Label Materials Explained: Types, Properties & Examples

The performance of your packaging can be crucial not only for protecting your products, but also for attracting customers, meeting your sustainability goals, and ensuring regulatory compliance. That even includes the label facestock materials you choose, and it’s critical to understand your options as well as what may or may not make them appropriate for the industry you serve. This is especially true if you work in highly regulated sectors such as the healthcare, beauty, and wellness industries. Knowing the differences between various label material types as well as flexible packaging and shrink films can make a big difference for your products and your company.  

Types of Label Materials and Their Core Properties 

Adhesive labels are most often made of either paper or a plastic film material. Depending on the application, each type has its own list of strengths and weaknesses:  

• Paper offers a tactile quality that can suggest handmade products, which can be helpful for beauty and wellness products that are marketed to upscale customers or want to project a high-end brand image. However, paper is susceptible to damage from handling or moisture, which can make it a poor choice for mass-market goods that may be subjected to heavy usage by consumers.  
• Films such as PE, PET, and PP are much more durable, capable of resisting scuffs and moisture. This makes them a good choice for consumer goods that are used in humid environments such as bathrooms. Although they last much longer than paper, they don’t always provide the premium feel that paper labels can bring.  

Pressure-Sensitive Label Materials 

Pressure-sensitive labels feature an adhesive backing, allowing them to be applied directly to the product’s packaging without requiring an application of adhesive. These can be made of paper or film, providing you with some flexibility in your choice. You also have the option to choose the level of adhesion desired, whether permanent or temporary. For example, temporary labels may be needed for certain pharmaceutical products that require detailed regulatory or dosage information so consumers can peel it away from the packaging and unfold it to get more information.  

Shrink Sleeve Materials  

Although not quite the same as labels, shrink sleeves are another popular method for labeling packaging. These plastic materials wrap around the product and are shrunk to fit using heat. You have a number of options with shrink sleeve materials, including: 

• PETG is the most widely used premium option, providing durability and high-quality prints 
• OPS offers a higher degree of distortion control for wrapping containers with unique dimensions without sacrificing legibility  
• PVC is the choice most often used for cost-driven applications  

Flexible Packaging Materials  

Many company also choose flexible packaging materials for the wide range of customization options they provide while also being cost-effective. When producing bags, pouches, or any other type of flexible packaging for products such as supplements, wellness powders, medical devices or functional foods, you can choose from a variety of plastic films including:  

• Polyethylene (PE), which provides effective protection from moisture and is one of the most versatile options  
• Polypropylene (PP), typically known for being stronger and stiffer when compared to PE as well as being easier to print on 
• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which offers higher heat resistance than other choices along with durability  

In many cases, these materials form the outer layer of flexible packaging, encapsulating an inner layer made from PE for effective heat sealing and moisture barrier properties. Depending on the product, flexible packaging also may feature a middle layer made of foil or another material that serves as extra protection.  

Sustainable Label and Packaging Materials  

With sustainability becoming a larger concern for consumers and manufacturers, a number of eco-friendly options are emerging for specialty labeling materials as well as packaging. From recyclable shrink sleeves to biodegradable films and post-consumer content, next-generation solutions continue to be introduced to the market.  

For example, PLPS offers our Earth+ line of eco-friendly labeling solutions and packaging materials, which have been designed to provide the highest levels of functionality, aesthetics, and versatility. At the same time, our sustainable label materials and packaging options offer recyclability that helps our clients meet their sustainability goals and reduce their environmental impact in a very real and significant way.  

Material Selection Factors 

Choosing the right materials for your custom labels or packaging comes down to understanding factors such as:  

• Conditions such as whether the product needs to be protected from UV light or the nature of the container used for the product 
• Environmental factors including whether the product will be exposed to humidity 
• Regulatory concerns such as meeting standards from FHSA, FDA, or GHS 

How Different Industries and Markets Use Materials  

It should come as no surprise that the choice of label and packaging materials can differ based on the specific needs of the industry. For example, some of the most unique concerns among manufacturers in different verticals include:  

• Beauty products, which tend to focus on durable packages with tactile finishes that convey a certain level of luxury. The compatibility of the container is a key concern when it comes to labeling especially.  
• Wellness products, where flexible packaging tends to be the preferred choice, often call for high-quality printing to build branding and provide critical regulatory information and user instructions.  
• Healthcare, which prioritize resistance to chemicals and temperature and labeling compliance over most other concerns.  

When to Consider Specialty Coatings and Pattern Adhesives 

Labels and packaging can be customized to feature specialized coatings or adhesive patterns. In the case of the former, these are typically applied to strengthen the scuff resistance of the label or packaging or to create a certain aesthetic appeal to consumers. Different adhesive patterns make it possible for consumers to reseal packaging, open and close windows on the package, or offer a different tactile experience when handling the product.  

Choosing the Right Label or Packaging Material for Your Product 

The material you choose for your labelling or packaging has to provide the perfect fit in terms of performance, compliance, and sustainability. Partnering with an experienced supplier is critical for ensuring you make the right choice. PLPS has the expertise and experience in pressure-sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, and flexible packaging to guide you in the right direction, so reach out and get in touch with our team today to learn more about how we can help you understand .