Teach Soap

I bought some of the waterproof inkjet vinyl labels to use for my lip balms, solid lotion tubes and lotion bottles. My problem is that the ink runs, even after 48 hours. I've followed all the instructions and even "conditioned" the labels by running them under water. I've also tried using a hairdryer on them to set the ink. No luck.

A shop owner told me that she really likes my products, but I need to do something about the labels. I priced having labels printed, but I can't afford to do that right now. For those of you that make these products, what kind of labels do you use? TIA!

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

Linda...what type of printer are you using...if you are losing an inkjet, recalibrate the print cartridge then go into your printer manager and change the saturation amount to a lower amount. Once you print them, leave them for several hours and then hit them lightly but thoroughly with a heat gun and set them aside for 24 hours. See if that helps. Been there myself and recalibrating the printer cartirdge fixed the issue for me.

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

I had the same problem with my liquid soap labels. For them I ended up setting an individual label face up on the counter and covering it with clear packing tape. Then I proceeded to label as usual. If you find a real solution, please share! Good luck!

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

Linda, I print my labels and let them dry overnight. The next day, I spray the sheet with the clear Krylon and hang them to dry. Don't seem to have a problem with the ink running or smearing. And I use this process on labels that I put on shampoo and such that are exposed to water on a regular basis.

Anita

Krylon! Something that is actually easy to get locally makes me happy. Does this work on labels that are not vinyl? I can't see spending the money on something that must be doctored to work. Good luck, Linda!

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

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

Hewlett Packard CP1525nw color laser printer, $250 carriage paid (it's a heavy mutha!) the cheapest way I know to make real pro color labels on self-stick poly film. Having said that you can actually find Chinese firms willing to do short runs (say 500) on roll vinyl quite cheaply. Labels, how I hate them... it's not printing them that's a problem for me, it is designing the damn things, I hate Adobe Indesign and my daughter who knows it is always too 'busy'.

I looked into getting a color laser printer beccause they are inexpensive now, but the cost of the toner is too high for me to justify the expense right now.

I love designing labels. I use a different program though because Adobe was way too expensive.

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

What software do you use Linda? I find label design such a chore in part because I don't have the time (or motivation!) to learn complicated software. Or is it my lack of creativity?

_________________
Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

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

I know money is a concern but maybe you can find something at Vistaprint? They offer a bunch of labels and (I don't remember how - either by signing up or ordering) but I get almost daily specials emailed to me. I've gotten business cards and checks from them, and once I got simple address labels as an add on to an existing order. Their pricing is good enough that I've been able to order business cards for resale too.

Many times their specials are half price and if you select the "slow" shipping it's often free and not as slow as you'd think. I usually get orders in a week or so.

Just a thought, hope it can help someone!

I've checked VistaPrint (I order other things from them) but they only have certain sizes available and not the sizes I can use.

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

Just wanted to thank everyone for their help. I ended up spraying the labels with clear Krylon and that worked perfectly!

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

Woot! Glad that worked for you. My husband bought me some Krylon but I haven't had time to try it yet.

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!