Ever wonder how to remove a sticker from a game box (or just about anything)? It might be the stickers that are now used to seal the box instead of shrink wrap. It might be an ugly price sticker or discount sticker (25% off). Or maybe it’s a sticker that is just in the wrong place and is covering up an important piece of information. Or maybe it’s an old game that has been taped shut with either clean tape or masking tape.
These are super annoying and potentially destructive. Ever peeled off that sticker to regret it? Left over sticky residue, left over bits of sticker that wouldn’t come off, ripped boxes—all of these can damage your box and diminish your feelings for the game inside.
In this post I will share with you my method of removing stickers that won’t leave you frustrated. Rather, you’ll be left with a clean, smooth box. (And if you want to read about the middle game in the picture, read the review on Relative Insanity.)
Recently, we bought a brand new game that didn’t have shrink wrap (great for the environment). Instead, it had four large clear stickers holding it shut. At first, these stickers are hard to see and not a problem.
Until you try to open the box.
The problem is they are very hard to peel. First, they are round so they have no corners to start a peel.
Next, to open the box we had to slice all four stickers with a knife. The problem with this is that now the stickers have flaps—flaps that will pick up dirt, flaps that will annoy us, flaps that will now be pulled off either ripping the box or leaving sticky residue.
Now, we spent a lot of money on this game and I hate the thought of such an expensive game box being ruined by a sticker.
So, I used my easy method to remove stickers to fix this.
The Remove Stickers Method
The Method to remove stickers is very simple. All you need is a hair dryer.
First, let the hair dryer heat up. Next, blow the hot air over the sticker for a few seconds. Starting with 10 seconds is a good place to start. Next, try lifting the sticker.
If it doesn’t come off easily, stop and blow 10 seconds more of hot air on it and try again. Repeat doing this until the sticker easily lifts off. It won’t leave any sticky residue behind.
Done.
But why only 10 seconds at a time? Boxes are made out of all sorts of materials and some could scorch with too much heat. Heating for only 10 seconds will avoid this as you can easily monitor the progress.
For hair dryers with low heat setting, this method might take some time but is worth it.
Why Does It Work
By heating the adhesive, you care in a way re-activating the sticky, making is much easier to remove. The adhesive like to stick together and will sling to itself instead of the box.
Conclusion
I have used this method on games boxes that have sticker seals. I’ve also used it on games tat I purchased at second hand stores—ones with huge price stickers. I’ve even used it on original price stickers on second hand games.
This technique also works to remove stickers from books, glass and toys. (Note: be careful not to melt, soften or dis-colour the plastic on toys.)
The next time you have a sticker to remove, don’t worry. Simply, get out your hair dryer for an easy and quick removal.
Looking for new games? Read our game reviews. And for more fun, check out our dice games and card games–no stickers to remove.
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