Waterproof and water-resistant product labels
We print on matte or glossy white vinyl. For a cold bottle that sweats, the finish name alone isn't a waterproof promise: test the label on the real bottle, applied the way you'll apply it, through a real stint in the fridge.
Water is something you test for
A label can shrug off a splash and still fail after hours in ice, or lift off a curved, oily or textured bottle. Start from the hardest thing it will really go through.
- A dry shelf or cartonLittle moisture
- Choose for looks and fit, and still check it sticks to the real package.
- A splash or a wipe-downLight moisture
- Ask us whether the label suits quick contact and cleaning.
- The fridge, or a sweating bottleMoisture again and again
- Test it on the real package: applied at the right temperature, then through the fridge.
- Oils, the bathroom, lots of handlingMixed
- Test it against the actual product, plus rubbing, squeezing and daily use.
- Ice, soaking or outdoorsHard
- Treat this as a firm requirement and check it with us before you order.
Pick the look, then test it
These are the two finishes you can order online. They describe how the label looks, not how long it lasts.
- White matte vinyl
- A matte finish on white vinyl
- White glossy vinyl
- A glossy finish on white vinyl
The print specifications describe each finish. Check water, oil, cold, outdoor and cleaning with us separately.
Test on the real package before a big order
Use the real package
The actual bottle, jar, pouch or box, with its coating, texture and curve, not whatever is handy.
Apply it the same way
Clean the surface, press it on and keep it at the temperature you'll use for the real run.
Put it through its day
Filling, the fridge, condensation, oils, wiping, shipping and handling, for as long as it will really last.
Look closely
Check for lifting edges, sliding, wrinkles, tears, smudged ink, clouding, and whether it still reads.
Tell us about the surface, the conditions and where it's stored, and we'll help before you order.
Sources
These back up the general points on this page. They don't test our materials, and they don't replace a test on your own packaging.
- Avery Dennison adhesive technical guide
Why the temperature you apply a label at matters separately from the temperature it lives at, and why you test the whole label for the job. It doesn't test our materials.
- 3M pressure-sensitive adhesive surface preparation
Why a clean, dry surface, firm pressure and time to set matter. It's written about 3M tape, not about labels like ours.
Questions
Anything else? See the pricing page or ask us.
Are all BOPP labels waterproof?
Do not treat the material name alone as a complete performance guarantee. The facestock, adhesive, ink system, finish, package surface, application, temperature, and duration of exposure all affect the finished label.
What is the difference between waterproof and water-resistant labels?
Water-resistant usually describes limited exposure such as splashes or condensation. Waterproof implies a stronger, testable level of water exposure. Because those conditions vary, confirm the actual use case rather than relying only on the word waterproof.
Which finish should I choose for something that gets wet?
We print on matte or glossy white vinyl. Neither finish is a promise on its own, so test the label on the real bottle, at the temperature you apply it, through the fridge, before a big run.
Should I test a label on the actual bottle or jar?
Yes. Test the complete label on the cleaned production package, then expose it to the real filling, storage, shipping, refrigeration, wiping, and use conditions before committing to a large run.
What if I need a different stock?
We only print on matte or glossy white vinyl when you order online. Email us what you need it for and we'll tell you whether we can do it and what it costs.
Does Sticker Sidekick guarantee labels in the dishwasher, an ice bucket, or outdoors?
No. Those are hard conditions, and the only real answer is a test of the label on your product.
Keep reading
- Labels for small shopsFrom the package to the proof to the first print run.
- Measuring a packageFind the flat area before you pick a material.
- PricingEvery size, shape and quantity, with shipping.
Written and checked by the Sticker Sidekick studio. The materials are the ones we print; the advice on applying labels comes from adhesive makers' guides. How we check our guides.
