How to Choose the Right Label: Start With What It Goes On
Most label problems start before the label is printed. Someone picked a label by size and price, then found out it does not like the surface it was put on.
Here is a better way. Start with what the label goes on. Everything else follows.
The one rule: end use decides everything
A candle jar, a cardboard box and a plastic shampoo bottle are three very different jobs. They have different surfaces, different heat, and different ways of going wrong. A label that is perfect for one can fail fast on another.
So before you look at sizes or colors, answer the questions below. It takes about two minutes.
The end-use checklist
1. What does it go on? Cardboard, glass, plastic, metal, paper, wax, fabric? Is the surface smooth or rough? Is it clean, dusty or oily? Some plastics, like HDPE, are very hard to stick to. (See our guide to labels for plastic bottles and HDPE.)
2. How curved or small is it? A flat box is easy. A small bottle or a tube bends the label hard, and paper tries to spring back. (See why labels peel on small bottles.)
3. Where will it live? Think about heat, cold, water, sun, oil and hands. A freezer, a bathroom shelf and a warehouse floor all ask different things of a label. (See freezer, fridge and outdoor labels.)
4. How long must it last? A shipping label has to survive a few days. A product label may need to look good for months. A lab or asset label may need to be readable for years.
5. How will you print it? Laser and inkjet printers use sheets. Thermal printers use rolls. This choice narrows your options a lot.
6. Permanent or removable? Most jobs want permanent. Choose removable only when you truly want it to peel off clean.
7. What size, and how many? Size comes last, not first.
Face material: paper or film
The face is the top layer that you print on.
Paper is economical and prints well. It is a good fit for dry, flat, indoor jobs. It has a weakness: paper has memory. Bend it around a small bottle and it wants to flatten back out.
Film is a thin plastic face. It bends around curves, shrugs off water and oil, and holds up better in heat, cold and sun. It costs more, and it is the right choice when the job is hard.
Adhesive: the glue matters as much as the face
- Permanent: the everyday choice. Good on clean, flat, dry surfaces.
- Aggressive: grabs rough, dusty or textured surfaces, and holds on glass.
- Freezer grade: made to stay put in the cold.
- Low surface energy: made for slippery plastics like HDPE and polypropylene.
- Removable: peels off clean. Not for hard jobs.
Your printer picks the family of label
- Laser or inkjet: printable sheets. Use the Label Builder or our free templates.
- Direct thermal: rolls of heat-sensitive stock. No ink or ribbon. Great for shipping labels. (See direct thermal vs thermal transfer.)
- Thermal transfer: rolls plus a ribbon. Prints last longer and resists more.
What we stock, and what we print for you
We stock printable laser and inkjet sheets in many sizes, with a paper face and a permanent adhesive. We stock direct thermal rolls for shipping, the ChromaCryo low-temperature set for deep freezers, and dissolvable food rotation labels.
Need film, a special adhesive, a removable printable sheet, or top-coated direct thermal? We can print these for you. Use the Request a quote page and tell us what the label goes on.
Try before you buy a lot
Not sure? Order a $1 sample and tell us what you are labeling. We will help you pick the right material, and sometimes a different product than you expected.
You can also call us at (800) 256-0435, 8am to 5pm Central, Monday to Friday. ChromaLabel is made in the USA, in Saint Marys, Kansas.
Where to go next
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I need paper or film labels?
Use paper for dry, flat, indoor jobs like boxes, files and shelves. Use film when the item is curved, squeezable, wet, oily, hot, cold or outdoors. Film bends and resists moisture better than paper.
What is the difference between permanent and removable labels?
A permanent label is meant to stay on for good and tears if you peel it. A removable label peels off cleanly. Removable adhesive is usually the wrong choice for rough or wet surfaces.
Does my printer change which label I should buy?
Yes. Laser and inkjet printers use sheets. Thermal label printers, like Zebra models, use rolls. Direct thermal printers need heat-sensitive stock, and thermal transfer printers use a ribbon.
Can I try a label before I buy a lot of them?
Yes. Order a $1 sample, tell us what you are labeling, and we will help you pick the right material.
