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Altered Paint Can Project

Use Decoupage Techniques to Create an Altered Paint Can

I love your site but I am looking for some information on altered paint cans.

Not painted ones, but the kind where you use photo paper and design a graphic to put onto that and glue it onto the can, decorate the lid to match and then you can even decorate the handle to match with ribbon or something.

Have you seen these or know where I can get information?

Thank you so much.

Michelle

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Yes, I’ve seen them. Aren’t they clever?

Altered paint cans are the latest craze brought to us by those clever scrapbook crafters. My theory is they’ve scrapped all the family photos and are looking for other ways to employ their talents and their scrapbooking supplies.

They’ve done altered books, CDs, candy/cookie tins, jars, … and now altered paint cans.

What appeals to me about altered paint cans (besides their charm) is their usefulness. They can be used as gift containers, as storage containers and as gift containers that are turned into storage containers by the receiver.

I haven’t seen any that use photographic paper printed from an ink jet printer but I can offer some suggestions.

If you use photo paper, do not use decoupage glue. It could seep through the paper from the back and ruin the photo and would definitely ruin the photo if you try to put a sealing coat on to add permanence.

Use spray adhesive to adhere the photo paper and skip the sealing coat.

Most altered cans use a combination of scrapbooking and decoupage supplies/skills.

Clean empty paint cans can be purchased from your local home improvement center.

To determine your design space, measure the circumference of the can with a cloth tape measure and the distance from the top to bottom rim (not including the raised rims).

If you are using one background paper, cut it to the size of your design space. Use it (laid flat) to complete your composition. Oftentimes, the background is composed of chunks of different coordinating papers. In this case, cut any scrap paper (even newspaper) as a template to define your design space.

Once you are happy with your composition, you’re ready to start gluing. First, two-dimensional objects (background papers, photos, text, tags, any paper items) are decoupaged onto the can and sealed.

Finally, three-dimensional objects (ribbons, buttons, bows, beads, stones, shells, raffia, bottle caps, fringe, charms, etc.) are glued in place using an appropriate craft glue for each embellishment’s material and weight.

Here are details on decoupage technique.

Note that, if you are using stainless steel paint cans, you do not need to prep with rust resistant primer.

For more on decoupage, visit The Decoupage Index Page.

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Recommended Reading

These books are excellent resources for decoupeurs. Not only do you get tips and techniques, but also artwork that you can use in your own projects.

New Decoupage: Transforming Your Home With Paper, Glue, and Scissors By: Durwin Rice The Victorian Scrap Gallery: A Collection of over 500 Full-Color Victorian-Era Images By: Dee Davis Absolute Beginner's Decoupage: The Simple Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Beautiful Decoupage By: Alison Jenkins Collage Discovery Workshop: Make Your Own Collage Creations Using Vintage Photos, Found Objects and Ephemera By: Claudine Hellmuth 930 Matchbook Advertising Cuts of the Twenties and Thirties (Pictorial Archive Series) By: Trina Robbins Decoupage: A Practical Guide to the Art of Decorating Surfaces with Paper Cutouts By: Dee Davis

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