Simple DIY: How to Tint Bottles and Jars
April 16, 2012 by Aimee • 149 Comments
Here is one of my favorite, SIMPLE Craft/Decor tips…
How to Tint Bottles and Jars with Mod Podge, Water, and Food Coloring!
My sweet hubby started his new job today after having a month off….
although his time off was some of the best days EVER for our family,
without a doubt he was ready to jump back into the “real” world!
Why!?!? Here’s one reason: his sweet wife sent him on errands like this…
Honey, would you mind going to this address to pick
up a box on a random front porch {aka, a Freecycle pick up}?!
Usually, he rolls with it, but picking up a box of used beer bottles totally weirded him out! A cycle through the dishwasher and a bit of goop be gone for the labels and I was ready to craft!
You can use any jar for this tutorial! Mason jars used to come in all kinds of pretty colors: blue, green, and amber – I love that I can duplicate this look real easily!
Microwave 3 Tablespoons of water for 30 seconds, then add a lot of gel food color and dissolved FULLY. Next, add 1/2 cup of modpodge to the blended food coloring. And again, mix REALLY well. At this point, you can add more color for a more vibrant color, just be sure that you mix it really well If there are any air bubbles wait for them to subside before pouring into the bottle. The color on your bottle will be reflective once dry and not seem as deep as when it is in your measuring cup! I used a whole LOT of color as you can see below. {I think the gel food color tubes work BEST.}
Mix the mod podge solution with a regular spoon or knife. The beauty of working with water soluble glue is that clean up is a breeze! {Big B was a huge help with this project and he stayed totally clean!} Pour some of the mod podge into your bottle….swirl it around to cover the entire glass on the inside…then pour the excess back into your mod podge mixture.
Start with your lightest color, then deepen your color with
progressive bottles so that you can have varied shades of blue bottles.
Put a piece of aluminum foil on a plate then cover with
several paper towels and allow the bottles to drain for a five minutes.
I wanted a contrast color, too so I added yellow mod podge to one of my bottles.
After the bottles drain on the counter upside-down for like, 5 minutes,I set it on the counter, upright and wait about 5 more minutes, allowing the extra paint that did not drip out to settle on the bottom. Jars and bottles with a flat edge along the bottom will work the best for this technique. The bottom of my bottles have a little excess modpodge. If you try to tilt the jar again and pour it out, you’ll end up with streaks along the sides of the bottle. For me it wasn’t a big deal…but I added a pic so you can see if it’s something that would work for you. Here’s a pic so you can see what I mean…
Place them in the oven on a low rack, being careful not to tilt them while moving them. Set the oven to it’s lowest temperature and place the jars on a low rack in the oven. I set my oven to 170 degrees and left them in the oven for 20+ minutes, until dry—transparent. (Make sure the excess on the bottom has fully dried, too, before tilting the bottle). {Use a hot pad when you remove the bottles, they will be hot!}
Remove from the oven and cool. Remove the gummy texture from the top of the bottles. If you prefer a darker color, do it again in the same jar…just be sure to cool the bottle first. If you need to use the bottles/jar for something new, soak the jar overnight with a few drops of dish soap and lots of hot water. The longer you let it soak, the easier it will be to clean.
And here they are complete…not perfect…but totally adorable!
I L.O.V.E. these bottles inside my newly painted crate!
Next Post: where I’m placing this cute crate with bottles!
Click here to see where this beauty will go in my house!
UPDATE to How to Tint Bottles and Jars: Waterproof Option- “I was going to suggest to readers that process, I do the exact same process except paint the outside with the mod podge mix, I have done all colors and I have them sitting in my bay windows, they are beautiful and I can use as flower vases if I so choose or add water for other uses, the heat from the sun does not seem to bother them either. So go ahead paint the outside and follow Aimee’s directions, you will be pleased with your results!!!” ~Shay Potter
I’ve never seen this method for tinting bottles before- this is great! All stuff I have- except for the bottles. I’ll have to be on the look-out! Super cute!
Love these!
So cool! I don’t drink but this would be nice in a vase!
i have a colelction of clear vases and i was just thinking of that and then i read ur post! Great minds think alike
Because this is a water soluble mixture, you can not use it as a
vase or place water inside a bottle or jar that’s been tinted with mod podge.
You can providing you tint the outside not the inside…
You *could* however use a sponge and tint the *outside* with the mod podge, then you could fill it with water.
Has anyone done used a sponge and tinted the “outside” with the mod podge??? I was thinking of doing this to some wine bottles and cutting off the bottoms for a nice decorative piece at my wedding on my tables. I was just wondering if anyone has done this before that is all???
Yes, I was going to suggest to readers that process, I do the exact same process except paint the outside with the mod podge mix, I have done all colors and I have them sitting in my bay windows, they are beautiful and I can use as flower vases if I so choose or add water for other uses, the heat from the sun does not seem to bother them either. So go ahead paint the outside and follow Aimee’s directions, You will be pleased with your results!!!
There are so many bottles to collect. Once can even go online to craigslist and see if any bottles are available in the FREE section.
Oh how pretty! It’s hard to believe but I’ve never bought mod podge. I am overdue for it- there are so many fun projects to try. Thanks for adding this one to my list!
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous, Aimee! Can’t wait to see where this lovely DIY ends up
Claire @ alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com
Those are really pretty! Love the colors!
I just did this yesterday
What are the three ingredients?
I´D LOVE TO DO IT, BUT I´M NOT SURE IF I GOT ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS CORRECTLY, CAUSE I DID TRANSLATE IT.
Really great tip. I am going to pin this!
Thanks for sharing! I have so many glass randomness that I need to tint! I love your method!
Thanks for your sweet notes friends!! It’s so fun to recycle old jars and bottles!!! Ashleigh, I’m excited to see yours soon, too! XO, Aimee
What a clever idea. gonna try this.
laura
Just today I posted about my love of colored bottles and needless to say I can’t wait to try this.
This is SO cool! I have got to give it a try. Love how pretty they turned out!
They look great. Thanks for sharing how to do it.
So pretty…and so easy! Love it!
makingitfeellikehome.blogspot.com
Awesome idea! I’m pinning this one! Thanks for the tutorial
Thanks for the tutorial…love the blue!
Sharon @ mrs. hines class
Oh my goodness!!! I love this tutorial! I did one that is the exact opposite…I spray painted the bottle holder aqua, painted the bottles white, then put vintage roses in them. Just for fun, you can see them here:
http://thehouseofwhimsy.blogspot.com/2011/11/inexpensive-diy-centerpieces.html
Thanks so much for sharing this technique with us. : )
M.L.
Love this technique!!! I did this same thing exactly opposite. Aqua bottle holder, white bottles with vintage roses inside.
Just for fun you can see it here:
http://thehouseofwhimsy.blogspot.com/2011/11/inexpensive-diy-centerpieces.html
Thanks for sharing this technique with us,
M.L.
This is such a neat idea! I’m going to try this as a DIY for our basement. That blue is a really pretty color. I’m pinning this for later!
Woo so pretty and my favourtie is the blue I think but only just
This is a neat craft…one that someone who lacks skills could actually do {like me}
xo,
RJ
Aimee!!! This is SOOOOO pretty!!! I have a bunch of mason jars here.. I’m going to try this! I just need to decide what color!!
I totally love this!! They look awesome!
Love this! I am trying to come up with CHEAP centerpieces (for WHEN the big wedding day happens) and this is a perfect idea.
Super cute! I see so many bottles at the flea markets that have been painted on the outside & the tint is flaking off…I bet tinting on the inside would be less likely to flake!
Those are so eye-catching all gathered together! Great tutorial =)
love this- seems very do-able. I’m wondering though, will the tint chip- like if I use a tinted jar for a pencil cup?
Laura, I think it may over time….but it’s actually a pretty hard surface…probably depends on who is dumping/pulling from the pencil cup.
There is also a mod podge variety that s considered ‘hard coat’ …this variety you can sand. I might consider using the same tutorial, but switching for the alternative mod podge for more heavy usage. XO, Aimee
Unique, artistic, skillfully done! I’ll share this idea with my family. Thanks!
Love them! Thanks for the great tutorial!
This is the COOLEST tutorial, ever! I’ve not seen anything like this before. How creative! I am going to try this soon, because I have so many empty wine bottles in the kitchen that I’ve been wondering how to use… LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Would really like for you to share it with my readers at my linky party!
-heather
stringtownhome.blogspot.com
This. is. brilliant! I had no idea this was possible and already have all the supplies! And I’m in love with your crate too! Hope you will join my Destination: Inspiration linky party!
http://teaganstravels.blogspot.com/2012/04/destination-inspiration-linky-party-11.html
Michelle
Thank you, thank you, thank you! This post could not have come at a better time. I just bought some bottles to color for my daughter’s rainbow party next weekend. Yay!
Very nice!
Those are so pretty! Thanks for the tutorial!
This looks like so much fun! Thanks for the great tutorial!
Beautiful colors…thanks, learned something new!
WOW!!!! That is too awesome!!!! Now I know what to do with all those beer bottles I pick up on my road when I walk!!! Thanks so much for this amazing tutorial- can’t wait to try it!! Pinning for sure.
Hey there! I love this project. They turned out so super great. I saw that you linked up at Blue Cricket and just had to come over and see the post for myself. Great job…keep up the good work, I love coming over to your blog.
Amy {aprons & ambition}
Can’t wait to try it out! They look fabulous!
oh wow, i’ve been looking for a way to do this! thanks SO much for this tutorial! they look great!
This is a great idea..thanks for sharing. I love colored glass bottles so it’s great to know I can do them myself with any shaped bottle I like
How cleaver is this. I love it and would love if you showed it off on my link party.
kampenlane.com
~Taylor
I love this! I wonder how red would look? I just may have to get some food coloring and make some red and yellow ones for my kitchen area. Cool with a yellow sunflower in a red one on my breakfast table. Hum . . . And then for the dining room . . . who can say!
Thanks Aimee!
I really needed this!
I love bottles and jars…
amber
I plan to feature this! Great job, beautiful final product and excellent instruction. bythewayjenngray.blogspot.com
I can’t believe how cute these are! I definitely have to try this! I can think of about 15 ways to use them.
I LOVE this idea, I’m your newest follower!
Love, Love, Love! I wonder, could you put the modge podge mixture on the outside of the bottle so it could be used as a vase? I think I’ll be finding out. Pinned.
This is wonderful! I would love for you to link it up to my “I made this” party at Grits & Giggles!! http://www.gritsandgiggles.blogspot.com/2012/04/i-made-this_18.html
Those are so cute!!! I have always wondered if there was a way to do this! It looks so easy!
I currently have a link party going and would love for you to share this and anything else you would like!
http://twoyellowbirdsdecor.blogspot.com/2012/04/thursdays-temptation-link-party-14.html
Jill
A must try
Thanks for sharing.
Love this idea! Great tutorial – I love colored bottles, so I’ll definitely be giving this a try.
Please consider sharing this on Thingamajig Thursday going on now… http://radcrafter.com/2012/04/thingamajig-thursday-21/
Alida
super cute!! We’re moving in a couple of months and I’m gathering ideas! Thanks!
FANTASTIC DIY! SEE HOW TO CUT GLASS WITH…NAIL REMOVER(!)EASY AND MAKE FANTASTIC CHANDELIERS AT http://styleitchic.blogspot.com/2011/10/most-easy-way-to-cut-glass-bottles.html
PLEASE USE GOOGLE TRANSILATOR AT THE RIGHT TOP OF THE BLOG
IRO
GREECE
These came out great Aimee! I never knew it was so simple! Love it!
Those look great! I’m always clicking on your stuff from linky parties because you have so many good ideas!!
What a neat idea. They look awesome.
I love this! and hoping to try it!
I love your tinted bottles! And turqoise totally is my color! Lovely! Liz
Aimee, this would be an awesome post to share on WhereWomenBlog.com
The Where Women Blog Team
These turned out really awesome! This is a fantastic project! I would love it if you would consider sharing it at my Pinworthy Projects Link Party over at Just Us Four!
this is a great tutorial i cant wait to try it i would love for you to come and link up at http://www.twiggstudios.com/2012/04/sunday-show-off-linky-party_21.html
xxxx
I am inviting you to come and be part of my blog hop:
http://juliejewels1.blogspot.com/2012/04/show-your-stuff-20.html
lovely!!! Pinning right now!
Ok… these are stunning. I love the bottles, but your last picture with them all together in the wooden holder is unbelievable! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Take care,
Trish
I’d love it if you would link this up to my party…
http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.com/2012/04/crafted-sparrow-link-party-3.html
Thanks so much.
Rebecca
Awesome tutorial!!! Thank you so very much for sharing
I have so many glass vases & definitely must give these a shot 
Came by from the blog hop! I’m not sure where I just saw your tinted bottles, but I’m so glad I just read how to do it! Simply GENIUS!! Thanks so much for sharing the tutorial!!
Jill
This is SOOOOOO cool! I have some “rootbeer” bottles that I have been saving for some sort of decoration….Now I can do it! Thanks so much for figuring this out!!! And telling us about it!
Love this idea, I’m putting a link to this on the ranch’s FB page.
Oops, FB wouldn’t let me do it since it found something “spammy”, sorry.
So so adorable!! I love how they turned out!!
SO cute! Definitely going to have to try this!
Samm
http://www.LittleHouseintheBigD.com
LOVE this project! I will be featuring it tomorrow. Thanks for linking up
XO
Kristin
Love these! Thanks for the tutorial!
What a smart idea… seems your ready for Spring Party.
You rock, girl.
Happy TTT,
/CC
This is fantastic!
Very, very, very cute! Thanks so much for sharing how you made the bottles such great colors. These would be great decorations at a party. I saw your post over at “Cowgirl Up Party” and “Nifty Thrifty Tuesday”.
such a creative idea! I love those bottles!
Thank you for sharing.
Charlotte
This is so great! I love it! I keep all of my wine bottles to do fun projects with, and this just gives me more ideas!! I can’t wait to try this!
I would love for you to stop by and link this up!
http://natural-nester.blogspot.com/2012/04/naturally-nifty-linky-party-11.html
These are just so pretty! I’ve been seeing them featured EVERYWHERE
Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!
This is so cute! The wheels in my head are turning already!
I would love for you to link this project up at my link party – Well Crafted Wednesdays! You can find it here:
http://thewellcraftedhome.blogspot.com/2012/04/well-crafted-wednesdays-link-party-1.html
I’d like to do some mason jars and then use them for tea lights on the patio. Do you think that would work or would I start some sort of awful smelling fire?
That’d be REAL CUTE, but to be on the safe side, I’d probably use a battery operated…they sell them at lots of stores, even the Dollar Store. That would be SUPER FUN Stacey!! XO, Aimee
I know I have commented on this before, but I just wanted to let you know I am featuring your awesome glass tinting tutorial at the link party today! Wahoo!!
http://twoyellowbirdsdecor.blogspot.com/2012/04/thursdays-temptation-15-fabulous.html
Jill
Featuring you and your awesome self! : )
Love this! You should invest in a cheap baby bottle holder to place your bottles on to dry. It would keep the tips from messing up, just a top. =D
Oh, I like these! And they look easy enough to make… this might be my next craft attempt.
I’m definitely going to try this.. I’m wondering though, in the beginning you said 3xs as much MP as water – am I adding food coloring to just the MP or I add water to the MP to thin it out *then add the food coloring? Thanks! (jaydensmomma126@aol.com)
Your project was one of the top 2 most clicked on projects from my blog this week! congrats!
http://brassyapple.blogspot.com/2012/04/top-link-ups-winner.html
Love this!! Totally cute!! xo Holly
Oh my goodness; they are GORGEOUS!!!! Thanks so much for the tutorial!
Featuring you tonight!
Ginger @ gingersnapcrafts.com
http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2012/05/wow-me-wednesday-49.html
I just linked up to Gingersnap Crafts and saw you were featured. Congrats! I hope you’ll join me for the blog swap I’m cohosting
.
Aimee, Can the bottles be washed, or does that make the MP come off? I did this for the first time last night and it was very easy and they came out very pretty, and believe me I am the most artistically challenged person ever. I embellished a bit as these were for Teacher Appreciation Day. Thank you for this!
No Jessica…they can’t be washed! MP isn’t waterproof. Bummer, right! I totally wish they were, too! Glad they turned out great! XO, Aimee
Great tutorial, thanks! I pinned it, too. http://encinomom.com/happy-mothers-day-from-encinomom/
Can you do this without using the oven? If I’m correct you said the oven step is used to dry the mod podge. Could you just leave them out for a while instead or use a blow drier? The glass I want to use is pretty thin and I know it should be ok to put in the oven but its from the dollar tree and I dont really trust it not to break or something.
hi, when i tried to clean out the bottles they turned white? I’m not sure why they would do that. do you have any suggestions?
The white should be the modpodge…try soaking them in warm water for longer…modpodge is usually easy to remove from glass!!! Hope that helps!! XO, Aimee
Thanks for sharing these tips!
I gave been trying to do this with mason jars and running to problems with streaking. When you put the bottle right side up doesn’t a lot of color pool in the bottom? Making the bottom dark than the top?
Tracy, you’ll want to turn it over before too long so the excess has a chance to get to the bottom, it’s fine down there. On mine, there is about a 1/8 inch of a dark bottom, but once it’s dry it just looks like a shadow. Has your jar dried now?!? Let me know if I can help. XO, Aimee
Brilliant! I blogged about you in Spanish! Love your blog and way of looking at life. http://virmaredsantiago.blogspot.com/2012/05/cronista.html
with doing the color on the outside, i was planning on doing this with bottles to make as tiki torches attatched to my fence outdoors. do you think you could use some kind of sealer on the bottle after coloring them to make them waterproof/make the color stay on?
You can definitely brush it on the outside!!! This will look great! As for something to seal it, I haven’t tried that…but I imagine it’d work! Definitely let me know!!! I’m so excited to hear about your project!
XO, Aimee
This also works with elmer’s glue and food coloring. I ran out of food coloring, so I used a dab of acrylic paint–which also worked–so long as you don’t overdo it on the paint.
That’s GREAT to know! Thanks for that great tip! XO, Aimee
I’m visiting today through Layla’s Summer Mantel Link Party!
What a cool idea for “recycling” glasses – I love it! I will have to try it! I’m addicted to collecting jars and glasses, because I know that *one day* I will use them!
i will have to try this, and put christmas lights inside. im looking for a different and colorful way to light my back yard for parties..
Hi! thanks for this tutorial. But can I ask if it still works if I don’t use oven? Just directly from the sun? Thanks!
Hello!
I live in Colombia, South America and we don’t have the Mod Podge here. We have lots of stuff but I can’t find what stands for Mod Podge. Is it like glue? Could you please tell me a little about it so I can figure out what to buy in order to tint the jars!!
Thanks!
It’s pretty much elmer’s glue with water! Try a 50:50 ratio. Hope that helps!!! Xo, Aimee
Too cool, Aimee! Pinned it for later!
Even though you can’t use these as traditional vases for fresh flowers, you could add dry or silks and have a lovely display.
That’s so true Linda!! Xo, Aimee
Wondered about using it to put hand soap in. Want to do this to a Ball Jar with a lid and put a pump through the lid. As I understand, it would be best to do this on the outside of the jar. Just understanding. Thanks!
Since little wet hands would be touching it, I’m not so sure!?!? It doesn’t take long to do these if you want to give it a try!?!? My first thought is…I’m a little apprehensive about it working. XO, Aimee
I have been looking for tinted red glass wine bottles for my bottle tree and am having no luck or they are too expensive. Do you think I could tint clear bottles to put on the tree and would they stay tinted being outside. Thank you.
I would give it a try and then maybe coat the finished product with a spray polyurethane?! Let me know how that works…sadly, you won’t be able to remove the modpodge once you go this route. Good luck girl!!! Sounds cool! XO, Aimee
Hi !
Thats a really nice post, and i tried it today. My bottles are drying right now. But i have a question !
As it is, I have lots of the mixture left and it bothers me to throw it away in case i want to do some more later.
Do you keep the left overs ? If so, how do you store it ? I was thinking about putting it in a glass screw up jar but I don’t know haw it’s going to handle …
Thanks of stopping by and for your sweet note! I have held onto it for a day or two…exactly the way you explained! XO, Aimee
Hi there
This is awesome! Cant wait to try to tint some pickle jars I have been saving for a fun project… I want to make jar lanterns for my wedding and give them a little bit of colour is just what I wanted, but I have a question. If I put candles inside, do you think the colour would stand the heat and stay pretty like yours?? Would appreciate your comments thanks from New Zealand
Just curious, could you use acrylic paint (water based) to mix with the mod podge?
I am a Ceramics teacher and wondered if the pain would mix as well as the fell.
Thanks
You can email me direct, if you choose.
Carol
Tinting glass is not easy. Sharing this tips make it simple.
Has anyone tried this to the outside? Does it come off when handled?
What a neat idea and so easy to do. Thanks for sharing.
SO gorgeous!! Hope you can link this up at my trendy tuesday party!! http://www.sweetlittlegals.com/2013/03/trendy-tuesday-26.html
Tried this just now and the “paint” is separating inside the bottles as they dry and leaving big blank spaces. I followed your recipe exactly. What did I do wrong?
hi, I need a bit of help- I tried to dyed my jars but they keep burning- I mean instead of staying colored I choose they become dark brown- just like I baked them for to long- but I didn’t. I tried changing temp in my oven but still the same… I’m definitely doing something wrong but don’t know what :/ I looked on other websites, trying different method- nothing…This is seriously annoying coz everybody saying how easy this is but for some strange reason not to me
The way I do:
mixing mod podge with water and food coloring( tried gel and liquid)
poring in – keep them upside down so any excess with drip back to my dish,
setting my oven on 170C on fan.
aluminium and wax paper on baking tray- first put them upside down for 3min then flip them up and leave them for 30-40min.
after around 15min they become dark burn brown. After 40min they are burn!
Where I did wrong? HELP!
Thx
Hmmm…that’s a bummer! I wonder if you’ve ever calibrated your oven!?!? Sounds like it’s cooking too fast because the temp is warmer than 170!?! Just my guess!?!?