Almost every label failure is a material choice made without considering how the product is stored, handled and shipped. Get this right and the print takes care of itself.
Paper labels
Economical, easy to write on, and available in gloss, matte, uncoated and textured. Paper absorbs moisture, so it is the wrong choice for anything refrigerated, frozen or handled with wet hands.
Use for dry goods, boxes, shipping labels, address labels and indoor retail products that stay dry.
White BOPP
Biaxially oriented polypropylene. A thin white plastic film that is waterproof, oil resistant and tear resistant. This is the workhorse for product labels and what most commercial products use.
Use for bottles, jars, cosmetics, food containers, anything refrigerated and anything that will be handled repeatedly.
Clear BOPP
The same film without the white base, giving the no-label look on glass and clear containers. One catch: without a white underprint, whatever is behind the label shows through your artwork. If your design has white elements or light colors, ask for a white ink underbase, otherwise those areas will simply be transparent.
Specialty films
- Metallic and foil: mirror gold or silver base for premium spirits and cosmetics.
- Holographic: prismatic film that shifts color with the light.
- Kraft paper: uncoated brown for natural, artisan and organic positioning.
- Textured and felt: tactile stocks common on wine.
- Vinyl: thicker and more durable, used where the label doubles as outdoor signage.
Matching material to product
Food
Refrigerated and frozen products need BOPP with a cold-temperature adhesive. Standard adhesives fail when applied to a cold surface or when condensation forms. Tell us the storage temperature and whether the label goes on before or after chilling.
Beverages
Anything that will sit in ice or a cooler needs waterproof film and a wet-strength adhesive. This is the most common label failure we see: a beautiful paper label that peels in an ice bucket.
Cosmetics and personal care
Oils and creams attack paper and some adhesives. BOPP with a laminate handles repeated contact with product residue.
Candles and jars
Heat travels through glass. Choose materials rated for elevated temperatures so the adhesive does not soften and slide.
Adhesives
- Permanent: the default, difficult to remove without residue.
- Removable: peels cleanly, for promotions and temporary labeling.
- Freezer grade: bonds at low temperatures.
- High tack: for textured, curved or low-energy plastic surfaces.
Roll or sheet
Roll labels are wound on a core and are what you need for any applicator machine, plus they are far faster for hand application at volume. When ordering rolls, specify core size, roll direction and whether labels are wound in or out. Your applicator manual will state these.
Sheet labels come multiple-up on flat sheets, best for low volumes and hand application.
Sizing and shape
Measure the flat label area of the container, not its circumference, and leave clearance where the surface curves sharply. On tapered bottles a rectangular label will wrinkle, so a slightly curved die line follows the taper. Send us the container dimensions and we will advise, or send a sample bottle to the shop.
See the range on our labels and packaging page.
Need this printed? We are on Hillside Avenue in Jamaica, Queens.