Getting product labels made starts with three decisions: what information your label needs to include, how to design the artwork, and which printing method fits your budget and order size. Whether you’re launching a first product or scaling an existing line, the process follows a predictable path from regulatory requirements through design preparation to choosing a printer.
What Your Label Is Legally Required to Show
Federal law sets baseline requirements for consumer product labels under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. Every label on a consumer commodity must include three things: a statement of identity, the net quantity of contents, and the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor.
The statement of identity is simply what the product is. It needs to appear prominently on the front of your packaging (the “principal display panel”), in text that’s easy to read, running parallel to the base the product sits on. Use the common or usual name for the product. If there isn’t one, a descriptive term that explains the product’s function works.
For the manufacturer or distributor information, you need the actual business name and place of business, including city, state, and ZIP code. If you didn’t manufacture the product yourself, the label must say so with phrasing like “Manufactured for” or “Distributed by” followed by your business name. If your business is a corporation, you must use the actual corporate name rather than a trade name alone.
These are just the federal minimums. Specific product categories have additional rules. Food products must comply with FDA nutrition labeling requirements. Cosmetics need ingredient lists. Textiles require fiber content and country of origin. Candles, cleaning products, and anything containing hazardous materials each have their own labeling mandates. Research the specific regulations for your product category before you finalize your design.
Designing Your Label Artwork
You can design labels yourself using tools like Canva or Adobe Illustrator, or hire a freelance graphic designer. Either way, the design file you submit to a printer needs to meet certain technical specifications, and getting these right upfront prevents costly reprints.
Set your color mode to CMYK, not RGB. CMYK is the industry standard for printed materials. RGB is designed for screens, and the difference when printed can be dramatic: bright colors on your monitor may look dull or faded on the finished label. Most printers will convert RGB files to CMYK for you, but you lose control over how your colors shift during that conversion.
Your artwork file needs three boundary lines. The trim line (also called the die line) marks where the label will actually be cut, representing the finished size. The bleed line extends 1/16 inch beyond the trim line on all sides. Any background color, pattern, or image you want printed all the way to the edge of the label must extend to this bleed line. Without it, you’ll get thin white strips along the edges where the cut wasn’t perfectly aligned. The safety line sits 1/16 inch inside the trim line. Keep all text and important graphics inside this boundary so nothing gets clipped during cutting.
If you’re hiring a designer, expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $500 depending on the complexity of your label and the designer’s experience. Provide them with your exact label dimensions, the required regulatory text, and any brand assets like logos and color codes. Ask for the final file in a print-ready format, typically a high-resolution PDF with fonts outlined (converted to shapes so they don’t change if the printer doesn’t have your font installed).
Choosing a Printing Method
Two printing methods dominate product label production: digital printing and flexographic printing. Your choice depends primarily on how many labels you need.
Digital printing works without physical printing plates, which means there’s no expensive setup step. This makes it the better option for short runs, typically anywhere from a few dozen to a few thousand labels. It’s ideal if you have multiple product variations (different flavors, scents, or sizes), need to test a new product with a small batch, or update your artwork frequently. Turnaround is fast, often just a few business days. When paired with UV-curable or resin-based inks, digitally printed labels hold up well against chemicals, abrasion, and heat.
Flexographic printing uses flexible plates to transfer fast-curing inks onto your label material. Creating those plates adds upfront cost, but once they’re made, the per-label price drops significantly on long runs. If you need tens of thousands of labels or more, flexographic printing delivers lower unit costs and extremely consistent color from the first label to the last. It works on a wide range of materials including polyester, polypropylene, and other engineered films.
Both methods can reproduce exact Pantone colors, fine gradients, and detailed graphics with high resolution. Both support finishing options like overlaminates or chemical-resistant coatings that protect your label from moisture, UV exposure, or product spills.
Where to Get Labels Printed
You have several options depending on your volume and how hands-on you want to be.
- Online label printers are the most accessible option for small businesses. Companies in this space let you upload your artwork, choose a material and finish, select a quantity, and get labels shipped to you. Minimum orders can be as low as 25 to 50 labels with digital printing. Prices vary widely based on size, material, and finish, but expect to pay roughly $0.10 to $1.00 per label for small quantities, with costs dropping as volume increases.
- Local print shops offer the advantage of in-person consultations and the ability to see and feel material samples before committing. They can be particularly helpful if you’re unsure about label size, adhesive type, or material durability for your specific product.
- Specialty label manufacturers handle large-scale orders, typically 5,000 labels and up. They offer flexographic printing, custom die-cut shapes, and specialized materials for products that face harsh conditions like refrigeration, outdoor exposure, or chemical contact. Many assign an account representative who walks you through material selection and proofing.
- Print-on-demand or at-home printing works for very early-stage products or craft businesses. A quality inkjet or laser printer with blank label sheets can produce small batches, but the results rarely match the durability or visual polish of professionally printed labels.
Selecting the Right Label Material
The material your label is printed on matters as much as the design itself. Paper labels are the most affordable and work well for dry goods, boxes, and products that won’t encounter moisture. They accept ink beautifully and give a natural, artisan look that many food and beauty brands favor.
Vinyl and polypropylene labels resist water, oil, and tearing. If your product will sit in a refrigerator, a shower, or outdoors, synthetic materials are worth the added cost. BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene) is one of the most popular choices for bottles and jars because it’s waterproof, tear-resistant, and gives a clean, professional appearance.
You’ll also choose a finish. Matte finishes reduce glare and convey a premium, understated look. Gloss finishes make colors pop and work well for products competing for attention on a retail shelf. Some printers offer soft-touch lamination, which gives labels a velvety texture, or spot UV coating that adds a glossy raised effect to specific elements like a logo.
Adhesive type matters too. Permanent adhesive is standard for most products. Removable adhesive works for items where you want customers to peel the label off cleanly, like gift items or reusable containers. If your product will be stored in freezing temperatures, specify a freezer-grade adhesive, as standard adhesives can lose their grip in cold environments.
Steps From Start to Finished Labels
The process typically takes two to four weeks from first design to labels in hand, though rush options exist. Here’s the sequence:
- Determine label dimensions. Measure the surface where the label will be applied. For curved surfaces like bottles, wrap a piece of paper around the container and mark where it overlaps to find the maximum width.
- Gather required content. Compile your product name, net weight or volume, ingredient list (if applicable), your business name and address, any required warnings, and a barcode if you’re selling through retail.
- Create or commission the design. Work in CMYK, set up your bleed and safety margins, and export a high-resolution PDF.
- Request samples or proofs. Most printers offer digital proofs (a PDF showing how your label will look) at no charge. Physical proofs, where they print a small number of actual labels, may cost $25 to $75 but let you check color accuracy, material feel, and adhesive strength before committing to a full run.
- Place your order. Specify quantity, material, finish, and adhesive type. Digital orders for a few hundred labels often ship within three to five business days. Flexographic orders with custom plates may take two to three weeks.
When your labels arrive, apply a few to your actual product before using the entire batch. Check that the adhesive holds on your specific container material, that the label doesn’t wrinkle on curved surfaces, and that the colors look right under the lighting where your product will be displayed or photographed.