Tools for Labeling Your Stuff

Labels that are easy to read, durable and well-fastened are essential to the success of any organizing system.  You can put a lot of time and effort into organizing a space only to have it be quickly abandoned because the labels wear off, fall off, or can’t be read.  That is why it is important to stock your Organizing Tool Kit with labeling tools that will stand the test of time.  Below are our suggestions for the best tools to help you successfully label your stuff.

Label Maker

A label maker is one of the core items of your Organizing Tool Kit.  There are lots of label makers available, but the one we recommend is the portable, hand-held DYMO LetraTag Plus LT-100H.  It is the ideal for the home or small office. It prints on a variety of colored labels, plus adds popular text features like multiple font styles, underlining, bolding, text sizing and more. It has a graphical display which means no more guessing what the label will look like, it shows you right on the screen before you print it out.  They cost around $20.00.

LetraTag Plus LT-100H tape comes in paper (white, black, blue, yellow, red), plastic (white and black on clear), fabric iron on (white), magnetic (white) and metallic (silver, pink and blue).

This is our preferred way of labeling containers and file folders.

Permanent Markers

Use permanent markers for labeling things that don’t need to have a “pretty” label or when you don’t want to worry about your label smearing or transferring to another surface.

Sharpie® Retractable Markers come in fine and ultra fine points.  We love these because you don’t need to worry about losing the cap.  You can keep an extra one in your purse or car without worrying about it leaking all over everything or drying up.

Sharpie® Twin Tip markers come in various sizes and tip shapes.  These can be used for writing on files, folders, CDs, DVDs, jewel cases, children’s Sippy cups, and plastic containers.  The tip selection is amazing.  We love the calligraphy point for making beautiful labels.

Sharpie® Metallic markers come in silver and gold and are terrific for labeling dark surfaces.

Highlighters can be used to call attention to important information on a label.  Highlight over a specific word or sentence to call attention to recipes, instructions or caution warnings.

Marks-a-Lot markers are wonderful for writing on large surfaces such as cardboard boxes and signs.

Fabric Markers

Sharpie Rub-a-Dub® Laundry Marker works well on fabrics and synthetics.  It stays on through washing and dry cleaning.  If you hand down clothes from an older sibling, try using the Dot System to mark you children’s clothing.  The oldest child gets one dot.  When the garment is passed down to the next child, you add another dot. You continue to add a dot for each child the garment is passed down to.

Iron on Labels

Use these for labeling clothing for the gym or summer camp.  You find these online here.

Tags

Tags are a great way to label decorative containers, such as baskets or bins that you don’t want to label with a permanent marker or label maker.  You can decorate these tags with scrapbook paper and embellishments, stamping or calligraphy pens.  You can even swap out the string for rustic twine, a beautiful ribbon or colorful yarn.  We like the Avery Metal Rim Tags and Shipping Tags.

Print Your Own Labels

When you need to make a lot of labels, you may want to try using one of the templates in your word processing software to create a custom label.  Office supply stores have many types of labels on which you can print your custom labels.  These labels are perfect for file folders, DVDs, CDs, jewel cases and return address labels.

Preprinted Labels

These you can purchase through mail order catalogs or online.  The most popular type of preprinted labels is return address labels.

Removable Labels

Post-It® has a wonderful, removable label product called Label Pads.  You write your description on the label, peel it off the pad and adhere it to a surface.  Later, when you want to remove it, you just peel it right off.  These are great for when you want to temporary label, such as for a container of leftovers.  They come in a variety of colors.

Label Rolls

Label Rolls, also by Post It®, allow you to create custom labels of any length.  Tear off the exact size label you want, fix it to the item and write the name of the item on the label.

Clear Packing Tape or Clear Duct Tape

For when you need to place large labels on a container, like instructions to a game or a recipe.  To make labeling fast, you could use a Label Pad label and cover it with clear packing tape.  Now that’s fast!

Closet Dividers

Closet dividers are excellent for organizing clothes closets.  Use them to designate and label sections of your closet for specific types of clothing: shirts, pants, suits, etc.  They come in a variety of colors and designs.  Some come with labels preprinted with categories and others have labels you can write on.  You can find them online here.