How to Tint Bottles and Jars

Turn those plain. old jars and bottles into elegant-looking containers. With just a few materials, you can create charming multi-purpose home decors that you can show off around the house.

Are you ready for another beautiful D.I.Y. craft? Try this astonishing D.I.Y. tinted bottles and jars. Turn those old and unused bottles and jars into attractive home decor pieces. With just plain bottles and jars, you can make lovely tinted containers that look breathtaking beside a window, a pretty candle holder or a pleasing flower vase. Here is my full tutorial so that you can make some yourselves!

Note: There's a ton of cool stuff that can be done with Mason Jars and this is just one example. We would suggest checking out masonjars.com for more ideas. They always are updating their stock of DIY projects, recipes, and mason jar accessories.

Step One: Gather Your Supplies

For this project, you will need Mod Podge Gloss Luster Finish, food coloring, disposable craft containers (for mixing), stir sticks, a baking sheet, wax paper, and a collection of clear recycled glass bottles.

Step Two: Preparation

Mixing-how to tint mason jars-themommaven.com
Source: themommaven.com

It is important that the recycled bottles that you find get cleaned up really nicely. Start by soaking them in warm, soapy water, until any paper labels start to slough off. Scrub, rinse, and dry the bottles. Next, prep your Mod Podge mixture. To do this, you will pour Mod Podge into separate containers. I recommend starting out with three containers for three separate mixtures, at least.

Next, add food coloring into the containers, and stir each mixture individually. This will be your color tint, and the more food coloring you add, the darker the tint will be. My mixtures were green, blue, and purple (a mix of blue and red coloring). For a lighter tint, stir in some water and mix thoroughly. You can make any color combinations you like!

Step Three: Coat and Let Sit

how-to-tint-mason-jars
Source: reasonstoskipthehousework.com

The next step is to pour a nice dollop (about two tablespoons if you are working with a 12 oz jar) into the bottom of your clean and dry jar. Swirl the jar on it's side until the colored Mod-Podge is coating all of the inner surface. Place each jar, as you finish it, upside down over a piece of newspaper or paper towel. Let this sit for about one hour.

Step Four: Baking Your Jars

Source: abeachcottage.com

Preheat the oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover a baking sheet with wax paper, and place your jars on it. Once the oven is heated, place the jars inside, being careful that none fall or tip over in the process. You might have to remove shelving from your oven in order to make room for the height of your jars.

If your jars are all around 12 to 24 ounces, about 45 minutes will work. If they are larger, they may need some more time. Look for even, clear texture and coloring. Turn the oven off, and let your jars sit inside the oven and cool slowly.

Source: homedit.com

Then put them to use! These look so pretty set on a window sill, or holding bright and colorful flowers. Crafting is such a fun hobby, especially for those of us who are frugal and love to re-use and recycle.  I hope that you enjoy this project, and please let me know how it goes in the comments section below!

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Lezlie Christian
8 months ago

This is exactly what I was looking for. I can’t bring myself to dispose of perfectly good glass jars, and their lids. I use them to store food in the refrigerator, but I have far more than I need. I’m going to try this! Very excited!

April
1 year ago

I did attempt to follow the steps & end up with beautifully tinted glass jars. It was going well until I put the jar in the oven. The color did not stay, the jar was clear once again. Hmmmmm, I wonder if older modge podge changed the end result. Hmmm, guess I will need to try it one more time & hope for the best.

Deb
1 year ago

Can I put them on an outside bottle tree?

Marjorie
1 year ago

Are the jars food safe? As Sue stated, for more food safe, is it better to color the outside of the jar/glass?

Sue
2 years ago

Also wondering about doing the outside instead. Want to use Jars for homemade food items for gifts not sure if that would be safe?

Alice
2 years ago

Can we avoid putting in the oven

Linda Langdeau
2 years ago

I would like to know if you put the jars upside down or right side up when baking them in the oven?

Diana Higgins
1 year ago
Reply to  Linda Langdeau

Wine bottles can you lay them down in the oven.

Marilyn Mejorado
3 years ago

I love this. I’ve been wondering if modpage would keep it water proof too. Thank youfor sharing!

Marilyn Mejorado
3 years ago

This one looks great. I was wondering if it would be waterproof too. Love modge podge! Have loads of glass bottles I want to tint. Thank you!

Nancy
3 years ago

Can you put water in them once finished ?

Meg
3 years ago

Wouldn’t parchment paper be a better option than waxed paper? Seems to me you’ll have a big mess when the wax melts in the oven.

Irene
3 years ago

I have votive glass jars that come from the church after the candle has burned down. Can I use those and would they be okay in my oven at that temperature?

Cynthia Ryan
3 years ago

I love this idea but I have a question, do you only put the tinted mixture inside the mason jar, or inside and outside?

Paulette
4 years ago

Step 3 says “Coat and let sit.” Coat what? The inside or outside? It goes on to say “then put some inside.

Thanks

Paulette
4 years ago

Should you put the jars/vases in a cold oven, then heat to 250 and let them stay for?? minutes, turn off an let cool?

Also how do you do the outside?

Thank you.
Paulette

Val
4 years ago

Can glasses, bowls, and candle sticks be painted with this and baked safely?

Val
4 years ago

Can other glass be painted like this and baked?

Wendy
4 years ago

When dyeing mason jars, do they go in the oven upside down?

Janet_sevier
1 year ago
Reply to  Wendy

I was wondering that too

Virginia
4 years ago

I am definitely going to try this. I am surprised that the food colored Mod Podge turns clear..and you can even put water in it after it has cured. Thanks for sharing your tutorial.

Trudy Coyle
4 years ago

I did this, and the jars turned out fine. I glue them together with E6000 glue and then glued a shallow bowl on top staked it into the ground with re bar and I’ve been using it outside as a bird feeder. For several weeks it was fine then 2 of the jars turned milky white inside and the color in the other jars is fading to the point they’re nearly clear glass again. I thought they could be used outside as long as they’re sealed.

Gerri
4 years ago

Thanks for sharing, I’ll try this.

Sherry
4 years ago

Can you tent over a colored glass or does it have to be clear?

Deborah
4 years ago

Are these water proof? I’d like to color some for body wash or something similar.

Nancy
4 years ago

Can you use the same technique with vases and bottles?

V.Windham
4 years ago

How much mod pod he for a wine or liquor bottle?

Heather
5 years ago

I wonder if you can do this with glass ornaments?

RenuSingh
5 years ago

Beautiful
Is it necessary to keep the jars in oven any other option.plz reply

Lucy
5 years ago

1. Can any jar be used to tint?
2. Can you pour candle wax in the jar after it’s cooled off & it not affect the tint?

Lucy
5 years ago

Can you tint any type of jar and then pour wax in to make a candle?

Jenny Mucha
5 years ago

Can these be outside? Are they waterproof?

Amy
5 years ago

I can’t wait to try this. Question. Do they need to be upside down while in the oven?

Kim
5 years ago

Can you make candles in these?

Cis
5 years ago

In another post I read they used Minwax polycrylic then baked the jars at 170 degrees.

Christine
5 years ago

Can you paint the colour on the outside with similar effect?

Vera Anderson
5 years ago

Can you use any glass no matter how thick like a regular water glass

LYDIA BURNS
5 years ago
Reply to  Vera Anderson

i used 2 regular water glasses I’d gotten many years ago from Pier1. It worked out just fine 🙂 Hope this helps.

Sheila Puzio
6 years ago

I’m trying to figure out what I did wrong. Everything seemed fine until I tried to get the jars off the wax paper when they cooled. They were stuck, and when I peeled the wax paper off, it took the glaze from the inside of the jar with it. Did I not cook them long enough?

Meg
3 years ago
Reply to  Sheila Puzio

My guess is that you should have used PARCHMENT paper, not waxed paper. The wax melted in the oven. Parchment paper does not have wax and is used for baking.

Cheryl
6 years ago

I read the instructions but wondered if you bake the jars upside down or right side up? I tried another method today and ended up with runs… Thank you.

Rashmi shah
6 years ago

Hi
I liked it. Can we use home made mod podge?
Like fevicol and water?
And can you pls send me the instruction on my e mail id.
Thank u so much.

Lisa uk
6 years ago

Love this I think it’s going to be my next project

Pam
6 years ago

I had no problem accessing the website. Thank you so very much for sharing this technique. The tints are subtle yet luxurious.

Teresa
6 years ago

Can you use paint from craft store, iced with midge podge? Or is it strictly the food dye?

Teresa
6 years ago
Reply to  Teresa

Meant paint mixed with food dye, can you use? Or is it strictly food dye only mixed with modge podge?

Kathy
6 years ago

Can the jars be filled with water, or will the color come off?

Lori
5 years ago
Reply to  Kathy

Mod Podge is water based, and will become milky and begin to slough off if you put water in the jar.

William Bujosa
7 years ago

Please send me instructions on how to tint glass jars,bottles.

Dawn P
7 years ago

I only have outdoor Mod Podge, so that is what I am using. My jars are in the oven now! I am hoping the change in materials won’t alter the results significantly! I’ll post pics when they are done! I really just wanted to say Thank you! This was such a neat add-on to my project already in the works!

Elaine
5 years ago
Reply to  Dawn P

Did you put the jars in up or up side down

Melanie
7 years ago

Thank you for siting my photo link – appreciate it!

Amanda Thompson
7 years ago

I have a question. I make soy candles and wondered if this was safe for soy candle making? I don’t like to use dye in my candles so I’ve been in search of an alternative such as tinting my jars. Thanks!!

Judith Giles
4 years ago

Interested in this also. would it be safe to do a candle in a tinted jar.

Patricia papillon
7 years ago

Hello there I would love to know how please email me the instructions thanks

Nicole
7 years ago

I would love these instructions also please. Where can I find them? Thanks!

Vikki
7 years ago

The bold letters that says How to Tint Bottles and Jars is the link to the instructions. Those words are just above the remark area and the ads above the comment section.

Amy
7 years ago

I would love the directions on how to do this please

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