How to Make Labels for Jars: Make Custom Jar Labels Like a Pro!

Sure it’s easy to print sticker papers or label makers for jar labels. But wouldn’t it be more fun to create one-of-a-kind labels for jars using craft vinyl? If you want to learn how to make labels for jars, then you’ve landed on the right page. In this post, you’ll learn how to make custom labels for jars, unlike any other craft projects you can see out there.

Whether you want to create custom labels for mason jars and candy containers, or you want to organize your pantry like Khloe Kardashian, keep on reading. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing your spice cabinet and pantry organized. Let’s get to it!

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko

How to make custom jar labels using adhesive craft vinyl

First off, start by preparing a jar you want to label. Just a tip, it is best to use a jar with smooth and even surface, so it’s easier for you to stick the adhesive craft vinyl. The beauty of using adhesive craft vinyl for glass jars is it’s waterproof.

So whether you plan to label your cooking oil containers, spice jars, toiletries organizers, product labels, or overnight oats on mason jars, adhesive craft vinyl is the best option because you can wash it.

After reading this post, you can make your own labels anytime you want! As long as you follow these step-by-step instructions you’ll be on point in making the right label for jars all the time. Let’s start off with gathering the supplies needed:

Supplies Needed

• Clean jar with smooth and even surface
• Adhesive craft vinyl (Check out the available options at Teckwrap Craft)
• Cutting machine (Silhouette or Cameo)
• Weeding tools
• Squeegee
• Transfer tape
• Cleaning supplies (alcohol, cotton pad, or clean cloth)
• Optional: Mod Podge and brush

Photo by Sarah Chai from Pexels

Step 1: Clean Your Jar

It is important to work on a clean jar, inside and out. What’s great about this project is you can upcycle used glass jars lying around, plus you’re helping in reducing the trash that may end up in landfills. Recycle glass mayonnaise containers, jam containers, or even mason jars.

If you’re recycling jars, make sure to clean them properly and let them dry. After placing the custom labels on the jars, you want them to be used readily. You also want the jar to be free of thumb marks and dust so the adhesive of the vinyl sticks properly.

Clean the inside of the used jar with soap and water and remove all residues if there’s anything left. Let it dry and better wipe it off with a clean cloth. Once it’s entirely dry, you can use alcohol and cotton pads to clean the outer surface of the glass jar.

Step 2: Prepare Your Craft Vinyl

Depending on your design, you need to prepare your craft vinyl — the label size, color and pattern of craft vinyl you prefer. Measure the size you want of the custom label against the placement you want on the mason jar. Cut out the needed size for the pattern you want to cut as you don’t want to waste vinyl.

There are plenty of colors, styles, and patterns of adhesive craft vinyl you can choose from at TeckWrap Craft. The best-sellers especially for jar labels are

• Opal Adhesive Vinyl
• Glitter Adhesive Craft Vinyl
• Glow In The Dark Vinyl
• Holographic Opal Pattern Adhesive Vinyl
• Textured Metallic Adhesive Vinyl

Step 3: Cut the Vinyl

TeckWrap Craft’s YouTube Page:

Prepare your design software to cut the vinyl. As for the design you want to place, you can do anything you want. It can be labels, your own artwork, vectors, shapes, or whatever you like. Your choice! If your design has multiple colors, ungroup the design and cut them color by color.

Take note to cut the vinyl layer by layer and in accordance with the proper sizing. Also, if you’re cutting small portions of vinyl, always use a cutting mat. To save time and effort, place the vinyl on the cutting mat and cut them all at once.

You should also change the settings with the cutting mat in the design space of your cutting machine. Before sending the vinyl for cutting, always test cut! Once the adhesive vinyl comes off easily from the backing paper, then you’re good to go with cutting all the vinyl.

Step 4: Weed the Vinyl

Using your weeding tools, weed the design, slowly. Remove all excess vinyl you don’t want to be transferred to the glass jar. Just a tip while weeding, always refer to the original design so you won’t miss out on important parts for weeding.

Step 5: Transfer the Design to the Transfer Tape

Transfer tape is an application tape made of clear adhesive tape with a paper backing. A transfer tape is used to transfer the craft vinyl going to the merchandise. Transfer tapes come with a grid and without a grid. What you need to know is that transfer tapes come in different levels of tackiness. The type of transfer tape that should be used depends on the craft vinyl you’ll be using.

To give you an idea, use a strong grip transfer tape, specifically the Yellow Grid Transfer Tape of TeckWrap Craft if you used glitter craft vinyl. For other lighter craft vinyl like opal, matte and glossy, you can use medium tack transfer tapes like TeckWrap Craft's Purple Grid Transfer Tape, Gray Grid Transfer Tape, Red Grid Transfer Tape, and Matte Transfer Tape.

Follow this process when transferring the vinyl to the transfer tape:

• Cut out the size transfer tape needed, a couple of cm bigger than the craft vinyl.
• Remove the paper backing of the transfer tape.
• Place the transfer tape above the craft vinyl, with the sticky part facing down the vinyl.
• Using a squeegee press the transfer tape through a burnishing motion onto the vinyl.
• The goal is that the vinyl transfers onto the transfer tape.

Step 6: Place the Vinyl onto the Jar

Once the jar is clean and free of dust and thumb marks, it’s time to place the custom label on the jar. Ensure proper placement, and make sure you place it where it should be. Slowly place the transfer tape with the vinyl over the surface, and start with one corner. Then work your way to the middle until you’re done.

If it helps, use a squeegee to gently rub the vinyl onto the glass jar. If you’re working on multiple colors of vinyl, start with the first or bottom layer then work your way through to the last layer. Then you’re done! You can place anything you want on the jar and stack it in your pantry.

Step 7 (Optional Step): Seal It with a Mod Podge

A Mod Podge is a decoupage medium used to seal vinyl so it will be permanently placed on there. Whether you’re using canning jars, clear glass jars, or mugs, you can seal the vinyl with a Mod Podge. Use a brush and paint over the vinyl and whole jar evenly.

Repeat the process two to three times. Set it aside in a clean space for at least 24 hours before touching it again. This product might be an extra cost for the project, but just the process. It will be worth it! Mod Podge is available in spray and liquid forms as well.

Image from Flickr by m01229

Project Ideas for Custom Labels for Jars

Now that you’re familiar with the step-by-step process of how to create custom labels for jars, let us tickle your creative senses and give you some project inspirations you can try. If you want everything organized then making labels would surely be a fun project for you.

So go around your house, collect used glasses, and think of how you can upcycle it and create pretty custom jar project labels. Not only are you creating pretty projects, but you’re helping the environment as well by recycling.

Photo by Sarah Chai from Pexels

Reuse Jars for Flower Vases

If you have extra bottles or glasses lying around the house, why not convert them onto flower vases? Not only are jars for labels and storage, but for pretty home decor as well. You can place flower vinyl on them, a logo, or any decor you want!

Labels for Cosmetics Jars

Used jars are famously recycled as toiletry organizers. You can upcycle used jars and use them to store toiletries like cotton pads, cotton balls, and even ear swabs. If you don’t have clear glass containers, you can label them so you won’t get confused the next time you’re pampering.

Labels for Condiments

Image by Monika from Pixabay

You want all your condiments organized so that for your next cooking session, you won’t get confused about the spice you need to use. Label all your condiments jar with the adhesive craft vinyl, the more labels you use, the tidier your spice cabinet would look.

Office Organizers

Photo by Anna Tarazevich from Pexels

Why limit yourself with mason jar labels? Reuse any kind of glass container you can find and convert them into office organizers for your pens, brush, and markers.

For instance, you can make jar labels for ‘Pencils’ alone, and another one for ‘Brushes’. If your workspace is organized this way, you know where to return each item, and that would be satisfying!

For Product Labels

Photo by Marianne Tang from Pexels

If you have a business and you supply honey, candy, dried goods, or overnight oats, then you should place product labels on them. Using craft vinyl is the perfect product label because it can be washed because it’s waterproof. Aside from product labels, you can place your business logo using craft vinyl as well. Packaging is everything and it makes a great impression on your clients.

Other ways to make custom jar labels

• Using sticker papers with an inkjet printer or laser printer
• Using DIY clear labels using clear sticker paper printed using inkjet printers or laser printers
• Using label makers
• Using chalkboard labels stickers

Photo by cottonbro

If you want a sturdier and more creative label though, we recommend our permanent craft vinyl.

Create Jar Labels with Teckwrap Craft’s Adhesive Craft Vinyl Now!

To sum it all up, when creating labels for jars, if you want a waterproof label, an adhesive craft vinyl from TeckWrap Craft is a perfect choice. Just remember to choose glass jars with a smooth and even surface so the vinyl adheres well. Also, clean the glass jar well before placing the craft vinyl.

Other than making labels for jars, be more creative and use vectors, images, or other shapes on them. You’re making a work of art, why not go beyond the mile? Your creativity has no limits, especially if you use TeckWrap Craft products. With TeckWrap Craft’s adhesive vinyl, expect quality, affordability, and a variety of choices.