Silver and Foil Labels

What is the difference between silver labels and foil labels?

A silver label is printed on a metallic stock. Every part of the label that is not covered with white ink reflects light, and colours printed over the silver look tinted and metallic. Black text on silver looks sharp and modern; red on silver looks almost like a sweet wrapper.

A foil label starts on an ordinary stock, such as white BOPP or matt paper, and a thin layer of real foil is added to chosen areas. The rest of the label stays flat and matt, and the foil picks out a logo, a name or a fine border.

Both options can be cut to any shape and supplied on rolls or sheets, and both can carry a gloss or matt finish over the print. The choice is really about how much of the label should sparkle.

• Lid seals on candle tins and jars
• Fronts on cosmetics and skincare
• Gift box seals and ribbon stickers
• Wedding favour and place card labels
• Bottle neck labels on cordials and oils
• Thank-you seals tucked into online orders

Which one suits my product?

Can I have gold?

Yes, through gold foil. Silver stock always reads as silver, and printing yellow over it gives a greenish gold that rarely pleases anyone. Gold foil is a true metallic gold and suits seals, wedding favours, candle lids and luxury gift boxes.

Gold and silver foil can sit on the same label if your design needs both, for instance a gold logo with a silver border.

Rose gold and other coloured foils can sometimes be arranged; ask on your quote and we will tell you what is possible for your job before you commit.

How fine can foil detail be?

Foil follows the artwork closely, but very fine lines and tiny text can fill in or break up. Keep foil lines at about 0.3 mm or thicker and foil text at about 7 pt or larger. A bold logo or a simple border foils best.

We check foil areas on the proof and point out anything that may not hold. If a detail is too fine, we suggest printing it in ink and foiling the larger elements only.

Foil also needs a little space around it. Two foiled areas very close together can bridge, so leave about 1 mm between separate foil elements.

Will a metallic label scan or photograph well?

Barcodes on silver stock can be hard for some scanners, because the shiny base reflects the light back. If you need a barcode, we print a white ink panel behind it so it scans like a normal label.

In product photos, metallic labels pick up reflections from the room. Shoot them in soft, even light, away from windows, and the shine looks rich rather than glary.

The same goes for your own website photos. A label that looks dazzling in a shop can look flat in a photo taken under a ring light, so try a few angles before choosing your main product shot.

Are silver labels water-resistant?

Our silver stock is a film, so it copes with damp and handling well. Foil on BOPP is also durable. Foil on paper is more delicate: the paper beneath is not water-resistant, so keep those labels dry.

If your product is chilled or likely to get wet, tell us and we will put the foil on a film stock.

Foil on a matt paper stock is still a good choice for gift seals and wedding favours, which are applied once and kept dry.

How to order silver or foil labels

1. Tell us the size, shape and quantity.
2. Say whether you want silver stock, gold foil, silver foil or a mix.
3. Send vector artwork if you can, with the foil areas on their own layer.
4. Check the free proof, where foil areas are shown in a separate colour.
5. Approve the proof, and printing starts and finishes within 3 to 5 working days.

If your artwork is a flat image rather than a vector file, we can redraw a simple logo for foil and show it on the proof.

How is the price worked out?

Silver stock costs a little more than white film. Foil adds a setup step and a little cost per label. The total depends on the size, quantity and how much of the design is foiled. Prices start from £0.05 a label.

Ask for silver stock and foil on the same quote if you cannot decide, and we will price both and describe how each will look.

Because foil needs a setup for each design, it pays to keep the foiled part of the artwork the same across a range and change only the printed name or colour on each version.

Do foil labels suit seals and stickers?

They suit them very well. A small gold seal on tissue paper or a gift box lid is one of the simplest ways to make an order feel special. Circles of 30 to 50 mm are the usual sizes, often with a scalloped or serrated edge.

Our printed circle stickers for sealing can carry gold or silver foil in the same way.

How do I prepare artwork for foil?

Vector files work best: AI, EPS, SVG or a PDF saved from your design software with the shapes kept as shapes. Put everything that should be foiled on its own layer or in its own spot colour named clearly, such as Gold Foil.

If you only have a picture of your logo, send it anyway. We will tell you whether it is clear enough to redraw, and show the redrawn foil areas on the proof before anything is printed.

Delivery and aftercare

Foil and silver labels travel by free tracked delivery to UK mainland addresses in 2 to 3 working days. Store them flat, out of direct sunlight, and avoid stacking heavy boxes on rolls.

If foil arrives scuffed, misprinted or damaged, tell us within 10 days with a photo and we reprint or refund. Light marks on metallic stock are easy to see, so we pack these labels with extra care.