What I learned from making school labels for my children

Every new school year brings the same frustration: school labels that peel off, erase or simply disappear from children's materials. I've experienced this more times than I'd like and that's exactly why I decided to share my experience with you

Some won't stand up to a backpack, friction or a lunchbox. Others, even simple ones, remain intact throughout the year.

In this article, I share what really makes a school label last.

🔔 Updated: This content has been revised based on practical tests and real experiences to show which school labels really last in daily use.

Why do so many school labels peel off over time?

This is due to choosing the wrong type of paper for each school material or applying it incorrectly. For example, pencils, which have greater friction with the hand, come off easily if not applied properly. In the real test I did comparing different school labels, it became clear which materials really stand up to daily use.

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The most common mistake when choosing school labels

It's certainly about choosing the right paper for each type of school material, as I explain in this article on school label paper

For example, if the material has a lot of contact with water, adhesive photo paper is not the best choice.

Another factor in detachment is the application, because although the paper is adhesive, it is necessary to add a little white glue to reinforce the bond or even use contact paper to reinforce and increase resistance.

What really makes a school label last

I've given you some clues above, but what really makes it last are these 2 elements:

• The right paper for each type of school material
• Applying the adhesive to the material, as I show here in this guidance to reduce detachment

How to make personalized school labels

Basically you will need Adhesive paper, a Inkjet printer, Scissors and know how to use a designer program such as Studio Silhouette, Corel Draw, Canva or any other you can edit.

Personalization

A child's great pleasure when it's time to go back to school is to show off their school supplies with the image of their favorite character or if you like to set yourself apart, then take a look at these 10 creative and cute models to print.

So to personalize the labels and make them just the way your child likes them, you should use one of the designer programs I mentioned above (Canva, Corel Draw, Studio and so on...)

Which paper to use to make school stickers

To make school labels, you can use 6 types of paper, ranging from the simplest to the most special. Below I'll detail each one so that you can use the most suitable one.

Plain Adhesive Paper

• Ideal for labeling notebooks, books and other dry materials.
• Economical, but may not be resistant to water or wear.
• Opaline or Offset paper from 80 to 130g
• Use in inkjet printers

Waterproof Adhesive Paper (Vinyl)

• Water-resistant, ideal for lunchboxes, bottles and jars.
• Durable, does not fade easily and withstands frequent use.
• Can be washed without peeling.
• For use in inkjet printers

Adhesive Couché Paper

• It has a glossy or matte surface, great for labels with high print quality.
• Can be used on notebooks, folders and other school materials.
• Less water resistant than vinyl.
• For use in laser printers

Thermal Adhesive Paper (For Fabrics)

• Used for labels applied to clothing and school uniforms.
• Fixes with the heat of the iron and is resistant to washing.
• Used in Inkjet and Laser Printers

Adhesive Photo Paper

• Excellent for labels with detailed and colorful images.
• Less resistant to moisture, ideal for items that will not come into contact with water.
• Prints on inkjet printers
• Photo paper can be in weights from 90 to 130g

Transparent Adhesive Paper

• It offers a discreet and elegant finish.
• It can be used on bottles, jars or materials that require a cleaner look.
• I printed on both inkjet and laser printers

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Which printer to print School labels

You can use both inkjet and laser printers. Just be careful to use the right paper, as not all papers are suitable for laser printers and vice versa.

Epson Ecotank printers are the most common and you can find several models, however these are the ones I recommend.

How to make money with school labels

Every new year, the demand for SCHOOL LABELS skyrockets, as you can see in the graph below from Google Trend.

Demand starts in the second half of December and peaks in February, so you need to start assembling your label kits right away and start spreading the word.

During this period there is a huge demand for school stickers, so using Instagram and your whatsapp contacts and your children's school groups will be a good way to win new customers

Learn how to make school labels quickly

I have a short course where I teach you all the techniques you need to create your school labels. It's the PROFITABLE BACK TO SCHOOL

What size school labels are right

The choice of size for school labels depends very much on the material to be labeled, i.e, Notebooks, pencils, pencil cases, books - each of these materials has a specific size. However, some sizes are considered standard and meet most needs.

The most common sizes and their indications:

• School labels Small: They measure 3cm x 1.5cm and are ideal for sticking pencils, pens, erasers, sharpeners and other smaller items.
• Middle School Tags: They are 5cm x 3.5cm and are used to stick personal materials such as notebooks, books and boxes of colored pencils.
• School labels Big: They measure 7cm x 5cm. They are great for backpacks, larger cases and other items that need more visible identification.

How to put together a school label kit

If you want to make money selling personalized school labels, follow these tips to create a complete and attractive kit that will attract potential customers:

1. Variety of sizes: Include at least the three sizes mentioned above (P, M and G labels) to meet different customer needs.
2. Quantity: Offer enough labels in each size so that the customer can identify all their materials and always leave some leftover
3. Topics: Create kits with different themes, such as cartoon characters, animals, nature, to appeal to different tastes, because people only buy what they can visualize.
4. Customization: Allow the customer to personalize the labels with the child's name, school, funny phrases and characters he likes best (See how easy it is to make Mascots with AI)
5. Packaging: Use attractive and functional packaging, such as a box that turns into a carrier, or personalized envelopes.
6. Bonus: Use and abuse the creation of images by Artificial Intelligence and Include a gift with the kit, such as extra stickers or a discount coupon for the purchase of party souvenirs.

Example of a school label kit:

• 50 small labels (3cm x 1.5cm)
• 30 medium labels (5cm x 3.5cm)
• 10 large labels (7cm x 5cm)
• 5 personalized stickers with the child's name
• Personalized packaging with the chosen theme

How to charge for school labels

When the time comes pricing, Many people are unsure whether to charge per sheet or per unit. So let's do the math and see which is more advantageous for the customer, per sheet or per unit?

Price per sheet:

In this case, the customer pays for the sheet regardless of whether she only needs 10 labels to identify her children's school books. This usually turns into an objection, because for the client, she is overpaying and wasting money.

For you, it takes more effort to convince the client that she has an advantage, because she can keep the stickers to change if necessary or share the cost with another parent.

Per Unit:

This is the one I recommend, simply because you can make kits that will fit on one sheet, for example: 10 P labels, 6 M labels and 4 G labels.

It's easier for the client to choose the quantity without wasting, and it's more advantageous for you to create kits that fit on an A4 sheet, so this is the model I recommend to my students.

All two models leave a good profit, the question is really how the customer perceives your Offer.

Conclusion

Sell school labels is a good way to raise extra money at the beginning of the year, you can earn up to R$3 thousand reais in one month.

I hope that with these tips you'll be able to develop your labels and sell a lot at the start of the back-to-school season.

But if you need a hand with everything (templates, how-to lessons, backgrounds, images and much more) just click here and take advantage of my Profitable back-to-school course

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