Choosing the Right Label Material

How to choose 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

Avery white matte paper labels

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

Silver metallic paper labels give your products sheen

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

Try Avery kraft brown labels for an organic, vintage look

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

Avery Estate paper labels are made from cream laid paper that's  great for luxury products

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

White film is durable, waterproof and great for making your products stand out

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.

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 film labels are great for a no-label look.

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

Chrome labels from Avery are made from film and are waterproof

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

Avery removable labels are great for containers that might be reused.

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

Try Avery squeezable film labels for squeeze bottles and tubes or uniquely shaped containers

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

Buy Avery Holographic labels to make your products jump off the shelf. Available in glowing rainbows or sparkling crystals

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 and are available on custom holographic stickers as well.

Metallic Film

Order beautiful roll labels in your choice  of metallic colors like copper, bronze, rose gold, gold, silver and more.

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

Use Avery custom stickers to promote your business, club, sports team or activity.

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 sheet and roll 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.

7 thoughts on “Choosing the Right Label Material”

  1. great article. lots of useful information. very helpful in determining the right label for the job. never thought about a squeezable film although it makes perfect sense to have a specific label for that use.

    1. Hi Darlene,
      We don’t have a catalog but you can order free samples from our custom printing service on our website at avery.com/custom-printing. Please let us know if you need anything else.

  2. I am starting herbal tea leaves business can’t seem to come up with the right label for dried tea leaves need tips on how label and market.

    1. Hi Marcia,
      In order for us to determine what type of label you should use, we’ll need to know what kind of container you are using for your tea leave products. Please give our Care Center a call at (800) 942-8379 so one of our representatives can help you find the exact labels you need.

  3. Hello, I am starting a candle business soon. I would like to know what you guys recommend for the best label material. Im a little indecisive and just want the best look for my candles.

    1. Hi Charly,
      The first thing you should do is order one of our free sample packs. Go to avery.com/weprint and click on the Free Sample pack request link. It will give you a good idea of what our different materials look and feel like. All of our materials will work on candles, so it just depends on the look you want to achieve. Also, check out these articles that can help you make other decisions for your candle labels. How to Brand Your Candle Line gives you insights on starting your candle line. We also have free candle warning label templates, and our Top Holiday Candle Scents & label designs. I would also check out CandleScience. They are a partner of ours and have everything you need to start your own candle line. I’ve also asked one of my team members to reach out to you by email in case you have any more questions. She’s our candle label expert and can help you with anything you need. Thanks for reading.

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