Avery Waterproof Labels 5523 Review: Reliable, Laser-Only
The boldest promise on the box is that these labels can be “completely submerged in water without falling apart,” and across major retail platforms the feedback circles around that same claim. Avery Waterproof Labels 2" x 4" (5523) come in a 500‑label pack for laser printers, and the overall ratings cluster in the mid‑4s: 4.4/5 on Amazon with 1,611 reviews, 4.6/5 on Walmart (48 reviews), and 4.2/5 on Office Depot (61 reviews). Taken together, shoppers are largely satisfied, but they focus on a tight set of real‑world outcomes: how well they stick, whether they truly survive water and handling, and how cleanly they print in a laser printer. Verdict from the cross‑platform tone: these are dependable waterproof shipping and product labels when used as intended, with some predictable limits. Score: 8.5/10 based on aggregate satisfaction and consistency of praise.
Quick Verdict
Conditional — excellent for laser‑printed, water‑exposed labeling, but only if you have the right printer and surface prep.
| What Users Liked / Disliked | Evidence from Platforms |
|---|---|
| Waterproof durability | Marketing emphasizes full submersion; high ratings on Amazon (4.4/5), Walmart (4.6/5) suggest most buyers feel the claim holds. |
| Strong permanent adhesion | Listed repeatedly in Amazon, Walmart, OfficeSupply descriptions; average ratings indicate broad approval of sticking power. |
| Reliable laser printer feed | “Sure Feed” tech and jam prevention highlighted across listings; few rating penalties point to smooth printing for most. |
| TrueBlock opacity for reuse | TrueBlock called out in product pages; buyers rate overall utility high. |
| Laser‑only compatibility | Officially “only compatible with laser printers,” a decisive constraint for inkjet owners. |
| Price sensitivity | Amazon listing shows list price $75.30 vs sale ~$35; resale on eBay ~$54.41, signaling some shoppers hunt deals. |
Claims vs Reality
Avery’s first big claim is full waterproofing: the labels “can be completely submerged in water without falling apart” and resist scuffing, tearing, and smudging. Digging deeper into where buyers use them, that marketing line is exactly why people pick this product—shipping labels that might get wet, food containers in fridges or freezers, or product labels exposed to spills. The consistency of high ratings across Amazon (4.4/5), Walmart (4.6/5), and Avery’s own store (4.5/5) suggests most users see real waterproof performance, not just splash resistance.
The second claim is UltraHold permanent adhesive that “sticks and stays securely” to cardboard, paper, plastic, glass, tin, and metal. This matters most to small businesses and high‑volume shippers who need labels that don’t peel at corners or slide off in transit. With thousands of Amazon reviewers keeping the average at 4.4/5 and similarly strong retail scores elsewhere, the adhesive appears to meet expectations for everyday shipping and storage surfaces. There’s no notable platform‑level drop tied to adhesion failures, implying that the majority experience “sticks and stays” outcomes aligned with the promise.
A third claim centers on print performance: Sure Feed technology for “a more reliable feed through your printer” and a warning that these labels are “only compatible with laser printers.” The feedback pattern implied by ratings is that laser owners generally get the smooth feed and clean output the brand promises. The compatibility limit, though, is a reality check: these are not a universal waterproof label for any printer. Buyers without laser printers are effectively excluded, and that constraint is repeatedly reinforced in listings.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
A recurring pattern emerged around durability in harsh environments. The product pages across Amazon, Walmart, and OfficeSupply all emphasize resistance to moisture, scuffs, and chemicals, and the sustained mid‑4 ratings indicate that this durability translates into real satisfaction. For home organizers labeling pantry jars or storage bins, the “waterproof and tear resistant” film material means labels survive dishwashing and daily handling. The fact that the average doesn’t sag even with 1,600+ Amazon reviews suggests durability is not a niche win but the default experience.
Another widely appreciated element is how aggressively these labels adhere once applied. UltraHold permanent adhesive is framed as “guaranteed to stick and stay put,” and shoppers buying for shipping, warehousing, or retail packaging seem to rely on that guarantee. Small sellers shipping through rain or snow, or reusing boxes via TrueBlock, benefit when a label stays flush against corrugate. The steady ratings across multiple retailers imply that corner‑peeling or early lift‑off isn’t a widespread issue, which is exactly what shipping‑heavy users care about.
Print reliability comes up as a third pillar of satisfaction. Sure Feed technology and laser‑printer optimization are repeated in every listing, and the product’s category rank on Amazon (#72 in laser & inkjet printer labels) alongside high review volume points to routine success in real printing setups. For office admins printing hundreds of labels, reduced misalignment and jamming is a practical payoff. The market’s collective rating suggests that most buyers see a clean feed and consistent placement, matching the brand’s intent.
After these narratives, the consensus positives can be summarized:
- Waterproof film construction holds up to submersion and handling for most buyers.
- UltraHold adhesive delivers strong, permanent bonding on common shipping and storage surfaces.
- Laser‑printer‑specific design leads to reliable feeding and crisp output.
Common Complaints
The most consistent “complaint” isn’t about failure, but about limitation: these labels are laser‑only. Avery, Amazon, Walmart, OfficeSupply, and Office Depot all underline that “waterproof printable labels are only compatible with laser printers.” For inkjet‑only households or crafting users expecting to run them through any home printer, this is a hard stop. The need for a laser printer shapes who can benefit at all, and it’s a repeated warning precisely because enough buyers would otherwise assume inkjet support.
Price is the other recurring friction point. The Amazon listing shows a steep swing between list ($75.30) and sale (~$35.17), and eBay resale at ~$54.41 indicates that buyers watch price closely. For high‑volume shippers, costs add up; for occasional home use, the pack size and list price can feel heavy unless discounted. The broad satisfaction ratings suggest people feel value when they buy on sale, but list price is high enough to push deal‑hunting behavior.
The common downsides, in brief:
- Not usable for inkjet printers; laser compatibility is mandatory.
- Value perception depends strongly on sale pricing vs list price.
Divisive Features
TrueBlock opacity is positioned as a clear advantage—“completely hide everything underneath” so boxes can be reused. For frequent shippers, that’s a practical win, and the continued strong ratings imply many buyers like it. But TrueBlock can be divisive for users who want slightly translucent labels for aesthetic reasons, or who don’t need to cover old markings. The product is engineered for shipping and reuse rather than decorative labeling, so buyers seeking a softer look may see the same feature as unnecessary bulk.
The matte white polyester finish is similarly a matter of taste. It’s designed for legibility and barcode readability, and the high scores suggest most people prioritize function over gloss. Still, labelers doing branding or boutique packaging might prefer a glossier or more premium texture. The data doesn’t show a rating split large enough to dent overall satisfaction, but the intent of the surface finish clearly matches utilitarian use more than craft styling.
Trust & Reliability
Across platforms, there are no obvious scam or counterfeit patterns implied in the data. Ratings remain stable across Amazon, Walmart, Avery’s own store, OfficeSupply, and Office Depot, which usually wouldn’t happen if users were running into widespread authenticity issues. Trustpilot data present here mirrors Avery’s own product description and star average (4.5/5), reinforcing the sense that buyers receive what they expect.
Long‑term reliability is strongly suggested by the way the product is described and rated for tough conditions: “temperature resistant,” “UV resistant,” “oil and chemical resistant.” While there aren’t individual long‑tail stories quoted in the dataset, the repeated use cases—outdoor exposure up to a year, freezer/heat swings, disinfectant wiping—signal that many users are buying specifically for longevity and returning positive ratings after those environments.
Alternatives
No direct competitor brands are mentioned in the provided user data. The only alternative within Avery’s ecosystem is the larger 2‑pack version Avery Waterproof Labels 2" x 4" (25523) with 1,000 labels, rated 4.5/5 on Avery’s site. For users who already like the 5523 performance and need higher volume, the 25523 option is essentially the same experience at scale. Another internal alternative noted is Avery 95523 (5,000 labels, 5.0 rating on Avery), aimed at industrial or very high‑throughput shippers.
Price & Value
Pricing feedback is mostly implicit through listings rather than direct comments. On Amazon, the pack often sells far below list—around $35 for 500 labels versus a $75 list price. Walmart and Office Depot list similar mid‑$30 to low‑$40 pricing. The eBay market price hovering near $54 for new stock suggests buyers will pay more when retail discounts aren’t available, but retail sales are common enough to set a lower “normal” expectation.
For small business owners printing shipping labels daily, that discount‑heavy market means the product can be cost‑efficient if purchased during sales. For light home use, the 500‑label count might feel like overkill at full price but reasonable at sale pricing. The strongest buying tip implied by community behavior is to watch for price drops, since list price is regularly undercut.
FAQ
Q: Are Avery Waterproof Labels 5523 really waterproof?
A: Yes, buyers generally rate them highly for water exposure. Avery and retailers state they can be submerged without falling apart, and the consistent 4.2–4.6 star ratings across Amazon, Walmart, and Office Depot suggest most users find the waterproof claim holds in practice.
Q: Can I use these labels in an inkjet printer?
A: No. Every platform listing emphasizes that Avery Waterproof Labels 5523 are only compatible with laser printers. Inkjet use isn’t supported, so inkjet owners should look at a different label line.
Q: Do these labels stick well to cardboard and plastic?
A: Mostly yes. Avery markets UltraHold permanent adhesive for cardboard, paper, plastic, glass, and metal, and the strong cross‑platform ratings imply that adhesion meets shipping and storage needs for most users.
Q: Are the labels good for shipping and barcodes?
A: Yes for laser‑printed shipping labels. Avery highlights Sure Feed for reliable printer runs and “grade A barcode readability,” and buyers keep the product highly rated in the shipping‑label category, pointing to dependable scan clarity.
Q: Is the 500‑label pack good value?
A: Value depends on purchase price. The list price is high, but Amazon and other retailers frequently discount the pack into the mid‑$30 range. The eBay resale price shows demand, but most buyers likely feel best value when buying on sale.
Final Verdict
Buy if you’re a laser‑printer user who needs shipping labels or product labels that survive water, handling, and cleaning—especially for small business fulfillment, warehouse organization, or food‑container labeling. Avoid if you only have an inkjet printer or want a decorative, non‑opaque label. Pro tip from the community’s buying patterns: wait for retail discounts, since sale prices are common and dramatically improve value.
