DIY Craft Mug at Home

Photo mugs are a great craft for any age and they make great keepsakes. There are two simple ways to make a photo mug. Option 1 is to do it yourself. Option 2 is to order from a photo printing company. Let's take a look at the first option-
Do It Yourself
Before you begin, make sure you have each of these items:
Mug - White is the most commonly used color, but you can also choose a colored one.
Waterslide Decal Paper - Use waterslide injet decal paper for inkjet printers. Decal paper can be either clear, or white. Use white decal paper for dark colored mugs, or clear decal for light colored and white mugs. Transfer paper is similar in purpose to decal paper, but decal is preferable when creating photo mugs. Transfer paper is best used when transferring images to fabrics, or textured surfaces, such as shirts, or mouse-pads.
Computer
Image Editing Program - There are a some good free ones online.
Inkjet Printer - If using decal paper, make sure your printer can accept it, because some can not.
Picture for the Mug
Scissors
Step 1: Choose a Photo - You'll want to choose a clean image. Make sure it's not noisy or blurred (unless that's the effect you want). You'll also want to make sure it's properly exposed and well focused.
Step 2: Edit Your Picture - Perform basic edits including removing red eye, cropping, and resizing.
Step 3: Print the Image to the decal paper. Before printing, determine if your printer has options for "media type" and/or "paper type". Choose the appropriate options.
Step 3: Allow time for the paper to dry.
Step 4: Cut out the photo as closely as possible to the design.
Step 5: Place the photo in lukewarm water for 1 minute, or until you can feel the image begin to slide away from the protective backing.
Step 6: Remove the protective backing and carefully apply the image to the photo mug. Make sure the surface of the mug is clean before applying.smoothing it down from the center outward. You don't want any water left behind the decal; this will help set it firmly in place. You don't want your image to slide off your mug when you wash it, or for the decal to start chipping off.
Step 7: Allow at least 4 hours for the decal to dry.
Now we'll look at the 2nd option-
Order from a Photo Printing Company
If you're ordering from a photo printing company just follow these simple instructions-
Step 1: Pick the mug-style you want
Step 2: Edit your photo. Basic edits include removing red eye, cropping, and resizing.
Step 3: Upload the edited photo, and follow any other directions given by the photo printing company.
Step 4: Wait to receive it in the mail.
The two easiest ways to make a photo mug are to do it yourself with injet waterslide decal paper or order from an online photo printing company. If you choose to do it yourself, remember that practice makes perfect. It may not come out the way you expect the first or second time, but keep at it until you master it. Whether you're keeping it for yourself, or giving it as a gift, photo mugs are fun and easy to make.
Novelty items have always been a popular choice for gifts and giveaways but if you a bit cash strapped at the moment, instead of shopping for such kind of gifts, you may want to try making these in your very own home. One very popular item that you can easily do is mugs and these are also a lot of fun to customize and make even more special for your loved ones. Aside from photo mugs and travel mugs, you can also try your hand at creating funny coffee mugs with witty phrases or lines that can instantly brighten up someone's day.
So how can you start with creating such kind of mugs? Well there are actually loads of ways for you to be able to go about this starting with special kits that contains all the essentials in decorating a plain mug. Such kits can be found in craft stores and one of those pottery places where people are encouraged to design their own mugs.