VINTAGE LABELS ADD A TOUCH OF COSY Try it
A can of spray paint and some colourful vintage labels turn food tins bound for the bin into playful centrepieces perfect for the next outdoor party. Inspired by the vintage tins found at antique markets, I turned cans of tomatoes into vibrant upcycled vases. Add fresh flowers, a potted plant or herbs to create eclectic containers that look great on a summer or early autumn table. By Debra Norton Step 1: Gather Supplies. You’ll need: Tin cans Computer and printer White printer paper Scissors Mod Podge Printouts of vintage labels (I’ll tell you where to get those in Step 2)
Spray paint
Step 2: Source, print and cut out vintage can labels.
Printable vintage can labels can be found online.
The Boston Public Library has shared its collection of vintage tin label art, which can be downloaded and printed: https://www.flickr.com/ photos/boston_public_library/albums/72157623956299174/ with/4563284680/
We also found some great labels on the farmhouse-inspired blog Knick of Time: http://knickoftime.net/2014/ 04/antique-tin-can-fruit-labelprintables.html
Measure the cans and, if necessary, resize the labels to fit before printing. Just use your computer to adjust the size of the labels and print them out at home.
Step 3: Prep the tins for painting. Remove the original paper labels from the tins. Wash the tins, removing any adhesive. Let dry.
Step 4: Paint the tin cans. In a well-ventilated area, ideally outdoors, prepare an area to spray paint the cans. Protect surfaces from paint with newspaper or plastic sheets. Follow paint manufacturer directions for applying spray paint and drying times. It’s best to apply multiple light coats of paint rather than one thick coat.
Step 5: Attach the labels to the can. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the back of the label and press the label into place, on the can. Let the Mod Podge dry for approximately 15 minutes.
Apply a top coat of Mod Podge to the label. This seals and protects the labels. If you plan to leave the cans outdoors for any length of time, consider using a Mod Podge product suitable for outdoor conditions.