What "glue" for bottle labels?

[SBMongoose]

Hi Guys and Girls,

So we are thinking of bottling a brew or two (and then maybe more over time if they go well). What do you use for making he labels? Standard printer paper? And how do you attach the labels to the bottles so that they stay in place, but can be removed once the bottle is done with?

Thanks for any tips and advice.

[contadino]

I can't answer the first question as I'm still doing handwritten labels, but on the second point I'm using milk. I think I picked the idea up from someone on here, so I'm not alone.

It seems to stick well enough, and comes off easily after maybe 30 seconds in warm water. I brush milk on the back of the label, they stick fairly easily, then I just go over any crinkles with the milky brush. 10 minutes to dry.

[jaberry]

Milk is tried and tested but if you are using standard paper with ink jet printing it can go a bit smeary I have found

[Belter]

+1 milk

[chris2012]

I used A4 label sheets, which worked great for me.

[beerlover1983]

Prikstik or milk

[SBMongoose]

Milk, wow. Didn't expect that as an answer. Lol. Thank you all.

[Pinto]

yep, Milk is the winner - it works fine with ordinary inkjet paper as long as you dont overdo it. I found the best way was to wipe a thin smear of milk on the back of the label with a sponge and then smooth the label onto the bottle gently with another dry sponge. The trick is to keep the label taut, otherwise it dries with creases and looks like crap

[charliefarley]

Hairspray is good for fixing ink so it doesn't run.

[boingy]

Milk for me too, although I don't bottle that much.
You need less than you think and if you apply it to the bottle rather than the label you don't get any inkjet ink bleed.

And, yes, it's an odd solution that I was doubtful of but it just works. I was convinced I would end up with that horrible stale milk smell...

[SBMongoose]

Mrs_SBMongoose has got a laser printer, so while it wouldn't be colour, at least we shouldn't have to worry so much about ink bleeding on the label.
Thank you all for the advice.

[timothy]

I use basic school glue, called "elmers" here in the states. Works well, dries fast, and comes right off in water. Either glue stick or the bottled variety, but glue stick format is the easiest to apply evenly.

[smbenn]

Two thin vertical stripes of Pritt Stick also work brilliantly and come off easily with a quick soak. Less chance of fading the print than milk (which I used to use before).

[edonald774]

I use milk or pritt stick.
labels stuck on with milk comes of really easily with warm water but I find the labels can come off too if there is condensation on the bottle.

Pritt stick comes of easily to but not as easy to label the bottles with, a little bit more fiddly.

[timbowden]

Milk every time! Normal printer paper works fine, just keep it dry!