How To Make Glitter Tumblers With Epoxy For Beginners?

Step 1: Prepare to make glitter tumblers

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

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

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!).

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

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.

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

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:

Glitter Tumbler Tutorial – Epoxy + Loctite Method – Full Process Start to Finish!

What kind of epoxy do I need for glitter tumblers?

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?

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?

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

• 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?

If you have ever worked with epoxy, you know it’s a tricky substance. It can be messy and difficult to work with, depending on the materials involved. 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, you may need two or even three coats using a large or heavy tumbler!

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.