Can stickers

Soak in PBW (pro brewers wash ) or oxyclean free. Works on bottles. Really don't know about cans though.

 

That would undoubtedly damage the label. I hope that isn't the part he needs for the project.

 

Maybe slit the can near the corner of the label and tear the can until it reaches just pass the edge of the label. If it isn't stuck to the can too much, maybe you can slide a finger in enough to work the label off?

 

I've only ever seen printed on labels on cans.

 

I would just start experimenting with different procedures. Boiling the can is the first thing that I think of trying. Then freezing. Cut the top and bottom off of the can and then slit down the wall of the can. Then flatten what is left to see if the label comes loose.

 

Are you looking for the P/S (pressure sensitive labels, like stickers) or the sleeved cans (shrunk on)?
With P/S the best you can hop to do is get a corner up with a razor blade or knife and slowly peel. Some P/S adhesives are more agressive than others and may not leave any residual tack afterwards (if you were looking to stick it to something else). As for the sleeved cans, simply get a ruler and cut a nice edge. These are one and done and they have no adhesive backing. They are made from PET and will keep their shape. You fan flatten but they may get wrinkled and creased.

Welcome to the 21st century.
Printed cans have a lower unit cost but huge MOQ (min order quantity). The folks doing smaller batches of beer are using P/S labeling with a really inexpensive inline horizontal labeler ($15k tops) after their canning line, or are getting midsize batches of the sleeved cans. They are more expensive but make a lot of sense for smaller operations for storage and flexibility.

 

I've had no problem peeling the pressure sensitive labels off of cans. You just have to get under an edge and go slow. The adhesive usually comes with the label so I can stick it right onto a cabinet in my workshop.

 

Are you trading for these beers or travelling to get them? If the latter, you should try explaining your project and asking the breweries for an extra label off the roll.

 

X-acto knife is the best. Gets under the label and then allows you to peel right off. I've been making coasters and find Trillium to be the best. They have a slight layer of clear protection on them which you can remove with a x-acto knife. It's not easy, but allows the design to show better (depends on what you do). Like you mentioned, Tree House are great and so are Other Half beers. Sleeves on cans are a piece of cake to remove too. Cut a circle around the top of the can and bottom, then just cut a straight line down one side.

Cans are easy to cut as well with an x-acto knife. But don't know what project your working on.