When you come to Super Labels with a printing project, you may already have your artwork ready. However, producing a successful label involves more than simply taking a file and sending it to print.
Before we recommend a solution, we take the time to understand where the label will be used, what surface it will be applied to, how it will be applied, the performance it needs and your budget. From there, we consider the material, adhesive, size, colour, finish, cutting die and printing method to find the most suitable option for your product.
1. Where and how will the label be used?
The first thing we need to understand is the label's real-world environment and application.
Will it be used indoors or outdoors? Could it come into contact with water, moisture, oil or chemicals? Will it be exposed to refrigeration, changing temperatures or frequent handling? We also consider whether it will be applied to glass, plastic, cardboard, metal or another surface, and whether that surface is smooth, textured, flat or curved.
These details influence the material and adhesive we recommend. A label that looks good but does not remain securely attached or perform in its intended environment will not provide the result you need.
2. Choosing the right material, adhesive and finish
Once we understand the application and environment, we can recommend a suitable label material, adhesive and finish.
Paper and synthetic film stocks offer different appearances, textures and levels of durability. The right adhesive also depends on the surface, application conditions and expected use. Depending on your requirements, we may recommend a matt or gloss finish, varnish or laminate.
If your labels need greater moisture resistance, durability or a more premium appearance, we can suggest an option that provides those benefits while remaining appropriate for your product and budget.
3. Colour and print quality
Colour plays an important role in how your label and brand are presented.
We consider how your colours are likely to reproduce based on the artwork, selected material, finish and printing method. We also assess whether standard CMYK reproduction is appropriate or whether a specific brand-colour matching solution is required for greater consistency.
The same colour can appear different across materials and finishes. That is why we consider the finished label as a whole rather than relying only on how the artwork looks on a computer screen.
4. Choosing the right label size and cutting die
Super Labels has a wide range of existing cutting dies in different shapes and sizes. When recommending a label size, we consider the shape of your container, the area the label needs to cover, how it will be applied and how efficiently the material can be used.
A small adjustment to the dimensions may allow an existing die to be used or enable more labels to fit efficiently across the material, helping to reduce tooling costs and waste.
At the same time, the label must fit the container properly and provide the coverage your design requires. Finding the right balance can make a meaningful difference to presentation, performance and overall cost, particularly for larger production runs.
5. Choosing the right printing method
There is often more than one way to produce a self-adhesive label.
We consider factors such as quantity, label size, number of artwork variations, turnaround time, colour requirements and budget before recommending a printing method.
Digital and conventional printing each offer different advantages. Digital printing can be well suited to shorter runs or multiple variations because it does not require printing plates, while conventional printing may become more economical at higher volumes. The right choice depends on the complete requirements of the project.
Selecting the most appropriate method can provide a better result, a more efficient turnaround or a lower overall production cost.
With more than 20 years of experience in the label industry, the Super Labels team is happy to share our practical knowledge and help make every stage of the process easier.
Planning a new label or reviewing an existing one? Talk to us before finalising your artwork. An early conversation can help you avoid potential problems, reduce unnecessary costs and choose a label that is right for your product.
