Kraft Labels

Why do brands pick kraft labels?

Kraft says hand-made before anyone reads a word. A brown label tied in with brown paper bags, string and a rubber stamp looks deliberate, and it suits products sold at markets, in farm shops and in independent gift shops.

It is also forgiving. Small marks and fingerprints barely show on kraft, and the slightly rough surface hides the tiny shifts in position you get when labelling by hand. A label that is a millimetre off straight on white gloss is obvious; on kraft it rarely is.

Kraft works best where the product is dry and the look is relaxed rather than glossy. These are the places our customers most often put it:

• Coffee bags and tea pouches in brown or black
• Soap bars wrapped in paper bands
• Candle tins and jars with a rustic look
• Gift boxes and paper carrier bags
• Jam and chutney jars sold at markets
• Hang tags and swing tickets tied with string

How does ink look on brown paper?

Kraft paper has colour of its own, and the inks sit on top of it. That changes how colours look. Everything shifts warmer and a little darker, and light colours lose most of their strength.

We can print a layer of white under parts of the design so a pale colour stays true. Many brands prefer the opposite: one dark colour, such as black or forest green, printed straight on the kraft, which gives a stamped look and keeps the price down.

Is kraft paper right for damp products?

Kraft is paper, so it is not a water-resistant stock. It handles a dry shelf, a gift box and a coffee bag perfectly well, but it will mark if it gets wet and it can soak up oil from greasy fingers or a leaking jar.

For damp or oily products, ask about white BOPP with a printed kraft pattern, or a matt finish over the kraft, which gives the print some protection. Our guide on BOPP labels compared with paper covers the trade-offs.

Can I write on kraft labels?

Yes, and this is one of the best reasons to choose it. Kraft takes a ballpoint, a felt tip, a pencil and a rubber stamp. Many makers print the brand and leave a blank panel for the batch, the date or the scent, filled in by hand at the bench.

Avoid a gloss finish if you plan to write on the label, because the pen will skid and the ink can smudge. Uncoated kraft or a matt finish keeps the writing crisp.

What sizes do kraft labels come in?

Any size you need, cut to any shape. Common sizes include 50 mm circles for jar lids and bag seals, 60 x 40 mm rectangles for small jars, 80 x 100 mm fronts for stand-up pouches and long thin bands of around 200 x 50 mm for soap bars and candle tins.

Measure the flat area where the label will sit and leave a few millimetres of space all round. Kraft paper does not stretch, so on tight curves it can crease where film would follow the shape.

Very small kraft labels, under about 30 mm, are best kept to a logo or a single word. The fibres in the paper soften fine detail slightly, which is part of the charm on a larger label but can blur tiny text.

How to order kraft labels

1. Choose the size and shape, or send a photo of the product.
2. Tell us the quantity and whether you want rolls or sheets.
3. Send your logo and wording, and say if any colours need white ink.
4. Check the free proof, which shows how your colours sit on brown.
5. Approve it, and printing takes 3 to 5 working days.

The proof shows your colours on a brown background so you can judge them before anything is printed, and you can ask for changes as many times as you need.

Does kraft cost more than white paper?

Not much. Kraft stock costs a little more than plain white paper, and white ink adds a step if you need it. A single dark colour on kraft is one of the most economical labels we print.

Prices start from £0.05 a label, and the exact price depends on the size, the quantity and whether white ink is involved. Your quote comes back by email within one working day.

If you want two versions, such as one dark colour on plain kraft and a full-colour design with white ink, ask for both on the same quote and compare the figures side by side.

Will kraft match my brown pouches?

Close, but rarely exactly. Kraft paper varies in shade, and so do kraft pouches from different makers. A label that is a shade lighter or darker than the pouch can look intentional; one that is almost the same often looks like a near miss.

If an exact match matters, a white label with a printed kraft texture gives you more control, or a clear label lets the pouch itself show through.

A simple test is to hold your current pouch next to a sheet of brown parcel paper. If they look almost the same, kraft labels will probably blend in well; if not, plan for a deliberate contrast instead.

Can kraft labels carry ingredients and allergens?

Yes. Use black or a very dark colour for the text and keep it at about 6 pt or larger, because the paper fibres soften small type a little. Bold the allergens clearly, as you would on any food label, and leave enough margin around the text that it does not run close to the cut.

Many food makers put the brand on a kraft front label and the ingredients on a white back label, where small text is easier to read. Both can go on one quote.

Looking after kraft labels before use

Store them flat in their box in a dry room. Paper takes on moisture from the air, so a damp shed or a steamy kitchen can make sheets curl and rolls swell slightly.

If labels have been somewhere cold, bring them indoors for an hour before you apply them. Adhesive grips best at room temperature, and kraft that has warmed up lies flatter.

Delivery, reprints and refunds

Kraft labels go out by free tracked delivery to UK mainland addresses in 2 to 3 working days. They are packed flat or upright on their cores so edges are not crushed.

If anything arrives misprinted or damaged, let us know within 10 days with a photo and we reprint the labels or refund you.