Label Printing FAQ
Have a question about custom label printing? These label printing FAQ cover label sizes, available stocks, adhesives, ink options, cutting, coatings, variable data and more.
Labels
What sizes are available?
Custom labels are available in predetermined sizes or custom dimensions. When you enter your desired dimensions in the Finished Size fields on the product page, a notification will alert you if they are outside our parameters. In that case, you can request a Custom Quote.
What label stock is available? Are there removable and permanent options?
Smartpress offers label stocks with permanent and removable adhesives, including paper, polypropylene and vinyl options:
- Crack ‘n’ Peel – 60# Matte White
- Permanent adhesive with a crack ‘n’ peel backing for easy peeling and application.
- Great for packaging, branding, business collateral and writing on (names, envelopes and addressing).
- White / Clear BOPP – Permanent
- Permanent adhesive for one-time application.
- Top-coated smooth flexible biaxially oriented polypropylene.
- Applicable to textured and non-textured materials and will not damage the surface.
- Great for retail product labels that show details and information.
- White / Clear BOPP – Removable
- Removable, repositionable adhesive.
- Top-coated smooth flexible biaxially oriented polypropylene.
- Applicable to non-textured surfaces, such as glass, painted metal and stainless steel.
- Great for safety labels.
- White / Clear Vinyl – Removable
- Removable adhesive on flexible vinyl with 4mil thickness.
- Split liner allows for easy peeling.
- Not safe to digital laser cut.
Does label printing come on sheets or rolls?
Standard labels are printed on sheets. If you’d like labels on a roll, check out our roll labels.
Is there perforation between each label?
No. Standard labels do not have perforation between each label. If you’d like to add perforation between each label, please request a Custom Quote.
What do the different label printing ink choices mean?
As a premium online printer, we offer a variety of ink choices for label printing:
- Black Only: For designs with no color
- Full Color: For designs with a wide range of colors
- Full Color + Spot White: For designs that require a white layer of ink in designated areas of a full-color design
- White Only: For designs that use white ink without other colors or black
Learn more: Color Space, Black vs. Full-Color Ink, White Ink Printing
What label shapes can you make?
Digital laser cutting allows labels to be cut into custom shapes and sizes. Select your preferred cutting method in the Digital Laser Cutting dropdown on the product page. Options include:
- Die Cut Single: A single label cut along the die line.
- Kiss Cut Single: A single label cut along the die line, with an additional cut approximately 1/4” around it to make the label easier to remove from the liner.
- Kiss Cut Sheet: Multiple labels on one sheet using one cutting design.
- Combo Sheet: Multiple label designs with a kiss cut on one sheet.
Learn more: Digital Laser Cutting
Can I write on my labels?
Yes. You can write on crack ‘n’ peel labels with a pen and on polypropylene labels with a permanent marker.
Can you print on the back of labels? On the liner?
No. Smartpress cannot print on the back of labels or on the label liner.
Can I create multiple labels in the same order?
Yes. The Versions feature allows you to print multiple label designs in the same order. Your labels must be the same size, stock and finish, but the designs and content can vary. Learn more: Print With Versions
Can you print variable data?
Yes. Variable data printing allows you to customize individual labels with information such as barcodes, QR codes, names, customer IDs and other variable content. Learn more: Variable Data Printing
Will my labels adhere to everything?
No. Label adhesion depends on the stock and adhesive you choose, as well as the surface you apply the label to. Labels generally adhere best to smooth, hard surfaces.
Can you add coating to the labels?
Yes. Ultra gloss UV and flat matte coatings are available on all label stocks except crack ‘n’ peel. Learn more: UV Coating, Coating vs. Laminate
Do you have water-resistant options?
Yes. Adding a UV coating can provide labels with a water-resistant barrier, but UV coating does not make labels fully waterproof. UV coating is available on all stocks except crack ‘n’ peel.
Are there special requirements for food labels or cosmetic labels?
Yes. Food and cosmetic labels may be subject to specific FDA labeling requirements. Learn more: FDA: A Food Labeling Guide, FDA Cosmetics Labeling Regulations
Roll Labels
What sizes are available?
Roll label sizes depend on the specific roll label product you choose. Some products offer predetermined sizes, while others allow custom sizes. Available size options are shown on each product page.
What label stock is available? Are there removable and permanent options?
Roll labels are available on white, clear or silver permanent BOPP stock. The flexible polypropylene has a permanent adhesive, but it can be repositioned while retaining its stickiness when moved from one surface to another. It can be applied to both textured and non-textured surfaces without damaging the surface.
How many labels fit on a roll?
The number of labels on a roll depends on the label size. If you need a specific quantity of labels per roll, please request a Custom Quote.
Can I have multiple designs on one roll?
No. Each roll can contain only one label design.
What’s the roll diameter?
Each roll has a 3″ diameter.
Is there perforation between each label?
No. Roll labels do not have perforation between each label. If you’d like to add perforation between each label, please request a Custom Quote.
Can the labels come on sheets?
No. Roll labels are printed on rolls. If you need labels on sheets, we also offer label sheets.
What do the different label printing ink choices mean?
Roll labels are available with two ink options:
- Full Color: For designs with a wide range of colors.
- Full Color + Spot White: For designs that require a white layer of ink in designated areas of a full-color design.
Learn more: Color Space, Black vs. Full-Color Ink, White Ink Printing
What label shapes can you make?
Roll labels are available in four standard shapes:
If you’d like your own personalizes shape, we also offer Custom Shape Roll Labels.
Can I write on my labels?
Yes. You can write on polypropylene roll labels with a permanent marker.
Can you print on the back of labels? On the liner?
No. Smartpress cannot print on the back of roll labels or on the liner.
Will my labels adhere to everything?
No. Label adhesion depends on the label stock, adhesive and surface. Roll labels generally adhere best to smooth, hard surfaces.
What’s an unwind or rewind direction?
Unwind or rewind direction specifies how the labels are oriented on the roll and is important when roll labels are applied by a machine. The machine being used will determine the required orientation and how the roll should be loaded.
Can you add coating to the labels?
Yes. Roll labels can be finished with gloss or matte laminate. Laminate helps protect the labels and provides a finished appearance. Learn more: Coating vs. Laminate
Do you have water-resistant label printing options?
Yes. Adding gloss or matte laminate can provide a water-resistant barrier, but laminate does not make roll labels fully waterproof.
Are there special requirements for food labels or cosmetic labels?
Yes. Food and cosmetic labels may be subject to specific FDA labeling requirements. Learn more: FDA: A Food Labeling Guide, FDA Cosmetics Labeling Regulations
If you have questions about these label printing FAQ or other printing services, please contact customer service.