Three Ways to "Un-Altoids" a Tin: Hammering, Decoupage, and Polymer Clay

Altered Altoids Tins

Removing "Altoids" from an Altoids Tin

When altering an Altoids tin, makers generally begin by thinking about the inside, what the tin will hold, or its new purpose. Once its purpose is determined, however, the maker should also consider the outside of the tin; specifically, how the outside will give hints about that purpose or have some meaningful connection to its inside. Because the inside assuredly will no longer hold Altoids mints, most makers do not want to see "Altoids" on the lid or ingredients and nutritional information on the bottom unless it's part of a meaningful artistic juxtaposition, a clever camouflage, or when the inside is meant to be hidden or a surprise.

Remove the paint easily with flame and steel wool.

Removing the Exterior Paint and Labeling

The first step in removing "Altoids" is to remove the paint and labeling. For each of these examples, I removed the paint by setting the tins in hot coals in the fire pit for about 20 minutes, removing them with tongs, letting them cool, and scrubbing them with steel wool.

Polymer Clay, Hand-Hammering, and Decoupage Covered Tins

Covering a Tin with Polymer Clay

If a maker has polymer clay on hand, covering the tin is fairly simple and makes little to no mess. The polymer clay is rolled to 1/8" thickness and rolled onto the lid and its edges. This thickness completely hides the embossed "Altoids" lid.

Excess polymer clay can be cut away with a razor-blade before hardening in the oven, and it can be sanded after hardening and cooling. Some polymer clays will take paint or stain.

Additionally, as long as the maker carefully trims around the hinges, the tin will still open and close when the process is completed. The tin in the image will be used for seed storage, as the lid now clearly indicates, so it's important that it opens.

Hand-Hammered Altoids Tin

Another straightforward method for removing the embossed "Altoids" name from the lid of the tin is for the maker to hammer it out using a ball peen hammer. Either a 4 oz or an 8 oz hammer will do, as long as the peen is well-rounded. A peen with an edge or point will work, but it's much more difficult to make sure the tin isn't damaged.

The maker should remove the lid of the tin, and place newspaper or rags underneath it before hammering. Working on the center, first, then working to the edges will create a rounded lid. It takes several strikes to hammer out the lid, but occasionally placing the lid back onto the tin will ensure it doesn't get hammered out of shape. 

The tin in the image was painted with a metallic copper paint and lightly distressed after hammering. "Altoids" is still slightly visible, but the obviously distressed aesthetic allows for it. 

Decoupage Altoids Tin

Lastly, Altoids tins can be covered using decoupage. This is by far the messiest option and requires more supplies than either the polymer clay or hand-hammering methods. This method also requires an artistic eye. 

When done well, decoupage covers the lid entirely and helps establish a mood or style for whatever appears on the inside of the tin. Paper, cloth, leaves, and other thin ephemera make excellent coverings. 

In this case, a glossy dimensional resin was used over black cotton cloth and household findings. The tin will be used as a antiqued, small memorial shrine, so the items are quite personalized.

Using polymer clay, hand-hammering, or using decoupage techniques are all methods for hiding or removing the Altoids label from the lid of a tin before reusing. Each method has its pros and cons, from level of mess to level of coverage, but each also allows for the tin to become a very personal expression. Each method allows for the creation of a meaningful aesthetic.

Want to read more about Arts and Crafts? Try

Punch Needle Embroidery Supplies for Beginners
Point of View and Emotion
Crochet Christmas Tree Ornaments



Copyright Amy Lynn Hess. Please contact the author for permission to republish.