Poison Bottle Labels Ephemera Sheets
In This Post:
Free printable vintage poison bottle labels based on authentic 19th-century designs.
Includes historical poison names + blank labels you can customize.
Perfect for junk journals, art journals, Halloween crafts, ATCs, scrapbooking, and mixed media.
Available in JPG + PDF formats for easy printing.
Free to use for personal and commercial creative projects (no redistribution of files or printouts of them “as-is”).
Free Vintage Poison Bottle Labels
These free printable poison bottle labels were recreated from authentic 19th-century apothecary and printers’ specimen books. Some carry chilling references to actual poisons used during that period, while others are intentionally left blank for you to personalize, whether you want to label real creative projects or symbolically tag your own “poisons” like Self-Doubt, Fear, or Procrastination.
This printable set works beautifully for junk journaling, art journaling, Halloween paper crafts, ATCs, scrapbooks, and mixed media projects. If you want to create a spooky apothecary spread for October or layer moody accents into your art journal, these labels deliver both history and atmosphere.
Historical Context
The Role of Poison Labels in the 19th Century
Before regulations and safety packaging, labeling dangerous substances was vital. Bold designs, coffin-shaped borders, and stark “POISON” warnings were often the only defense against tragic accidents in homes lit by candlelight.
Events like the Bradford sweets poisoning of 1858, where arsenic-laced candy killed more than 20 people, spurred reforms in labeling and drug safety. Many apothecaries adopted ornate yet practical poison labels to distinguish dangerous bottles from everyday remedies.
Today, these designs capture a fascinating intersection of beauty and danger, making them powerful additions to creative journals and especially perfect for Halloween-inspired crafting.
Creative Ways to Use These Apothecary Labels
Junk Journals & Art Journals – Tuck them into spreads exploring transformation, fear, or personal growth.
Halloween Crafts – Decorate seasonal tags, greeting cards, or October journal pages with spooky poison motifs.
Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) – Add them as gothic focal points or symbolic backdrops.
Scrapbooking – Perfect for dark, moody layouts or historical pages.
Symbolic Journaling – Write your own “poisons” on blank labels (Negativity, Overthinking, Procrastination).
Mixed Media & Collage – Age with inks, distress sprays, or parchment-style paper for a haunted apothecary look.
Technical Details
Formats Available: JPG and PDF for instant download.
Free to Use: Personal and commercial creative projects welcome (no reselling or redistributing the digital files).
Paper Suggestions: Matte paper for an authentic vintage effect.
FAQ
1. Can I resize the labels before printing?
Yes! You can adjust print settings to scale the labels smaller or larger, depending on your project needs.
2. Are these labels based on real poisons?
Some designs include authentic poison names from the 19th century, while others are intentionally blank so you can write your own.
3. Can I use these in Halloween projects?
Definitely! These labels are ideal for Halloween journals, October mixed media spreads, spooky party decorations, or even faux apothecary props.
4. Do I need special paper?
Nope, but matte paper will look more authentic.
5. Are these free for commercial use?
Yes, you can use them in handmade items you sell. Just don’t resell or redistribute the digital files themselves or printouts of them “as is.”
More Printables You Might Like
If you love these poison labels, you might also enjoy these other free printables from The Art Scavenger:
Vintage Halloween Ephemera – Journal tags and cards from antique postcards.
Vintage Owl Portraits - Moody and atmospheric images perfect for dark or woodland journals.
Poisonous Plant Illustrations - Botanical prints featuring historically infamous plants.
Vintage Apothecary Ads - Charming 19th-century ephemera for collage and journaling.
Vintage Spirit Photographs - “Haunting” Black-and-white portraits.
Love These Printables? Support The Art Scavenger!
I love sharing free vintage printables, and if you enjoy them, there are easy ways to support my work so I can continue creating and offering more free designs:
You may also enjoy these free collage sheets.
Terms of use:
Free to use for personal or commercial projects. You may print the collage sheets as many times as you wish for your personal crafts or in your projects to sell, including: art journals, scrapbooks, junk journals, collage art, etc. You may not redistribute or sell the collage sheets “as is" in either print or digital form.
If you wish to share the files on your own website, please do not make the files available for download directly from your site. Instead, include an image with a link back to this site.
To the best of my knowledge, these are all royalty free images that are in the Public Domain in the US. However, you should always do your own research if you plan to use them commercially.
