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Okla

I am starting to get our seeds ready to put in the little coin envelopes. I was wondering what size Labels everyone likes to use or which Brand and product number. Also what programs and which templates do you use to print them up with? Hopefully we can get a few different ideas on this and why you like a certain size. Also where is a good place to get clip art to use on the labels?
Thomas

10/22/2004 12:16:22 AM

Wichita, KS

I jsut replied to your post on the Hort list, but it can't hurt to post here, too.

I use regular address labels (Avery 1" x 2.63"), but it really is up to you. Use what is most convenient, or what fits best on the envelope. I can say that I like it best when I get a seed envelope with an actual color photo of the pumpkin printed on the label, especially when the photo is clear (not printed in "draft" format). This is not required though. The thing most people need is just the weight-name-year (uow or dmg) and the cross, also with weight-name-year.

Microsoft Word has a label printing tool. When you open up a new word document, click on "Tools" at the top, select "Letters and Mailings," and then select "Envelopes and Labels." The program will allow you to choose from dozens of label brands, and the various label sizes they make. I think I used this program last year to print labels >>>with a photo<<<, but I am not sure, so I can't say if you can paste a picture into it or not. It's possible that I used a program called "My Label Maker Pro," or Avery's label software which they sometimes bundle with the labels. Avery's software is pretty easy to use.

10/22/2004 12:55:15 AM

mcminnville oregon

a picture tells it all!

10/22/2004 1:06:42 AM

Ontario, Canada.

I design my labels using MS excel and regular paper too. I get 16 labels to a sheet of paper with a picture on each label. This is far cheaper than label stickers which are expensive. I simply cut them out and use a glue stick to affix them to the seed packet. The label ends up around 2"x 3". It took a bit of work to get them the right size but it saves lots of time and the cost per unit is lower than Avery address labels. When you are dealing with hundreds of labels this shortcut is like a get out jail free card in a monopoly game.

10/22/2004 4:21:41 AM

Itzetown City

And he, who will take it cheapest, write with a pen on the envelope. The seed will make it, not the label. LOL

10/22/2004 4:33:20 AM

[email protected]

I never thought to use excel. I have found it to support pictures easier than Word so perhaps it's worth a try.

Last year I had my wife configure the labels in Printmaster since when I copied pictures into my Word based & Avery supported label maker program, the picture can't sit on the same line as the Text. So the picture has to be small enough to leave room either above or below for the Text.

Sizing the picture is easy in Word. First highlight, copy & paste into the lable page. Double click the image & select the size tab from the menu. Use the arrows to adjust verticle height & the horizontal goes along for the ride.

10/22/2004 7:57:21 AM

[email protected]

Correction: Double click the image after it's been placed into the word doc.

10/22/2004 7:58:34 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Go to Walmart or a Craftstore and get those little plastic baggies and some return address labels. You will never go back to the manila ones.

10/22/2004 9:05:26 AM

Missoula, Montana

I've been using those little baggies (they are cheap and you can see what is inside) but have never seen anyone else use them. Is there any chance it can be bad for the seeds because of moisture build up? I guess if you don't seal them they will be fine and usually the seeds can't get out anyway.

10/22/2004 10:05:27 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I dry my seeds in front of a dehumidifier for two weeks. Then store seeds in mason jars. I use large dessicant packages in my storage jars. Then transfer them to the seed packets when sending them out. Leaving the baggie open would encourage moisture to get in. If you are looking for dessicant packages ask someone at BestBuy or a Furniture Store they have the big ones I mentioned. They can be recharged by placing them in the oven at 245 degrees for 16 hours.

10/22/2004 10:22:23 AM

Back of Beyond

I have little plastic baggies free for the asking if anyone is interested. I receive parts packaged in them and currently have hundreds if not thousands in 2 or 3 sizes.

10/22/2004 10:29:06 AM

Wichita, KS

I avoid the clear plastic baggies, unfortunately, for purposes of integrity. By using the manilla envelipes that seal permanently, there is no chance that anybody I trade with will wonder if I took the good seeds out and put bogus seeds in. I highly doubt that this happens among us, but using the manillas reduces the possibility.

The possibility that seed fraud exists is exactly why Brent certifies every single seed that Seedoutlet.com handles. And its easier to stick a label to a manilla envelope than to plastic. :)

10/22/2004 11:14:16 AM

Knopp, Germany

Sorry Mr Sprout, manilla envelopes do not seal permantly. Either we trust the grower we are dealing with, or we don't. Brent has started a very good system, but even some of the seeds I got from him had the seal bust open. USPS is just not that good. Things do get crushed to the point where something vacuumed sealed will bust. That is why we build relationships and trust each other.

10/22/2004 11:44:35 AM

Knopp, Germany

And I am assuming you mean the coin manilla envelopes. If not, then correct me, I can take it...lol

10/22/2004 11:45:55 AM

Taber, Alberta

Avery Labels has some great free software available on www.avery.com
Go to the software section, and the area on Free Avery software. Get the Design Pro Limited. It takes a while to download (about 50 MB - 10 min on my high speed), but it has a lot of templates and is really easy to use. It says it has fewer templates than the full version, but there is still quite a few to choose from and I found it easier than MS Word.
Alan

10/23/2004 1:15:10 AM

Wichita, KS

GermanP, youare correct, I was referring to the coin manillas. You made some excellent points: the relationship trumps the envelope every time when it comes to trust. I simply prefer the manillas. By the time my seeds have exchanged hands 3 or 4 times (assuming I will someday have a seed worthy of that! LOL), the person with the seed may not know who I am at all. Therefore, there is no relationship; all they have is an envelope with a seed name on it. I would be suspect if I got offered an 845 Bobier from somebody named Cletus Phlegm, who I know only from the email offer. However, I would trust it more if it was in a sealed, manilla coin envelope, rather than a tiny ziplock. Its too easy to take a good seed out of a ziplock, and replace it with a dud.

Now that I'm thinking bout it, I will likely make a habit of initialing across the envelope seal from now on. I'll use a sharpie. :)

10/23/2004 3:04:07 AM

Okla

I finally remembered I had a software program called Labels Unlimited. I installed it and made some very nice looking labels with pictures in them. It was fairly easy to use. I remember one of the growers last year told me that Print MasterGold was a good one to use also.
Thomas

10/23/2004 3:21:51 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Toby always question where the seed came from... weither it is a little ziploc or a manila envelope. I think it would be easier to forge the manilla envelope with out a fancy seed label. The problem I see also with the Manilla envelopes is you can not see the seed. So you trade your highly valuable seed for something hollow or rotten. Most of the heavy hitters serialize the seeds with numbers and keep track of who it goes to. It is all about trust.

10/23/2004 8:09:16 AM

wisconsin rapids WI

I like to open all of my seed envelopes to check out what the seed looks like see if it has any big cracks or the shape most of seeds I have I get right from the grower Im with Shannon on the hollow or rotten I like to see what I am getting

10/23/2004 8:19:33 AM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

Wade,
That's what I am doing as well....
When I receive any seeds I will open the envelopes at once to see if the seed looks good and healthy and if it is a proven seed to see if the size and shape approve the genuinity.
However, I will keep the seeds in the original envelopes. My own seeds will be packaged in those small zip lock bags so that one can easily see the seed in the bag.

Martin

10/23/2004 10:35:57 AM

Wichita, KS

Thanks, Shannon; that's sound advice. You're making me rethink some of the simple stuff!

There is a reason I hang out on this website... its loaded with good people. :)

10/23/2004 5:47:45 PM