Decoupage anyone?

[stuartf]

I've been thinking about putting some artwork up in my garage to give me something other than bricks to stare at while brewing. Since I can't paint I hit upon the idea of using the labels from various beers I've tried to make a decoupage (stick the labels to a board and cover with glue to seal them). My question I suppose is does anyone have a good method for getting labels off bottles without damaging them?

 

[manticle]

Does depend a lot on the label/adhesive.

Various methods work for some, not all.

Try soaking 24-48 hours in water (demineralised would be best).

Also soaking in milk can work - then you may want to resoak in demineralised.

While the label is damp, it will be brittle so try and support the whole thing to lift it from liquid.

It will also likely dry cockled unless under weight but under weight with nothing absorbent adjacent, it won't dry at all. If directly adjacent to something absorbent, it may stick as it dries so: absorbent layer followed by non absorbent, permeable barrier layer on bottom then label, repeat reverse on top.

Or just take chances with each depending on rarity.

Decoupage is for bored, french aristocratic ladies from 1792 but I 've always wanted to be one of them too.

Bucket list.

 

[stuartf]

So you're saying I should learn French too?

 

[manticle]

Peut etre. Si vous voulez

 

[stuartf]

Nah still struggling to learn spanish

 

[manticle]

At a pinch, you could get away with drinking wine and eating cheese instead.

 

[stuartf]

Ok sounds like a good compromise

 

[Beersuit]

I made a mate a beer label coffee table. I just peeled gently and used a sharp blade.
I didn't want to have the hassle of getting them to dry straight without the effort Manticle listed above.
He still uses it to this day.

 

[manticle]

Alternatively I could sell you a drawing of a dead mouse.

Suits some breweries.

 

[stuartf]

Like this?

 

[manticle]

A bit.
Minus the child, blood and colour.

 

[Mardoo]

Something tells me Dead Mouse Brewing might run into some trademark issues…among others…

 

[koolkuna]

Yeah fill the bottle with hot water after a few minutes the adhesive softens and the label peals of beautifully