Trader Joe’s Coffee Can Mod Podge Art

If you’re familiar with Trader Joe’s then you know they have a very colorful coffee display goin on. Every can is a piece of art and it makes you want to buy them all! We’ve been saving the coffee cans for many weeks and I’ve been wondering what to do with them and today we decided to break out the Mod Podge to create a piece of art from one of the coffee cans.

Our guest bathroom has a tropical/nature theme goin on so we thought the can with the toucan art would be perfect for that room. We had a piece of wood destined to have air plants mounted to it and instead, used it to Mod Podge the art to the wood.

Remove Label from Trader Joe’s Can

The coffee cans are cardboard so we used a box cutter to cut off the metal rim and metal base.

Then used scissors to cut the coffee can right down the middle of the back side of the can.

The label was only glued in a few spots on one side of the coffee can so we used an X-acto knife to slice it off the side off the can. Once you do this, the label comes right off.

Recycle the scraps from your coffee can!

Update: Okay duh! I realized I could have just sliced the back of the label with an X-acto knife and then sliced the label away from the glue and skipped cutting the rim and bottom off the can off. That was unnecessary and I was over-thinking it….ooopsy!

Size Trader Joe’s Label to Fit Wood

We placed the wood over the part of the label we wanted to cut out, then traced the shape of the wood onto the label, then cut it out with scissors. When cutting the label, we cut slightly smaller than the piece of wood.

Mod Podge Your Trader Joe’s Label

Using a foam brush, we put down a layer of Mod Podge on the wood then placed the label on a little at a time to make sure we didn’t trap air underneath. Let that dry for about 15 minutes.

I used a black paint marker to make a thin border on all 4 sides and also on the edges of the wood.

We did about 5 or so top coats over the coffee label (and edges) with 15-20 minutes drying time between each coat.

We used a matte finish but you can choose the finish you prefer. The back of the label has some helpful info so don’t forget to read it….. grab you glasses or a magnifying glass!

We drilled a couple holes in the corners and tied on some twine for hanging. Or attach some hardware on the back and hang it up and you’ll have cool Trader Joe’s art!

I’m not sure I like the twine but until I dig up something better, it’ll do.

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