Printing Guide December 15, 2024 12 min read

The Complete Guide to Custom Label Printing for Product Brands (2024)

Whether you're launching a new beauty brand, scaling a food business, or sourcing product labels at volume for the first time — this guide covers everything you need to make the right decisions and get results you're proud of.

1. Choosing the Right Label Material

The substrate — the material the label is printed on — is arguably the most important decision in the label printing process. The wrong material choice results in labels that peel, fade, or simply look wrong on your product. Here's a breakdown of the most common options:

BOPP (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene)

BOPP is the workhorse of the label industry. It's a flexible plastic film that's waterproof, tear-resistant, and chemically resistant. It works well for almost all product types and is commonly used for cosmetics, household products, and food labels. BOPP comes in clear, white, and metallic variants. It's the best general-purpose choice if you're not sure what to pick.

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

PET is a stiffer, more rigid film than BOPP. It has excellent chemical resistance and dimensional stability, making it the preferred choice for products that experience significant temperature changes or chemical exposure. It's commonly used for automotive products, cleaning chemicals, and high-end cosmetics where label rigidity is desired.

Coated Paper

Coated paper labels (C1S or C2S) are commonly used for food products, wine, and premium cosmetics. They offer a natural, premium feel and accept ink beautifully — producing exceptionally sharp text and vibrant colors. The main limitation is water resistance: without lamination, paper labels are not suitable for products that will be exposed to moisture.

Kraft Paper

Unbleached kraft paper has a natural, earthy aesthetic that resonates strongly with eco-conscious and artisan brands. It's popular for organic food products, craft beverages, soaps, and natural cosmetics. Kraft labels should always be laminated for any product that will encounter moisture.

2. Understanding Print Methods: Flexo, Digital, and Offset

Three main printing technologies dominate the label industry, each with different strengths, cost structures, and ideal use cases:

Method	Best For	Setup Cost	Per-Unit Cost	Min Quantity
Digital	Short runs, variable data, samples	None	Higher	100+
Flexographic	Medium–large runs, most products	Plate cost ($200–$800)	Low at volume	3,000+
Offset	Packaging boxes, sheet labels, high detail	Plate cost	Very low at volume	5,000+

For most growing brands ordering 3,000–10,000 labels, flexographic printing offers the best balance of quality and cost. For new brands or sampling, digital printing is the right choice. As your volume grows beyond 10,000 pieces per design per run, flexo becomes significantly more economical.

3. Label Finishes That Elevate Your Brand

The finish you apply to a label can transform it from ordinary to extraordinary — and it's often the detail that separates premium brands from generic-looking products. Key finish options include:

• Gloss Lamination: Bright, shiny, enhances color vibrancy. Best for products targeting younger demographics or where boldness is desired.
• Matte Lamination: Sophisticated, understated look. Very popular with premium beauty and wellness brands. Provides a softer, more tactile feel.
• Soft-Touch (Velvet) Lamination: The most premium tactile finish. Creates a velvety surface that's distinctive to the touch. Higher cost, but worth it for luxury positioning.
• Hot Foil Stamping: Metallic gold, silver, rose gold, or holographic foil applied with heat and pressure. Adds a luxury element that's difficult to achieve with ink alone.
• UV Spot Varnish: Gloss or matte varnish applied only to specific design elements (e.g., your logo or product name) for a contrast effect against a matte background.
• Embossing/Debossing: Raises or recesses elements of the label to create tactile dimension. Often combined with foil for maximum luxury effect.

4. Understanding MOQ and Pricing

Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) is a key consideration when sourcing labels. At Sundraw, our MOQs depend on the print method and product type:

• Digital printing: 100–1,000 pcs (no plates, no setup fees)
• Flexographic printing: 3,000–5,000 pcs (one-time plate cost)
• Packaging boxes: 500–1,000 pcs
• Stand-up pouches: 500–3,000 pcs depending on printing method

Pricing is almost always volume-tiered. The per-unit cost at 10,000 pieces can be 60–80% lower than the per-unit cost at 1,000 pieces. When planning your first order, it's worth requesting pricing at multiple quantity tiers (e.g., 1,000 / 5,000 / 10,000) to understand your cost trajectory as you scale.

5. Artwork Preparation: What Your Printer Needs

Nothing delays a label order more than artwork problems. Here's what to prepare before sending files to your printer:

1. Vector format preferred: Adobe Illustrator (.ai) or PDF with fonts outlined. If using raster images, minimum 300 DPI at final print size.
2. Color mode: CMYK (not RGB). Specify any Pantone spot colors by number (e.g., PMS 485 C).
3. Bleed: Add 3mm bleed on all sides beyond the trim line.
4. Safe zone: Keep critical design elements (text, logos) at least 3mm inside the trim line.
5. Cut/die line: Provide a separate layer showing where the label will be cut.
6. White ink: If printing on clear or metallic film, indicate which areas need white ink underprint.

6. How to Order from a China Label Manufacturer

Working with an overseas label manufacturer is a common and cost-effective sourcing strategy for brands worldwide. The process is well-established and reliable when managed properly. Here's the typical order flow:

1. Request for Quote (RFQ): Send your specifications (size, material, quantity, finish, print colors) and receive a detailed price quotation within 24 hours.
2. Sample Request: Before placing a production order, request a free blank material sample to feel the material, and optionally a pre-production printed proof to check color and quality.
3. Artwork Submission: Send print-ready artwork files following the specifications above.
4. Pre-press Proof: Your manufacturer sends a digital proof or physical proof for your written approval before production begins.
5. Production: After approval, production begins. Lead time is typically 7–15 business days.
6. QC and Shipping: After passing quality inspection, your order is packed and shipped via express courier (DHL/FedEx/UPS) or sea freight for large orders.

7. Quality Control: What to Check Before Approving

When you receive your label samples or production proofs, here's a checklist of what to verify before signing off:

• Color accuracy: Compare against your approved brand colors (Pantone swatches or printed color reference)
• Text legibility: All text is sharp, correct, and readable at the smallest sizes
• Adhesion: Apply a label to your actual product and check it sticks properly without lifting at edges
• Dimensional accuracy: Label is the specified size with consistent die-cut quality
• Finish quality: Lamination is smooth, foil stamping is clean and fully bonded
• Repeat consistency: Check multiple labels from the roll — they should all look identical