Custom Labels

You need labels that scan at checkout, survive cold storage, and apply cleanly at speed on a packing line. This collection covers custom labels printed for commercial use, from product branding to shipping and compliance marking. Every order is cut to your artwork, sized to your container, and formatted to your workflow, whether you hand-apply from sheets or feed a roll into a label applicator. Businesses use these for jars, bottles, boxes, poly mailers, and warehouse shelving. If you have a logo, a barcode, a QR code, or a warning message that has to stay readable through handling, this is where that job gets done.

What This Collection Covers and Who It Fits

Custom labels in this collection are printed and cut to your artwork for commercial applications. That includes product labels for retail containers, packaging seals, barcode and QR labels for inventory and fulfillment, and general branding labels for boxes and bags.

• Small businesses labeling handmade goods, food jars, cosmetics, or candles
• Ecommerce sellers adding branding to mailers and boxes
• Warehouses and workshops printing scannable asset and bin labels
• Resellers ordering short runs before committing to volume

For related jobs, see our sibling collections: Address Labels, Shipping Labels, QR Code Stickers, Fragile & Warning Labels, Logo Stickers, Packaging Stickers, and Thank You Stickers.

Materials Behind Custom Labels

Most business labels work well on calendered vinyl, a 2.5 mil intermediate film suited to smooth surfaces and indoor or short-term outdoor use. For curved containers, repeated handling, or longer outdoor exposure, cast vinyl conforms better and lasts longer without shrinking.

• Gloss laminate protects printed barcodes and QR codes from abrasion during shipping and handling
• Matte finish reduces glare so codes scan reliably under bright retail lighting
• Matte finishes are the safest choice for scannable codes, since glare from glossier surfaces can interfere with some barcode scanners
• Air-release liner options help push out trapped air on larger labels

Cast vinyl films used mainly for vehicle wraps are usually overkill for packaging labels. If you need a film for a branded company vehicle instead, see Car & Truck Decals.

Sizing and Fit for Custom Labels

Size the label to the flat or gently curved area of your container, not the full circumference, or edges will lift on the curve.

• 0.75 x 2.5 in to 2 x 4 in: typical barcode and QR label sizes; a QR code needs at least 0.8 x 0.8 in to scan reliably from a handheld phone
• 2 x 2 in to 3 x 3 in: jar lids and small cosmetic containers
• 3 x 5 in to 4 x 6 in: shipping labels and box branding; 4 x 6 in is the standard shipping label size in the US
• 5 x 7 in and up: large front-of-box branding

Leave at least 0.25 in of margin between the label edge and container seams, embossing, or ridges. On bottles, keep the label height under about one third of the bottle height for clean application.

Custom Labels: Installation and Care

Follow these steps for a clean, scannable application:

• Step 1: Clean the surface with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth. Remove all dust, oil, and residue.
• Step 2: Let the surface dry fully. Moisture trapped under the label causes edge lift.
• Step 3: Peel from the liner slowly. For roll labels on an applicator, check alignment on a test container first.
• Step 4: Apply from one edge and press outward with a squeegee or firm card to push air toward the opposite edge.
• Step 5: Rub the whole surface firmly, especially edges, then wait 24 to 48 hours before exposing the label to moisture or cold.

For care, wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid abrasive pads and solvents, which can scratch laminates or cloud printed codes.

How to Pick Custom Labels

Work through this short decision list before ordering:

• Will it be scanned? Choose matte or gloss laminate and test your barcode or QR code at final print size before the full run.
• Hand-applied or machine-applied? Sheets work for hand application and small runs. Rolls feed label applicators and speed up packing lines.
• Indoor or outdoor? Calendered vinyl handles indoor and short-term outdoor use. Move to cast vinyl for outdoor or multi-year exposure.
• Curved surface? Cast vinyl and smaller label heights apply better to bottles and tapers.
• Volume? For larger quantities, check Bulk & Wholesale Stickers for per-unit pricing.

Related collections

Frequently asked questions

Can I include a barcode or QR code on my custom labels?

Yes. Submit your barcode or QR code as a high-resolution vector file or at least 300 DPI raster image. Matte or gloss laminate protects the code from scannable wear. Order a sample first and test it with your actual scanner or phone, since glare from glossier finishes can interfere with scanning.

Should I order labels on rolls or on sheets?

Rolls are the right choice if you use a label applicator or apply labels in volume, since they feed machines directly and speed up a packing line. Sheets suit small runs and hand application, and they are easier to store and pull from one label at a time. If you apply fewer than a few hundred labels a week, sheets are usually enough.

Will these labels hold up in cold storage or the refrigerator?

Vinyl labels with a permanent adhesive generally hold at refrigerator temperatures once fully cured, which takes 24 to 48 hours after application. For freezer storage or condensation exposure, ask about the specific adhesive option for your order, since extreme cold and moisture can weaken standard adhesives.

What file format should I send for my artwork?

Vector files such as AI, EPS, or PDF keep text and codes sharp at any size. If you only have a raster image, send it at 300 DPI at the final printed size. Include 0.125 in of bleed if your artwork runs to the label edge, and keep critical text and barcodes at least 0.125 in inside the cut line.

Can I get a sample before committing to a full order?

Yes, ordering a small sample run is the practical way to test fit, finish, and scannability before a larger purchase. Apply the sample to your actual container, run it through your normal packing and shipping process, and confirm your barcode or QR code scans at the final printed size.

What size label do I need for a shipping label or a QR code?

US shipping labels are standardized at 4 x 6 in, which fits carrier requirements and thermal printer templates. QR codes should be at least 0.8 x 0.8 in to scan reliably from a phone at close range, and larger if people will scan from farther away. Barcodes need quiet zones, roughly 0.25 in of blank space, on either side.