At Minot State University, we began an ambitious project of relabeling
the majority of our journal volumes.  Because most had been bound
in-house, title labels were generated by a dBaseIV program as issues
were collected for binding.  But the labels were the usual spine labels,
about three-quarters of an inch square.  In order to make the titles
(and the enumeration and chronology) more reader-friendly, we began
generating 1x4" title labels and using labels slightly more than 1"
square for the e/c.  (I forget details.)

Anyway, we used an Excel spreadsheet to record the data, imported it
into Access to print the labels and it produces very nice labels.  (We
began using Avery labels, but bought generic from a local business.)  We
purchased  heat sensitive label covers.  Our students affixed the
labels, covered them with the covers and ironed them with a small iron.
We used irons from a hobby shop; they were intended for model airplane
makers.  A small iron that quilters use to iron seams would probably
work as well.

If you're looking to just put shelf labeling on, you could perhaps
purchase a little fancier labels than we used, but I recommend the
process.

If you have further questions, just email me.

Cheers,

Mary