6 Best Paint Containers for Painting Classes

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I love being an artist, and I particularly love being able to teach others what I have learned over the years. This is why I host paint and sip parties (plus the extra income doesn’t hurt either).

There are so many supplies needed for a successful paint and sip party, so I always have a checklist to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything if parties aren’t being held at my studio, where I already have everything set up.

Always on my checklist are paint containers. They are necessary for transporting the paint safely if you aren’t using tubes of paint, and the paint party guests often need them for the paints they will be using at the painting party.

Today we are going to take a look at some of the most common, and a few oddball paint containers that are perfect for paint and sip parties. 

Keep reading to learn more.

Why Should You Use Paint Containers at Paint and Sip Parties?

Art supplies can be quite costly. Even cheap sets of acrylic paints can add up after a while, especially if you host or teach a lot of painting classes at paint and sip parties.

I have found that most beginners tend to squeeze out way too much paint than what they will need. This is just a waste of good paint and good money, as far as I’m concerned.

My preference is to give each painter a few paint containers. Then, I squeeze in the amount of paint they will likely need. If they do end up needing more, I can always squeeze more in later.

This will help to keep your costs down because there will be little to no wasted paint.

Another good reason to use paint containers is that it helps to cut down on messes.

#1. Plastic Jars

Go to any craft supply store, and you will find plenty of plastic paint jars that have snap-on or screw-on lids. You can usually also find them at dollar stores, and they will cost a lot less.

You have probably seen many crafters use these containers for holding beads and other tiny items. They are also perfect for paint.

#2. Spill-Proof Paint Cups

I always like to check the children’s craft supplies sections of stores to find inexpensive paint cups. For example, I like the plastic cups that are designed for children, because they are spill-proof.

These cups will hold 12 ounces of paint or other liquids. There is a hole in each lid, which can be easily opened for dipping paint brushes, whether you are dipping them into water or paint.

Many of these spill-proof cups come with two lids. One snaps on so you can transport unused paints without worrying about spilling anything. The other is the funnel top, which screws on. This is the top that has the opening for a paintbrush.

#3. Double Dip Paint Cups

I love double-dip paint cups because using these means I don’t have to spend as much time dumping out water cups each time I change paint colors.

A double-dip paint cup has a divider down the middle. The lid usually has two holes, one to go over each side of the cup.

You can fill both sides with water, and use two different brushes. So, let’s say you are working with red and blue. 

You can clean red paint from your brush on one side of the cup, and clean the brush with the blue paint on the other side.

#4. Plastic Pill Containers

Have you ever seen those seven or 14-day pill containers? They have several sections, and each section has a snap-tight cover.

These make ideal paint containers when you only need a small amount of certain colors. If there is any paint left over at the end of the painting party, simply close the lid and the paint will stay fresh until you need to use it again.

I also love these containers for mixing watercolors. 

#5. Baby Food Jars

If you are a mother of an infant or know someone who is, you can save a lot of money on paint containers by using old baby food jars. 

They are just the right size for holding small amounts of paint, and they will hold more than enough for paint party guests to complete their paintings.

One of the things I like the most about using baby food jars is that you can fill them about halfway with paint, and you don’t have to worry about a lot of spills.

These jars are made of glass, so they are heavy and will stay in place while you are using them. A bonus is that you don’t have to spend any money, because you already have these perfect paint containers.

#6. Red Solo Cups

While there are no covers so they can’t be used for storing paint, I often use red solo cups or other disposable cups as paint and water cups. They are lightweight, making them easy to travel with and to store.

These cups can be found at dollar stores for less than $2 per package of 50 or more. So, you can buy one package and have it for a couple of painting parties.

The only drawback to using disposable cups is that they are lightweight. This means that they are pretty easy to knock over, and then there will be a mess to clean up.

#7. Small Drinking Glasses

There may be times when you don’t have actual paint cups. In the worst-case scenarios, I have suggested using small drinking glasses.

As with the disposable cups, there won’t be any covers, so you have to use up all of the paint or let it dry out, which is a waste of money.

One good thing about using drinking glasses is that you can wash the acrylic paint off the glass. So, they can go back into your cupboard and be used for drinking after a painting party.

Conclusion

As you can see, you can use pretty much anything as a paint jar or cup and a water cup. If you don’t want to spend money on cups, there are always items around your home that can be used. You can use paint buckets and trays as well as other paint storage options.

My preference is usually baby food jars. I have a few friends with babies, so it never costs me anything to get all the jars I need. Right now I probably have at least 200 of these jars floating around.

Whether you are using baby food jars or other containers, I do suggest using containers that have snap-on or screw-on lids. That way, any leftover paint will stay fresh and can be reused at a later date.

*image by [email protected]/depositphotos