Options for Making Homebrew Labels 

If you have other companies/websites that you would suggest for printing out labels please comment them under this comment for others to see!

Been waiting for this one! Thank you

I use the online graphic design site Canva, which has tons of free templates you can use, or you can design one yourself with the thousands of free elements available. I then download the image, size it to fit an 8-1/2x11 sheet of paper using Google Docs, then email it to Staples through the PrintMe service (I don't have a printer because ink is just ridiculously expensive). I then go to Staples and use their self service copiers, and using a code received from PrintMe I download the image I created right to the copier. A b&w copy is just $0.14 a page and a color copy costs $0.39. So with 6 labels on a sheet, it would cost me less than $3 to print out 42 color labels. To attach the labels I use milk glue, which is just a very thin wash of milk and water. Because the copies are laser printed, the colors don't run when wet with the mixture. Then I just lay them onto the bottle and they become firmly affixed. The best part, though, is when you want to remove the label it just washes off with water and there's no sticky residue left behind.

Thanks for sharing

Thank you!!!!

I use avery label templates. Easy to use.

There are plenty of better options IMHO. Beer Labelizer is great because you can import a design and they space the image out to 9 labels per 8x11 sheet. GrogTag is another good option. You can design, save the image, pull it in to Beer Labelizer and then have Staples etc print them out. Just some extra info.

A few options for those who do not want to use specific labeling programmes but want to go beyond simple white stickers: For the frugal yet slightly handy: masking tape, small cutting mat, sharp knife, ruler and a calligraphy pen or marker. Stick a piece of tape on the mat, write your info, trim the edges if needed, use that sale knife to lift one corner off the mat to be able to transfer it and stick on the bottle. Another option if you have a computer and printer is to design something in Word using the feature for labels or the feature for a chart; adjust the size of the cells to the size label you want. with WordArt you can play with lettering, you can add backgrounds etc and even import illustrations. There are tutorials out there for all the tricks of importing images into Word, re-sizing them etc and for the labeling feature so you can even make re-usable templates. Save your work, this means you can go back to it and adjust variables. To stick the label on after cutting out you can use simple white ‘school’ glue as it soaks off in warm water. If you want the label to be water resistant you can either use hairspray (less water resistant) or fixation spray sold in art supply stores. I found oddly enough, people really appreciate the home made and rustic look of the masking tape option. Last but not least: a simple gift tag tied around the neck of the bottle, hand-written and perhaps secured to the bottle using sealing wax. If you have something to stamp a design into the wax as it cools, it looks medieval and pretty cool. For extra security and to avoid the corners of the tag getting caught on something you could use glue as well. Just remember to use water-soluble glue and (preferably) permanent ink. And for those who wonder about it: sealing wax comes off easily: it scrapes off.

A while ago i found a site that you can make labels on using premade templates, then you can have them either print the labels off for you or download the image and use it yourself for free. I print it onto normal paper and use adhesive spray to stick it to the bottles. Although now i just use a label machine to have the type and % of whatever is in the bottle, much easier

So Garrett, I’ve been discussing head space on your FB page & everybody’s freaked out about a little head space in secondary. I told them that you’ve commented that you like what a little oxygen does for the mead. I’m takin heat man 😂 I just don’t think it’s a big deal & you’re probably right that a little oxygen smooths the brew.

Right now I use Avery labels. Avery has a nice design software available online for free. I print them on my black and white laser printer and they come ok. Cost is 19,99$+tax Canadian dollars for 40 labels (before printing cost) which is about 58 canadian cents per label. Not sure how much ink and electricity it uses but let's say 5 cents per label so that's 63 cents each. I wonder how much it would cost to use a print shop like you do. The color labels are much nicer for sure. Are you paying less than 50 cent US per label? Also do you have to have minimum quantities?

All I need now is a name for the Mead.

What program you use

sharpies and paper stickers lol

YOU'RE IN A BAND?!?!

I use a website called bottleyourbrand.com you can create custom labels for free, and they are not that expensive