Avery Removable Labels Review: Strong Adhesion, Software Flaws
A surprisingly consistent 79% of users rate the Avery Self-Adhesive Removable Labels, 1 x 1.5 Inches, White as worth buying, despite a storm of software-related complaints that drag down its overall perception. On adhesive performance alone, it earns a solid 8.5/10 from community feedback.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy — excellent physical label quality, but beware the design/print software issues.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong adhesion on multiple surfaces | Avery Design & Print software widely disliked |
| Removes cleanly with no residue | Misalignment issues during printing |
| Compatible with inkjet & laser printers | Some packs suffer poor cutter alignment |
| Durable material resists smudging with markers | Online-only tool frustrates offline users |
| Versatile size for multiple storage uses | Customer service complaints on problem resolution |
| Affordable per-label cost | Interface complexity discourages casual users |
Claims vs Reality
Avery markets these labels as “stick, stay and remove cleanly without leaving a residue” and “ideal for drawers, containers, boxes, shelves and other smooth surfaces.” Digging into buyer reports, that surface-level promise largely holds true for the physical product itself.
A verified buyer on Amazon noted: “I used the stickers on various pieces of furniture, appliances, and household goods, and not one of them has fallen off even after two weeks.” Reddit reviews echo the clean removal claim: “When removing the sticker, there is no hassle or left behind stickiness.” This matches Avery’s advertised removability with close user validation.
The bigger gap appears on Avery’s “easy to customize” claim via their free templates. While technically correct, long-time customers feel customization has become harder. One Trustpilot reviewer lamented: “You discontinued Design Pro 5.5 and came up with Design and Print and more issues came about… now only the online version is available. I will not use online-only products for creating and printing labels.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Amazon, Reddit, and specialist review aggregators, adhesion strength and residue-free removal dominate the praise. For home organizers, the blend of secure sticking with clean detachment means labeling pantry jars or file boxes without fear of permanent marks. A verified Amazon buyer shared: “It doesn’t leave any hassle or stickiness when removed, even from painted wood surfaces.”
Durability is also celebrated. Craft hobbyists mention the ability to write with a Sharpie and avoid smudging — critical for handmade product labeling. BestViewsReviews users consistently rate its material quality at 72% positive, highlighting its suitability for long-term storage labeling.
Size and shape are another consensus win. At 1 x 1.5 inches, these labels hit a “sweet spot” for everything from small tool bins to mid-size jars. A user commented: “Its size and shape are suitable for detailed labeling — fits enough text without looking crowded.”
Common Complaints
Problems emerge almost entirely in the software realm. The Avery Design & Print platform receives harsh criticism for misalignment, sluggish performance, and forced online dependency. One Trustpilot reviewer called it “the worst printing service in existence — never prints what you see in the viewport.”
Printer feed misalignments are tied to template discrepancies. “The print preview didn’t match up to what was printed… wasted about half the package,” reported a Sitejabber reviewer. These technical points frustrate business users especially, who rely on precision for client-facing labels.
Customer service gets frequent negative mentions. “They acted like they cared… had me send pictures… and then ignored me,” says another Trustpilot post. This lack of resolution compounds the frustration of those facing print or design issues.
Divisive Features
The dual inkjet/laser compatibility splits opinion. While many agree it works well with both printer types, enthusiasts of the retired Avery Design Pro software swear output has suffered since migration to online tools. The sticker quality itself is steady, but for high-volume label creators, perceived inefficiencies in the current system overshadow physical strengths.
At-home crafters who don’t depend heavily on Avery’s design ecosystem show fewer complaints. Those printing via third-party apps or handwriting labels bypass the primary source of contention, making their experience almost entirely positive.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot paints a complex portrait: the physical labels themselves come through as advertised, but reliance on the Avery ecosystem generates distrust. Patterns show “UI is a nightmare” and “garbage software” as repeated refrains, with frustrated references to forced online workflows removing offline capabilities users valued for over a decade.
Long-term durability feedback is stable — Reddit hobbyists report successful use over months: “I keep jars labeled year-round… no peel, no fading, comes off clean when I switch contents.” Yet on reliability of tech workflows, reports focus on sudden account deletions and lost design templates, undermining confidence for business use.
Alternatives
In Reddit’s ranking of removable labels, other Avery models take top spots, such as Avery Removable 1 x 2 5/8 inch ID Labels (#1) and Avery Removable Labels, 0.5 x 0.75 inches (#2). Competitors using chalkboard-style reusable labels offer flexibility for kitchen storage but lack the printer compatibility and crisp white surface of the 05434.
For users primarily handwriting labels, alternatives like Houselabels HL-30334 offer removable adhesive with simpler purchase experiences — avoiding Avery’s software altogether. However, these miss out on the fine printer compatibility that remains a selling point of Avery’s removable range.
Price & Value
Currently hovering between $6.99 and $8.49 for 500 labels on platforms like eBay and Amazon, the per-label cost sits near $0.02 — a strong value proposition for households and small offices. Bulk options on eBay push per-pack savings, and community members stress checking international shipping costs, as Amazon Global adds ~$10 for New Zealand delivery.
Resale or surplus resale value is negligible, but the buying tip across platforms remains: if you design outside Avery’s tools, you retain the label’s full utility without software frustrations.
FAQ
Q: Do these labels really remove without residue?
A: Yes — multiple users report clean removal from wood, glass, and plastic, even after weeks of adhesion.
Q: Can I use these with both inkjet and laser printers?
A: Yes, they’re designed for dual compatibility, though software template alignment may cause printing issues.
Q: Are they waterproof?
A: Standard paper version is not waterproof; only Avery’s heavy-duty removable labels offer water resistance.
Q: Will Sharpie ink smudge on these labels?
A: No — several users confirm Sharpie writing remains intact without smearing.
Q: Can I handwrite instead of printing?
A: Absolutely — handwriting avoids most software-related frustrations and is popular among casual users.
Final Verdict
Buy if you need strong, clean-removal paper labels for short-term or changeable storage, and can either handwrite on them or print using third-party software/templates. Avoid if your workflow depends heavily on Avery’s Design & Print tool under tight alignment tolerances. Pro tip from the community: download Word or Photoshop templates to bypass design frustrations entirely while keeping the label’s proven physical performance.
