The surface a label sits on decides the choice. Standard adhesive holds on glass and flat plastic, while products stored in a fridge or freezer need a cold-temperature adhesive. On oily surfaces and small curved bottles, the label lifts at the edges unless a thin, flexible material is used.
The cut changes how the product reads. A square cut is quick and economical; a custom die following the product form makes the label look like part of the packaging. Combined with clear material it produces a "no-label" look, though this only works when it matches the background colour.
In food and cosmetics, the position of mandatory information — ingredients, warnings, batch codes — belongs in the design from the start. Squeezed in later, it becomes both unreadable and disruptive to the layout.
Roll or sheet depends on how the label will be applied. Sheets are practical for small runs applied by hand; if an automatic labelling machine is used, rolls are required and the winding direction has to be specified to match the machine. The wrong winding direction is useless on the line even when the print itself is correct.
Clear labels are chosen for glass and coloured liquids because they show the product itself; without a white underprint, however, light-coloured text blends into whatever sits behind it. Metallic and textured materials help a product separate on the shelf, but they render narrow tonal gradients less cleanly than standard paper.
Technical options
- Materials
- Coated paper, clear PP, matt PP, kraft, silver foil
- Cutting
- Square, rounded corners, custom die-cut
- Adhesive
- Standard, cold surface, removable
- Format
- Sheets or rolls (for applicator machines)
Related services
Frequently asked
Which label suits refrigerated products?
An adhesive formulated for cold, damp surfaces is required. Standard adhesive gradually lifts at the edges where condensation forms.
Does a clear label suit every product?
It looks very clean where the background is smooth and a single tone. On patterned or gradient packaging a clear base reduces legibility, so a white base is safer.
When are roll labels necessary?
They are required when an applicator machine is used instead of hand application. Because winding direction and core diameter vary by machine, those values need checking before ordering.
Which file format is needed for labels?
A vector file (PDF, AI or SVG) with the cut path defined on a separate layer from the artwork. Without a cut path, custom shapes cannot be produced and only straight square or rectangular cuts are possible.
Can labels be made water resistant?
Yes. Paper labels break down in damp conditions, while PP and vinyl materials stay intact when wet. A varnish or lamination on top adds further protection against abrasion and cleaning products.
How quickly does a label order arrive?
There is no wait on standard square, round or oval cuts; those tools are ready. If a cut following the shape of the product or the logo is wanted, a custom die has to be made, and that step alone adds several working days. Orders supplied on rolls also need winding and core sizing.
If I reorder, are the labels printed in the same place?
Where a custom cut is used, yes. A die shaped to the product or the logo is made once and physically sits somewhere; repeat orders come from wherever that die is. Moving production elsewhere means making the tool again. On standard square or round cuts no such tie exists.
Is a proof needed for labels?
It is, particularly where the cut path and the artwork sit close together. Production allows a small drift between cutting and printing; a border or line of text near the edge on screen can end up thinner on one side and thicker on the other because of it. A proof shows whether the design tolerates that drift.
Is there a minimum order quantity for labels?
On standard square, round and oval cuts there is no meaningful floor; the tools are ready, so a small run creates no extra preparation. If a cut following the shape of the product or the logo is wanted, a custom die is made once, and that one-off cost falls entirely on a small quantity.