A good label design on the wrong material peels, smears or fades. Ask three questions: does the product get wet, is the surface smooth, and should the label stand out or disappear?
White film (BOPP)
Waterproof and oil-resistant: the safe choice for bottles, jars that go in the fridge, soap, candles and cosmetics.
Paper
Matte paper takes a pen and suits dry goods, boxes and envelopes. Do not use it on products that sweat or sit in water.
Kraft
The brown, natural look suits coffee, craft and handmade products. Kraft is paper: for dry goods only, and white ink is used when a colour must stay bright.
Clear film
Clear labels give the “no-label look” on glass. Print a white underlayer where you need solid colours, and keep the artwork bold: fine detail disappears on a see-through background.
Laminate
A gloss or matte laminate adds protection against scuffs and moisture, and gives the print a finish. It is worth it on rolls that are applied by machine and on anything that is handled a lot.
