Bottle labels

Which self-adhesive bottle labels work best?

The choice of bottle labels depends on the type of product, the packaging material and the conditions under which it will be stored. Paper labels are ideal for artisan and premium products, where the aesthetics of the packaging are important. Plastic materials are chosen where increased resistance to moisture, contact with water and abrasion is required.

Depending on your needs, you can choose:

• Labels on white film: a versatile solution with enhanced moisture resistance, suitable for drinks, cosmetics and chilled products.
• Labels on transparent film: create a ‘no-label look’, where the print appears to be applied directly to the glass bottles.
• Standard paper labels: a classic solution for products stored in dry conditions.
• Labels on natural and kraft paper: emphasise the artisanal nature of products and brands.
• Labels on textured and premium papers: in a variety of textures and shades, popular in the wine industry and for luxury products.
• Labels with special finishes: matt, gloss and soft-touch finishes, varnishing, and 3D and 3D Max finishes, including gold and silver plating.

Standard paper may warp when exposed to moisture, whereas polypropylene film is far more resistant to such conditions. Specialised papers with enhanced moisture resistance are also available, used on bottles of wine and spirits that are chilled before serving. The choice of adhesive is also crucial, as it must take into account the type of surface, the application temperature and the conditions under which the label will subsequently be used.

It is worth choosing self-adhesive bottle labels to match the brand’s other packaging. Jars, tins and cartons can be labelled with materials from the same range, ensuring that the entire product line maintains a consistent visual identity. If you’re unsure which material would be best, order a label sample pack available on our website and compare the textures, appearance and finishes before placing your order.

Where can I print bottle labels?

You can print customised bottle labels entirely online at LabelExpress.eu, with orders starting from just 1 item. There’s no need to send enquiries or wait for a personalised quote: you configure all the settings yourself and see the price straight away.

1. Select the size and shape of the label to match the dimensions of the bottle.
2. Choose the material and finish from the range of papers, films and finishes available.
3. Enter the print run, and the calculator will automatically display the price.
4. Upload your finished graphic design or create a label using our free online designer.
5. Select the packaging format: labels on a roll or on sheets.
6. Place and pay for your order, choosing your preferred delivery method.

The standard production time is 3 working days, and for selected materials, orders can be processed in as little as 24 hours. The exact lead time depends on the product configuration and is shown when you place your order. Delivery time is added to the production time, and production begins once the order has been paid for and a correctly prepared file has been provided.

With printing available from as little as 1 item, you can order labels to meet your current needs without having to hold large stocks. When you place your next order, you can easily update the design or change the product details.

How do I prepare files for label printing?

Please prepare your label print files in PDF format, ensuring that bleed, safe areas and fonts converted to curves are included. If your order includes finishing options, the design should have correctly prepared technical layers. You can find the detailed requirements in the technical specification available on our website.

• File format: PDF with vector graphics.
• Bleeds and safe areas: protect the design from important elements being cropped out.
• Fonts converted to curves: ensure that the text prints exactly as it was designed.
• Technical layers: described separately for gilding, silver plating and 3D embellishments.
• Multiple designs in a single order: a separate file for each product variant or language version.

Don’t have a design ready? You can create your own bottle labels yourself using the free LabelExpress.eu design tool, without the need for any additional software or knowledge of graphic design programmes. You can customise the graphics, colour scheme and text to suit your brand’s identity, and send the finished label straight to production.

A correctly prepared file also shortens production time, as a design that does not comply with the specification is sent back for revision, and it is at this stage that a day is most often lost. If you’re producing five flavours of liqueurs or three types of juice, each variant gets its own file and its own label, whilst all of them maintain consistent brand identity.

How do you choose the right size and shape for a bottle label?

The size of the label is chosen to suit the shape of the bottle, its diameter and the surface area to be covered. The best place to apply the label is on a smooth part of the packaging, without any pronounced narrowings or embossed areas. It is worth taking into account the circumference of the bottle and the height of this surface, as a well-chosen format reduces the risk of the material wrinkling and the edges lifting.

• 0.5-litre bottles for liqueurs and juices: rectangular labels, oval labels or custom-shaped labels.
• Wine bottles: front labels and back labels, with information clearly laid out.
• Small cosmetic bottles, e.g. 100 ml: smaller labels, tailored to the proportions of the packaging.
• Bottles with an unusual cross-section or with embossed patterns: custom-designed labels tailored to the application surface.

You can order both standard shapes – such as rectangles, circles and ovals – and labels with non-standard dimensions and outlines. Laser-cutting technology allows us to produce bespoke shapes without the cost of a traditional die-cut, which is advantageous for short runs and projects requiring frequent changes.

Before committing to a large order, check the dimensions of the surface where the label is to be placed. It helps to hold a paper template up against the bottle in question, and if you want to compare materials and finishes, order a sample pack of labels.

What determines the moisture resistance of bottle labels?

Moisture resistance depends on the type of material, the adhesive used and the conditions of use. We produce moisture-resistant labels from film materials or specialised papers. Polypropylene (PP) film is water-resistant, which is why it is used on bottles containing chilled drinks, cosmetics and products exposed to a damp environment. When it comes to paper, a distinction must be made between standard materials, wet-strength substrates and materials designed for ice-cooling.

• Chilled drinks, beer and water: PP films or papers with enhanced moisture resistance.
• Premium wines and spirits: specialised moisture-resistant papers, textured materials or films.
• Cosmetics and bath products: water-resistant foil labels.
• Oils and greasy products: films with a suitably selected adhesive and print protection.
• Products stored in dry conditions: standard paper labels or premium materials.
• Gift sets: festive labels, colourful bottle labels and gift labels, on natural, kraft and textured papers, as well as decorative foils.

The durability of the material is not the same as the durability of the label as a whole. The choice of adhesive, the application temperature and the condition of the bottle’s surface are also important factors, which is why labels should be applied to clean, dry and degreased packaging. If the product is to be stored in a cold store or will be exposed to heavy condensation, it is advisable to carry out a test on the actual bottle beforehand.

What sort of bottle labels should you choose for liqueurs, wine and home-brewed beer?

For liqueurs, wine and home-brewed beer, you can choose from both paper and foil labels. The material depends on the nature of the drink, the desired appearance of the packaging and the storage conditions. For craft products and premium spirits, natural, textured and decorative papers are popular. If the bottle is to be kept at very low temperatures, film or paper with enhanced moisture resistance is the better choice.

• Homemade liqueurs, moonshine and spirits: a wide selection of labels for liqueurs, featuring the name, year of production and product information.
• Homemade and artisanal wine: wine bottle labels – including front labels and back labels – and, for gift bottles, wine stickers as well.
• Home-brewed and craft beer: beer labels tailored to the brand’s character and storage conditions.
• Wedding vodka and liqueurs: vodka labels and personalised stickers featuring the couple’s names and the date of the celebration.
• Juices, syrups and oils: labels tailored to the type of product and its intended use.

Labels for liqueur bottles come in a variety of shapes, materials and finishes, and you can tailor the designs to suit each flavour. You can order 20 labels for plum liqueur and 20 for cherry liqueur, maintaining a consistent visual identity whilst changing only the name, colour scheme or graphics. The same applies to wedding bottles, gift sets and limited editions.

What information must appear on the bottle label?

The scope of mandatory information depends on the type of product contained in the packaging. Different requirements apply in the food, cosmetics and alcohol sectors, which is why the label design is tailored to the relevant category. For food products, the basic labelling rules are set out in Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council, together with specific provisions for individual categories.

• Product name enabling its type to be identified unambiguously.
• List of ingredients, where required for the relevant category.
• Net quantity stated in the relevant units.
• Minimum durability date or use-by date.
• Conditions of storage or use in cases specified by law.
• Name and address of the entity responsible for the product.
• Allergen information in accordance with the rules for the relevant food category.
• Actual alcohol content for drinks containing more than 1.2 per cent by volume.

Additional requirements apply to certain categories of alcoholic beverages, including wines. Regulation (EU) 2021/2117 introduced new rules on the provision of information on ingredients and nutritional values with effect from 8 December 2023, subject to transitional provisions.

When designing a label, ensure that the mandatory information is legible: the choice of font, its size, contrast against the background and the layout of the text are particularly important on small bottles. Start by planning the space for the mandatory labelling, and only then adjust the graphics and logo. Check the specific requirements for the particular product and the applicable regulations.

How much do bottle labels cost?

The price of bottle labels depends on the format, material, finish and order size. You can check the exact cost using the online calculator, which displays the price based on your selected parameters.

• Label size: width and height.
• Type of material: standard, textured or premium paper, or film.
• Finishes: matt lamination, gloss lamination, soft-touch lamination, varnishing and other finishes.
• Decorative effects: gilding, silvering, and 3D and 3D Max finishes.
• Print run: number of labels and the configuration of individual projects.

You can order labels from as little as 1 piece, so you can fulfil both small orders and larger production runs. As print runs increase, the unit cost usually decreases, but short runs remain cost-effective because we do not produce traditional printing plates. Added to this is the option to create custom shapes using laser cutting, without the cost of a die-cut mould. If you wish to compare options, use the price calculator to see the cost of labels with the same dimensions on different materials. High-quality printing costs the same whether you’re ordering one or a thousand items.