Waterproof Labels

What makes these labels waterproof?

They are printed on BOPP, a polypropylene film. Unlike paper, the film does not absorb water, so a splash, condensation or a damp shower shelf will not make it swell, wrinkle or go soft. The print sits on the film and can be protected further with a gloss or matt laminate.

We describe the film as water-resistant because how a label holds up also depends on the surface, the adhesive and how it was applied. Applied well onto a clean surface, BOPP labels cope with everyday wet use for a long time.

BOPP is also stiffer than paper, which helps a label sit flat on a bottle without wrinkling at the edges. It handles a little squeezing well, and it does not tear when a customer picks at a corner.

Which products need a water-resistant label?

• Shampoo, body wash and bath oil bottles
• Hand soap and washing-up liquid refills
• Sauces, oils and dressings that drip down the bottle
• Drinks chilled in a fridge or an ice bucket
• Chilled food tubs and deli pots
• Reusable drinks bottles and outdoor gear

If your product only ever sits on a dry shelf, a paper label may do the job for less.

BOPP or laminated paper?

Laminating paper protects the face, but the edges are still paper and can wick water in. BOPP is film all the way through, so wet edges do not lift or stain. For anything that will meet water often, film is the safer choice.

Our guide to choosing BOPP or paper labels goes into this in more depth.

White or clear film?

White BOPP gives bright, solid colour and reads clearly on any container. Clear BOPP lets the bottle or the contents show through and suits glass and clear plastic. Both are water-resistant.

On clear film, pale colours need white ink behind them to stay bright, so tell us what colour the contents are when you order.

Silver BOPP is a third option. It is a film as well, so it shares the same resistance to water, and it gives a metallic look to drinks and bath products.

How should waterproof labels be applied?

Even the best film needs a good start. Water-resistant labels hold up to water once they have bonded, but they must go on dry.

1. Fill and cap the bottle first, then wipe away any drips.
2. Dry the surface completely and let chilled bottles reach room temperature.
3. Remove any oil film with a little surgical spirit on a cloth, then let it dry.
4. Apply the label from the centre outwards, pressing out any air.
5. Leave labelled stock for 24 hours before it goes in a fridge or a damp room.

Will the print scratch or fade?

The film resists water, but the ink on the surface can still scuff if bottles rub together in a box. A gloss or matt laminate over the print protects it from scuffs and from oily fingers, and is worth having on anything handled a lot.

Keep stock out of strong direct sunlight for long periods, as with any printed label.

Laminate is applied across the whole label, so it also evens out the feel of the surface. Gloss laminate makes colours look richer; matt laminate gives a soft, modern feel and reduces glare under shop lights.

Can I write on waterproof labels?

Gloss film resists most pens. If you need to add a date or batch number by hand, choose a matt finish and use a permanent marker. It will take the ink and hold it once dry.

Alternatively, leave the batch area off the waterproof front label and add a small matt paper sticker on the base, where it stays dry.

Some makers print a small grid of boxes for the week or month of production and tick one with a marker, which is quicker than writing a date on every bottle.

What sizes do bottle and tub labels run to?

Any size. A 250 ml round bottle often takes a front label of around 90 x 60 mm; a 500 ml shampoo bottle around 100 x 80 mm; a deli tub of about 70 mm across takes a wrap of around 200 x 50 mm. Measure the straight wall of your own container before ordering.

Squeezy bottles flex, so leave a few millimetres of space at top and bottom and choose rounded corners. They lift far less than sharp ones when the bottle is squeezed.

Square and flat-sided bottles are simpler, because each face takes a label without any curve. Keep the label inside the flat face so its edges do not bend round a corner, where they would catch on fingers and lift.

How much do waterproof labels cost?

Prices start from £0.05 a label. Film costs a little more than paper, and a laminate adds a small amount more. Larger quantities bring the price per label down.

Once you have the price and a free proof by email, printing takes 3 to 5 working days after approval, and free tracked delivery to UK mainland addresses then takes 2 to 3 working days.

Do waterproof labels suit reusable bottles and outdoor kit?

They suit them well. A logo sticker on a reusable drinks bottle, a cool box or a kit bag needs to cope with rain, rinsing and being thrown in the back of a car. BOPP with a laminate handles that kind of everyday use far better than paper.

For items that are scrubbed or soaked often, tell us how they are cleaned. We will suggest the most hard-wearing option for your job and be clear about what it can and cannot take.

What if they do not hold up?

Tell us within 10 days if labels arrive misprinted or damaged and we reprint or refund. If labels lift in use, send a photo and tell us how they were applied and stored. We will look at the surface, the adhesive and the stock with you and suggest a change for the next run.