Ways for non-destructive labeling of cassettes?

Discussion in 'Cassettes' started by madrobby, Feb 7, 2026.

  1. madrobby

    madrobby New Member

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    Hi there, I'm recently getting (back) into cassettes and was wondering what solutions people came up with to non-destructively label cassettes?

    I don't really want to take a sharpie to the label of a 40 year old new cassette.
    Plus my handwriting is terrible anyway.

    Perhaps there's tape (ha!) for a labelmaker that comes of easily and doesn't harm the surface or paper labels already on the cassette?

    Obviously I can easily print my own J-cards but I'd love to have something on the cassettes themselves.

    Thanks, Thomas
     
  2. GrimyCan

    GrimyCan New Member

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  3. GrimyCan

    GrimyCan New Member

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  4. GrimyCan

    GrimyCan New Member

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  5. GrimyCan

    GrimyCan New Member

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    Modern technologies allow you not to touch the physical media at all. All information is in the smartphone.
     
  6. TooCooL4

    TooCooL4 Well-Known Member

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    My handwriting is atrocious too. Just write on the label, after all that is what they’re designed for and it looks more authentic that way. I like it to look like I made it and not shop bought.

    Stevie Wonder - The Original Musiquarium 1-2.jpg
     
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  7. madrobby

    madrobby New Member

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    I was specifically asking about non-destructive ways to label a cassette.

    It's great that these other ways all work for you guys (from not labelling to writing directly on the label to not using cassettes [smartphone?]), but that's not what I was asking advice for.

    -Thomas
     
  8. Jam_On_It

    Jam_On_It Active Member

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    I use the plastic tape in the label maker vs the paper tape. The plastic tape peels right off of the cassette face with no damage.
     
  9. soluna

    soluna Well-Known Member

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    Normally, if you really have a "new" cassette, the place for the labels is empty,and you have separately added label stickers in the cassette package, right ? Otherwise the cassette is to be declared as "used". You can use every sticker to label your cassettes, without touching the originals. I think best way is to buy self-glueing print paper, - you can format itself measures, color and font. For a later removing you simply can use a soft scraper, and lighter fuel , if there are any rests of glue - this can`t be destroy the cassette shell.
     
  10. Aluke

    Aluke New Member

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    For tapes that I want to apply a temporary label, I use 3M Post-it Labeling & Cover-Up Tape 1/3" (8,45mm). It sticks on nicely and peels off easily when I want to remove it. It comes in different sizes but I find the 1/3" size to be perfect for most tapes. You can also use pencil on it if you like.
     
  11. LanceR

    LanceR New Member

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    What is the part number for the 1/3" 3M tape? I'm only seeing it in 1" and 2".
     
  12. Michiel

    Michiel Well-Known Member S2G Supporter

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    I also have an old label printer with plastic labels that are over 10 years old. The advantage is that the labels are so old that they stick well, but not so well that they can only be removed if the cassette label is damaged. I believe I'm using old Brother M-tape.
     
  13. Squiggly

    Squiggly Active Member

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    maybe you could make your own custom labels with photoshop (or scan the originals if you have a scanner) and print it out to stick on the front with liquid glue or something (like elmers glue or whatever in the case of the A/B stickers)
    -then you can simply type the titles or constantly write/rewrite it as many times as you want in photoshop or after printing it out.
    any other pre-made types of tape or labels etc wont look quite right vs the original stuff they came with. only tricky part with what im suggesting is gluing the thing down without it lookin like crap or falling off over time

    for all i know people might already be doing or previously tried this though
     
  14. Aluke

    Aluke New Member

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    Not sure which is the part number. On the back it says "Cat. # 652" and on the bottom it says "34-8723-5433-6". This is from Canada but I bought in the USA a few years ago
    upload_2026-2-16_7-30-23.png
     
  15. DutchNick

    DutchNick Active Member

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    To be quite "crude" you could just use the sticky part of a Post-It note!
     
  16. Aluke

    Aluke New Member

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    Yes, definitely. I had done that before too. But nice to just tear off the length you need on a white colored label
     

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