How to Paint a Champagne Bottle (Updated with You Tube Shorts!)

The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Painting a Champagne Bottle

Welcome! (UPDATE: I’ve noticed this is my most-read blog post. If you have questions about bottle painting that I don’t address here, will you contact me or leave your question in the comments? I am considering making an instructional video since so many people are searching for how to paint a champagne bottle. I hope to be helpful to you.)

Hand painting and personalizing a bottle of champagne adds a unique touch to any special occasion. Whether it's a wedding, anniversary, graduation or birthday celebration, a customized champagne bottle makes for a memorable gift or centerpiece. In this guide, I will take you through the step-by-step process of creating your own personalized champagne bottle.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials:

• A bottle of champagne
• Acrylic or glass paint 
• Gesso
• Paintbrushes, including sponge brushes and very fine-tipped brushes
• Artist tape or masking tape
• Seamstress tape (optional)

 Step 1: Plan Your Design

Decide on the design you want to paint on the bottle. Think of the recipient or the occasion.  You can choose to paint a monogram, create a pattern, or paint a picture. Is it a graduation for a pre-med student?  Perhaps paint the graduate’s monogram within a stethoscope.  I did this once!  Is it a wedding?  Perhaps some wedding bells and the church or synagogue on the back of the bottle would be lovely! 

Step 2: Clean the Bottle 

Start by cleaning the bottle thoroughly to remove any dirt or residue with a microfiber cloth.

Step 3: Tape over the Labels 

Use artist’s tape or masking tape to tape over the labels on the front, back and top of the bottle of champagne.  You will have to cover it precisely.  This part may give you a bit of anxiety, but go slowly, be patient with yourself and enjoy the process.  If you are very confident in your painting skills you could skip this step, but taping over the labels ensures you do not accidentally ruin the labels with paint.  You can measure the label with a seamstress tape or you can lay the tape on and mark the tape with pencil.    

You Tube Demo Here.

Step 4: Gesso the entire bottle 

Gesso is an acrylic medium that will act as a foundation for your paint.  Use a sponge brush to cover the entire bottle of champagne with gesso.  I usually end up doing about three coats because I like a very solid opaque white surface.  Allow the gesso to dry between coats.  You do not want it to get goopy.  Don’t worry if it is brush-strokey at first.  Your next coats of gesso will even that out. The key is patience and allowing it to dry completely.  If you don’t have gesso, you can use white acrylic paint.  

You Tube Short Here.

Step 5: Paint the Design

Here is the fun part!  Using your acrylic or glass paint, carefully paint your design onto the bottle. Take your time and use thin, even strokes. If you make a mistake, don't worry! Allow the paint to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

You Tube Short Here.

Step 6: Present Your Personalized Champagne Bottle

Once the paint is completely dry, your personalized champagne bottle is ready to be gifted. Wrap it in a beautiful gift box or display it as a centerpiece at your event. Your guests will be impressed by the thought and effort you put into creating such a unique and personalized gift.

XOXO,

Anne

P.S. Wondering if you can fly with a champagne bottle? See my blog post "Can You Fly With a Champagne Bottle?"

P.P.S. If this guide was helpful please let me know. Do you have more questions?  Is there anything else I can answer for you or help you with? Send me a note in the contact form!