labeling and organizing is so much harder irl than on the computer

[cimorene]

When I first saw people organizing stuff into boxes labeled with labelmakers, I just thought, that’s silly, why wouldn’t you just use masking tape? I do have a bunch of boxes inside the cabinets that have strips of masking tape labeled in Sharpie on them, and masking tape worked fine for my spice jars,


although in retrospect, I wish I'd just written directly on the jars with a paint marker.

Unfortunately, on a non-porous surface like glass, over time the glue penetrates the paper and the paper starts to degrade, and then it's harder to get it off and leaves a gummy glue residue. This is not what masking tape does when it's NEW: if you put a strip of masking tape on a cabinet or a wooden shelf or a glass jar or a Tupperware for a few days or even a few weeks, it peels off easily and cleanly afterwards. (I think I used oil to get it off last time I had to deal with old masking tape... but I can't remember for sure.)

So if I want to wash the spice jars and label them with chalk or paint pens instead, I'll need to set aside a bunch of time for that. 😒

This is how I've gone from laughing at home labelmakers to thinking I might need one, because what else should I use to label the fronts of these?


(This one contains paper and stationery and fountain pen paraphernalia, but we need another 1 or 2 for other stationery and craft stuff.)

Oh, and here's a bunny. Ro gave me thirty seconds before running off, which is better than the other pets?

Comments

[vass]

If you have a printer, printable labels? That way you can pick the font and use designs and stuff.

[cimorene]

They aren't designed to peel off and restick either, unfortunately. I have used printer labels in the past at times, but I don't want to risk damaging the surface of the cardboard.

[stranger]

Somewhat belatedly, that's a *really* great blanket. I love the colors! (I love the bunny, too, if indeed that's a bunny under the fur.)

[cimorene]

Ensign Ro is the bunniest!

[templemarker]

I have to say, it was definitely a Project but I love love love the look and reusability of the chalkboard stickers I put on all my jars -- for spices, but also for various grains, baking ingridients, etc.

[copracat]

I have labels (in A4 sheets) I bought at a canning supplier which are loosened/wash off in a dishwasher or with hot soapy water soaking pretty easily. I also use washi tape, I've got white and black but the black goes dark green exposed to light over time. Washi tape goes on and off really easily so I can easily change a jar's purpose when I use up whatever is in it. I also use the washi tape to label/date leftovers in the fridge.

The other great thing about washi tape is that if you put it on crooked it's easy to peel off and reposition (thus assuaging my need to be lined up with the edges) and it still looks tidy and as if you just put it on.

I need a pickling icon :)

[cesy]

Bunny!