National Homebrew Club Ireland

General Discussions => Chit Chat => Topic started by: Bogwoppit on April 01, 2014, 02:07:13 PM

Title: Beer Labels
Post by: Bogwoppit on April 01, 2014, 02:07:13 PM
I'm getting married in August and I'm planning on having about 150-200 bottles brewed for the event.

I'd like to get some nice labels printed up and I was wondering if anybody had gone through the process before and could recommend a printer to do the job.

There's a huge number of companies out there and I'm just looking for advice if anyone has any.

btw; I'll be calling it Hoppily Ever After unless anybody has any better suggestions.

Thanks

Allan
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: Tom on April 01, 2014, 02:23:07 PM
A local printer did one for someone I know at 100 for £20, just to give you a ballpark figure. I didn't see them, but they looked good by all accounts. The beer went down well too, ahem!
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: LordEoin on April 01, 2014, 02:37:54 PM
name suggestion:
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: LordEoin on April 01, 2014, 02:38:45 PM
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: Garry on April 01, 2014, 03:04:54 PM
Your next now, ha, your next...

Fair play to you for getting involved with the wedding planning details. All I did for my wedding was turn up on the day  :P

Geterbrewed (http://www.geterbrewed.com/personalised-labels/) do labels. I haven't used them myself but they seem to know what they're up to.

I wouldn't be bothered printing them yourself. Good printers are expensive to run and it wouldn't be worth it just to print off a few labels.

Name suggestion:

I brew
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: donnchadhc on April 01, 2014, 03:23:24 PM
Mine was called "Something Borrowed Pale Ale" But I wasn't allowed serve it. :(
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: brenmurph on April 01, 2014, 03:58:20 PM
beerlabeliser.com, great labels in seconds, loads of styles and shapes. a lazer printer will whach them out in no time 6 per page. Put them on bottles with milk.
Unless u want sticky labels that wont wash off like most of the Irish craft brewers use >:(
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: Bogwoppit on April 01, 2014, 04:31:30 PM
Hi Bren

I'd used that site already to make some labels, let me know what you think.

I think 200 would be far too much for my own printer so I found a couple in the locality and I'm waiting for some quotes.

Thanks to all.

Allan
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: johnrm on April 02, 2014, 09:04:53 AM
I met with a synthetic biologist yesterday.
I mentioned using milk for sticking labels, he mentioned that milk plasticises.
Think about the milk ring left in a cereal bowl.
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: Shanna on April 02, 2014, 09:10:34 AM
Quote from: brenmurph on April 01, 2014, 03:58:20 PM
beerlabeliser.com, great labels in seconds, loads of styles and shapes. a lazer printer will whach them out in no time 6 per page. Put them on bottles with milk.
Unless u want sticky labels that wont wash off like most of the Irish craft brewers use >:(

slight error in website name above, so with z

e.g

www.beerlabelizer.com

Shanna
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: brenmurph on April 02, 2014, 10:00:39 AM
Quote from: johnrm on April 02, 2014, 09:04:53 AM
I met with a synthetic biologist yesterday.
I mentioned using milk for sticking labels, he mentioned that milk plasticises.
Think about the milk ring left in a cereal bowl.

ye its amazing seems to stick even when wet and to remove warm oxy action and it just falls off :)

I use beerlabelizer and my colour laser, works fine and really presents the beer well
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: alealex on April 02, 2014, 10:38:03 AM
Is anybody signed up for membership on this site? Just wonder what other paid designs are there, is it worth a fiver?
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: Eoin on April 02, 2014, 10:55:21 AM
The only issue with milk as a label glue is the fact that if it's left in a damp environment at all, such as a shed or garage, the milk can eventually grow mould.
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: Rats on April 02, 2014, 11:12:26 AM
I use a "pritt Stick" no problem when getting damp. I use to use milk but they fall off after a day or two in the fridge.
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: brenmurph on April 02, 2014, 04:49:12 PM
wat do sheperd neame use? the labels fall off really easily in warm water?
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: Partridge9 on April 02, 2014, 04:55:51 PM
I have used Milk from day one  - best idea ever !

Most of ye have seen my labels.

Cheaper than pritstick !
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: johnrm on April 02, 2014, 05:19:35 PM
I'd say if you water down PVA it'll do the job.
5l in a Builders providers will last a lifetime.
Maybe get a small one in art and craft shop, figure the ration and fill an empty 5l drum.
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: Samael on April 02, 2014, 05:36:15 PM
If You pay 5$ You can get access to labels with Your pictures/gifs :)
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: alealex on April 02, 2014, 09:42:12 PM
Quote from: Samael on April 02, 2014, 05:36:15 PM
If You pay 5$ You can get access to labels with Your pictures/gifs :)

Would like to add pics on the labels. Are there many different designs available?
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: Samael on April 02, 2014, 10:47:41 PM
Quote from: alealex on April 02, 2014, 09:42:12 PM
Quote from: Samael on April 02, 2014, 05:36:15 PM
If You pay 5$ You can get access to labels with Your pictures/gifs :)

Would like to add pics on the labels. Are there many different designs available?

http://www.beerlabelizer.com/

You can check Yourself :P Enjoy :)
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: Hop Bomb on April 03, 2014, 12:18:02 AM
Grogtag.com  Just take a screen grab instead of paying. Edit in photoshop or similar. They've some really nice designs on there.
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: Sorcerers Apprentice on April 03, 2014, 08:26:36 AM
Quote from: brenmurph on April 02, 2014, 04:49:12 PM
wat do sheperd neame use? the labels fall off really easily in warm water?
A lot of bottling lines use Casein based adhesives, which are milk derived adhesives. I worked in a bottling plant years ago and that's what they used.  They used reusable bottles and it was important that the labels could be easily removed in the bottle washers, most bottling lines use 1 shot bottles now, cheaper, less nasty effluent from the bottle washers and safer, so they probably use different adhesives as label removal isn't a concerm.
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: johnrm on April 03, 2014, 12:13:03 PM
So would an antibacterial in the milk kill bugs?
Maybe a drop of starsan mixed with milk?
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: Damien M on April 03, 2014, 12:22:15 PM
Bugs wouldn't be a problem either way.
Bugs need moisture and there won't be alot of that between the bottle and the lable once affixed and dried........... yes condensation will form as we drink it, but bugs won't grow quicker than bottle is drank  :P ::)

Also its the inside of the bottle we worry about, not the outside. Do you san your hands before drinking?? Some don't even do it after renting the beer!!!! ??? 8)   
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: johnrm on April 03, 2014, 12:24:55 PM
Homemade Glue from milk (casein glue)...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90UDm3KgYSo
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: Dr Horrible on April 03, 2014, 01:51:23 PM
Quote from: Eoin on April 02, 2014, 10:55:21 AM
The only issue with milk as a label glue is the fact that if it's left in a damp environment at all, such as a shed or garage, the milk can eventually grow mould.
I've had that problem as well, but I found that you can avoid it if you only apply just the minimum amount of milk required to get the label to stick - if you're too generous then you get black spots all over the label.  Also using heavier grade paper (80 or 100g/m2) also helps to absorb any excess liquid.
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: Eoin on April 03, 2014, 01:55:33 PM
Quote from: Dr Horrible on April 03, 2014, 01:51:23 PM
Quote from: Eoin on April 02, 2014, 10:55:21 AM
The only issue with milk as a label glue is the fact that if it's left in a damp environment at all, such as a shed or garage, the milk can eventually grow mould.
I've had that problem as well, but I found that you can avoid it if you only apply just the minimum amount of milk required to get the label to stick - if you're too generous then you get black spots all over the label.  Also using heavier grade paper (80 or 100g/m2) also helps to absorb any excess liquid.


I've not had the problem myself but have heard of it from others. I have used milk, but to be honest I rarely use labels as it's just too much work on top of everything else.
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: johnrm on April 03, 2014, 05:49:46 PM
I use a saucer of milk and make sure the back of the label is wet all over.
Apply to bottle.
Apply gentle Pressure with an absorbent teatowel.

I think labels are pretty important particularly if you are handing bottles away.
There is nothing worse than a naked beer bottle and wondering what the heck is in it!
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: Bogwoppit on June 09, 2014, 04:20:33 PM
I got the labels printed up and attached with pritt.

Sorry about the sideways, doesn't look like that on computer.  >:(
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: LordEoin on June 10, 2014, 02:05:19 AM
wow , that's a shiny counter!
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: Bazza on June 10, 2014, 08:39:19 AM
Yep; Pritt stick does the job for me too.

Have to agree with LE; that counter's so shiny I can still see HIS face in it.

-Barry
Title: Re: Beer Labels
Post by: Bogwoppit on June 19, 2014, 12:11:24 PM
Quote from: LordEoin on June 10, 2014, 02:05:19 AM
wow , that's a shiny counter!

Thanks, the missus loves polishing the top!