Making Labels - What do You do?

I make mine in photoshop. But you can use Word or anything else.

I print mine on standard copy type paper I then use a glue stick.

These labels will fall off in water, which is good when you reuse bottles.

JB wrote:

Good quest, John. And it is a good newsgroup to keep reading - I can say I've learned 80%+ of what I know from kind folks taking the time to explain things or adjust my head.

I tried several ideas, but now I use Avery labels (removable, so they come right off) and Avery DesignPro software comes free. I can send you some samples (remove x's in my id). I have graphics, words, quotes, all you want on them. To make them water resistant, I print the sheets of labels, then use clear spray paint to seal them. I don't even have to soak them to remove - just peel off.

Avery label # 6464 are 3 1/3 inches by 4 inches. Google to see what they look like. And Staples and other office stores sell generics if the price is too high for your needs. Even the cheaper "non-removable" labels work well, just have to soak them.

DAve

JB wrote:

I use the Label Factory Deluxe software by Art Explosion and print on Avery (or other brand) 3-1/3 X 4 inch labels. I generally include some graphic which I've downloaded from the Internet which is relevant to the name of the wine.

After printing on an ink jet printer, I let them dry overnight then spray lightly with a clear acrylic spray, so that the ink doesn't run if I put the bottle in an ice bucket.

Paul

Paul, Good to know - is the Label Factory Deluxe better than the Avery free DesignPro? At $30, I'm curious if it is really better. I also get graphics from the internet - wine glasses, vineyards, grapes, etc.

DAve

Pavel314 wrote:

My local wine shop sells labels, and they pick ones that are easy for those re-using bottles

My issue is what to put on the labels, I asked here earlier about record keeping, but the replies allow too much info to be jammed on a label. I think i'll just be calling them "2007 - 1st batch" "2007 -

plan on just using word. I expect to win the contest for most unattractive labels ever.

I've never used the Avery software. My wife bought Label Factory several years ago for some of her hobbies so I just borrowed it for the wine labels.

Paul

Most software packages for making labels can import images without much trouble. You can also change the font for interesting effects. I don't expect to win any prizes but making the labels is a fun part of the process for me. Here's a link to some of my labels from a few years back:

They incorporate images downloaded from the Internet or photographs I scanned in.

Paul

For my own personal use, I use Avery #6460. It's a 1 x 2&5/8" white REMOVABLE I.D. Label. For gifting - I use Avery #6460. Also a REMOVABLE Label it's 3&1/3" x 4". Both these labels are quick peel labels and while they cost a tad more, I like them because I don't have to fight getting the label off. If you want the large label to be waterproofed, you only need to spray some varnish on the sheet and few times and then apply it to your wine bottle.

When you purchase the Avery labels, they come with software to help you with the printing set up - but Word works just as well; under Tools/Envelopes & Labels. Marie

Hi John,

I'm new here too. I use the avery labels like some of the others, these come off the bottles very nice if allowed to soak . I fill up a sink, submerge the bottles, go to work, then when I come home I use the a super cheap razor-blade type scraper and the label just rolls right off.

As far as printing, I like Microsoft Publisher. It allows me to place text and pictures and whatever, any way I choose. I've given my wine a "brand" name (a variation of my first and last names) , I put this, plus the type of wine:ie - Merlot, Cranberry Shiraz, etc. Then I put the batch number - not big, really just for me to know and when the wine was bottled. Since the wine changes so much with age, I really like the bottling date on the bottle. This is for wine kits. I then put a picture or some other graphic and maybe a border if needed.

I also keep a 3-ring notebook with a sheet of paper for each batch. Info on the sheet includes: type, manufacturer, price, location purchased, start date and bottling date. As I begin to taste the wine, I keep notes. I also note if something wierd happened during production.

Susan

I use labels made from bumper sticker stock. It sounds like some of the easy to remove Avery labels others have mentioned in that is is very easy to remove and is heavy enough to make a good label. I get four labels to a page but you can size your label anyway you want with these. And of course I don't have the package anymore to pass on what they were. I think I got them at Wally World. As for software, I mainly use Publisher but there are plenty of other free programs you can use. OpenOffice has a nice presentations tool for one.

Getting some great feedback and suggestions!

Thanks to all.

John

I use LaTeX, although I originally used LyX to align the columns. I create a box, insert tabulars within it, make a 2x3 tabular with it in each cell.

This lets me define the name and bottling numbers as variables at the beginning, and to override the font size of the name if it gets to wide (though it seems to me that I should be able to do this in two stages with division; maybe there isn't a min function available in LaTeX [something I would have known at the time I created it]).

Then they go to the laser printer, cut, and applied to the bottles with milk.

This worked right until last weekend when the caterers put the white zin in a tray of ice water to chill :(

hawk

I use the Blank 36000 labels from Midwest supplies, a bit pricy but they come off real easy with warm water.