Why Removable Canning Labels Beat Writing on Canning Lids

If you’ve been canning for a while, chances are you’ve grabbed a permanent marker and scribbled the contents and date right on the lid. It’s quick, it works… but only until it doesn’t. Smart canning labels will be the thing for you.

Labeled jars, ready for storage

Now, I feel the need to add that I am not selling anything here. There is no link to an amazon store for you to check out, there is no "click here to get yours". I am just sharing somthing that really made a big diference for me. In my canning pantry, some of my shelved are quite tight, and its dificult to sometimes see what I’ve written on top of the jars. Also my hand writing is....well.... Not representative of the amazing food that I worked so hard on getting in the jars :) So canning labels is my way forward.

So I went looking for a solution, and easy print labels was the way forward (for me)

The Problem with Writing on Lids

• Awkward Angles: Have you ever tried to write neatly on a curved lid, balancing the jar, marker, and your patience is a struggle. The result is often squiggly writing that’s hard to read later.

  
  

• Smudging: When jars sit in storage, dust and moisture can cause ink to smear, leaving you with half-legible notes.

  
  

• Stubborn Ink: Even when the writing stays put, permanent marker never seems to scrub off completely. You end up with ghostly reminders of last year’s strawberry jam when you’re trying to reuse the lid for dries herbs or nuts etc.

  
  

• Wasted Time: Scrubbing lids with steel wool or soaking in vinegar just to remove old marker isn’t exactly the fun part of canning.

  
  

The Beauty of Removable Canning Labels

This is where labels shine. A simple adhesive label placed on the glass, not the lid, changes everything:

• Clean Removal: Once the jar is empty, the label peels right off—no scrubbing, no stains, no fuss.

• Reusable Lids: Your canning lids stay clean and ready for reuse (or at least for recycling without the messy look of ink all over them).

• Neater Pantry: Labels give a tidy, uniform look that makes your shelves look more like a curated pantry than a storage room.

  
  

Extra Perks

• Less Mess When Cleaning: Dust your jars before opening, and you won’t have to worry about smudging ink with a damp cloth.

• Customizable: You can jot down the batch date, ingredients, or even add a little design for fun.

• Gift-Friendly: A jar with a neat label is instantly more presentable than one with marker scrawled across the top.

  
  

A Small Change, A Big Difference

Switching from marker-on-lid to removable labels may feel like a tiny tweak, but it saves frustration, makes cleanup easier, and gives your jars a polished look. Plus, when canning is already a labor of love, why not enjoy the beauty of jars that look as good as the food inside tastes?

One of the label makers out there

The small label makers are easy to find online, and costs about 10-15 euros. The real time and effort saving comes when Im going a big batch of maybe 10-20 jars of something. I go into the print app, design the label, add the amount of labels and the little machine prints of 20 labels in less then a minute.

✨ Do you still write on your lids, or have you made the switch to labels? Share your labeling tips—or even a photo of your best-labeled jars—in the comments below!