How to Cleanly Remove the Bottom of a Bottle: Product Photography Trick

Having the bottom of a bottle removed by a professional could cost anywhere from 50-60 dollars apiece. This is probably because the process involves some heavy machinery and an expert in glassware at the very least, but you might be surprised how easy it is to do it yourself:

What You’ll Need:

  • Empty Beer Bottle
  • Twine
  • Nail Polish Remover

Steps:
1. Empty the beer bottle/s of its contents if you haven’t already.
2. Tie a piece of twine around the bottom of the bottle a couple of times.
3. Soak the twine in nail polish remover.

pouring nail polish remover on twine

4. Use a lighter to set the twine on fire.

lighting twine on fire

5. Spin the bottle constantly so the heat doesn’t settle in one place.

This neat little photography trick will certainly come in handy when dealing with product photos like this one:

pour beer product photo

Like This Article?

Don't Miss The Next One!

Join over 100,000 photographers of all experience levels who receive our free photography tips and articles to stay current:

8 responses to “How to Cleanly Remove the Bottom of a Bottle: Product Photography Trick”

  1. Peter Zander says:

    The bottle has a pear inside it is called Williams Pear brandy. I am trying to get at this pear without splinters. I fear that the method suggested above would make the pear fall out together with the bottom. Any suggestions how to get to my pear without splinters?

  2. That’s amazing. *Asks girlfriend where she keeps her nail polish remover*.

  3. Cassandra says:

    Great trick but you left out the ending! I assume that dipping the hot glass in cold water pops the bottom off?

  4. Len Cook says:

    40 years ago I needed a bottle for exactly such a photo, but involving the then-new phenomenon of bottled mineral water. I went to a store to buy a six-pack, not yet knowing how I would cut off the bottom. The first six-pack I touched had one empty bottle, its bottom neatly broken out.

  5. John says:

    I was doing that when I was 10 years old with gallon glass jugs. I used regular string and gasoline which is cheaper and more available than fingernail remover. Instead of rotating the bottle all that has to be done is to hold it upside down and let it burn and then dip it into water to make the removal.

  6. Dinh D says:

    Thanks for for sharing this useful tip.

  7. Martin says:

    Great usefull tip. I have done similar shots, by taking a loose cork out, just before you shoot.

    Cheers Martin

    Brewery Studios

  8. Mark Zelazoski says:

    Pretty awesome!!!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *