Waterproof Labels for Glass Bottles

[Old-N-Feeble]

How are you folks labeling your glass chemical bottles? I want something waterproof and preferably stain resistant. I suppose one could etch or grind markings onto the glass but I'm looking for something easier. I do have a Dremel tool, BTW.

 

[hoffy]

I just use masking tape. Some times the easiest options are best.

 

[snapguy]

how about

How about a plastic luggage tag affixed with a wire around the neck?

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

Ordinary pressure-sensitive vinyl electrical tape, white, written using a black Sharpie.

Easily visible. Never smears. Never deteriorates. Stays attached even in hot water. Peels off clean. Cheap. Readily available. Offered in other non-white colors if desired.

Ken

 

[BrianShaw]

Duct tape and Sharpie. For both glass and plastic.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Heh... it seems I'm trying to make this more complicated than it really is.

Long ago I used masking tape and an ink pen but the tape always eventually got stained and I had to remove them with a razor blade once they became difficult to read.

 

[BrianShaw]

Umm... replacing the label takes about 1 minute. Can easily be done before it gets too stained and unreadable. :confused:

 

[Photo Engineer]

Write directly on the glass with a marker. When you want to clean it off, alcohol or acetone will do the trick. Of course this will not work with brown bottles, but it is rare that you need a brown bottle.

PE

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Thanks folks. I bought all amber glass bottles because I thought it best. They're already bought and paid for. Live and learn, I guess.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Duct tape!

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

White duct tape, it is!!

 

[Gerald C Koch]

For glass bottles that are already labeled apply a thin coating of hot paraffin with a brush. Afterwards the paraffin and label are easily removed with a razor blade. This is what we always did in the lab. The coating is impervious to strong acids and bases. Blocks of paraffin are available from stores that sell canning supplies.

 

[David Brown]

Removable Avery labels. Pick your size. Any staples, Office Depot, etc.

 

[bdial]

I use blue masking tape and a Sharpy. Peels off easily when I want it to, stays on with no issues until then.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I write on my brown glass bottles with silver Sharpie.

 

[cowanw]

I use white nail polish.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

David, do you have any issues with that wearing or flaking off?

cowanw, same question.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Wears a bit over time, but holds up pretty well.

 

[kb3lms]

My writing is too sloppy so I like to print labels on paper from my computer and then affix them to the bottles with clear packing tape.
I can also make the printing any size I like, colors, or pictures.

 

[Rick Jones]

Johnson&Johnson First Aid Waterproof Tape 1" X 5 yards (previously KA adhesive tape). Cutoff what you need and mark with ballpoint pen.

 

[cowanw]

White nail polish hasn't worn in 5+ years; If you have a nice script it looks very pre ww2.

 

[Bill Burk]

The silver ink looks great.

I think the first aid tape is probably best / most accessible.

But I thought I'd add: "Dymo" labels "pop" off but they look great.

Those "Brother" labels that replaced "Dymo" would probably serve.

But I think "gummed" paper labels would be classic, especially if they had the orange outline with scalloped corners.

 

[walbergb]

I print paper labels, then use clear, 2" wide packing tape to cover. Labels are 1" . That leaves 1/2" top & bottom for overlap to seal the paper. Rarely do I have to replace the label. Use it on brown glass bottles and both brown & clear plastic bottles. Cheap and effective.

Once upon a time I had access to a manual laminating machine. That really sealed the paper labels . Still used packing tape to apply to the bottle.

 

[walbergb]

Thanks folks. I bought all amber glass bottles because I thought it best. They're already bought and paid for. Live and learn, I guess.

Not to worry. Brown glass bottles are best for storing developers & bleaches, both of which are sensitive to light.

 

[NickLimegrove]

Vinyl tape, different colors of it for different kinds of chemicals.