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The Secret to Making Vintage Bottle Labels That Look Authentic

Are you a vintage bottle fan? Here is the secret to making vintage bottle labels that you can use on vintage old bottles or cabinetry. This easy tutorial lets you take a simple bottle and create a vintage look. Although these vintage jar labels are faux, you’ll be amazed at their authenticity.

Vintage green bottles with faux antique labels for fall decorating.

How Do You Make a Label for a Bottle?

This is such an easy technique. First, determine what style of label you prefer.

Several free printable labels are available online. If you don’t have a printer, you can download one and send it to a local printer such as Staples or Office Depot.

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Supplies for Vintage Jar Labels

How to make vintage jar labels. DIY Bottle Labels for Vintage Old Bottles.

You can download free printable labels from several sources. I have had these from The Graphic Fairy for a few years.


How To Age Your Labels

Once you have your labels printed, you can begin the aging process. I save a little coffee from my morning cup and pour it into a flat dish.

Prepare a drying area using either a towel or paper towels with some protection for your countertops underneath.

Quickly dip your labels into the coffee and then transfer them to your drying area. You can dribble extra coffee onto the card stock to add darker spots.

How To Make Vintage DIY Bottle Labels Look Authentic

A few more steps will give your DIY bottle labels an authentic aged appearance.

The Secret Ingredient To Making Authentic Labels

Ground cinnamon spice is the secret ingredient that will give your labels an authentic, aged appearance.

After transferring them to the drying area, sprinkle the entire surface with cinnamon. In some areas, you can gently rub the cinnamon into the labels.

Finally, allow the card stock labels to dry thoroughly.

Sprinkle cinnamon over printed card stock to age paper.

Insider Tip

Once you have printed the labels onto the card, I recommend leaving them intact until the aging process is complete.

Once the paper is completely dry, the labels are much easier to work with, and you can easily cut them out using sharp scissors.

Cutting out DIY labels.

How To Distress The Edges

To create an authentic aged look, you can distress the edges of the label.

I’ve taken the ice pick and removed some label edges. As a result, the label appears more worn and realistic.

You can use sharp scissors or a knife to create the distressed edges.

Vintage Bottle Labels on ironstone plate with dried hydrangea bloom.

Vintage Jar Label

You can see how perfectly aged this DIY Vintage Jar Label is.

How to make vintage jar labels. DIY Bottle Labels for Vintage Old Bottles. Authentic looking vintage bottle labels

How to Attach DIY Vintage Jar Labels to Old Bottles

If you don’t want a permanent label on your vintage old bottles, you can attach the labels to most bottles using double-stick tape. This technique works great and allows for removal if you use the vintage bottle differently. However, for a more permanent solution, you can use a hot glue gun or E-6000 glue to attach.

I also like to tie them onto the neck of some bottles by attaching a piece of jute string. Just punch a hole large enough to slip the line through and tie a knot to prevent the string from pulling through the hole. I used an ice pick to punch the hole.

Punch hole in label to tie around old bottles.

How To Display Vintage Bottles

As with most vintage collections, they have more value when displayed together.

How to make vintage bottle labels. Vintage Amber bottles with distressed faux vintage bottle label.

Remember to group in odd numbers, such as three or five, when creating a vignette.

  • Add several bottles to a tray or platter.
  • Place a collection on your kitchen or bathroom countertop.
  • Group a collection on top of cabinets or entry tables
  • Add several on an island or coffee table for a fall vignette.
Fall Kitchen Island with Amber Bottles for a Fall Vignette.

Making these aged bottle labels is so easy you are tempted to add them to all your vintage old bottles. However, finding old bottles with the labels intact is rare. Therefore, for an authentic vignette, leave some bottles unadorned.

The Secret to making a label for a bottle to look like a vintage jar label. Vintage Amber bottle on silver tray

Adding decorative accents like tassels is a great way to showcase Vintage Bottles. Jute tassels are easy to make and add a rustic touch to the bottle.

Vintage Amber Bottle with DIY Jute Tassel - Old bottle labels Apothecary Jars.
How to make vintage jar labels. Vintage Amber & Blue apothecary jar on ironstone plate.


Collecting Vintage Old Bottles – Where To Find Them

With fall approaching, I love to use amber bottles in my decor. I always look for them while out thrifting with the gals.

Some places to look for old bottles…

  • Thrift Stores
  • Consignment Shops
  • Antique Shops
  • Online ETSY or EBAY
  • Yard & Estate Sales
Tutorial to making a label for a bottle to look like a vintage jar label. Vintage Amber & Blue apothecary Bottles

All of these bottles are vintage; however, if you have a collection that isn’t vintage, you can certainly create the illusion of old bottles by making Vintage Bottle Labels and attaching them.

 Vintage jar labels. Vintage Amber & Blue Medicine Bottles on ironstone plate. Apothecary Bottle

Other Uses For Vintage Label Technique

This technique can be used on labels for old apothecary cabinets or any drawer you want a label for. There are many great ways to make these vintage labels that will work in your decor.

I’m looking forward to using these in my Fall Decor this year. I hope this gave you some decorating ideas for your fall decor and ways to update your collectibles with aged labels.

Additional Tutorials and Decorating Ideas

Resources

Click + on each item for details and to shop.


Thanks so much for stopping by. I look forward to sharing my next adventure with you!

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The Secret To Making Authentic Vintage DIY Bottle labels
Vintage Collectable Bottles updated with faux aged labels.

debbie-dabble

Wednesday 2nd of August 2023

Love this idea!! I have done something similar for Christmas with labels that say "Reindeer Food" on them and attached them to used bottles of A1 Steak sauce which a brown glass. I then bought sets of Cork top lights and lit the bottle up!! Came out pretty cute!! Love these labels!! So pretty!! Thanks for sharing!!! Hugs, Deb

Rachel

Wednesday 2nd of August 2023

Debbie, That does sound so cute. Very clever idea. Thank you for sharing also.

Renae

Wednesday 2nd of August 2023

I love this idea. The labels are beautiful.

Rachel

Wednesday 2nd of August 2023

Renae, I really appreciate this.

Renae

Thursday 4th of August 2022

This is great. I love the labels. Hugs to you.

Rachel

Thursday 4th of August 2022

Renae, I really appreciate this.

Debbie

Thursday 12th of August 2021

What a fun project! I love this idea. Thanks so much.

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Thursday 12th of August 2021

Debbie, I'm so glad you like it.

Margie+Clements

Thursday 12th of August 2021

What a great idea! My hubby is wanting to decorate HIS bathroom he said! 😒 And I am going along with it! He just bought old shaving cup, brush & old razor! And we have old bottles. So this idea with the labels would fit right in! Thanks Rachel!

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Thursday 12th of August 2021

Oh I'm so glad this will help you. Thanks so much for sharing with me.