Wholesale Insulated Water Bottles in Bulk

Homii Bottles is a leading stainless steel water bottle manufacturer and can always offer you the best price.

Contact Us Now

Need Custom Design Drinkware?

You can custom and buy stainless steel drinkware with your customized logo, design, packaging, decorating, and molding.

Custom Now

How To Make Glitter Tumblers With Epoxy For Beginners?

In this tutorial, I will show you how to make glitter tumblers with epoxy beginners. We will use epoxy, a glitter mix, and glassware to create these pretty tumblers.

Last Updated on March 11, 2024 by Tina Shao

Step 1: Prepare to make glitter tumblers

What do you need to make glitter tumblers - How To Make Glitter Tumblers With Epoxy For Beginners?

You can make glitter tumblers and drinkware with the following supplies.

  • A stainless steel tumbler (you can also use glass)
  • Glitter – as much as you want! We used about 3 cups, but it will depend on how full your cup is and how thickly you apply the epoxy resin
  • Epoxy resin – we used a small bottle that costs less than $5 at our local hardware store. You can find it in the paint department or near adhesives and glues.
  • Spray paint – Many different colors available at the craft store—and how easy it was to get them all painted without getting any on the table (or yourself). So if you want something other than black or blue, choose which would be fun too!
  • Sandpaper (optional) – If your tumbler has sharp edges where it joins, you may want to take some extra time sanding it down before applying any epoxy resin. This will help prevent rough spots where lids might catch during opening/closing.
  • Mod Podge (optional) – Mod Podge is an adhesive glue that can adhere items together and help protect against scratches. If you want to make your glitter tumblers more durable and waterproof, add a Mod Podge layer over the epoxy’s top once it has dried.
  • Vinyl – You can use any material that will work with your vinyl cutter or cutting machine if you have one! We chose vinyl because it was inexpensive and easy to cut out.
  • A cutting machine like a Cricut or Silhouette – I used my Cricut Explore Air 2 to cut out my designs, but you can also use vinyl if you don’t have a cutting machine. =
  • Tape for your design (if applicable) – If you want better results, I recommend using adhesive-backed transfer tape from Amazon or Michael’s that will stick better than masking tape and won’t tear up your project as much when removed from your surface later.
  • A turner (optional) – This is useful if one of your designs has multiple layers and details so that all sides are adequately adhered to without any bubbles or wrinkles in between them.

Step 2: Tape off the top and bottom

Step 1 Tape off the top and bottom - How To Make Glitter Tumblers With Epoxy For Beginners?

Tape off the top and bottom of your tumbler with painter’s tape. This will prevent any excess epoxy from leaking out of your tumbler, which makes cleanup much more accessible! But this is optional.

Step 3: Spray paint your tumbler

Step 2 Spray paint your tumbler - How To Make Glitter Tumblers With Epoxy For Beginners?

Spray your tumbler with a light coat of white or metallic silver spray paint before applying your glitter, then let it dry completely before moving on to step 3 (or if not using white, spray paint as usual).

If you add glitter later, use something non-glittery as a base coat (otherwise, it can look like glitter soup).

You can also use acrylic paints if you don’t have any spray paint available, but it’s best to use metallic finishes if possible because they look more like real silverware (and less like plastic).

Step 4: Mix and add epoxy resin

Mix and add epoxy resin according to package instructions and fill up your tumbler about ¾ complete with polish before adding glitter (this will cause overflow when mixing in!).

Step 3 Mix and add epoxy resin 2 - How To Make Glitter Tumblers With Epoxy For Beginners?

Keep stirring until everything has been thoroughly dispersed throughout the liquid mixture, ensuring no air bubbles.

You can do this by hand or with a drill mixer attached to a stand or electric hand mixer (don’t use a food processor). Once mixed well, add the glitter to the mixture while constantly stirring until you achieve the desired color saturation.

Then, add any other decorative elements, such as vinyl decals or extra glitter, before coating with another layer of clear epoxy resin for durability.

Step 5: Apply glitter

Step 4 Apply glitter - How To Make Glitter Tumblers With Epoxy For Beginners?

Apply glitter generously to the tumbler and allow it to dry for at least 24 hours before using or giving it as a gift. You can leave the tumbler plain, but if you want some extra pizzazz, apply a vinyl decal of your choice over everything else!

Step 6: Apply the final coat of epoxy

The final coat of epoxy is applied to your project’s inside and outside. Make sure you use a generous amount to form a thick layer covering all parts of the tumbler.

Step 5 Apply the final coat of epoxy - How To Make Glitter Tumblers With Epoxy For Beginners?

Place the tumbler on a level surface and apply a thin coat of epoxy to the inside of the glass with a foam brush. Be sure to cover all areas, including the bottom and rim.

You will want to be careful not to get any epoxy on your hands, as it will take days to wear off (if at all), so wear protective gloves if possible.

After brushing on one layer of epoxy, allow it to dry for about 10 minutes before adding another coat; this helps prevent bubbles from forming between layers. Repeat this process until you have applied an additional three coats total (including Step 7), allowing each layer to dry before moving on to another one.

It’s best not to do anything else during this step because vibrating or bumping might create bubbles!

Step 7: Clean the tumbler and remove the tape

Step 6 Clean the tumbler and remove the tape - How To Make Glitter Tumblers With Epoxy For Beginners?

Once both sides have been thoroughly covered in epoxy and allowed to cure completely (30 minutes should be sufficient), it’s’ time to clean off any excess glue with tack cloths or old rags. Then remove all those sticky blue painter’s tape pieces and enjoy your beautiful new glitter tumbler!

Once finished with Step 8, clean away any streaks or residue left behind by your fingers or brushes using rubbing alcohol, soap, and water!

You can check this video to learn more about how to make glitter tumblers with epoxy:

What kind of epoxy do I need for glitter tumblers?

What kind of epoxy do I need for glitter tumblers - How To Make Glitter Tumblers With Epoxy For Beginners?

There are a few different types of epoxy available on the market, and you’ll want to choose one that is clear and has a low viscosity. It will be easy to spread but not so thin that it drips off your glitter tumblers and leaves you with a mess.

Be sure you’re getting 100% pure epoxy resin—not some other mixture that includes other ingredients like paint thinner, which may not work as well for our project!

You’ll need a clear top coat to seal the finished tumblers. I recommend using nail polish or acrylic sealer. Nail polishes are typically thinner and easier to apply, while acrylics require more structural strength but more time and patience.

What type of glitter should I use for my tumbler?

What type of glitter should I use for my tumbler - How To Make Glitter Tumblers With Epoxy For Beginners?

You can use any glitter you wish, but generally, the more sparkly you want your tumbler to be, the larger the pieces of glitter should be.

You will also want to consider whether or not you want iridescent glitter in your resin. If so, make sure it is an excellent type of iridescent glitter.

Iridescent glitters have been known to cause problems with curing because they float on top and don’t get entirely coated by epoxy resin. An excellent example would be using gold leaf flecks instead of flake pieces (which would sink).

Chunky glitters are best used with clear or white resin because they help reflect light into the piece after curing and give off a glow-from-within appearance where finer particles won’t show as much detail or sparkle as larger ones.

What to avoid when making glitter tumblers with epoxy?

What to avoid when making glitter tumblers with epoxy - How To Make Glitter Tumblers With Epoxy For Beginners?

When you are making glitter tumblers with epoxy, here are some things you have to avoid:

  • You are avoiding glitter that isn’t food-safe means keeping your drinks free of harmful contaminants. The last thing you want to do is drink a cocktail and feel sick afterward because you have ingested something poisonous.
  • Avoiding glitter not approved by the FDA means avoiding anything that might hurt your health or, worse yet, poison you.
  • Avoiding toxic products helps prevent any adverse effects on humans and animals. Identifying if something is harmful may be challenging, but it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes down to it!
  • Avoid glitter that is not lead-free. It’s essential to use a material that won’t impart lead into your food or drink, so make sure the glitter you choose is labeled as “lead safe.”
  • Avoid using non-eco-friendly glitter. When shopping for eco-friendly materials, look for a label that says “recyclable” or “biodegradable” on the packaging.

Do you sand glitter tumblers before epoxy?

Do you sand glitter tumblers before epoxy - How To Make Glitter Tumblers With Epoxy For Beginners?

If you have ever worked with epoxy, you know it’s a tricky substance. Depending on the materials involved, it can be messy and difficult to work with. However, there are ways around this if you’re willing to put in a little extra effort.

One of these methods is sanding down your glitter tumblers before applying the epoxy.

Usually, when people think of sanding something, they feel about smoothing out rough edges or surfaces so they’re smooth enough for painting or gluing. Sanding also helps fill in gaps between pieces and create an even surface.

How many coats of epoxy do you put on a glitter tumbler?

The answer depends on the size of your tumbler and the type of epoxy you have. Generally, one coat is enough if you use a small tumbler (3-5 ounces). However, using a large or heavy tumbler may need two or even three coats!

If you are trying to determine how many coats are ideal for your project, experiment with different amounts until you achieve your desired results.

It’s better to use more than needed than too little; if there is too much epoxy left over after applying it all over your project, scrape off some excess with an old paintbrush and dispose of it properly by throwing it in an industrial waste bin outside.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped show you how to make glitter tumblers with epoxy for beginners. I would love to hear about your experience with glitter tumblers and if you have any other tips or tricks.

FAQs About How To Make Glitter Tumblers With Epoxy

Once you have added the glitter and epoxy, you want to give it at least 12 hours to dry completely. The longer you leave it, the better. You can also do this in a warm place if you like; this will speed up the drying process.

If you are looking for speedier results, there are ways of using a hair dryer on a low setting to get your tumblers ready as soon as possible!

Glitter tumblers are dishwasher-safe. Just make sure that you place the tumbler on the top shelf of the dishwasher, away from the heating element. This will ensure that the epoxy is not damaged during a wash cycle, and your glitter tumbler will last longer!

Yes, you can glitter acrylic tumblers. The best way to do it is to use epoxy, that’s made of plastic. This will prevent the epoxy from melting or cracking your tumbler.

But you will need to use a different epoxy than the one you would use for glass. You can get acrylic tumblers for a lot less than glass ones too. So that’s a bonus!

You can make glitter tumblers without epoxy. You can use glue instead of epoxy or acrylic paint instead of epoxy. You can use a plastic tumbler instead of a glass tumbler.

The most important thing to know is that you won’t get the same results as you would with epoxy, and your project may not look like what others have created with this technique–but if that’s okay for you, then go for it!

You can drink from the tumbler and use it for food storage. However, it would help if you didn’t use your tumbler for food storage for a few reasons:

  • The epoxy or resin may leach into the liquid over time, potentially making your food taste weird.
  • You don’t want to risk getting an illness from using a moldy container to store your food (although this is unlikely).

If you want to use your food-grade tumbler for food storage, rinse it thoroughly with hot water and soap after each use. Use vinegar or an alcohol-based sanitizing solution to clean the inside of the tumbler (this will kill any bacteria that may have grown on it).

Casting resin is thicker and more durable than epoxy, which is ideal for making tumblers. Casting resin requires less preparation time, is easier to use and clean up after, and will not create fumes or cause irritation if it gets on your skin.

Because it’s so easy to use, casting resin is the best material for beginners. You can find it in various colors and finishes and even get premixed bottles from some manufacturers.

Author

  • Tina Shao - How To Make Glitter Tumblers With Epoxy For Beginners?

    Tina Shao, a renowned entrepreneur in the drinkware industry, founded Homii Bottles in 1995, specializing in custom stainless steel vacuum flasks. Tina's passion for innovation and commitment to quality have positioned her company as a leader in providing bespoke drinkware solutions, allowing brands to personalize a diverse range of products to their unique specifications, ensuring client satisfaction and premium quality in every piece.