FAQs

The Label Slayer is a custom 3D-printed label applicator. You load your roll of labels into the unit, then roll your container across it — the unit peels each label off its backing and applies it straight and wrinkle-free as the container rotates. Each unit is built for one specific container size and label width, so your label lands in the same spot every time. The product pages include a short video showing it in action.

Round, rigid, cylindrical containers only — bottles, cans, jars, vials, and tubes that hold a true cylinder shape. The unit works by rotating the container against the label, so the container has to stay round as it turns. It won't work with oval tubes, soft/squeeze tubes that flatten, square or hexagonal jars, or strongly tapered bottles. If you're not sure whether yours qualifies, just ask — if you have any round, rigid version of your container, we can usually help.

The Label Slayer is an economical solution for small producers who are labeling their containers by hand but don't want to spend thousands of dollars on semi-automated equipment. It's a great fit when you have just a few different container sizes to label — think kombucha and craft beer cans, lip balm tubes, maple syrup and sauce bottles, spirits, skincare jars, pharmacy vials, and more. If you've outgrown applying labels by hand but aren't ready for an industrial machine, this is for you.

Order the Custom Label Slayer and put your container size and label carrier sheet width in the order notes (for example, “12oz can, 3.5in carrier sheet”). We match the build to your dimensions and ship it out. If you'd rather confirm fit first, email us your measurements and we'll point you to the right product and price.

Three measurements:

1. Container diameter — the width of your bottle, can, or jar.
2. Label carrier sheet width — the width of the backing/liner your labels come on (not the printed label itself). Think of it as the width of the roll.
3. Distance from the bottom of the container to the bottom of the label — where the label sits.

A photo of your container (ideally with a label on it) is a helpful extra. Here's a short video showing how to take these measurements:

This trips a lot of people up. The carrier sheet (the backing the labels sit on) is usually 1/8″ to 1/4″ taller than the printed label. So if your label is 3″ tall, your carrier sheet is likely around 3.25″. The Label Slayer's slot is sized to the carrier sheet width, so that's the number we need — measure the full backing width and confirm it.

Yes, we certainly can. If you don't see your container listed, order the Custom Label Slayer and tell us your dimensions in the notes, or email us first and we'll confirm fit and price. Almost every unit we make is custom, and we design most of them the same week.

If the front and back labels are different widths, yes — that usually takes two separate units, one for each carrier sheet width. If they're the same size, one unit handles both. Ask us if you're unsure.

We build one unit per container/label-size combination. We tried multi-size “combo” units and they were less reliable, so we recommend a dedicated unit for each size. If you need several, ask about a multi-unit discount.

Yes. If you need several units, we offer multi-unit/quantity discounts — just let us know how many and what sizes and we'll sort out pricing.

No — we make the applicators, not the labels. Most label suppliers' rolls work fine with the Label Slayer. For label supply (especially smaller runs), we recommend Dave Swanson at Belmark — it's who we get our own labels from:

Dave Swanson
daves@belmark.com
Belmark Inc
600 Heritage Road, De Pere, WI 54115-5310
Cell: (920) 360-2848 · Phone: (920) 336-2848
belmark.com/products/pressure-sensitive-labels

Just let him know it's for a Label Slayer unit and he'll get you set up.

The Label Slayer works best with opaque labels on paper (wax-paper) backing — often sold as BOPP labels. These are stiff enough to separate cleanly and feed smoothly. Most suppliers use similar materials, so nearly all standard rolls work. Very thin or flimsy labels, and clear/plastic (PETG) backing, can be less consistent — they sometimes don't separate from the backing as cleanly. If your clear labels have some stiffness to them, they'll usually work fine. (For more on backing, see the paper-vs-film liner question below.)

The liner (also called the carrier sheet) is the backing that carries your label and its adhesive, and it comes in two types:

• Paper liners — the white, wax-paper-like backing you've probably seen behind stickers. Usually glassine or kraft paper with a silicone release coating; they have good tensile strength, so they don't snap as they feed through an applicator, and the label releases cleanly from them.
• Film liners — a thin, often clear plastic backing (PET or PP). Valued for extra strength on high-speed packaging lines and for the extra-smooth surface they give clear, “no-label-look” labels.

For the Label Slayer, we really do recommend a paper liner. Paper is stiffer and releases more predictably, so it feeds and applies far more consistently through the unit. Film liners (including clear PET/PETG) are slicker and more flexible, which can make the label separate unevenly in a hand-fed applicator like ours. If you're ordering specifically for a Label Slayer, just ask your supplier for a paper liner.

Labels must be outside wound, with either the right or left edge leading. The Label Slayer is universal for rewind directions #3 and #4 — on a standard rewind chart, that's option 3 (outside wound, right edge leading) or option 4 (outside wound, left edge leading). Both feed correctly, so use whichever your supplier prefers. Inside-wound rolls won't feed through the unit, so it's worth confirming “outside wound” with your label supplier when you order.

The standard Label Slayer stand can accommodate a roll of labels up to 12″ in diameter. How many labels that works out to depends on your label thickness and size — your label supplier can tell you how many labels add up to a 12″ roll.

Almost all label suppliers use a standard 3″ core. The Label Slayer includes a 3″-to-1″ core adapter that lets the roll sit on the provided 1″ rod that holds the labels on the stand — so a standard 3″ core is all set.

Application is smooth for labels with some stiffness. Very thin, flimsy clear labels are harder to apply cleanly than opaque ones; if your clear stock is reasonably stiff, it works just fine. When possible, we recommend opaque labels for the cleanest result.

Custom units are priced by container and label size, with free U.S. shipping:

• Small items (lip balm, small jars, slim cans) — $79
• Standard can / mid-size bottle — $89
• 16oz or larger bottles and jars — $99
• Largest containers (gallon-scale) — $129

If you're not sure which tier fits, send us your dimensions and we'll confirm the price before you order. Multi-unit discounts are available.

Each unit is made to order in Wisconsin. We typically design and ship within 1–2 business days. Within the U.S., transit is usually another 3–5 days depending on your location, via USPS or UPS Ground.

Yes — U.S. shipping is free on our units.

Yes, we ship worldwide. Import duties, taxes, and customs fees are the customer's responsibility — they're collected by the carrier or customs on arrival and can't be predicted until after the item ships, as is standard for any international order. If your country isn't selectable at checkout, email info@labelslayer.com and we'll enable it for you.

Yes. The center insert is the part sized to your label, so if you switch to a wider or narrower carrier sheet we can make a new insert that drops into the unit you already have. Send us your new carrier sheet width and we'll make one — there's usually a small fee (around $30) to cover materials and shipping.

Yes, reach out at info@labelslayer.com and we'll get you sorted. The applicator dowel, for example, is a 1″ diameter dowel about 8–10″ long — we can ship one, or you can grab one quickly at most hardware stores. Replacement inserts are usually around $30 to cover materials and shipping.

Need additional 3″-to-1″ core adapters for more label rolls, or a replacement for one that got misplaced? You can purchase them directly here: 3″ Label Roll Core Adapters.

First, check the winding direction (labels should be outside wound — options 3 or 4) and that you're using opaque labels on paper backing where possible. If one direction pulls harder than the other, there may be adhesive residue in the slot: soak the inside with isopropyl alcohol, then gently run a strip of light sandpaper or cardstock through to clean it out. If it still feels defective after that, email us — we can send a replacement insert or look at a custom fit for thicker labels.

We stand behind our products with a 100% money-back guarantee for any item that arrives defective or damaged, within 30 days of delivery. Return shipping costs are the customer's responsibility. Because each unit is custom-made to your dimensions, please double-check your measurements before ordering — and if something isn't fitting, reach out, because we can usually fix it with a new insert rather than a return.

You can cancel without penalty any time before your order ships. After it's shipped, please use the return process above.

Email info@labelslayer.com with your order number within 24 hours of ordering and we'll correct it. We can't guarantee changes or refunds for address errors after that window once the unit is in production or shipped.

All prices are in U.S. dollars (USD).