Choosing the Perfect Label Material for Inkjet Printing

When it comes to inkjet printing, the label material you choose can make all the difference.

Each material holds the power to transform your products’ aesthetics, durability, and the overall impact your label can make. And between paper inkjet labels and polypropylene inkjet labels, there’s a variety of options to choose from.

Whether you’re looking to label your locally made beer, rebrand a line of lipgloss, or highlight dangerous chemical drums in your factory, your inkjet label material needs to do its job. 

But how do you know which inkjet material is the right choice? 

Let’s break down the different options available to you and which one will best suit your inkjet label needs.

The label material you choose sticks with your product for its entire lifecycle (literally!). So needless to say, choosing the right one is important. 

However, it’ll also offer plenty of benefits.

People physically see a product before anything else, and creating the right aesthetic with your label material will help get and keep their attention. Moreover, a suitable label material will complement your product’s presentation and resonate with your target audience.

Labels also act as a blank canvas. Combining the right material with your label design will help elevate your brand, and play a crucial role in connecting with your audience. 

And don’t forget integrity. The right label material will preserve your label’s appearance and the information printed, no matter the environment or elements it comes in contact with. 

Overall, making an informed choice that aligns with your product can greatly influence its success.

Paper is the most common material for labels, and the most affordable when compared to other types. Paper material provides great printability, which makes it extremely versatile with a multitude of customization options. However, it has a low resistance to water, oil, and chemicals. 

For designs that require a bit more character, paper provides texture. It’s ideal for products that don’t require a heavy-duty label. Additionally, paper does best in warm, dry environments away from the elements. 

If these factors are what you’re looking for, paper inkjet labels might be the right material for you.

Matte paper inkjet labels are an all-around, practical choice. The material is receptive to both dye and pigment based inks making it a great canvas for colors. The coating on this material gives labels a slightly muted look, reducing any type of reflection or shine. This ensures text, images, or barcodes printed on labels remain legible.

Common Products for Matte Paper Inkjet Labels

• Non-perishable goods – Coffee, tea, honey, jam, spices, candy & chocolate
• Alcoholic beverages – Beer, wine, and spirits
• Household & beauty products – Candles, wax melts, soaps and skincare products, bath bombs
• Cannabis – Packages for flowers, edibles, and topicals
• Warehouse – Shipping labels & barcode labels

Gloss paper inkjet labels are a popular choice for prime labels that go on customer facing products. The material provides a bit of pizzazz as they’re designed to grab attention. The coating is extremely receptive to ink, which provides vibrant print colors. It gives the material a smooth surface that helps display the crisp details of text and images.

Common Products for Gloss Paper Inkjet Labels

• Non-perishable goods – Coffee, tea, honey, jam, spices, candy & chocolate
• Alcoholic beverages – Beer, wine, and spirits
• Household & beauty products  – Candles, wax melts, soaps and skincare products, bath bombs
• Cannabis – Packages for flowers, edibles, and topicals

Polypropylene is a synthetic label material that provides added durability and flexibility. However, it’s a pricier option compared to paper.

Polypropylene material is ideal for applications in extreme weather, temperature changes (heat, cold or humidity), and those that come in contact with water, oil, or chemicals. Because of this unique design, polypropylene is suitable for outdoor or moisture-rich conditions, or products that require long-term applications. 

And when combined with pigment-based inks that are BS 5609 certified, certain types of polypropylene labels meet compliance regulations. Brands like Epson state which of their inkjet printers are certified to handle BS 5609 requirements.

If these factors are what you’re looking for, polypropylene inkjet labels might be the right material for you.

Matte polypropylene inkjet labels provide a smooth look with no shine. The coating can give a subtle, more professional look to certain prime labels that need added durability. The material is ideal for industrial applications that need to perform well against chemicals or need barcodes to scan.

Common Products for Matte Polypropylene Inkjet Labels

• Refrigerated goods – Juice, sauces & condiments, frozen foods
• Alcoholic beverages – Beer, wine, and spirits
• Household & beauty  – Soaps, shampoo & conditioner, lotions, perfumes & essential oils
• Cannabis – Packages for flowers, edibles, and topicals
• Warehouse – Shipping labels & barcode labels, chemical drum labels

Gloss polypropylene inkjet labels combine durability with a high-quality print look. The coating makes colors and images pop, which is an ideal choice for customer facing labels on products that come in contact with water, oil, or chemicals. This material is also best suited for hazardous labels that need to draw attention to warning symbols or safety instructions.

Common Products for Gloss Polypropylene Inkjet Labels

• Refrigerated goods – Juice, sauces & condiments, frozen foods
• Alcoholic beverages – Beer, wine, and spirits
• Household & beauty  products – Soaps, shampoo & conditioner, lotions, perfumes & essential oils
• Cannabis – Packages for flowers, edibles, and topicals
• Warehouse – Chemical drum labels, warning labels, BS 5609 compliance labels

Clear polypropylene inkjet labels provide users with a unique “no label look.” Additionally, its resistance to water, chemicals, and oils gives this option added durability. It works well with a variety of container types to show off a translucent or transparent look, depending on the finish. This material is ideal for see-through applications where customers can easily view the contents of a product. 

Common Products for Clear Polypropylene Inkjet Labels

• Non-perishable goods – Coffee, tea, honey, jam, spices, candy & chocolate
• Refrigerated goods – Juice, sauces & condiments, frozen foods
• Alcoholic beverages – Beer, wine, and spirits
• Household & beauty products – Soaps, shampoo & conditioner, lotions, perfumes & essential oils
• Cannabis – Packages for flowers, edibles, and topicals

Now that you know which label material will best fit your needs, it’s time to find your perfect inkjet labels. 

And Smith Corona is here to help you!

Smith Corona is an industry-leader in label manufacturing. We carry a wide range of inkjet label sizes in different materials and finishes to ensure you’re choosing the best label for your application. 

You can shop at www.smithcorona.com to view our full range of inkjet products. Or you can call our team at 1-800-875-7000 to place your order or ask any questions!

Looking for the right inkjet printer for your labels? Smith Corona has teamed up with Epson and now offers ColorWorks printers, accessories, and inkjet labels. 

Visit our website to view all of the Epson printer models we offer. Or check out our Printer Reviews page to learn more about these printers!