little more to the United States.
I then “zoomed in” a little more to the state level.
Then I “zoomed in” to the county level. A little geography lesson while you are enjoying your drinks in the living room!
These fun DIY map coasters will be perfect for your home. You can even make these as a gift! Y’all enjoy!
I know that we loved our DIY map coasters for years and you will too!
Love these Mod Podge coasters and looking for more ideas? Try the links below!
- How to Make Resin Coasters
- DIY Wood Coasters with the Cricut Maker
- DIY Photo Coasters: A Great Gift Idea
- Wood Burning Ideas: How to Make Coasters
- Infusible Ink Watercolor Coasters
Want to buy your map coasters instead of make them? Try the Amazon links below!
Supplies
- Mod Podge
- Maps
- Tiles
- Self-adhesive felt
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Paintbrush
Instructions
- Decide which part of the map you want to use for each coaster. Then, place the coaster over the center of that area and trace around your coasters onto the maps. After the tracing is just right, cut your maps to size with scissors.
- Then, apply a layer of Mod Podge to the BACK of your paper and allow to avoid "wrinkling".
- After that has dried, add a layer of Mod Podge to the tile itself and adhere your map to it.
- After that dries, apply about 3 layers of Mod Podge to the top of your coasters allowing them to fully dry between each coat. The Outdoor Mod Podge is best for this as it will hold up better.
- Allow coasters to cure for 48-72 hours before using.
Hi!
I know you’ve probably answered this before.. but how do you get the maps to fit on your coaster size? Do you scan them and shrink them down on the computer so that you could get all of North America on one coaster? Also.. any suggestions on where to get maps..
I just found these at various thrift stores. Try etsy and eBay!
Where did you get the maps from?
They all came from thrift stores. Try etsy or ebay if you can’t find any!
Get free maps from State or local visitor center.
You can go to any AAA insurance office and get the state/country you want for free and not be a member. Or you didn’t have to be a member. Things may have changed, but they can’t be that much.
Great tip!
This is seriously such a good idea! I’ll see if I can get a few vintage maps at the Goodwill to make this project extra fun.
Kindness is the best accessory,
Rebecca Kelsey Sampson
RebeccaKelsey.com
hey there, just wondering, ive read posts from other people and they say that having just mod podge as the final layer will lead to tackiness.. is that the case with your coasters? also would this work with painting tiles and coating it with the outdoor mod podge after the paint dries? did you also use one layer of mod podge for the sealing? or did you do multiple layers?
thank you for your time!
I made these just like the tutorial said and they lasted for over 2 years of daily use. I would say they were a success! I did do multiple layers of Mod Podge. I would guess it would work with paint but I have never tried it! Good luck!
Hi there, I don’t really see an answer to the question about the tackiness. I just made them, and they are still very tacky. They dried for days before I used them, but cups stick to them and they stick to each other while stacked. Any suggestions on how to fix that? They look great otherwise! I loved the idea. Thanks.
Try this tip: http://modpodgerocksblog.com/2009/05/wordle-and-solution-for-mod-podge.html
That should take care of it!
I had this problem also. After 3 coats of modge podge on top of coasters I do 2 coats of triple coat spray ( at Walmart) then I do 2 coats of clear engine sealer ( from auto zone). I let it sit overnight then bake them at 200* for 1 hour. No more tackiness and they are heat resistant. If you don’t want to bake them you have to let them sit 21 days to cure.
these are not waterproof, you need epoxy or resin to seal. mod podge is not waterproof.
Epoxy would work great. I will tell you that I used these for over 2 years before the Mod Podge started to fail. That is good enough for me. Epoxy is more difficult to work with. I have another coaster tutorial that uses it.
Love it! I was searching online to purchase some map coasters, but I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted. So, I figured someone had to have figured out and posted how to make your own. It’s perfect! Except for city maps, I plan on using hiking trail maps. I may do the same for friends, but will use cities that are important to them as a gift. Thanks again for the wonderful post!
Thank you for the tutorial! Is it possible to do this with a picture, not just a map? I want to make sure before I try it. Thanks!
Yes! If you print it at home however, be sure to seal the image on the paper before applying Mod Podge. If you have it printed at a store on photo paper, it should be fine!
Does it matter what kind of paper this is done on? Like can the map location be printed out on normal computer paper then adhered to the tile? Thanks!
When you print something, you need to set the ink before using Mod Podge. One trick to do this is to spray with aerosol hair spray and allow to dry. Good luck!
I have a commercial photocopier that I would use to photocopy a map location so I can make 4 of the same location. Would I need to set the ink before applying the Mod Podge? The photocopier uses toner ink rather than wet ink; if that makes sense.
You would need to set it. I find that aerosol hair spray does great for this!
Thanks for this! I’m thinking of using these to highlight the “important places” of my husband and my relationship. After 16 years, there’s plenty of places! Ha!
Hi thank you for the tutorial. How do these hold up against a cup of hot coffee? I’m having trouble finding a surface that will be water and heat proof.
We don’t drink coffee so I couldn’t tell you how they would work on a regular basis. Sorry!
You don’t go into detail about adding the felt. I know it seems self explanatory but it is very important. Will the self stick hold really well? If The back of tiles is very scratchy. If you cannot get the self stick what would you attach regular felt with so that it still looks nice and holds and doesn’t tear? Is there something else that can be used on bottom of tiles? Any tips and ideas are appreciated please. Thanks so much for sharing.
It held fine for me. You can do regular felt cut to size with some glue. I didn’t notice any tearing. You can definitely do cork instead!
Great project! I almost threw out some cork restaurant coasters but will repurpose them with this method. I’ll also use tiles. The cork coasters will be more toddler proof. I have assortment of decorative papers I would love to experiment with. Thanks for sharing!
I made these, but I’m not posting or pinning a picture as mine look totally homemade, and not in a ‘good way. I followed all of the tips and tricks from the post as well as from the comments, but they don’t look good enough to gift them. Darn. Yours look so cute! I have followed many of your tutorials and always had good results, till this one. No idea where I went wrong.
OH no! Maybe practice makes perfect and your next set will look great!
thanks for sharing, this is great full idea
You’re so welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Ya
May be a silly questions but I accidentally bought sublimation coasters to do this with – should this be ok or will I have to get different ones?
I can’t think of any reason those wouldn’t work 🙂
Yay glad to hear it. Thank you for the reply!