DIY: Pet Food Storage Containers + Labels

Do you have pets? I have a dog and two cats. I like to keep their pet food organized as much as I can and am always drawn to the pet food storage containers that they sell in high end catalogs, but don’t like the price tag.  With some thought, I figured out a way to make my own version of cat and dog food containers using popcorn tins that you can buy at Costco or at yard sales.

Free Printable Pet Food Storage Container Labels

If you have Silhouette vinyl cutting machine then you can make vinyl cutouts to look exactly like the Ballard Designs cans. Most readers do not have a vinyl cutting machines, so I made my labels on my computer and a two free printables for you to download so you can make your own

How to Make Pet Food Storage Containers Using Popcorn Tins

I could have painted the tins I found, but they had a few dents, so I decided to cover them with paper.

supplies needed:

• Large tin can
• Decorative Paper – kraft paper, gift wrap or wallpaper – I found my gift wrap at Walmart
• Spray Adhesive
• Straight edge
• Kraft knife or scissors
• Black spray paint
• Clear contact paper
• Free printable cat and dog labels – download below
• 2 brass fasteners
• Optional: Self laminating sheets

Download free printable DOG and CAT food labels:

DOG and CAT food container labels

How to Make Pet Food Storage Containers With Free Printable Labels

1. Spray paint the container tin lid using gloss black. Set aside.

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2.  Print out Dog/Cat labels (link above)

3. Trim around design as shown above.

Optional: Center the label on a piece of gift wrap and cut gift wrap about a 1/2-inch larger all around than your cut-out label. 

4. Laminate your label by using laminating sheets that you can buy at Walmart or sandwich the label between a front and back piece of contact paper. Leave about 1/4- inch of contact paper all around the label. The two dots on the design are where the brass fasteners will go.  Set aside.

5. Measure your can height and circumference and cut your paper slightly larger than those measurements. You can cut away the excess later.  I used a straight edge to make sure my cuts where straight.

6. Don’t cover the top section of the can where the lid will cover it. Apply spray adhesive to the can, let it get tacky and cover the can. Smooth paper with your hands as you cover the can.

7. I wanted an easy way to keep the cans clean, so I covered the paper with clear contact paper. If you have excess paper around the bottom of the can once it is covered -use a kraft knife to remove it by cutting around the bottom rim.  This will give you the perfect straight line along the bottom.

8.  The lid will go on easily.

9. Use an awl to make a hole where you want to place the label. Repeat on the other side of the label. TIP:  So you don’t bend the can, hold one hand inside the can to push against your other hand that is making the hole on the outside.  If you do it this way – you provide some resistance and the can won’t bend.

10. Place the label on can and then attach by pushing a brass fastener through each hole.

11.  Push the brass fastener all the way in.

112. Spread the ends of the brass fastener to secure.

Finished DIY Pet Food Storage Containers

Now the beat up cans are just as pretty as the per food container tins the high end catalogs, plus they can be wiped clean since I covered them with clear contact paper. I found the big white scoop at Walmart.

• Looking for more FREE PRINTABLES? Click over to my—-> Printable Gallery.