These label positioning
techniques work with bottles or any cylindrical surface.
You will need a reference point to position a sticker squarely on a
cylindrical object. The best method for most stickers is the
vertical reference line, however if you sticker is short and long you
may want to use the horizontal method. For large quantities such as
beer and wine bottle labels it is best to Make a Bottle
Labeling Jig.
Note:
If your sticker is wide or long it may be best to use multiple tape
strips (with a 1/16” gap) running vertically to prevent
buckling.
Vertical positioning or lines parallel to
the curvature.
If the object can be held in your hand
place it against any wall and door molding and draw line down the
object.
For
lager items or if you intend to do this frequently, the bet method is
to place an “angled item”, like an angle iron, on
the
object and draw a line or butt the label against the straight edge. The
longer the angle iron the better. See the wine bottle label in figure 1.
Select the largest size 90 degree angle
item that is shorter than the diameter of the object.
Hardware stores and recyclers have a
selection of aluminum angle stock that may suit your needs.
Horizontal
positioning or lines
around the cylinder.
Take a piece of
paper long enough to go completely around the object. For
large
objects use brown wrapping paper or newspaper.
Wrap the paper around the object and position
the paper so the edge (top or bottom) meet forming a sleeve.
Tape the paper sleeve together in 2 or more
places not to the object.
Now using the sleeve as a guide, slide the
sleeve up or down to place the sticker in the desired location.
Homemade
labeling
jigs are very useful when large quantities of similar items are to be
labeled, e.g. wine and beer bottles or canning jars. Any Channel or
“V” shaped item with the proper dimensions makes a
ready
made labeling jig.
Labeling Jigs for Round Bottles
Channel jigs (diagram A) are the easiest to
make. If
you find a channel that fits your bottle as in the diagram above, you
are done. You may want to take a bottle with you to your local hardware
store and ask for their advice.
If the mouth of the channel jig is to wide or
the not
deep enough diagram B) simply add shims (green) to one side until the
bottle nests in the labeling jig. A thin walled channel or a tapered
shim makes it easier to place the label.
To build a “V” trough jig
(diagram C)
start with an angle opening less than the diameter of the bottle.
Construct a stand (brown) from wood or other materials to hold the
“V” in an open up position.
Labeling Jig for Square Canning Jars (diagram D)
For square canning jars begin with a channel
jig wider than the jar.
Using shims (green) raise the jar off the base
of the
jig to the desired label position. Shims should be narrower than the
width of the jar.
Place a wedge or triangle shaped piece of wood
(red)
on the other side of the labeling jig. This will keep the jar tight
against the jig when applying the label. You may need to experiment
with the angle for maximum effect.
For All Homemade labeling Jigs
Place a “stop” at one end
so each bottle rests in the same place.
Mark the top of the labeling jig where you want
the bottom edge of the label to be placed.
Place the bottle in the labeling jig and using
the edge of the jig as a guide, wrap the label around the bottle.
Each bottle will have the identical label
placement.
Figures 2 - 4 show the quick and handy homemade bottle labeling jig
that I made for wine bottle labels.
I began with a miter box from my woodworking shop. That furnished the
channel.
For the shim I selected a piece of 2 x 4 with an angle cut edge to make
it easier to place labels against the bottles. That is it, I was done.
For smaller bottles I place a second shim between the existing shim
(it’s not fixed) and the channel. If I encounter a larger
bottle
I will use a narrower shim.
Figure 2 shows a wine bottle nestled in the jig ready for the label.
Figure 3 shows the label in place. The next step is to wrap the label
around the bottle.
Figure 4 a view of the homemade bottle labeling jig and the finished
wine bottle.
