Label printing techniques
Finishing techniques make a label look premium and feel different in the hand: hot and cold foil, embossing, spot UV, gloss or matte varnish, special inks, double-sided printing and shaped die-cuts. We do all of them in-house, and many run in the same pass as printing.
Double-sided printing prints both the face and the adhesive side of a clear label. On a clear bottle or jar, shoppers see the front design and read the back text through the product. It adds space for nutrition facts or continuous artwork without a second label.
Special inks go beyond standard colour printing: metallic inks for a metal sheen, invisible inks that only show under UV light for authentication, and thermochromic inks that change colour with temperature. Use them to create a highlight or add a security layer to the label.
Embossing presses the label between male and female dies to raise a pattern or lettering, adding depth you can see and feel. It works best on thick and specialty papers and is often combined with foil on wine, spirits and premium cosmetic labels.
Spot UV applies a gloss UV varnish only to chosen areas, such as a logo or product photo, so it contrasts with a matte background. Full coatings include gloss varnish, matte varnish and film lamination, which protect against scuffs and water and extend label life.
Foil stamping transfers metallic foil onto chosen areas of a label, such as a logo, product name or border. Hot foil uses heat and pressure for a crisp, slightly raised shine. Cold foil prints an adhesive and lifts foil onto it: faster, allows printing colour over the foil, and suits long runs.
| Hot foil | Cold foil | |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Heat + pressure with a die | Printed adhesive, foil lifted on |
| Finish | Crisp shine, slightly raised | Flat |
| Colour over foil | No | Yes (many metallic shades) |
| Best for | Premium, medium runs | Long runs needing speed |
A scratch-off label prints a prize code or message and covers it with scratch-off ink that shoppers rub away to reveal the prize. It can be combined with unique sequential numbers or QR codes printed on digital presses, for lucky draws, loyalty points, seasonal promotions and custom campaign labels.
Die-cutting cuts labels to the shape you design: circles, ovals, rounded corners or a logo outline. Long runs use a cutting die for speed and precision; short runs or frequently changing shapes use digital die-cutting with no tool to make.
| Technique | Paper | PP/PE | PET | Shrink film | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foil stamping | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – | Metallic shine on chosen areas |
| Embossing | ✓ | Some grades | – | – | Raised, tactile relief |
| Spot UV / varnish | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Gloss–matte contrast, scuff protection |
| Special inks | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Metallic, colour-change, invisible |
| Double-sided printing | – | Clear PP | ✓ | – | Readable through a clear bottle |
| Custom die-cut | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – | Any shape you design |
| Multilayer (two-ply) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – | Peel the top layer to read the inner one |
| Scratch-off lucky draw | ✓ | ✓ | – | – | Scratch-off ink over prize codes |
| Barcode / QR / variable data | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – | Unique data on every label |
We measure our organisational carbon footprint to see where emissions come from and plan reductions systematically: energy use, less make-ready waste and material choices.
For brands with sustainability targets, we suggest options such as films that are easier to recycle, thinner materials and print-run planning that cuts waste.
For paper labels we offer FSC-certified paper (Forest Stewardship Council), which confirms the fibre comes from responsibly managed forests rather than illegal logging, helping brands meet the sustainable purchasing policies of retailers and consumers.
Organisational carbon footprint measured (CFO)
FSC-certified paper for paper labels
Less make-ready waste through print planning
Advice on easier-to-recycle materials
Every run is printed under our ISO 9001:2015 quality system, in a plant certified to GHP and HACCP, and we measure our organisational carbon footprint to reduce our impact. Ask for certificate copies for your vendor registration.
See our standardsQuality management across every production step
Good Hygiene Practices to food-grade standards
Critical control points for food packaging safety
Organisational carbon footprint measured, with reduction plans
Talk to us for free. Our specialists are ready to advise on labels and shrink film from start to finish. Whatever your brief, let's talk.
Call us 02-397-9137-9Mon–Sat 08:00–17:00
