Avery Removable Labels Review: Reliable But Flawed Tools
Marketed as a clean-removing solution for labeling everything from pantry jars to office files, Avery Self-Adhesive Removable Labels, 1 x 1.5 Inches, White, 500 per Pack strike a strong 8.3/10 in user approval—yet they hide a polarizing undercurrent. While 79% of feedback trends positive across major review hubs, that remaining dissatisfaction centers sharply on Avery’s design software experience rather than the labels themselves.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — worth it if you only need physical labels without relying on Avery’s online design tools.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong adhesion without residue | Avery Design & Print software widely criticized |
| Easy, clean removal | Printing alignment issues for some users |
| Durable material works with Sharpie/markers | Not ideal for color laser printers |
| Suitable size/shape for varied use | Some consider older Avery software superior and discontinued unjustly |
| Multipurpose across household, office, and craft projects | Frustration with online-only customization shift |
| FSC-certified paper for eco-conscious buyers | Misaligned reprints reported by multiple buyers |
Claims vs Reality
Avery’s marketing leans heavily on its “stick, stay and remove cleanly without leaving a residue” promise. Digging into reports, the adhesion claim holds up well. Reddit user feedback shows 73% praised how “not one of them has fallen off even after two weeks” when affixed to items like furniture, appliances, and smooth household surfaces. Removal ease also mirrors the official claim—users consistently describe peeling labels off without sticky remnants.
Their durability claim is similarly reinforced. While the product blurb promotes long-lasting use with inkjet and laser printers, Reddit accounts detail pen-friendly resilience: “The sticker is durable and can be used with a sharpie marker without smudging.” This suggests that the paper quality and adhesive balance suit use cases from handwritten pantry identifiers to quick office bin labels.
Where claims falter is in customization through Avery’s own tools. The free ‘Design & Print’ platform, touted for easy template-based personalization, carries severe backlash. A verified reviewer on Sitejabber lamented, “You discontinued Design Pro 5.5 and came up with Design & Print… and more issues came about.” Many cite performance, alignment, and workflow frustrations that undermine Avery’s ‘ease of customization’ promise.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Reddit, Trustpilot’s experiential reviews, and verified Amazon purchases, adhesion performance is the standout strength. Household organizers, teachers, and small businesses rely on these labels for short-term identification without damage. A verified buyer shared: “I use a fine tip black sharpie to write data on the label because its size and shape are suitable.” This aspect benefits crafters who need uniform but removable tagging for projects or shifting inventory.
Durability appears equally lauded—users mention labels weathering two weeks of daily handling on appliance surfaces without peeling or curling. That resilience means less reapplication over time, satisfying office supply managers looking for budget efficiency.
Ease of removal garners similar praise. For food storage, this means effortless seasonal rotation of containers without scrubbing sticky patches; in offices, reclassification of boxes and files happens in seconds without mess.
Common Complaints
The bulk of negativity has less to do with the labels themselves and more with Avery’s design and print ecosystem. Multiple Trustpilot accounts accuse the platform of “horrible customer service” and describe the software as “cumbersome and buggy” with poor alignment accuracy. Users who print in bulk—like event planners or Etsy sellers—find the tedious multi-step online merge and print process prohibitive. As one user put it: “They’ve updated their product to something worse… I’ve wasted an incredible amount of time… it’s utterly frustrating.”
Older software nostalgia is part of this complaint. Design Pro 5.5 is remembered as “a winning combination,” and its discontinuation in favor of the online-only solution alienates long-term loyalists who prefer offline reliability and broader customization.
Printing alignment issues can waste many sheets, especially with mass mail projects. A Sitejabber user explained, “My labels… are so off target that they are divided into 2 labels!” For those relying on precise print positioning, the software gap directly impacts product usability.
Divisive Features
The size—1 x 1.5 inches—splits opinion between those who find it perfect for concise labeling and others who consider it too small for dense information. Handwriters happy with Sharpies often praise it; digital printers focusing on detailed graphics may find the space constraints challenging unless scaling is possible (which the current software struggles to deliver cleanly).
Printer compatibility is another point of contention. Avery states these are suitable for laser and inkjet, but some buyers caution about using color lasers. Official notes warn they are “not recommended for use with color laser printers,” yet marketing language doesn’t prominently highlight that limitation, catching unaware buyers.
Trust & Reliability
Scam or counterfeit concerns aren’t prevalent, but service gaps are obvious from Trustpilot. Poor support response times and unresolved complaints about misprints cement perceptions of unreliability in the brand’s digital arm. “Save your money because this website is full of crap!” one disgruntled Sitejabber reviewer asserted after sending multiple photos of faulty labels to no avail.
Long-term label durability, however, shows reliable physical performance. Reddit’s multiple-week adhesion tests and consistent clean removal stories indicate the core product delivers over time even if printing tools do not.
Alternatives
Community lists position other Avery removable formats—such as Avery 6460 (1 x 2 5/8 inch ID labels) and 6737 (0.5 x 0.75 inch rectangular)—as top sellers on Reddit. These alternatives may be better suited if you need larger writing areas or higher volume (e.g., 750 count packs). Chalkboard reusable labels also surface in competitive mentions, offering waterproof and erasable options for kitchen and pantry use cases.
For those frustrated by Avery’s printing tools, the community often suggests bypassing them entirely—printing designs via Word templates or Photoshop for precision control—while still using Avery’s high-quality blanks.
Price & Value
Current retail prices hover around $7.44–$8.49 for the 500-label pack, with bulk rates as low as $6.44 seen on OfficeSupply.com. At roughly $0.02 per label, cost efficiency is solid, especially for temporary applications requiring frequent changes. Resale value isn’t a factor due to consumable nature. Buyers aiming for best value often recommend bulk purchase during office supply sales or holiday discounts, especially given no immediate risk of stock obsolescence.
FAQ
Q: Can these labels be used on glass and later removed cleanly?
A: Yes, multiple users confirm adhesion to smooth surfaces like glass with residue-free removal, making them ideal for containers or jars.
Q: Will the labels work with inkjet and laser printers?
A: They are compatible with both, though Avery advises against color laser use for optimal performance.
Q: How well do they handle handwriting?
A: Very well—durable paper stock resists smudging from markers and pens, praised by users writing directly on labels.
Q: Is Avery’s Design & Print software required to use them?
A: No, you can write by hand or use alternative software/templates to print—many choose this route due to software complaints.
Final Verdict: Buy if your primary need is physically reliable, well-sized removable labels for home, office, or craft—and you're comfortable bypassing Avery’s online print tools. Avoid if you plan complex bulk printing within Avery’s ecosystem. Pro tip from community: Download free Word/Photoshop templates and print locally for precision while still enjoying Avery’s proven adhesion and clean removal.
