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 and works best with glass.
- Will the color stay? → Yep! The color holds strong. Be careful about putting them in windows though, with bright sun. Regular Mod Podge isn’t UV resistant (the Outdoor formula is).
- 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
Video
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:
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.
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.
Gotta try this! Thanks for sharing! 😀
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!
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
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.
Didn’t know this. Now my brain is in a creative spin!
Never even thought of doing this! Cool:)
http://www.rockpaperscissorscreate.blogspot.com
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.
What a great idea!