Labels and stickers are the most versatile and cost-effective branding tools available to businesses. From product labels and packaging seals to promotional stickers and shipping labels, they play a role in almost every customer touchpoint.
This guide covers everything UK businesses need to know to get professional results.
Types of Labels and Stickers
Product Labels
Applied directly to products — bottles, jars, cans, tubes, and pouches. They need to be durable, resistant to moisture or handling, and comply with any relevant labelling regulations (especially for food, cosmetics, and chemicals).
Packaging Labels
Used to brand plain packaging — seal stickers on mailer boxes, branded labels on kraft bags, or "thank you" stickers on parcels. The most affordable way to add personality to unbranded packaging.
Shipping Labels
Functional labels for addresses, barcodes, and tracking information. Usually printed in-house on thermal or laser printers.
Promotional Stickers
Branded stickers given away with purchases or at events. They turn customers into walking advertisements — especially popular with younger demographics.
Window & Floor Stickers
For retail environments, market stalls, and events. Usually printed on vinyl for durability and weather resistance.
Label Materials Explained
| Material | Best For | Durability | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper (uncoated) | General labels, organic/natural look | Low — not waterproof | £ |
| Paper (gloss coated) | Product labels, retail packaging | Medium — semi-resistant | £ |
| Kraft paper | Handmade, artisan, eco branding | Low-medium | £ |
| White PP (polypropylene) | Bottles, jars, cosmetics | High — waterproof | ££ |
| Clear PP | "No-label" look on bottles/jars | High — waterproof | ££ |
| White vinyl | Outdoor, vehicles, signage | Very high — UV & weather resistant | £££ |
| Metallic/foil | Premium products, awards | High | £££ |
Shapes and Sizes
Labels can be cut to virtually any shape:
- Circles — the most popular choice for seal stickers and product tops
- Rectangles/squares — classic product labels, address labels
- Ovals — elegant option for bottles and jars
- Die-cut (custom shape) — cut to match your logo or product shape
- Kiss-cut sheets — multiple stickers on one backing sheet, peelable individually
Printing Methods
Digital Printing
Best for small to medium runs (50–5,000 units). Full-colour, no plate costs, fast turnaround. Ideal for businesses that need multiple designs or frequent updates.
Flexographic Printing
Best for large runs (5,000+ units). Uses printing plates — higher setup cost but very low per-unit cost at volume. Ideal for established products with consistent designs.
Screen Printing
Best for simple designs with 1–3 colours on special materials (metallic, textured). Produces thick, vibrant ink deposits.
Finishing Options
- Gloss lamination — shiny, vibrant, protects against scratching
- Matte lamination — sophisticated, muted finish
- Spot UV — glossy highlights on specific areas (logos, text)
- Foil stamping — metallic accents for premium labels
- Embossing — raised texture for a tactile premium feel
Regulatory Requirements
Depending on your product, labels may need to comply with specific regulations:
- Food products: ingredients, allergens, nutritional info, date marking (Food Information Regulations 2014)
- Cosmetics: INCI ingredients list, PAO symbol, batch code (EU Cosmetics Regulation retained in UK law)
- Chemicals/cleaning products: CLP hazard symbols and safety information
- Alcohol: ABV, unit content, health warnings
Cost Guide
- 50mm circle stickers (paper): from £25 for 100 units
- Product labels (PP, waterproof): from £40 for 100 units
- Die-cut branded stickers: from £35 for 100 units
- A6 sticker sheets: from £50 for 50 sheets
Costs drop significantly at higher volumes — 1,000 stickers can cost as little as 5–8p each.
QPack provides custom labels and stickers for UK businesses — from product labels to branded packaging stickers. Free design support, fast turnaround, and low minimum orders. Get your free quote today.