KNOW YOUR LABELS
WHEN IT COMES TO CHOOSING PAPER, ADHESIVE AND COLOURS FOR PAINT, THERE ARE SEVERAL IMPORTANT QUALITIES TO CONSIDER. IT CAN IMPACTS THE DURABILITY, PRINT QUALITY, AND OVERALL FEEL OF THE LABEL. HERE ARE SOME KEY FEATURES FOR LABELS AND PRINTERS:
| Paper Type | Finish | Best For | Key Features | Water Resistance | Recommended Printers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer Glossy Paper | Smooth and shiny | Product labels, promotional items | โข Reflects light for vibrant, premium look โข Excellent color and detail reproduction โข Not ideal for writing or stamping | Low (unless coated) | โข Inkjet (vibrant colors) โข Laser (smudge-resistant prints) |
| Transfer Matte Paper | Smooth, non-reflective | Professional, minimalist labels | โข Easy to write on โข No glare, great for barcodes โข Clean, subdued appearance | Low (unless treated) | โข Inkjet and laser โข Thermal transfer (matte-coated) |
| Transfer Semi-Gloss / Satin Paper | Soft sheen (between glossy & matte) | Food packaging, retail, general use | โข Good print clarity โข Balanced finish โข More affordable than high-gloss | Moderate (with coating) | โข Laser โข Inkjet (pigment-based ink preferred) |
| Thermal Paper | Heat-sensitive coated | Shipping labels, receipts, logistics | โข Requires no ink or ribbon โข Short-term/disposable use โข Not suitable for heat/sun | Very low | โข Direct thermal (e.g., Zebra, Dymo) |
| Kraft Paper | Natural, uncoated, textured brown | Eco-conscious brands, handmade goods | โข Rustic, vintage look โข Sustainable and biodegradable โข Not ideal for intricate/bright designs | Low | โข Laser (clarity) โข Inkjet (pigment ink) |
| Synthetic (PP / PET) | Glossy, matte, or clear | Industrial, waterproof, outdoor use | โข Tear-proof and waterproof โข Chemical & UV resistant โข Highly durable | High | โข Thermal transfer (resin ribbons) โข Some laser printers (check compatibility) |
| Foil Paper | Metallic, reflective (gold, silver, etc.) | Luxury packaging, cosmetics | โข Eye-catching, elegant โข Works with embossing/foil stamping โข May need special adhesives | Moderate | โข Hot foil stamping โข Laser (pre-foiled sheets) โข Digital foil printers |
| Weight (gsm) | Type | Use Case | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60โ70 gsm | Lightweight | Mailing labels, direct thermal labels | Thin and flexible; ideal for short-term, disposable labels |
| 70โ90 gsm | Standard | Barcode labels, informational stickers | Easy to print; good for desktop and industrial printers |
| 90โ120 gsm | Medium-weight | Product labels, shipping labels | Offers more durability and premium feel |
| 120โ160 gsm | Premium | Glossy product labels, promotional stickers | Heavier, often with coated finishes for branding |
| 160+ gsm | Specialty | Embossed, textured, or foil labels | Used for luxury packaging or special presentation |
| Weight (gsm) | Type | Use Case | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80โ100 gsm | Light | Wrapping paper, inner bag linings | Flexible but not strong enough for weight |
| 100โ120 gsm | Standard Kraft | Lightweight paper bags (e.g., boutique bags) | Used for eco-packaging, giveaways, folds well |
| 120โ170 gsm | Medium Kraft | Everyday paper bags, satchels | Common for takeout or retail bags |
| 170โ250 gsm | Heavy Kraft | Durable bags, luxury carrier bags | Can support heavier loads |
| 250โ350 gsm | Cardboard stock | Tags, headers, foldable cartons | Used for support, structure |
| 350+ gsm | Board | Premium packaging, rigid boxes | Thick and stiff for strength |
| Category | Durability | Use Case | Tear Resistance | Water Resistance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Paper | โญ Low | Mailing labels, disposable use | โ Low | โ Low | Indoor use only; can be laminated for protection. |
| Coated Paper (Glossy, Matte) | โญโญ Moderate | Product labels, brand stickers | โ LowโModerate | โ ๏ธ Moderate | More vibrant colors; optional moisture resistance with coating. |
| Kraft Paper | โญโญ Moderate | Eco-friendly packaging, handmade goods | โ ๏ธ Moderate | โ Low | Natural, rustic look. Can be coated for added protection. |
| Laminated Paper | โญโญโญ Good | Branding, durable product labels | โ High | โ Moderate | Great for semi-outdoor use. Lamination resists water and tearing. |
| Synthetic (PP, PET) | โญโญโญโญ Very High | Outdoor, industrial, waterproof labels | โ โ Excellent | โ โ Excellent | Waterproof, tear-proof, chemical- and UV-resistant. Very durable. |
| Foil Paper | โญโญโญ ModerateโHigh | Luxury packaging, premium branding | โ High | โ ๏ธ Moderate | Elegant but can scratch. Often varnished for extra durability. |
| Thermal Paper | โญ Very Low | Receipts, logistics labels | โ Very Low | โ Very Low | Fades quickly; not suitable for long-term use or sunlight. |
| Image | Finish Type | Look & Feel | Use Case | Effect Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Gloss Finish | Smooth, shiny, reflective | Product labels, vibrant packaging | Enhances color brilliance and gives a sleek, premium appearance |
 | Matte Finish | Soft, non-reflective, smooth | Minimalist branding, upscale packaging | Reduces glare, offers a sophisticated, subtle finish |
 | Soft-Touch Laminate | Velvet-like, smooth | Luxury packaging, cosmetics | Premium tactile feel, reduces fingerprints, elegant touch |
 | Embossing | Raised surface texture | Wine labels, certificates, premium branding | Creates dimension and tactile appeal |
 | Debossing | Sunken, pressed-in texture | Elegant cards, packaging | Subtle, understated tactile elegance |
 | Foil Stamping | Metallic, reflective (gold, silver) | Luxury branding, cosmetics, awards | Shiny metallic accents, high-end look |
 | Spot UV | Glossy highlights on matte base | Logos, premium covers, packaging | Creates contrast and draws attention to key elements |
 | Textured Paper | Fabric-like (linen, felt, laid) | Artisan packaging, stationery | Organic, handcrafted feel |
 | Pearlescent Coating | Shimmery, soft glow | Beauty products, elegant stationery | Subtle color shifts under light, classy appearance |
 | Holographic Film | Multicolor, rainbow-reflective | Tech branding, collectibles | Bold, eye-catching light effects |
| Adhesive Type | Permanence | Best For | Surface Compatibility | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ๐ขPermanent | โ Strong, long-term | General product labels, shipping, packaging | Paper, plastic, glass, most surfaces | Durable bond; not removable without damage |
| ๐Removable | ๐ Peelable | Promotions, reusable containers, temporary labels | Smooth, clean surfaces | Removes cleanly with no residue |
| ๐Repositionable | ๐ Adjustable during application | Manual application, aligning graphics | Flat, smooth surfaces | Allows repositioning before bonding |
| โ๏ธFreezer-Grade | โ๏ธ Strong cold resistance | Frozen foods, cold storage | Cardboard, plastic, shrink-wrap | Reliable adhesion in sub-zero temps |
| ๐งฒHigh-Tack | โ โ Very strong initial grab | Rough or low-energy surfaces | Wood, textured plastic, corrugated surfaces | Fast, aggressive bonding |
| ๐จUltra-Removable | ๐จ Easily peelable | Books, glass, electronics | Glossy, smooth finishes | Leaves no trace even after long time |
| ๐งWash-Off | ๐ง Water-activated removal | Glass bottles, returnable containers | Non-porous materials | Label detaches in warm water or industrial wash |
| ๐Security / Tamper-Evident | ๐ Permanent & destructible | Warranty seals, tamper protection | Plastics, electronics, packaging | Leaves residue or breaks when removed |
| ๐ฅFood-Grade (FDA-Compliant) | โ Safe for indirect contact | Food packaging, deli containers | Food-safe packaging materials | Complies with FDA/EFSA regulations |
| Criteria | Pantone (PMS) | CMYK |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Spot color (pre-mixed ink) | Process color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) |
| Color Accuracy | Extremely accurate and consistent | May vary slightly across print runs |
| Best For | Logos, brand colors, metallics, neons | Photos, illustrations, gradients |
| Usage | When exact color matching is critical | When printing full-color or image-heavy designs |
| Cost | Higher cost due to custom inks | More economical for multi-color designs |
| Materials | Ideal for textured or colored materials | Best on smooth, white backgrounds |
| Special Effects | Supports metallic, fluorescent, and custom shades | Limited to CMYK gamut (no special colors) |
| Consistency Across Printers | Always consistent (standardized by Pantone) | May differ slightly between printers and substrates |
| File Setup | Use Pantone color codes in vector files (e.g., Pantone 186 C) | Design in CMYK mode using graphic software (e.g., 0, 100, 80, 10) |
๐ 1. Label Winding Direction (Label Orientation)
Labels on rolls can be wound in 8 standard directions. Each defines which side of the label faces out and which edge feeds first into your printer or applicator.
| Unwind # | Preview | Label Facing | Leading Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Outward | Top edge first |
| ย |  | Outward | Bottom edge first |
| 3 |  | Outward | Right edge first |
| 4 |  | Outward | Left edge first |
| 5 |  | Inward | Top edge first |
| 6 |  | Inward | Bottom edge first |
| 7 |  | Inward | Right edge first |
| 8 |  | Inward | Left edge first |
๐ 2. Core Size
The core is the cardboard tube at the center of the label roll. Choosing the right size ensures it fits your printer or applicator.
| Core Size | Common Use |
|---|---|
| 40 mm | Desktop printers (e.g., Zebra, Dymo, TSC) |
| 76 mm (3″) | Industrial label printers & automatic applicators |
๐งป 3. Roll Outer Diameter (OD)
The outer diameter (OD) of the roll determines how much label material can be loaded. Ensure your printer supports the roll size you choose.
| Max OD | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| 100โ127 mm (4โ5″) | Desktop label printers |
| 200โ305 mm (8โ12″) | Industrial printers, high-volume applicators |
โ
What to Specify When Ordering Label Rolls
- Winding direction (Unwind #1โ8)
- Label facing: Inside or Outside wound
- Core size: 40 mm or 76 mm
- Max outer diameter (OD): Check printer specs
- Optional: Gaps, black mark, perforation, continuous
