Free Printable Paint Labels to Organize Leftover Paint Cans
As Iām sure most households have stashed away somewhere, we had a shameful stack of half-used, dripping, leftover paint cans in our makeshift workshop area. Theyāve been project-by-project shoved into the bar cart we now use as a miter saw table in our enclosed porch where most of our wood cutting, staining and painting happens for woodworking projects. Weāve got a solution: printable paint labels.
It was not a good look.
The previous owner of our house painted each room a different, bold color. Living room, navy; dining room, deep purple; kitchen, beige; mudroom, bright blue; guest room, teal; bathroom, yellow; and the list goes on.
Soooo… are you struggling to organize and leftover paint cans cluttering your home like us? Transform your storage with free printable paint labels! These DIY labels simplify the process of keeping track of colors and projects, giving your space a clean, functional, and visually pleasing upgrade.
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Why Organize Leftover Paint Cans?
Weāre trying room-by-room to make the house a more neutral,Ā cohesive palette, but with that comes even more paint tins added to the dozen she left behind, some of which were so rusted and worn we didnāt even know what the original color name was.
Leftover paint cans are often messy, hard to access, and difficult to identify when you need a specific color for a touch-up or new project. Organizing your paint storage:
- Saves time by making colors easy to locate.
- Prevents spills and damage from improperly sealed cans.
- Maximizes space with airtight, compact jars.
But, much to Alexās delight because heās asked me to organize that area at least 15,000 times, itās now functional, easy to access and nice to look at with the help of these labels I whipped up and a few glass jars for a grand total of $15.
The Solution: Free Printable Paint Labels
The mason jar situation makes So. Much. More. Space. and I think itāll actually motivate us to touch up the little pen dashes weāve made on the walls who-knows-how-many times while trying to get our measurements right for shelves or wall hangings.
These free printable paint labels are designed to help you organize both room-specific paint colors and project-based leftovers. With clear labels, youāll never again wonder which can matches your living room walls or your last DIY project.
I also used my out-of-character burst of energy to clear out the tins weāre never going to use (looking at you, weird bright red we canāt find used anywhere in the house). I also had to keep a couple of drippy tins, like the almost-full ceiling paint tin and the wood stains, but overall itās a huge difference.
How to Use Printable Paint Labels
Follow these simple steps to organize your paint storage:
- Gather Materials (see the list below).
- Pour Paint into Airtight Jars: Use a funnel to transfer paint for easy pouring and mess reduction.
- Label Your Jars: Write the color name, room or project, and any additional details like brand or finish.
- Store Safely: Place jars in a dry, accessible area for future use.
What You’ll Need
- Free printable paint labels (download below).
- Label paper or adhesive printer sheets.
- Permanent marker.
- Airtight glass jars (e.g., 16 oz mason jars).
- Scissors and a funnel for easy paint transfer.
- Pro Tip: Choose jars with flat sides for easier label application.
And there you go ā functional, space-saving and, most importantly, pretty to look at!
Tips for Organizing Paint Cans
- Declutter First: Discard old, unusable paint or colors you wonāt use.
- Group by Use: Organize jars by room, color family, or project type.
- Keep Track of Shelf Life: Paint in airtight jars lasts longer than in rusty, half-used cans. Label the date to monitor freshness.
Download Your Free Printable Paint Labels
Click below to download the free labels tailored to your needs:
FAQ: Organizing Leftover Paint Cans
What type of jars are best for storing leftover paint?
Airtight glass jars, such as mason jars, are ideal for preserving paint quality and preventing spills.
How long does leftover paint last in airtight jars?
Paint can last for several years if stored in a cool, dry place and sealed properly.
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