Nowadays almost everyone shops online, and removing personal information from shipping labels has become a real concern. A shipping label often includes the customer’s first and last name, exact address, city, and the delivery date. People worry of privacy leaks. Many people choose to shred anything containing personal information before discarding the packages.
Although the majority of shipping labels are thermal labels, the printed text doesn’t disappear immediately. So if you want to make sure that your private information is removed, a little extra effort is still required. In today’s article, we’ll introduce five effective methods to help you with this. Whether you want to simply blur out the sensitive information on shipping labels or remove the old shipping labels entirely before applying new ones, these methods work.
When I searched online for how to remove personal information from shipping labels, I noticed that some people think it’s pointless. Their argument is that since the trash bin sits right outside your house—and about 60% of homes in the U.S. are single-family houses—anyone passing by can easily tell which trash belongs to whom.
But in my opinion, removing personal information is still worth the effort. It makes it much harder for someone to casually access your private details—it’s not as easy as picking it up “like a piece of cake.”
And for those living in apartment buildings, it’s even more important to remove or blur out your personal information. You never know who might come across your discarded packages or labels, and what they might do with that information.
Some people remove the information from shipping labels because they want to reuse old boxes when sending packages. Reusing boxes is eco-friendly and cost-effective, but it’s important to make sure that any previous shipping information is completely removed to avoid confusion or misdelivery.
1. Alcohol, Feng You Jing (Medicated Oil), or Isopropanol
Use a cloth or cotton pad soaked in rubbing alcohol (70% or higher), Feng You Jing, or isopropanol to rub over the printed text. These substances can dissolve or fade the thermal ink used in most shipping labels. Feng You Jing, although uncommon in Western households, contains essential oils that help lift ink from the surface.
Tip: Rub gently in circular motions for about 30–60 seconds.
2. Permanent Marker or Correction Fluid
If you’re in a hurry or the label won’t come off, simply block out personal information using a thick black permanent marker or white correction fluid.
Make sure to cover:
Your name and address
Tracking numbers and barcodes
Any sender information
3. Heat Treatment (Hairdryer or Lighter)
Thermal shipping labels fade when exposed to high temperatures. Use a hairdryer on high heat for 30 seconds or hold a lighter a few inches away (briefly and carefully) to darken or blur the print.
Caution: Don’t burn the label or box. Always use fire-resistant surfaces and supervise the process.
4. Disinfectant (like Dettol) + Heat Combo
This “mixed valve” method is especially useful for stubborn thermal labels. First, apply a drop of Dettol or similar disinfectant. Then heat the label with a hairdryer or lighter.
The heat and chemical combination breaks down the thermal layer, leaving the print unreadable.
Warning: Ensure good ventilation and avoid open flames near flammable liquids.
5. Thermal Eraser
You can search for the keyword "thermal eraser" on Amazon. Thermal erasers remove information from shipping labels by applying heat. Since they are electronically controlled, they are safer and more precise than using a lighter.
6. Peel Off the Label After Blurring It
Once you've used any of the above methods to distort the printed data, you can peel the label off completely. If it leaves residue behind, scrape gently with a card or use label remover spray.
Pro tip: If you're reusing a box, always remove the label fully to avoid confusion at the post office.
Removing personal information from shipping labels is a small step that protects your privacy and ensures successful delivery. Whether you choose to rub it off, heat it off, or peel it off, be sure the old label is unreadable before reuse. When in doubt, cover it completely or start fresh with a new box.
Your identity matters. Don’t let it travel with your package.
About Betckey
Betckey Premium Labels is a leading supplier of compatible direct thermal labels, committed to high-quality and eco-friendly products as well as competitive pricing. We offer better products than manufactured original at 70% less price. Now, our Amazon store ranks first in the US, Canada, and Western Europe with thousands of positive ratings. Visit betckey.com and get special discount when purchasing! Sign up now and we'll send you a special discount towards your purchase. By the way, welcome to follow our official @ Tik Tok and @ Youtube accounts to get Betckey’s latest news!
