How do I choose the right label material?

Last updated: 2026-01-05

Choose material based on what will try to destroy the label: water, oils, abrasion, heat, chemicals, or simply constant handling.

The blunt decision rule

  • If it gets wet / oily / handled a lot → film (BOPP/PET/vinyl)
  • If it stays dry and you want a premium paper feel → paper (coated / textured / wet-strength)
  • If it’s industrial and heat/chemicals matter → PET

Common use cases

  • White BOPP: waterproof general-purpose for product labels
  • Clear BOPP: “no-label look” (needs contrast planning)
  • Metallic: badges/accents (layout discipline matters)
  • Paper: dry goods and premium tactile finishes (protect from moisture)

Not sure? Tell us the container + environment and we’ll spec the right direction.

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