Custom Food Labels for jars, pouches and packaging

Food label buying guide

Designing food labels that work on shelf and in the fridge

A great food label is readable, durable and compliant with the rules that apply to your product. Planning those three things together saves costly reprints.

Why choose custom food labels?

Food businesses rarely fit standard label sizes. A tall sauce bottle, a squat preserve jar and a stand-up pouch each need a label shaped around them, with enough space for everything the customer needs to read.

Custom labels also let you match the material to the product. Paper that looks lovely on a dry biscuit box can wrinkle within hours on a chilled tub, so specifying the right stock at the start matters.

Popular uses for food labels

We print food labels for:

Seasonal and limited-run products are a particularly good fit for custom labels. A Christmas chutney or a summer cordial can share the same jar and bottle as your core range, with only the label changing.

• Artisan producers – jams, chutneys, honey, oils and sauces.
• Bakeries and cafés – boxes, bags and grab-and-go packaging.
• Dairy and deli – cheese, meats, dips and chilled tubs.
• Confectionery – sweets, chocolate and gift packs.
• Meal preparation and catering – chilled and frozen meals with storage instructions.

Materials, shapes and sizes

For dry, ambient products, paper labels give an attractive, natural finish. For anything refrigerated, frozen or likely to meet condensation, choose a waterproof or vinyl construction so the label stays flat and legible.

Rectangular front labels are the most practical for text-heavy information, while round and oval labels suit lids and branding. Measure the flat area available, leave a margin, and check round containers against their circumference.

Printing and finishing options

Full-colour printing lets you use photography and rich colour to make food look appetising. Keep small text in high contrast, dark on light, so ingredients and allergen information stay easy to read.

Matte finishes reduce glare under shop lighting, which helps legibility, while gloss finishes make colours pop and wipe clean. Many producers use a matte information label on the back and a gloss branding label on the front.

Getting food label information right

UK food labelling rules require certain information on most prepacked food, such as the name of the food, an ingredients list with allergens emphasised, the net quantity and an appropriate date mark. The exact requirements depend on your product and how it is sold, so check current Food Standards Agency guidance before finalising your design.

We print exactly what you approve on your proof and will flag text that is too small to read, but responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the information stays with the food business.

Why food businesses choose AStickerPrinting

Our proofing process gives you a final chance to check every allergen, weight and date panel before anything is printed. We review artwork free of charge and highlight readability problems, so your labels arrive looking right and reading clearly.