Turn ordinary mason jars into gorgeous stained-glass-style decor with just Mod Podge and food coloring! This DIY is easy, budget-friendly, and beautiful.
Skills Required: None. Even if you’ve never Mod Podged before or have little crafting experience, you should have success with this project.
Ever wanted to tint glass jars in dreamy shades of ocean blue or forest green — without splurging on specialty paints? Good news: all you need is Mod Podge, food coloring, and a little crafty curiosity.
In this easy tutorial, I’ll show you exactly how to color glass at home using a foolproof method that creates gorgeous, translucent color with a glossy finish.
Whether you’re dyeing glass for wedding centerpieces, shelf decor, or a fun upcycling project, this is a beginner-friendly craft that actually works.
I tested four mason jars—two in vibrant blue, two in lush green—and found the magic combo: 4 drops of gel food coloring to 1/4 cup of Mod Podge. The result? Stained-glass-style jars that look custom, expensive, and totally stunning in the sunlight.
You can see the beautiful shades I achieved above.
FAQs you might be wondering:
- Can you use Mod Podge and food coloring to dye glass? → Yes, and it creates a beautiful stained glass effect.
- What type of Mod Podge works best? → Gloss formula gives the prettiest sheen.
- Will the color stay? → Yep! As long as you bake them to set, the color holds strong.
- Can I make other colors? → Absolutely—just tweak your food coloring drops for endless custom shades.
So if you’re searching for a way to tint glass bottles, stain mason jars, or create faux colored glass on a budget, you’re in the right place.
Let’s get into the exact steps I followed (including a tip or two from my earlier “oops” moments) so you can get stunning results without the trial and error.
NOTE BEFORE BEGINNING . . . these can’t be used with water. The Mod Podge is on the inside of the jar, and is water soluble. If you would like to make jars that can hold water, you can use the spouncing method on the outside like I do here.
Are you ready to begin? Get the printable how to card below:
How to Dye Glass
Equipment
- Cups 1 per color
- Stirring stick(s)
- Scraping tool
Materials
- 4 Mason jar(s) mine are 32 oz
- Mod Podge Gloss
- 4 drops Gel food coloring this is per jar – double for regular food coloring
- Wax paper to cover work surface
Instructions
- Clean the jars with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. If you use rubbing alcohol, swirl around and pour the excess back into the container. Let dry.
- For each color you want to make, add 1/4 cup of Mod Podge Gloss to a cup.
- Add four drops of gel food coloring per color to each cup. If you're using regular food coloring, you'll want to double that to eight drops.
- Stir each cup completely, or until all the color is dispersed throughout the Mod Podge.
- Working one jar at a time, pour the Mod Podge into the jar. Scrape the excess out of the cup with a tool, so that you get all of it into the jar.
- Swirl to coat. It can take a minute to completely coat the inside.If you notice the mixture doesn't reach certain areas, you can use a paintbrush to assist.
- Place upside down on your work surface to let drain. Allow to sit until all excess Mod Podge is fully drained.
- Prop up (to allow air in) and let dry for 24 hours. Alternatively, you can place in a 200 degree oven and bake until dry (do not leave unattended).
- Use the craft knife to trim any excess Mod Podge from around the lips of the jars.
Notes
Did you enjoy this project? Let me know in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out these other ideas:
What a great idea!
I need help, please. I cannot find a place on your blog to send an email. Your FAQ page says, “let me know if you have any more questions”… and i’m letting you know here! LOL
I have watched your videos repeatedly and still cannot get wrinkles out of scrapbook paper on canvas. Please email me. Thanks.
Never even thought of doing this! Cool:)
http://www.rockpaperscissorscreate.blogspot.com
Didn’t know this. Now my brain is in a creative spin!
Now that’s creative!! To get this effect, I have been using glass paints but the tinted Mod Podge looks so much better! Thanks for the info.
Thanks for sharing Amy! I got the tutorial from Carolyn @ homework. Check out her pretty cranberry colored glass @ my blog too!
xo caroline @ c.w.frosting
Any ideas on what to do if your glass doesn’t fit in your oven? I really want to do this with a wine bottle, but it’s too tall!
Gotta try this! Thanks for sharing! 😀
Can you clean this off? I have an old window and I wanted to do the mod podge with color to give it kind of a stain glass look. If i do this and then change my mind in the future can it be cleaned off? If so how?
Diona, I wouldn’t use Mod Podge – I’d use a product called Gallery Glass:https://plaidonline.com/galleryglassIt will give you the stained glass look and then peel off later.
@Diona Castillo, I am just now seeing this post MANY years after it was posted… but yes, you can clean it off. I have done it to a window in my home. You can easily remove it with a razor blade or simply water and soap. However scraping it is the easiest.
@Diona Castillo, yes you can. Just apply moist heat and it will peel off. I use warm water.
Can I use it on the outside of the jar instead on the inside?? If I bake it on the outside will it be waterproof and permanent?
Hi Brandy! Yes you can use Mod Podge on the outside instead of the inside. Also, Mod Podge is acrylic and waterbased, so it won’t be permanent. I’d look into stained glass paints that are permanent for this type of application.
I am making some spring colored jars with glitter bunnies and flowers to fill with Easter candy. Im sure my coworkers will love them
Love love love – so easy! Thank you!! My desktop looks lovely so organized with little colored jars.
colored mason jars
I didn’t know there is colored M. P.
Looks great . Fun project
Yes, you can just buy colored jars at the craft stores but this is so much more fun – and relaxing
Love that you can get colored Modge Podge for this easy, but oh so pretty mason jar project. This is right up my alley, Love it. Thank you so much 🙂
Wow, I didn’t know Mod Podge could be colored like this and am going to try this soon.
These are cool! I TOTALLY like colored glass!
I enjoy all the articles about mod podge because the instructions are easy to follow and materials are usually something I have on hand. I love colored glass items.
Colored Mason Jars
Okay, this is brilliant (no pun intended, ha ha)
I have some stencils I use for fabric decoration and this will give them something else to do. And since I”m a sucker for colored glass, this is perfect for some lantern ideas that I have. Thanks for posting this!
These colored mason jars (with my own twist)would be perfect for Valentine treats that I love to hand out…usually fudge! I’d probably place them in a tiny ziplock bag. Then the recipient would have a snack and something to keep! Thanks!
Fun and easy!! I may do this on the outside to add some spark to my jars. Its a great idea. I have a clear vase im useing for a scrubber holder but you can see leftover soap real well. a little color would hide that.
WOW – didn’t know it would dry clear! very helpful tip.
Loved this n so easy!
So cute!
These are so very pretty
Can you apply a napkin and mod podge over the colored jar?
Yes Kathy, but you want to make sure the color is on the inside of the jar rather than the outside. You don’t want to reactivate the Mod Podge already on the jar with more Mod Podge (although you could be very gentle and try it that way).
Would this work the sameone the outside of the glass? I have some glass mugs I want to color but I want the handle, steam and back to match.
I would recommend doing this with permanent glass paint if you are doing it on the outside. Because with glass mugs the Mod Podge will just wash off, unless you use Dishwasher Safe, and I think it would be more streaky to mix with food coloring than to just use a glass paint.
i tried this and they came out of the oven with a ton of bubbles. i can’t seem to fix it either. when i let them air dry they are fine.
Hi Christi! Since every oven is different, it’s hard to troubleshoot your particular case. I will say just let them air dry if that works for you! It sounds like the oven might be either heating up too fast or getting too hot (sometimes the indicator isn’t correct on ovens as I know from baking). Not the fault of your oven, you’ll just have to work around for this project. Thanks!
Can you use acrylic paint in place of food coloring? I don’t have food coloring…
Yes! You don’t want to use much though because it’s less transparent. Just a few drops to color it. ANd it will obscure the glass more than food coloring (but I still think you’ll like it).
Can I tint glass jars that I’m going to store olive oils and vinegars in?
You can – but you would want to paint the outside! You don’t want it to be in contact with the fluids.
What color (s) did you use to create the amber color?
4 drops red, 4 drops yellow, and 1 drop blue food coloring per 1 T of Mod Podge. You can add a little bit of water to thin it for pouring.
@Jeanne Peters, I use a few Tbls of Modge podge with 4 drops of brown, 1 red and 1 green . It makes the real amber color, not the orangey Halloween kind.
The color fades/disappears if the jars are in direct sunlight… I colored a bunch and put solar lids with lights inside and put them outside in the garden. All lost the color…
Hi MPC! Yes, acrylic products will fade in the direct sunlight without UV protection. It’s like a framed poster that hangs on the wall in direct sunlight and if it doesn’t have UV glass, it will fade too. The Outdoor formula features a UV protection.
I love this craft! Any suggestions for tracing the design on the outside of a glass lamp or bottle? There isn’t a way to tape design inside.
Sorry if someone has asked already. Are these safe for candles? Like if I did a glass votive and then put a tea light inside would the Mod Podge burn/ come off the inside?
If you put the Mod Podge inside, use an LED tealight. You can get them at the dollar store. It’s non-flammable but it will melt.
does this work the same and would it be safe to use alcohol ink/dyes? i have alcohol dyes that i use for resin making and i want to use them for the jars but want to make sure it’s still okay
Yep! Alcohol inks would work great!
If my mod podge is this would you recommend watering it down a drop to be able to swirl it more easily?
You can add a tiny bit of water but the Mod Podge swirls around by itself okay usually!
Can I put food in the jar? Can it be washed?
Hi Brenda! It’s not food safe, so no, it would have to be wrapped food. But they are great for candies and other wrapped foods for the holidays!
Hey I am trying to do a large wine bottle but on one I can’t get the modge podge /food coloring mix to dry . I have read a lot of these sites say wash the bottle with soap and water or alcohol. I didn’t use rubbing alcohol. Could this be why I am having problems? I thought since it had wine im it , it would be ok. I had it soaking in a bucket of soap & water to get the label off before trying the mix to stain it so I thought it would be clean enough. Appreciate any advice. Thank you!
Hi Lora! Are you talking about on the inside or outside? If it’s on the outside, the Mod Podge will eventually dry. If it’s on the inside, then you probably have a thinner mouth to the bottle and air isn’t getting into the bottle to dry. Try putting it into the oven at the lowest temp and watch it – it will start drying. Make sure you kept the bottle turned over too – to get the excess out.
Not using rubbing alcohol isn’t your problem – soap and water is fine. The Mod Podge just needs air to dry. If it’s not, it’s either too thick or it’s not getting enough air. The oven will help!
Does anyone happen to have a guide/cheat sheet that tells you how many drops of each color (red, yellow, green or blue) to mix with the modpodge to reach a desired shade of a color… such as a asparagus green or a light chocolate brown? TYI!
Hi Paula! If you search food coloring mixing chart you can find some that are used for food but I’d use the same amount of drops for your Mod Podge!
Amy, what am I doing wrong? My jar has streaks and still some white places of mod podge
Hard to say! Come join our Facebook group and provide more detail and images: https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftywithmodpodge
I was wondering what type of paint you could use, rather than food coloring. Was food coloring used for a specific reason?
You can use acrylic paint too but the more you add, the more the Mod Podge loses its transparency. The food coloring keeps the transparency 🙂
I’m having problems with bubbles when I’m using modge podge, food coloring for stain glass. I’m using a toothpick to spread, but still getting bubbles and they won’t come out.
Any suggestions?
Hi Ladonna! Hmmm – it’s probably a good idea to join our FB group if you can: https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftywithmodpodge
I’m not sure what the problem could be. You can leave after you ask the question!
I want to do this to Madonna jars and then add solar fairy lights. Will they stand up to the heat from being outside in the hot Florida sun, or will it melt.
Rewrite, I plan on using on mason jars with fairy solar lights. Will the modge podge melt in the hot Florida sun?
We made these im amber and purpley pink for my wedding and they looked lovely. Unfortunately they got totally messed up in the July sun. They looked all milky again and the colours totally changed. The ambers went a neon greenish/yellow.
Just a warning to anyone else plans to do the same as us!
Hi Mash! Yes you would have to use Mod Podge Outdoor with UV protection – or something else with UV protection! Mod Podge doesn’t have it with the exception of that one formula.
Jars came out great until I added water after they dried and the jars became cloudy. Jars were heated at 200 degrees for 90 minutes, and the water was added several hours later. Any suggestions?
Hi Bryan! Did you add water to the interior of the jars and dye the interior of the jars? If you’re going to add water, you have to put the Mod Podge on the outside, or add a separate vase to make it a double hurricane: https://betweennapsontheporch.net/pottery-barn-knock-off-double-bowl-hurricane-easter-tulip-centerpiece/
Any acrylic product is going to be activated with water sitting on it!
What color do you use to get the amber color
Can I do this to a glass lamp shade
Yes you can, though I’d check how hot the glass gets. You might want to use an LED bulb with it if the glass is getting really (Mod Podge is not flammable but you don’t want it bubbling or melting off).
Hi Amy,
I am trying to look forward to my first jar(s) for Christmas items within my online store. Want to have a snow affect on inside of jar and stickers on outside. Do I remove the glue on outside of jar as they are Christmas decorations and variety of winter/ Christmas decor? Would like to use food coloring on inside of jars, and then have a crystal look of snow with Decoupage on outside. My hopes are that small chains of clear christmas lights are on inside. Is all of this possible and am I on the correct path? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Newbie here and hoping for the best!
Sincerely,
Pam
Hi I am looking to see if it is possible to use this on my bathroom glass vanity light shades. They are plain frosted glass that I would like to color for a updated look, but still keep the transparency? So was wondering if this food color/mod podge method could be painted on the outside portion of the shade. And how would the shades be cleaned after they cure dry? Just wipe with a damp cloth? I have never worked with this product before, but I am intrigued. Thank you in advance for any suggestions/advice you can provide!
Hi!
I just used acrylic paint and mod podge and painted the outside of a cake stand. I let it dry, not for 24 hours but it was dry. I then put it in the oven and turned the oven on to 350 and left it in there for 34 minutes. Then I turned the oven off and let it cool. It did not stain the glass. What did I do wrong?!
Hi, I am wondering if I can modpodge a poster to the back of a glass oven backsplash? I have a large poster made from a painting my son did. Can I modpodge it to a clear glass oven backsplash? Would I need to coat it with anything due to the heat? I’m afraid that I will ruin both the backsplash and the poster. Any suggestions and help are greatly appreciated.