Teach Soap

I’m going to start early making soap for the holidays and have decided to put some labels on my bars for family and friends. I’ve used regular white print paper in the past but I don’t want to go that route again. Does anyone know how if there is a transparent film that can be used in my printer? Then, I can just make them the size I want and cut them out and attach them to the individual bars some way, maybe with shrink-wrap.
jer

You can usually find transparent paper (letter sized) at an office supply store. You can run it through a laser printer, but an inkjet printer just smudges all over the place. The transparencies are used on overhead projectors during presentations, etc.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

I would go with clear sheets, either for ink jet printer or for lasers. They come in different label sizes or full sheets that you can cut to size.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Avery makes a clear address label that I have used. I got mine at walmart. I did have some problems with the clear not being as readable if used on a printed paper background. And since I use more printed papers than plain once these are gone I will go back to the white labels.

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

Do you have a colour laser printer? You need one if you want to make proper self-adhesive plastic labels. Ink jet is useless. I use a HP CP1525nW, an excellent printer, ($250 new)
I can adjust the fusing roller temperatures depending on what I am printing on. I normally use 1 mil polyester self-adhesive. Alternatively use 3 mil pvc but the roller temps need to be higher for that.
The 'transparent' label papers they sell in Office Max etc are totally useless, they are just a translucent paper, will not stand damp let alone water. Try a reprographic supplier, I buy the material in large sheets and cut each one into 4 x letter and 1 x legal size. You can buy pre-cut sheets but it will cost you 4-5 times as much.

My labels hold up great for what I do. Now if I was selling then I think I would look to have them printed out for me. But as a hobbiest Avery labels meet my needs.

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

I use Avery labels and they come in many sizes. I use them on my dog treat bags and on the soaps I've just started making.

I have an HP 3050A deskjet printer and no issues.

Good point barquentine….I don’t have a laser printer but have an older HP Deskjet 5740. I actually have been thinking about purchasing a new printer and if I do I think buying a laser is the way to go from what everyone tells me. My inkjet works really well but the cartridges are pricey but then I suppose the toner cartridges for a laser are too, but will last a lot longer, I’m told and then I’ll have the advantage of a higher end machine…
Although I have been soaping a long time I don’t sell the stuff but do give a lot of what I make to friends and family. I have been creating my own color labels on the computer for each of the individual types of soaps I use regular white paper and then print them on my inkjet and shrink wrap the label between the soap and the wrap…This looks great, but I spend too much time and money fiddling around with the wrappers….lol, soooo I just thought about printing a label on transparent sticky film, but I still may have to use the shrink wrap…
I may take the suggestion of some of members and try the Avery labels and see how that works until I can buy a new printer….
Thanks to all the rest for your comments…
Jerry

I don't shrink wrap -- I saran wrap and use the Avery labels to secure the ends after I've folded them down. Takes a minute or two each. I use the big restaurant size plastic wrap and put 2 bars in each length, fold over, cut apart, and finish each.

I don't shrink wrap CP soap as they still shrink a little bit and the wrap becomes loose. I use soap boxes

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

You know, the box idea is really great, the trouble is I make all different sizes of bars...but I guess I could still buy the boxes, but I'm too cheap...
Hey Jellybeansis....that’s great idea about the saran wrap. I usually shrink wrap and soapbuddy you have a good point...they do shrink over a period of time but I like the idea of leaving the ends open so the soap can breathe and cure...at least that’s what I tell everyone .....lol....and they believe me. I also mention that the longer soap cures the better it gets and it has a tendency to shrink....they believe that as well, but for the most part that’s true…
jerry