Labels aren’t just stickers—they’re silent salespeople, safety informants, storytellers, and brand boosters. Whether it’s a shampoo bottle, a craft beer can, or a tyre in your garage, labels play a vital role in how we interact with products every day. But not all labels are created equal. Different products call for different label materials, formats, and finishes. So where exactly are labels used—and what type should you be using? Let’s break it down.
Box end & distribution labels
These are the unsung heroes of warehousing, shipping and logistics. Box end and distribution labels make sure products get from A to B without a hitch. They carry barcodes, addresses, and tracking info—clearly printed and easy to scan. In fast-paced warehouses and retail environments, these labels keep everything moving like clockwork.
Food labelling
From frozen fish fingers to fresh salad packs, food labels have a lot to say—and they need to say it clearly, meeting strict regulatory standards. Food-safe adhesives and food-grade inks are essential to consider when labels are applied directly on edible products. Food labels carry essential info like ingredients, nutritional values, and allergens, and often come with peel & reveal features for extra design space without overwhelming the design.
Depending on the storage environment (chilled, frozen, or ambient), labels must handle moisture, cold, or freezer conditions. That’s why materials like synthetic film are often chosen over paper for fridge and freezer items.
Health & beauty labels
Beauty might be skin deep, but your product label needs to go deeper. Health and beauty packaging often comes in curved bottles or flexible tubes, so labels need to be conformable and stay sleek -no peeling or wrinkles. This is especially important for hair care product labels which must withstand long exposure to water and humidity. “Peel & read” labels are ideal for ingredients, instructions, and multilingual content on small packaging. Expect luxurious finishes too: think hot foils, varnish effects, and embossing. As more brands go green, biodegradable and recyclable papers, adhesives and toners have become the new must-haves.
Beer, beverage, wine & spirits labels
Labels for drinks do more than inform—they impress. From “clear on clear” no-label looks to textured papers and metallic foils; these labels need shelf appeal and durability.
Craft beer breweries often feature unique label shapes or textured finishes on bottles and bold wraparound designs on cans to reflect artisanal appeal. Wine and spirits on the other hand require materials that can survive icy buckets and condensation without losing their charm. For red wines, textured paper is on trend—adding a tactile element to a room-temp classic.
Pharmaceuticals & security labelling
When safety is everything, accuracy matters. Pharmaceutical labels need to be compact yet highly legible—especially for vials, syringes, and small-dose containers.
Tamper-evident features are crucial, along with space for batch numbers, expiry dates, and barcodes. Low migration materials are used to prevent any unwanted interactions between the label and the medication inside. It’s all about compliance, clarity, and care.
Wet wipes & reclosure labels
For wet wipes, baby products, or cleaning cloths, reclosure labels are a clever solution. They keep contents fresh, hygienic, and easy to access—again and again. These labels need to stay functional and attractive, even after multiple uses.
Chemicals, oils & outdoor labelling
Tough environments call for tougher labels. Whether it’s for garden tools, paint cans, or industrial oils, these labels need to resist UV rays, moisture, chemicals, and abrasion. They can’t fade, peel, or smudge.
Tyre labels, for instance, need to stick to rubber and stay put during transport and display. While window stickers are an option for promotions or vehicle decals that needs to be seen without leaving residue behind.
For industrial products, safety and durability are key. Labels for chemical drums or oil containers must display hazard symbols, handling instructions, and remain intact in harsh environments. These labels must remain readable despite exposure to liquids, abrasives, or temperature changes. Write & seal labels are ideal for environments where information is added by hand and must remain protected—like in equipment testing or COSHH compliance!
Safety & warning labels
Sometimes, a label saves more than just brand reputation—it saves lives. Labels on hazardous goods must display clear, easy-to-understand warnings. In the UK and EU, tactile warning triangle labels are required on certain products to alert visually impaired users to potential dangers, such as flammable, corrosive contents, some aerosols and e-cigarettes.
Specialty labels that go the extra mile
Some labels are made to do more. Here are just a few clever options to consider:
- Peel & reveal: Perfect for promotions, translations, or legal info on limited space.
- Variable data & barcodes: Great for tracking, batch codes, and interactive experiences via QR codes.
- Double-sided labels: Make the most of transparent packaging with inside-out designs.
- Metallic & foil labels: Add a premium, high-end touch to your product.
- Eco-friendly options: From recyclable to biodegradable, sustainable labels are in high demand.
- Printed to the liner: Add surprise design elements hidden beneath the peel for extra wow-factor.
Need help choosing the right label?
From bold branding to technical requirements, every product has a perfect label. Whether you’re launching a new skincare line, crafting small-batch beer, or shipping industrial chemicals, we’re here to help.
Let’s make your labels work harder, look better, and stick longer.
Get in touch with our team to chat about your next label project.
Recent Comments