Choose the right stock
Label materials.
The right substrate matters more than most producers realise. Browse our material options with honest notes on where each works, where it fails, and what it costs.
Materials
Label substrates we print on
BOPP Labels
Durable, waterproof BOPP self-adhesive labels for chilled, frozen, wet and outdoor environments. The workhorse material for craft beer, personal care and industrial applications.
Read more →Clear Film Labels
Clear film labels for the premium no-label look on glass, plastic and cosmetic packaging. Best when the product or container should show through.
Read more →Freezer Labels
Freezer and cold-chain label stocks for products that need to stay bonded and readable through chilled, frozen and condensation-heavy environments.
Read more →Metallised Labels
Metallised label stocks for shimmer, shelf impact and premium positioning without committing every detail to hot foil.
Read more →Paper Labels
Paper label stocks for wine, food, honey and boutique product labels. Best for dry goods, premium shelf presence and tactile brand positioning.
Read more →Textured Paper Labels
Textured paper labels for premium wine, spirits, honey and boutique goods where touch, finish and shelf presence matter.
Read more →Material selector
Find the right material for your label
Every stock we print on, with what it handles and what it suits best. Check what your label has to survive, and which product it is going on.
Common scenarios
I need a material that is:
For this product type:
Showing all 10 materials
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White BOPP (Polypropylene)
Mid-range High durability
The workhorse of label materials. A synthetic film that handles moisture, condensation, and light abrasion. Prints vibrant colour with excellent opacity.
- Waterproof
- Oil-resistant
- Food-safe
- Freezer-proof
- UV-stable
- Tear-resistant
- Finish
- Gloss or matte
- Best for
- Craft Beer, Food & Beverage, Wine, Cosmetics
- Note
- Most popular material for beverage labels. Won't wrinkle in ice buckets or fridges.
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Clear BOPP (No-Label Look)
Mid-range High durability
Transparent polypropylene film for the modern 'no-label' aesthetic. Works beautifully on clear and coloured glass.
- Waterproof
- Food-safe
- Freezer-proof
- Clear
- UV-stable
- Tear-resistant
- Finish
- Gloss clear
- Best for
- Spirits, Cosmetics
- Note
- Print white ink under colours to maintain opacity on coloured elements.
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Silver Metallic BOPP
Premium High durability
Metallic silver polypropylene that catches light and creates a premium metallic finish without foil costs.
- Waterproof
- Food-safe
- Freezer-proof
- Metallic
- UV-stable
- Tear-resistant
- Finish
- Metallic gloss
- Best for
- Spirits, Wine, Honey
- Note
- Great way to achieve a metallic look on a digital print budget.
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Textured Paper (Felt / Laid / Linen)
Premium Standard durability
Premium uncoated papers with tactile surface textures. The go-to for premium spirits, wine, and honey labels where touch matters.
- Textured
- Finish
- Uncoated textured
- Best for
- Spirits, Wine, Honey
- Note
- Pairs beautifully with foil stamping and emboss. Not waterproof — laminate for wet environments.
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Freezer-Grade Adhesive Film
Mid-range High durability
Synthetic film with a specialist adhesive formulated to bond and stay stuck at sub-zero temperatures.
- Waterproof
- Freezer-proof
- Food-safe
- Finish
- Gloss or matte
- Best for
- Food & Beverage
- Note
- Standard adhesives can fail below 5°C. This material stays stuck from -40°C to +50°C.
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Food-Safe Paper
Budget Standard durability
Coated paper stock with food-contact certified adhesive. Suitable for direct and indirect food contact applications.
- Food-safe
- Finish
- Gloss or matte coated
- Best for
- Food & Beverage, Honey
- Note
- Good for dry goods and products stored at room temperature. Laminate for moisture protection.
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Kraft Paper (Brown)
Budget Standard durability
Unbleached brown paper with a natural, handmade aesthetic. Popular with organic, artisan, and eco-conscious brands.
- Eco-friendly
- Finish
- Natural uncoated
- Best for
- Honey, Food & Beverage, Cosmetics
- Note
- Prints best with simple designs. Dark colours and full bleeds can lose the kraft texture.
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Gold Metallic Substrate
Premium High durability
A gold-toned metallic base stock that creates a rich, warm metallic finish across the entire label surface.
- Metallic
- Finish
- Gold metallic
- Best for
- Honey, Spirits, Wine
- Note
- Different from foil stamping — the entire label surface is metallic. Print on top for a reverse-out effect.
-
Recycled Paper (Full or Partial Recycled Content)
Budget Standard durability
Paper made with full or partial recycled content, depending on the stock. A natural off-white colour with a slightly rough texture.
- Eco-friendly
- Finish
- Natural uncoated
- Best for
- Cosmetics, Food & Beverage, Honey
- Note
- Great for brands with strong sustainability messaging. Can laminate for added durability.
-
Wine-Grade BOPP
Mid-range Very high durability
A polypropylene film specifically engineered for wine bottles — survives ice buckets, cellar humidity, and chiller cabinets.
- Waterproof
- Food-safe
- UV-stable
- Tear-resistant
- Freezer-proof
- Finish
- Gloss or matte
- Best for
- Wine
- Note
- The practical choice for wines served chilled. Paper labels can wrinkle — this won't.
Not sure which stock fits? Tell us about your product and we will recommend one.
Compare label materials side by side
10 stocks, one table. Read across a row to see what a material handles, how it looks and what it costs, then follow the name to its own page. A tick means we list that property for the stock. A dash means we do not, so ask us if your product needs it.
For bottles that live in an ice bucket or a chiller cabinet, start with the BOPP stocks. For wine labels, spirits and honey where touch matters, start with textured paper. Kraft and recycled papers suit a natural look. Cost runs from $ (budget) to $$$ (premium) and describes the stock only. For a price on your size and quantity, use the label cost estimator or ask for a quote.
Scroll sideways to see every column.
| Material | Waterproof | Oil-resistant | Freezer | Food-contact | Look | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White BOPP (Polypropylene) | Listed | Listed | Listed | Listed | Gloss or matte | Mid-range | Craft Beer, Food & Beverage, Wine, Cosmetics |
| Clear BOPP (No-Label Look) | Listed | Not listed | Listed | Listed | Gloss clear | Mid-range | Spirits, Cosmetics |
| Silver Metallic BOPP | Listed | Not listed | Listed | Listed | Metallic gloss | Premium | Spirits, Wine, Honey |
| Textured Paper (Felt / Laid / Linen) | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Uncoated textured | Premium | Spirits, Wine, Honey |
| Freezer-Grade Adhesive Film | Listed | Not listed | Listed | Listed | Gloss or matte | Mid-range | Food & Beverage |
| Food-Safe Paper | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Listed | Gloss or matte coated | Budget | Food & Beverage, Honey |
| Kraft Paper (Brown) | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Natural uncoated | Budget | Honey, Food & Beverage, Cosmetics |
| Gold Metallic Substrate | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Gold metallic | Premium | Honey, Spirits, Wine |
| Recycled Paper (Full or Partial Recycled Content) | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Natural uncoated | Budget | Cosmetics, Food & Beverage, Honey |
| Wine-Grade BOPP | Listed | Not listed | Listed | Listed | Gloss or matte | Mid-range | Wine |
Not sure which stock? Ask for a sample pack and compare the stocks in your hand.
Start a project
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Send us your brief and we'll come back with a same-day quote.
Phone
09 820 7124Office
20 Lansford Crescent, Avondale, Auckland
Mon–Fri 9am–5pm