Complete Comparison of 12 Label Material Properties and Application Scenarios: From Paper to Specialty
💡 💡 At a Glance
A Complete Guide to the Characteristics, Applications, and Material Selection Methods of 12 Common Label Materials
Last week, a client in the trendy food business asked me: "I want to make waterproof labels, but I'm not sure what material to use."
I said: "It depends on where you'll use it and your budget—there are 12 materials; let me draw up a matrix for you."
He said, "12 kinds?"
I said: "4 main categories with 12 types, each with a clearly defined application scenario. This article isn't about 'which material is best'—it's about a properties × application-scenarios matrix covering 4 main categories and 12 materials, so you can pick the right one from a single table."
4 Major Categories, 12 Material Matrix
| Category | Material | Key Features | Typical Scenarios | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper | Coated Paper | Matte + Easy to print | General merchandise | 0.05-0.15 |
| Mirror Coated Paper | Glossy + Thick | Cosmetics | 0.15-0.3 | |
| Matte Silver Paper | Silver + Moisture-proof | Beverages | 0.3-0.5 | |
| Fragile Paper | Tear to break | Anti-counterfeit | 0.5-1 | |
| Film | Synthetic Paper (PP) | Waterproof & tear-resistant | Food / Outdoor | 0.15-0.3 |
| PET | High-temperature resistant | Electronics / Industrial | 0.3-0.8 | |
| PVC | Flexible & transparent | Daily chemicals / Cosmetics | 0.3-0.6 | |
| PI | Resistant to 300℃ | PCB / Semiconductor | 1-3 | |
| Metal | Aluminum Foil Paper | Pure silver reflective | Industrial labels | 0.5-1 |
| Metallized Paper | Semi-metallic | Beverage gift boxes | 0.3-0.6 | |
| Specialty | Thermal Paper | Thermal printing | Logistics / Retail | 0.05-0.1 |
| Holographic Paper | Rainbow color-shift | Anti-counterfeit / Gifts | 1-3 |
Overview: Paper-based materials are inexpensive but functionally limited; film-based materials are pricier yet versatile; metal-based options offer an industrial look; specialty materials target high-end anti-counterfeit applications.
Category 1: Paper-based (4 types)
Material 1: Coated Paper
Characteristics: Matte surface, high printing precision (600-1200 DPI), easy to tear, not waterproof
Typical Scenarios: Product outer labels, retail price tags, product descriptions
Cost: 0.05-0.15 CNY/sheet
Advantages: Inexpensive, good printing, suitable for hot stamping
Disadvantages: Afraid of water, afraid of tearing, easily damaged outdoors
Material 2: Mirror Coated Paper
Characteristics: Glossy surface, thick (80-100g)
Typical Scenarios: Cosmetics, high-end gifts
Cost: 0.15-0.3 CNY/sheet
Advantages: Visually premium, stiff
Disadvantages: Strong reflection (not easy to scan)
Material 3: Matte Silver Paper
Characteristics: Silver base + matte coating
Typical Scenarios: Beverage gift boxes, high-end gift boxes
Cost: 0.3-0.5 CNY/sheet
Advantages: High visual grade, waterproof
Disadvantages: High cost, slightly lower printing precision
Material 4: Fragile Paper
Characteristics: Destructs upon tearing (cannot be restored)
Typical Scenarios: Anti-counterfeiting labels, battery labels
Cost: 0.5-1 CNY/sheet
Advantages: Anti-transfer, anti-counterfeiting
Disadvantages: Cannot be applied to irregular surfaces
Category 2: Film Types (4 types)
Material 5: Synthetic Paper (PP)
Properties: Polypropylene + waterproof and tear-resistant
Typical Applications: Food outer labels, outdoor products, frozen food
Cost: 0.15-0.3 RMB/sheet
Advantages: Waterproof, moisture-resistant, tear-resistant, inexpensive
Disadvantages: Not easily biodegradable (high environmental pressure)
Material 6: PET
Properties: Polyester film, high-temperature resistant 120-200℃, chemical-resistant
Typical Applications: Electronic component traceability, medical devices, automotive engines
Cost: 0.3-0.8 RMB/sheet
Advantages: High temperature and chemical resistance, high tear strength
Disadvantages: High cost, difficult to recycle
Material 7: PVC
Properties: Polyvinyl chloride, flexible, transparent
Typical Applications: Daily chemical products, cosmetics, children's toys
Cost: 0.3-0.6 RMB/sheet
Advantages: Flexible, can be transparent, colorful
Disadvantages: Contains chlorine (banned in some countries)
Material 8: PI (Polyimide)
Properties: Resistant to 300℃ high temperatures, specialty applications
Typical Applications: PCB boards, semiconductors, aerospace
Cost: 1-3 RMB/sheet
Advantages: Extreme high-temperature resistance, chemical stability
Disadvantages: Very high cost
Category 3: Metal Type (2 Varieties)
Material 9: Aluminum Foil Paper
Characteristics: Pure aluminum foil + silver reflective finish
Typical Applications: Industrial labels, battery labels, machinery
Cost: 0.5-1 RMB/sheet
Advantages: High strength, electromagnetic shielding
Disadvantages: Visually monotonous, difficult for color printing
Material 10: Metallized Paper
Characteristics: Plastic film + metallized layer + semi-metallic appearance
Typical Applications: Beverage gift boxes, premium food
Cost: 0.3-0.6 RMB/sheet
Advantages: Metallic texture + supports color printing
Disadvantages: Slightly higher cost
Category 4: Special Types (2 types)
Material 11: Thermal Paper
Characteristics: Thermal printing (ink-free)
Typical Applications: Logistics labels, retail price tags, supermarket weighing
Cost: 0.05–0.1 CNY/sheet
Advantages: Ink-free printing, fast
Disadvantages: Short shelf life (six months), sensitive to heat and light
Material 12: Holographic Paper
Characteristics: Plastic film + aluminum plating + rainbow effect
Typical Applications: Anti-counterfeit labels, high-end gifts
Cost: 1–3 CNY/sheet
Advantages: Premium visual appeal, strong anti-counterfeiting
Disadvantages: High cost, complex printing
Quick Reference: 4 Major Categories, 12 Types × 5 Application Dimensions
| Application Scenario | Recommended Material | Unit Price |
|---|---|---|
| General merchandise (food / daily necessities) | Coated paper | 0.05-0.15 |
| Cosmetics / mid-range gift boxes | Mirror-coated paper + matte lamination | 0.15-0.3 |
| Wine & beverage gift boxes | Matte silver paper + hot stamping | 0.3-0.5 |
| Anti-counterfeit labels | Fragile paper + QR code | 0.5-1 |
| Outdoor / frozen food | Synthetic paper + matte lamination | 0.15-0.3 |
| Electronic component traceability | PET + serial number | 0.3-0.8 |
| Daily chemicals / transparent labels | PVC transparent | 0.3-0.6 |
| PCB / semiconductor | PI high-temperature | 1-3 |
| Industrial identification | Aluminum foil paper | 0.5-1 |
| Wine & beverage gift boxes (metallic) | Metallized paper | 0.3-0.6 |
| Logistics / weighing | Thermal paper | 0.05-0.1 |
| Anti-counterfeit / high-end gifts | Holographic paper | 1-3 |
If you would like to see a waterproof performance comparison — refer to the comparison of high/low temperature resistance and waterproof performance of label materials, or directly contact a LeXiang Packaging consultant, and receive material selection recommendations + a quotation within 24 hours.
FAQ
What types of label materials are available?
12 mainstream label materials are divided into 4 categories: (1) Paper-based, 4 types — coated paper / mirror-coated paper / matte silver paper / fragile paper; (2) Film-based, 4 types — synthetic paper (PP) / PET / PVC / PI (polyimide); (3) Metal-based, 2 types — aluminum foil paper / metallized paper; (4) Specialty, 2 types — thermal paper / holographic paper. Each has clear application scenarios, price ranges, and compliance grades.
How to choose between coated paper and synthetic paper?
Consider 3 conditions: (1) Waterproofing needs — coated paper is not waterproof, synthetic paper is waterproof; (2) Tear resistance — coated paper tears easily, synthetic paper resists tearing; (3) Print precision — coated paper 600-1200 DPI, synthetic paper 300-600 DPI. Coated paper 0.05-0.15 RMB/sheet (general merchandise), synthetic paper 0.15-0.3 RMB/sheet (outdoor / food / electronics).
What scenarios are PET labels suitable for?
PET (polyester film) labels have 3 core advantages: (1) High-temperature resistance — withstands 120-200°C, suitable for electronic components, automotive engines, oven labels; (2) Chemical resistance — resists oil / alcohol / acids and alkalis, suitable for industrial environments; (3) High strength — not easily torn, suitable for long-term use. 3 typical scenarios: electronic component traceability, medical devices, industrial product marking. 0.3-0.8 RMB per sheet.
What is the difference between metal labels and holographic paper?
3 differences: (1) Material — metal labels are aluminum foil (silver), holographic paper is plastic film + metallized coating (rainbow effect); (2) Visual effect — metal labels have pure silver reflection, holographic paper shows rainbow color shifts; (3) Cost — metal labels 0.5-1 RMB/sheet, holographic paper 1-3 RMB/sheet. Metal labels suit industrial marking, holographic paper suits anti-counterfeiting + premium gifts.
How to choose the most cost-effective label material?
3 steps to choose the most cost-effective label: (1) By scenario — general merchandise use coated paper (0.05 RMB/sheet), outdoor / waterproof use synthetic paper (0.2 RMB/sheet), high-temperature / industrial use PET (0.5 RMB/sheet), anti-counterfeiting / premium use holographic paper (2 RMB/sheet); (2) By volume — small volumes prioritize coated paper, large volumes can upgrade; (3) By compliance — food / cosmetics / pharmaceuticals have mandatory requirements, select according to GB standards.
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