How To Make Labels Waterproof? [5 Different Methods]
Thinking about opening your Etsy shop or starting an entrepreneurial journey? And have an amazing product in hand. Suddenly it dawns upon you – the labels!
The concern would be the same, even if you don’t plan on running an Etsy shop and just have a bunch of stuff to be labeled. But what’s the exact concern I’m talking about? The waterproofing of labels!
Labels by themselves aren’t waterproof at all. Some labels which are printed on durable polypropylene material are water-resistant.
However, it doesn’t guarantee a full-proof solution definitely. If you talk about stickers, the vinyl stickers aren’t waterproof either, they are water-resistant.
After acknowledging our common source of stress, let me put on my solution-giver hat and share with you some of the easy and very doable ways in which you can waterproof your labels.
How To Make Labels Waterproof?
Imagine you put up a label (untreated) on an oil jar/bottle and the label pretends to be as old as Mother Earth (clear exaggeration, but you get the idea, right?) with the oil ruining every inch of its aesthetics. If you ever gifted such a jar with the untreated label, I’m just sorry for you.
But don’t worry, the bad days are gone. We brought you below 5 super easy and effective methods to get yourself the first batch of waterproof stickers.
- Using Sealant Spray
- Sealant Spray
- Using Packing Tape
- Using Contact Paper
- Lamination Method
1. Make Labels Waterproof Using Sealant Spray
Sealant sprays can be practically sprayed over most objects to make them waterproof. Acrylic sealant spray, i.e., it is water and acrylic polymer-based, forms a pretty tough and protective layer against moisture once it dries up.
When applied properly, it becomes an almost invisible layer over your beautiful labels. This becomes an easy and quick way to seal your labels waterproof.
Two or three coats of the sealant should be more than enough. Two layers are just as fine. You can choose to do the third step to pacify your heart.
This waterproofing method would let your labels last for 3-5 years easily. Also, this method would work with most of the labels like paper, matte and especially glossy.
| Photo | Product | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 | Krylon 1303 Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating, Artist Spray, 11 Ounce (6 Pack) | Check Price On Amazon |
Required Material:
- Sealant spray
- Mask
- Old newspapers/clothes
Procedure [Step by Step]:
1. Go under-cover
Cover everything. Cover your face with a mask because the spray would give off a terrible smell. Then, cover the space, where you’ll execute this process, with old newspapers or clothes. This keeps your surroundings clean.
Also, don’t worry about the sealant’s smell. It fades away within some time and doesn’t stick to the labels at all.
2. Spray
Next, shake the spray can properly and maintain a distance of almost 12 inches from the label, spray it. With a few upward and downward motions or sideways motions, you’ll be done with it.
3. Let it dry
Let the sealant spray dry over your label before applying the second protective layer. It’d take around 20-30 minutes maximum. Then, you can apply the second coat.
Precautions:
While this method is super easy and handy, you need to be mindful of a few things. First, don’t touch the labels while it’s drying. If you even slightly, put a finger on it, it’d just rub off the design. So be careful.
Secondly, do it in an open, well-ventilated area. A closed space would be suffocating enough for this method.
Lastly, some people notice a slight curl at the edges of their labels after treating it with a sealant spray.
So, I’d advise you to try this method at first with some white spaces around the labels. If it doesn’t curl, it’s all good and fine. However, if it does, you’ll just be required to put some extra spaces every time.
2. Make Labels Waterproof Using Self-adhesive laminating sheets
Self-adhesive Laminating sheet is another way to seal your labels. As the name suggests, these sheets are self-adhesive and are thin, so stick on the sheets without much fuss.
Laminating sheets are clear sheets of plastic-like substance which make anything that is laminated waterproof.
Recommended laminating sheets:
This method also uses a cold press laminating machine. This would be a good investment if you’d like to continue with this method. It ensures a proper and professional seal.
This method would last on your labels for many years (4-5) to come unless someone purposefully scratches away the top layer with a sharp object.
Required Material:
- Self adhesive Laminating sheets
- A pair of Scissors
- A plastic card/ roller
- Cold press laminating machine
Procedure [Step by Step]:
1. Stick it
It’s pretty simple. Peel off the top part of the self-laminating sheet and stick it on the label sheet carefully.
2. Press it
Next, you want to stick the sheet on the entire label sheet slowly, moving from the top to the bottom. At the same time, you use a card or roller to press on the already done areas to get rid of any air bubbles.
3. Cold press
Now, pass it through the cold press laminating sheet so that the laminating sheets stick and form a strong bond with the paper, increasing its life span. The cold press prevents any damage to the designs or the materials as such.
Below laminating machine with both hot and cold settings will be useful:
3. Make Labels Waterproof Using Packing Tape
Packing tapes? Yes, packing tapes! The easily available packing tapes would waterproof labels properly. Transparent packing tapes form a thin protective layer on the labels and secure it for a considerable amount of time which can range from one to two years.
Recommended packing tape:
| Photo | Product | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 | Scotch Long Lasting Storage Packaging Tape, 1.88" x 54.6 yd, Designed for Storage and Packing, Stays Sealed in Weather Extremes, 3" Core, Clear, 4 Rolls (3650-4) | Check Price On Amazon |
This method can be done without a machine also, however, I’ll tell you about a machine/ tool which would make this process easy. You might be already having it! Read on to know about it.
Required Material:
- Packing tapes
- A pair of scissors
- Label protection tape dispenser (optional but strongly recommended)
Procedure [Step by Step]:
1. Configure it
So, the machine/ tool I was talking about is the “label protection tape dispenser”. This would make the entire process of tape application really smooth and easy.
If you don’t already have it, you can easily get it online at a reasonable price. This machine helps you to apply protective films over stickers or any other paper for that matter.
All you’d be required to do is put the packing tape in the plastic roll that comes with the dispenser. Then pull out the tape and put it, keeping the sticky side up. Then hold the tape in its place using the holder that comes with the dispenser.
Using the dispenser, you effectively rule out the possibility of having too many air bubbles or unprofessional tape application.
Below label protection tape dispenser would be appropriate for your task:
If you choose not to use the dispenser, be very aware of your hand movements while you paste the tape on your labels.
2. Put the label
Next, put your label sheet on the pulled-out tape ensuring there’s no dirt/hair or anything. So put your label as soon as you pull out the tape.
3. Pull it out
Pull out the waterproofed label from the dispenser. Just cut out the extra edges using scissors and you’re pretty much done with it!
Precautions:
While this process is super easy, you should make sure that the size of your label sheet matches with the tape’s size or is smaller than it. This way, it won’t be a half-sealed thing.
I’m reiterating myself but please make sure there’s no dust or hair on the packing tape’s sticky side. This would otherwise ruin the entire thing.
4. Make Labels Waterproof Using Contact paper
Clear transparent contact paper can also help you waterproof labels. Contact papers are the easiest and cheapest buys here. To complement that, you don’t need an extra tool to put it up. Your hands are just fine.
Recommended contact paper:
| Photo | Product | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 | Con-Tact Brand Clear Adhesive Protective Liner, Protect Books and Documents, Easy to Apply Book Cover, 13.5'' x 5' | Check Price On Amazon |
The clear transparent contact papers are plastic-like substances and restrict any moisture contact with the label. Labels whether glossy, matte or plain printed can benefit from this method. These can last for almost 1-1.5 years.
Required Material:
- Contact papers
- A pair of scissors
Procedure [Step by Step]:
1. Just apply it
Put your label on a table. Then, pull out the contact paper and stick it over the label. Eliminate any air bubble that might be there by rubbing a plastic card on it. And you’re done.
2. Clear it
Cut out the edges and paste it wherever you’d like to. This would be the easiest method. You can do this when you have got only a few labels to work with. However, for bigger projects, this might become time-consuming and tiring as well.
5. How to Make Labels Waterproof Using Lamination?
Yes, the age-old lamination process can help you here as well. If you already have a lamination machine, this would just be the right method for you. In case, you don’t have them already, they are usually available at a reasonable price range online.
Laminating your labels provides the best-in-class waterproofing. After all, you’re literally laminating it.
Recommended laminating machine:
This process would last for at least 10 years. Have something which would possibly last a decade? Laminate labels for it.
Required Material:
- Lamination machine
- Laminating sheets
- Heavy duty scissors or utility knife
Procedure [Step by Step]:
1. Cut the lamination folder
The lamination folder has two sides in it to cover a document back and forth. However, for a label, we don’t want to laminate the backside. So, you need to separate the laminating folder into two sheets.
Carefully measure the laminating sheet and understand the space require for laminating a single label sheet. Then using a utility knife or heavy-duty scissors, separate them into single laminating sheets.
2. Set up
A lamination sheet has a rough and shiny side. Put the label sheet below and put the laminating sheet on top of it with the shiny side facing you.
3. Laminate
Next laminate the labels. Cut out the individual labels. No air bubbles, full proof protection for many years. This is also very convenient if you have many labels to waterproof.
Final Words:
You can choose to buy waterproof or “weather-proof” labels directly. However, it comes with an added cost. To reduce costs, you can consider using one of the above-mentioned waterproofing methods depending on your specific requirement.
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