DIY Spice Jar Labels

It might seem a little strange that even though I don’t have a working kitchen (or even really the hope of having a working kitchen anytime soon) I just had to do something about my spice rack situation. And technically it’s less of a “rack” and more of  a “bunch of stuff in a box or maybe on a pantry shelf” which looked kind of like this. DSC_1191 I actually really liked the glass bottles with corks when I got them years ago, but the corks make horrible lids, and the labels I hand wrote for most of them were either crappy or gone. The rest of the spices were in mismatched jars or containers, and the whole thing was basically one big mess. I’m the kind of person who likes to have things I use often out in the open, and this just wasn’t going to do. Luckily I stumbled on some inexpensive clamp-top glass jars at Crate & Barrel (12 for $15) and instead of putting it off any longer I bought some jars, made some labels, and ended up with this… DSC_1180 A slight improvement, right? For the labels, I started with a little inspiration from this pin on Pinterest. I wanted the labels to be useful and a little funny. The garlic label, if you can’t read it, says:

GARLIC

Use with wild abandon in sauces,

meats, marinades, or mixed with

butter for bread or pasta.

A LOT OF FLAVOR

Treats infection, keeps vampires

and kissers at bay.

  You can see I included culinary uses as well as “traditional medicine” uses. You know, just in case the zombie apocalypse happens and I can’t get my hands on any Tums. I did my research and laid the labels out in InDesign… labels_layout I wanted to print them on brown Kraft paper, and I found a roll (in the style of wrapping paper) that had some interesting texture, however it was a little too curly to run through the printer. I cut it down to 8.5×11 size, and about five minutes after I stuck it under a heavy book to flatten I ran out of patience, then remembered this long forgotten “tool” I owned. In the laundry room. DSC_1173 Yeah. That’s right. I haven’t ironed a shirt in over a year, but I’ll be dammed if I didn’t bust the clothes iron out to flatten my kraft paper for spice jar labels. Probably I need to reexamine my priorities… uh, later. The iron-on-low trick did work to get the paper flat enough to run through my printer, and after some trimming I had these: DSC_1189 The real question I had when planning this out was how on earth to stick the paper to the jars. I actually looked for “sticker paper” which is what they use for beer labels and such, but I couldn’t find it at my local craft store. What I did find was this thing… DSC_1167 A sticker maker! (And somewhere deep deep inside, my five year old sticker-collecting self gives a squeal of joy.) This one was $12 at Michael’s and I used a coupon which brought it down to something like $8. They have different sizes but this one will make stickers up to 1.5″ wide which was perfect. Just put the paper in the top and pull the “sticker” on the bring it through. DSC_1168 A little rubbing… DSC_1169 And a DIY spice jar label is born! DSC_1170 DSC_1171 The printing did bleed a little bit in some places, but overall I’m really happy with the way they turned out. (Also you can see my “cropping” skills suck, which is probably why people shouldn’t use paper cutters after midnight, but I think it adds to their rustic charm. Or something.) DSC_1177 Now I just have to fill all the jars up. And then find myself a kitchen to cook something in. (Update: I found one.) UPDATE (May 2013): These labels, bless their spicy little hearts, have become quite the internet sensation. I’m thinking about getting them their own agent (one of the Nuggets might be up for the job) in the meantime, I’ve provided two downloadable files below, if you’d like to make your own version of these spice jars.

  • Printable PDF – Almost any person with a computer should be able to view and print this, but it is not editable.
  • Adobe InDesign File – If you have Adobe InDesign and want to edit or make your own labels, you can download this file. (InDesign is not a cheap program and it doesn’t come automatically installed on a computer– it is not Adobe Acrobat or another PDF reader– so if you are not familiar with it, you probably won’t be able to edit this file.)

So, here’s the deal. I’m totally happy to put these out there so that you can use them… I just can’t provide any type of technology, software, or design support for the files. Because, you know, a girl running a farm by herself can’t spend all her time on the computer. I mean, somebody needs to hug the donkeys.) Even though I can’t personally email the files to everyone who asks I hope at least the pictures in this post provide some inspiration for you to create your own!

174 Responses

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  8. Love these labels. I need a few different ones so will try the Adobe inlaid and see if I can do it. Thanks for sharing these.

  9. Hi: Thanks for sharing your fab spice label story! I’m now convinced I can do my own for my candles!!! Luv Luv your share! Inspired DIYer Robin

  10. Hi Kit,
    I know that you are very busy, but I am wondering if I could hire you to make the spice labels. I cannot download them. I am a dance teacher here in Kentucky, have two children and a husband! We are moving Thursday. This really doesn’t have anything to do with spice jars. Just thought you would be more likely to help if you knew a little bit about me!
    Thanks,
    Julie

    1. I updated the link to the PDF Julie… see if that works for you. I can’t “make” anything else (two jobs myself, and a farm to take care of) but hopefully they will print for you. Good luck with the move!

      1. I love these… If you have created anyone could you please send them to me. I am trying to get some organization on my pantry and spices. I would be happy with anything you could send me to print. Thank you for being so creative and sharing.

  11. Just came across these fun labels after spending too much time as well redoing my spice jars. I used the plain glass jars (.99) at World Market with white screw lid. I do like the clamp better.

    I found some other great labels I applied to tops of jars as I have mine in a pull out cabinet. These round labels have a color picture of spice top half then the name bottom half. Very nice. I actually used a new ‘Modge Podge’ (from Micheals) that is dishwasher safe!
    It glues the image down then a top coat dries clear and seals the image. Worked very well however the sticker making devise also a great idea! Thanks for sharing! Margaret in Durham, NC

    1. Margaret; thanks so much for the modge podge hint. I have the small round clamp jars from World Market but the labeling process has been a trial. As an extra idea, those small round clamp jars fit perfectly in an upright holder for K cups which I found at Wal-Mart.Thanks for sharing! Carole from Tampa

  12. This is a great idea, I’ve got so many spices overflowing in the cupboard and a little mixing around with them has left me with an endless supply of ‘guess the spice’! Will be giving this a go for sure.

  13. I know this is a lot to ask but could you email me to file it will don’t open from the link provided about. thank you so much

  14. Such a great idea! We’re a family who loves our spices, though it’d be great if we could have some beautiful uniform bottles for ours… and also a guide of what foods to put them in. Let’s just say one member of our family likes to experiment, lol!

  15. Hey! This is a fantastic post, me and my wife have been trying to figure out a way to make labels very similar to this. Would you be willing to shoot this file to me for our own pantry? I would greatly appreciate the help!

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  17. Hi
    I have been hunting for months for the right blend of functional and beautiful labels and I have found them right here. I made up the labels that you had listed last weekend and what a fantastic result. It worked perfectly.
    There are some labels that I would like to make for some other items that I have. Can you send me the editable file so that I don’t have to take up your valuable time. If not I do have a list.
    Thank you so much
    Nick

  18. I thint your labels are awsome can you please send me a download for your labels.
    Thank you
    Sergio

  19. What font are you using and is possible to get the little pieces of clip art. These are so cute! Thanks!

  20. These are wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing them! I actually used them twice – one print for the container that I grew them (and continue to grow)in and one for the spice jar! I sealed them with clear packaging tape to prevent damage and fading. Thanks again!!!

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  22. is there any way you can add parsley and a few more that people actually use? I love this and can not edit but i do not and never hear of DILL…CLOVE..COriander…ginger..maybe cahnge those and add some that is most common. I cant seem to figure this out and change them so i can use them, and send it to me? Thanks to your lovelly idea i found an antique spice rack and making these now

  23. This izzz perfect!
    (and believe me, I’ve been tinkering and fidgeting a lot)

    Thanks a lot for sharing and my friendliest regards to the donkeys and chickens and all..

  24. Thank you so much for this beautiful labor of love! I was looking for some nicer labels for my recycled jam jars, aka my new spice jars and of course free. So glad I found yours. You should definitely charge for them, I mean you are so generous giving them for free. LOVE them!

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  26. These are so stinkin cute! I am making flavored salts for Xmas and was hoping you had a Salt label. Unfortunately, only a Pepper label.

  27. These are amazing, you are so INSPIRING. They are going to look great on our anniversary spice rack. Thank you soon much for sharing! I was able to utilize your template and make a few more spice labels. Not sure if others may be able to utilize them with the link below.

    Thanks again,
    Liz B.

    1. file:///Users/Princess/Downloads/spicelables/221bb458-a06a-11ea-8b25-0cc47a792c0a_id_221bb458-a06a-11ea-8b25-0cc47a792c0a.html

      1. Hi Lisa,
        I tried to open the link for the additional labels you made but nothing came up. Could you share again?

  28. I have come across these today. Downloaded so will have a play. Thank you!

  29. Thank you so much for this free download. A special lady grows her own herbs and she will love these labels~they are beautiful!

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