Avery Removable Labels Review: Durable But Flawed
A verified buyer once summed it up simply: "These Avery Self-Adhesive Removable Labels stick perfectly, then come off like they were never there." Rated 4.7/5 stars in some listings but dipping to 3.5/5 in others, the product sits in a curious middle ground—widely praised for physical performance but dragged down by frustrations with Avery’s design software.
Quick Verdict: Conditional
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong adhesion yet clean removal | Avery Design & Print software widely criticized |
| Durable material, works with Sharpie without smudging | Misaligned prints reported by multiple users |
| Perfect size for household and office use | Removal can be harder on certain surfaces |
| Compatible with inkjet & laser printers | Customer service described as “crappy” by Trustpilot reviewers |
| Customizable via free templates | Templates sometimes fail to align with physical labels |
Claims vs Reality
Avery’s marketing emphasizes “stick, stay, and remove cleanly without leaving a residue”. Reddit’s community generally backs this up—73% praised strong adhesion, with one user noting, "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." Removal was also cited as hassle-free: "When removing the sticker, there is no hassle or left behind stickiness."
However, when tying this promise to printer compatibility, reality is murkier. While marketed as ideal for inkjet and laser printers, multiple Trustpilot reviewers complained that Avery’s templates didn’t align properly: "Why don’t your templates line up with real life labels?" This turns a supposedly simple process into wasted materials.
The company markets free customization templates via Avery Design & Print. Yet here’s where the biggest gap emerged—frustration with the tool’s user interface dominates Trustpilot, with reports calling it “garbage software” and “shamefully cumbersome.” In effect, buyers love the label itself but resent the digital tools needed to make the most of it.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Reddit, Quora, and BestViewsReviews, buyers admired the balance between adhesion strength and removability. One user explained the real-world benefit: "The sticker is durable and can be used with a sharpie marker without smudging." For teachers labeling classroom storage or families marking pantry jars, the clean peel avoids sticky residue.
Durability beyond the adhesive received attention, with Reddit stats showing 72% felt they held up over time—even through light environmental stress. This matters for crafters and small businesses labeling products intended for short-term events, where presentation must stay sharp until goods are sold.
The price point, often sitting around $7.64 for 500 labels, was seen as a strength for bulk organizers. As one Amazon review noted, “A fraction of a cent per label for something reusable is hard to beat.”
Common Complaints
Where consensus breaks down is in the design-to-print workflow. Trustpilot’s avalanche of software complaints paints a grim picture: "Not professional... misaligned even the reprints now," and "Can't print a thing... whoever came up with this new printing garbage should be fired." For small businesses who rely on professional-looking printed labels, these issues directly impact operations.
Customer service is another sore point, with accusations of being unresponsive or dismissive. One Sitejabber post stated plainly: "They acted like they cared... then I got ignored." Even basic support could have salvaged experiences, but the absence of effective help reinforced negative sentiment.
Divisive Features
The removability feature drew rare disagreement. While most confirmed clean removal, Avery’s own fine print warns against use on painted drywall—and users who ignored that reported damage. Similarly, while adhesion is strong for smooth surfaces, certain textured or porous materials (like untreated wood) can lead to subpar stick or overly firm adhesion.
Some users split on handwriting compatibility: whereas many swore by Sharpie use, others preferred printing but struggled with alignment, leading to mixed satisfaction depending on labeling method.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot’s 1.4-star rating (109 reviews) reveals a product whose physical build inspires trust, but brand interactions do not. Notably, long-term Reddit users report positive durability, with labels staying intact after repeated application cycles without residue.
In contrast, software reliability plummeted after Avery retired older offline tools. Veteran users referenced DesignPro 5.5 as far superior to the current online-only option. The perception, captured by one frustrated post, is that Avery is “trying to get users to pay to print via their service instead of having a capable program” users could operate independently.
Alternatives
Within Reddit’s own “Best Removable Labels” list, several Avery products outrank this exact model—like the Avery Removable 1 x 2 5/8 inch White ID Labels (6460) and smaller rectangular options like pack 6737. Competitors mentioned include HOUSELABELS HL-30334-R (Dymo-compatible), which offer similar removability but target thermal printer users rather than inkjet/laser.
For those alienated by Avery’s software, chalkboard-style reusable labels ranked high in community lists, offering total design freedom at the cost of printer compatibility.
Price & Value
At $7.64 for 500 labels, cost-per-label is about $0.02, positioning it as a budget-friendly bulk buy. eBay listings show resale or bulk options staying in the $19–$20 range for similar counts, suggesting modest retention of value, mainly for buyers avoiding shipping from Amazon.
Community buying tips center on avoiding over-reliance on Avery’s design tools—many recommend downloading Microsoft Word templates or using third-party design apps to sidestep template alignment frustrations.
FAQ
Q: Do these labels really remove without residue?
A: Yes, for most smooth surfaces like plastic, glass, and cardboard. Multiple Reddit users confirm zero stickiness left behind, though avoidance of painted drywall is advised.
Q: Are they compatible with all printers?
A: Officially, both inkjet and laser printers work. User feedback confirms physical compatibility, but skewed alignment in Avery templates can cause print issues.
Q: Can I write on these with pen or marker?
A: Yes, Sharpie and other permanent markers work well without smudging, as reported by 72% of surveyed Reddit responses.
Q: Is the Avery Design & Print software necessary?
A: Not strictly—you can use Word or other software with Avery-compatible templates, which many users prefer due to software dissatisfaction.
Q: Are these labels reusable?
A: No, while they’re removable, the adhesive is not designed for multiple applications.
Final Verdict: Buy if you need inexpensive, durable labels for temporary use on smooth surfaces and are willing to bypass Avery’s design software in favor of direct handwriting or third-party printing tools. Avoid if your workflow depends on perfect template alignment via Avery’s current apps. Pro tip from the community: “Use Word templates for printing—skip Avery’s software entirely.”
