Picking the right custom label is the difference between packaging that looks professional and a sticker that peels the moment it meets condensation. With so many label materials to choose from — waterproof gloss, matt vinyl, clear “no-label” film, metallic foils and high-tack adhesive — it’s hard to know which one will actually stick to your jar, bottle, candle tin or cosmetic packaging and survive where it needs to.
Our free label finder asks four quick questions about your product, surface, environment and preferred look, then recommends the exact Sticker Nation label that’ll work, along with typical sizes for your application and a direct link to order.
Common questions about choosing a label
Which label material is best for glass jars and bottles?
For most glass jars and bottles, our Waterproof Glossy vinyl is the best all-round choice — fully waterproof, fridge and freezer safe, and sticks reliably to glass. If you want a premium, non-reflective finish (common for cosmetics, candles and craft spirits) choose Waterproof Matt. For a "no-label" look where the product inside shows through, use Clear Glossy.
What label sticks to HDPE, PP or other low-energy plastic?
Low-energy plastics like HDPE, PP and LDPE — used for squeeze bottles, food tubs, buckets and bin liners — are notoriously difficult to stick to. Standard label adhesives will peel. Use our High Tack Glossy vinyl, which has an aggressive adhesive specifically formulated for low-energy plastic. Even then, we strongly recommend ordering a small test batch first before committing to a larger order.
Are your labels waterproof and dishwasher safe?
All our vinyl labels are fully waterproof and rated for fridge, freezer and regular wet conditions down to –20°C. For continuous dishwasher use, the edges of a standard waterproof label may soften over repeated cycles — consider it "dishwasher friendly" rather than a permanent dishwasher label. For long-term dishwasher durability, test a sample under your actual cycle conditions first.
Can I put a label on a powder-coated or textured surface?
Textured, rough and powder-coated surfaces need an aggressive adhesive — the sticker can only make contact with the high points of the texture, not the valleys. Use our High Tack Glossy vinyl, which is designed to grip these surfaces. Standard waterproof labels will lift at the edges.
What size should my custom label be?
It depends on what you're labelling. Typical sizes: small jam or honey jars 50 mm round or 60 × 40 mm rectangles; wine bottles 90 × 100 mm; gin or spirit bottles 70 × 90 mm; small candle jars 50 × 35 mm; cosmetic bottles 60 × 40 mm wrap-around. The label finder shows a full size guide tailored to your application once you complete the wizard.
Do you offer free label samples?
We don't offer a free-sample service. We recommend ordering a small, low-cost test quantity of your chosen material and running it on your actual product in real-world conditions for 48–72 hours before committing to a larger order. This is always the most reliable way to confirm a material suits your specific surface and environment.
What's the difference between satin and mirror metallic labels?
Satin metallic (gold or silver) has a brushed, understated finish — premium without being flashy, ideal for cosmetics, candles and craft spirits. Mirror metallic has a high-shine, reflective chrome-like finish — bolder and more eye-catching, but shows scratches and fingerprints more readily, so avoid high-contact areas. Both use a standard adhesive, so neither is suitable for low-energy plastic or textured surfaces.
