Label materials: what to pick and why it matters

MATERIAL

Semi-gloss paper

Semi-gloss paper is the default when the product does not sit in water or in the fridge. It holds toner well, reproduces colour faithfully and takes lamination if you want rub protection. For most dry goods the conversation ends here.

MATERIAL

Matte paper

Matte paper is the pick when you want the product to read calm rather than loud. It does not bounce shelf light, takes pen writing and makes hot foil or embossing stand out.

MATERIAL

Natural kraft

Natural kraft imitates nothing: uncoated brown stock with visible fibre. It absorbs toner, so colours read warm and deeper with the paper shade behind. Exactly what you want when the product should look handmade.

MATERIAL

White PP

White PP is what we recommend every time the product meets water: chilled bottles, fridge jars, packs that get wiped. With matte lamination it reads very close to premium paper, but it will not warp or tear.

MATERIAL

Clear PP, no-label look

Clear PP disappears on glass: only the artwork stays, straight on the product. It is the pick for gels, clear drinks and cosmetics where the content is the selling point. The key is the opaque white layer, printed exactly where you need contrast.

MATERIAL

Clear PP, conformable

The conformable clear PP grade yields better under deformation than the standard film. On a sauce bottle or a cream tube the label squeezes with the pack and returns without permanent creasing.

MATERIAL

Squeeze packs (PE vs PP)

Technical clarification: PE (polyethylene) is a very soft label film, but we do not print it. Our stocks are paper, textured paper and PP (white, clear, silver, gold). On squeeze packs we run conformable white PP with permanent adhesive and lamination, and it holds up well on detergents, sauces and soft cosmetic packs.

MATERIAL

Silver PP (metallic)

We run silver on metallised PP film, not polyester: polyester is not part of our production. Silver PP gives the same metallic look, handles water, oils and rub, and with lamination it takes heavy handling too.

MATERIAL

Textured paper

Texture is felt before it is seen. Felt and laid stocks give the product a perceived weight no print can fake. They pair excellently with hot foil and embossing, for a label that survives the hand test.

MATERIAL

Thermal eco

Thermal eco is for everything printed in your own facility: scales, waybill printers, internal batch marking. No ribbon needed, so the flow is simple, but the image fades with heat and light over time.