Choosing the Best Material for Your Product Labels

13 May.,2024

 

Choosing the Best Material for Your Product Labels

Is it time for a new custom label? Not sure where to start? Expert label design aside, one of the most important aspects of creating the best custom product label is the materials. The materials you choose not only affect the quality of the label, but also the label’s functionality and aesthetic! The material has quite an impact on the look and feel of your product. There are a variety of options to choose from when creating custom labels.

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Each label material has its own characteristics, qualities, and benefits. So how is your business to know what material and finish would be best for your unique application? This can feel overwhelming at first, but no worries – that’s where we come in! The label design experts at M&R Label have over 30 years of experience helping our customers choose the best solutions possible. Let’s get started!

First, you must consider the following:

  • What color and finish would your label design look the best on?
  • Is your product container a solid color or clear?
  • Do you prefer a gloss laminate or matte foundation?
  • What size and shape will your label be?
  • Are you going for an environmentally friendly look or upscale, luxury aesthetic?
  • Will your products be exposed to harsh chemicals, weather conditions, or water/oil?
  • What type of material will your label be sticking to?

Answering a few basic questions before getting started is the key to a successful label experience. The more we know about your label vision and performance, the better! Choosing what label material to use is a very important decision. Whatever size, shape, or look you’re going for, you can be sure our team has the most effective solution available and your best interests in mind.

Browse the Common Custom Label Materials Available for Your Products

Now it’s time to take a look at the material options and finishes to choose from…

Paper Labels
  • White Gloss Paper: This material provides the highest quality shine! Gloss labels produce vibrant colors and are an inexpensive labeling material. Glossy labels are great for getting your products seen on shelves.
  • White Semi-Gloss Paper: Known for indoor use and very cost efficient. The semi-gloss finish provides a crisp and clean reproduction of your artwork. Semi-gloss does not produce colors as vibrant as white gloss stock. It’s ideal for a label that will be handled often as it is less resistant to smudging and dust.
  • Brown Kraft Paper: This unique looking paper is specifically for achieving the appearance of a kraft paper bag. This can also give a more eco-friendly, sustainable or handmade aesthetic! It’s 100% recycled and great for adding a natural, rustic look.
  • Uncoated white Paper: This is the most basic label, it can be used for almost anything that won’t come in contact with water or oil.
Vinyl Labels
  • White Vinyl: This material is used for wet applications or for longer shelf life of the label. These label offer great image reproduction and can easily be cut to a custom shape! This labels can be applied directly onto plastic, paper, cardboard or glass surfaces with great results.
  • Clear Vinyl: These labels are also used for wet applications or for longer shelf life. The main reason to use a clear vinyl instead of the white vinyl is when the product under the label needs to be seen, for example: candles, drinks, oils or glass bottles.
Specialty
  • Matte Paper: The clean surface of a matte white label provides a great canvas! It’s coated surface allows for great artwork reproduction. Matte paper produces nice quality images, but not as vibrant as images would be on glossy paper. Matte paper will not be marred by fingerprints, or produce a glare.
  • Fluorescent Paper: This material is designed for helping labels POP and stand out, especially when used with vibrant colors. Perfect for eye catching displays and special promotions.
  • Silver Metallic: This material is sure to give your products a polished sheen! The metallic print reflects light and provides a high-quality look. Available in a matte or glossy finish, this material is resistant to sun, water, oil and is freezer safe.
Films
  • Polypropylene: This film is suitable for applications that require a resistance to water, oil, and chemicals. This film also has great transparency, giving a “no-label” look. Some labeling applications include beverages, health and beauty.
  • Polyethylene (PE): Similar to Polypropylene, this film is suitable for applications that require a resistance to water, oil, and chemicals. This film contours well and is flexible, making it a great choice for squeezable packages. Polyethylene films are typically used in home care labeling, health and beauty.
  • Polyester: Polyester films provide excellent clarity and high durability. Polyester films are valued for their ability to resist moisture, decay and extreme temperatures.
  • White Film (BOPP): This film material is both durable and flexible. Some suitable labeling applications include squeezable and rigid plastic containers.
  • Squeezable Film: Flexible film eliminates peeling and wrinkling on shaped containers and is great for labeling squeezable tubes and bottles of items like lotions, toothpaste, CBD balms and other health and beauty items.

Choosing the Right Label Material

Find the perfect labels for your products & packaging

With so many label materials on the market, choosing the right one for your product packaging can be overwhelming. So, we’ve put together some of the most popular Avery label materials, the benefits they provide, and what format they’re available in to help you select the correct material for your products.

Whether you want to order WePrint custom printed labels or you want to print them yourself, Avery labels come in the shape, size, quantity, and format you need, all online.

There are some things to consider before choosing your label material. Along with the look and feel you want to convey, there are many other factors to think about.

  • Do your products need chilling or are they used near water?
  • Do you want your label to have a photo-quality finish or matte foundation?
  • Are you using a clear container?
  • Do you want a luxurious, upscale look?
  • Are your products for display on a shelf or online?

No matter what look you want to achieve, Avery has the label material for your job. Check out the options below to find the right fit for your products, and please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions. We’ve separated our label materials below into two categories: paper labels and film/vinyl labels.

Paper Labels

Paper substrates are generally used for indoor applications. They offer a relatively short lifespan and can only handle limited exposure to moisture, chemicals, abrasion, and extreme temperatures. Paper labels are, however, available in a wide range of colors and they usually cost less. Also, you can add laminates and varnishes as topcoats to make the paper labels more durable.

Matte White Paper

When you’ve got a great design, the clean surface of a matte white label provides a great canvas. With this popular option, you can add splashes of color, or use the white space as part of your design. Adding your text on a white background is easier to read, such as when calling out product ingredients.

This material is available in all Avery formats. You can order custom labels from WePrint or try our printable blank labels by the sheet or our in-store packs.

Glossy White Paper

If your label design uses vivid colors and sharp imagery, a glossy white label can make it pop. Glossy labels are great for getting your products seen on shelves, as the shiny finish adds a layer of sheen to an already striking look.

This material is available in all Avery formats. You can order our glossy paper on custom printed labels from WePrint, our blank labels by the sheet, or our in-store packs.

Silver Metallic Paper

Give your product labels a polished sheen with silver metallic paper labels. The metallic print reflects light and provides a high-quality look. Available in a matte or glossy finish, this material is resistant to sun, water, and oil and is freezer safe.

You can order custom printed silver paper labels on rolls, printable silver labels by the sheet, or in Avery in-store packs.

Kraft Brown Paper

Ideal for handmade, organic, and all-natural products, it communicates the essence of wholesome goodness. Kraft brown labels deliver a rustic look and blend in beautifully with cardboard or brown kraft packaging. It’s 100% recycled and great for adding a natural, rustic look.

You can order our Kraft labels custom printed, printable by the sheet, or in our in-store packs.

Estate Paper

Available in white and cream-laid paper with a textured finish our Estate #8 and # 9 papers provide a luxurious foundation for foods, beverages, and more. The durable, freezer-safe material carries more weight and is thicker than most labels, offering superior wet strength.

This elegant label paper is available only on custom rolls from WePrint.

Films & Vinyl

When you need a more durable label, film labels are the way to go. They are waterproof, tearproof, and resistant to oils, UV, sun, and fading. Film labels can stand up to water and moisture without ruining printed inks. They also last much longer than paper labels when exposed to harsher elements. Our flexible, squeezable, and conformable film labels prevent wrinkling and peeling on squeeze bottles and other curved or oddly shaped containers. Or check out our luxurious metallics or glowing holographic labels.

White Film

Does your product drip or ooze or is it frozen or dunked in the water? That’s when a durable, waterproof label performs best. White film labels make your design stand out while resisting scratches, tears, and extreme temperatures.

For more information, please visit metallised paper.

Our white film labels are available professionally printed on rolls in our BOPP polypropylene material or on sheets in a PET polyester. You can also print them yourself using our blank sheet labels.

Clear Film

Clear labels blend in with the surface so your design has a printed-on look. When used on transparent containers, clear film labels are a brilliant way to showcase the quality of the actual product inside while providing a no-label look.

Avery clear labels are available in matte or glossy finishes and can be ordered professionally printed or you can buy printable labels by the sheet or in our in-store packs.

Chrome Film

Order this chrome polypropylene material for sleek, durable labels that add an upscale finish to products & packaging. Chrome film labels are waterproof and resist fading, abrasions & tearing.

This material is available only on custom roll labels from WePrint.

Removable Labels

Premium glossy or matte label stock features a removable adhesive that leaves no messy residue behind.

Avery offers a variety of removable labels for every use. Our custom removable labels come in both paper and film on roll labels, as well as glossy vinyl on sheets. You can also order printable removable labels by the sheet or in our in-store packs.

Squeezable Film

Flexible film eliminates peeling and wrinkling on shaped containers and is great for labeling squeezable tubes and bottles of items like lotions, toothpaste, balms, and other health and beauty items.

Our squeezable material is available in clear or white film on custom roll labels.

Holographic Film

To make your products really jump off the shelf, try holographic film labels. These durable labels are waterproof and oil-resistant. You can choose from glowing rainbows or sparkling crystals that both change and move with light and reflection.

Holographic films are only available on rolls from Avery WePrint.

Metallic Film

Luxurious metallic film labels elevate your brand to another level. Using our durable chrome film that resists water, oils, and abrasions, Avery WePrint can deliver the exact metallic tint you want. From glossy gold and silver to rich copper and rose gold.

Metallic film labels are only available on rolls through Avery WePrint. Or you can buy blank printable silver film labels by the sheet.

Custom Stickers

When you want to promote your business, club, sports team, or activity, custom stickers are the way to go. Avery WePrint stickers are individually die-cut to your exact shape and size up to 8 x 10.  The waterproof stickers are coated for protection against scuffing and tearing.

For smaller projects that you want to do at home, try our retail packs of sticker project paper or our blank full-sheet labels in one of our waterproof materials.

With a variety of label materials and finishes to choose from, Avery can help you make the right choice for your product. Check out our resource center to access guides, comparison charts, and expert tips.

Got a question? We’re here to help! Feel free to contact us at (800) 942-8379 so we can help you get exactly what you need.

Author:

Melanie Neff

Melanie has an extensive writing background built on an impressive journalism foundation. As a reporter for USA Today and The Los Angeles Times for almost 20 years, she covered everything from the Los Angeles riots, fires, and floods to LA Lakers, Raiders and Clippers games and movie premieres. She followed her newspaper career with a long tenure covering commercial real estate financing and development. Melanie has been writing about small business marketing and labeling needs for the last 12 years. She thrives on reading, researching and expanding her knowledge of everything going on in today's business world and looks to provide the most valuable information she can to her readers. View all posts by Melanie Neff

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