What Are the Common Label Types? A Full Overview of 8 Major Categories and 30 Subcategories
💡 💡 At a Glance
Common Label Type Classification Comparison, Helping Match Different Product Requirements.
Last week, a client starting a new business asked me: "I want to make labels, but I don't know how many types are available on the market."
I said: "8 main categories, 30 subcategories—let me draw you a panoramic map."
He said, "8 main categories?"
I said: "3 classification methods: by function / by material / by industry—the 8 main categories and 30 subcategories cover almost every label visible on the market. This article doesn't talk about 'how many types of labels there are'—it presents 3 classification methods × 30 subcategories panoramic view + a quick selection reference table."
Overview of 3 Classification Methods
| Classification Method | Number of Major Categories | Number of Subcategories | Classification Principle |
|---|---|---|---|
| By Function | 6 | 12 | By Application |
| By Material | 4 | 12 | By Substrate |
| By Industry | 6 | 6 | By Application Scenario |
| Total | 16 (8 after deduplication) | 30 |
Category 1: By Function (6 Major Types)
Type 1: Product Labels (Most Common)
Use: Labels for product outer packaging (product name / price / ingredients)
Subtypes:
- 1.1 Standard product labels (coated paper + matte film)
- 1.2 Premium product labels (specialty paper + hot stamping)
- 1.3 Food product labels (food-grade materials)
- 1.4 Cosmetic product labels (waterproof + oil-resistant)
Typical Cost: 0.1-0.5 RMB/piece
Type 2: Anti-Counterfeit Labels (High Profit)
Use: Anti-counterfeiting and traceability (unique code per item)
Subtypes:
- 2.1 QR code labels (one item, one code)
- 2.2 RFID labels (radio frequency identification)
- 2.3 Tamper-evident labels (destroyed upon removal)
- 2.4 Laser holographic labels (rainbow effect)
Typical Cost: 0.5-5 RMB/piece
Type 3: Logistics Labels (Warehousing)
Use: Warehousing and logistics (automatic identification + tracking)
Subtypes:
- 3.1 Thermal labels (short-term)
- 3.2 Barcode labels (long-term)
- 3.3 RFID logistics labels
Typical Cost: 0.05-0.5 RMB/piece
Type 4: Tamper-Evident Labels
Use: Prevent resealing after opening
Subtypes:
- 4.1 Fragile paper labels (destroyed upon tearing)
- 4.2 Tamper-evident labels (leave VOID pattern when removed)
Typical Cost: 0.5-2 RMB/piece
Type 5: Promotional Labels
Use: Temporary promotions + price adjustments
Subtypes:
- 5.1 Price labels (removable adhesive)
- 5.2 Holiday promotional labels (hot stamping + red foil)
Typical Cost: 0.1-0.5 RMB/piece
Type 6: Warning Labels
Use: Safety warnings + compliance notices
Subtypes:
- 6.1 Flammable and explosive warnings (PVC)
- 6.2 High-temperature warnings (high-temperature-resistant materials)
- 6.3 Chemical hazard warnings (PET)
Typical Cost: 0.3-1 RMB/piece
Category 2: By Material (4 Main Categories)
Main Category 1: Paper Labels
Subcategories:
- Coated Paper (Most Common)
- Mirror-Coated Paper (Cosmetics)
- Matte Silver Paper (Beverages)
- Security Paper (Anti-Counterfeiting)
Cost: CNY 0.05-0.5 per sheet
Applications: General Merchandise / Food / Daily Necessities
Main Category 2: Film Labels
Subcategories:
- PP Synthetic Paper (Waterproof)
- PET (Heat Resistant)
- PVC (Transparent)
- PI (Resistant to 300℃)
Cost: CNY 0.15-3 per sheet
Applications: Electronics / Outdoor / Industrial
Main Category 3: Metal Labels
Subcategories:
- Aluminum Foil Paper (Silver)
- Vacuum Metallized Paper (Semi-Metallic)
Cost: CNY 0.5-1 per sheet
Applications: Industrial Identification / Beverage Gift Boxes
Main Category 4: Specialty Labels
Subcategories:
- Thermal Paper (Short-Term Use)
- Holographic Paper (Anti-Counterfeiting)
Cost: CNY 0.05-3 per sheet
Applications: Logistics / Premium Anti-Counterfeiting
Category 3: By Industry (6 Major Types)
Major Type 1: Food Industry
Features: GB 4806 Mandatory
Materials: Food-grade Coated Paper / PP Synthetic Paper / Metallized Paper
Major Type 2: Pharmaceutical Industry
Features: ISO 11607 + UDI Coding
Materials: Medical Paper / Tyvek / Composite Film
Major Type 3: Electronics Industry
Features: RoHS + CE + 3C
Materials: PI / PET / PP
Major Type 4: Daily Chemical Industry
Features: Chemical Compliance
Materials: PVC Transparent / PET / Synthetic Paper
Major Type 5: Industrial Industry
Features: High-Temperature Resistance / Chemical Resistance
Materials: PI / Aluminum Foil / Specialty
Major Type 6: Cross-Border Industry
Features: FDA + RoHS + CE
Materials: Waterproof Synthetic Paper + Multilingual
30 Sub-Category Full Overview Quick Reference Table
| Category | Sub-Category | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Standard / Premium / Food / Cosmetics | 0.1-0.5 RMB |
| Anti-Counterfeit | QR Code / RFID / Tamper-Evident / Laser | 0.5-5 RMB |
| Logistics | Thermal / Barcode / RFID | 0.05-0.5 RMB |
| Tamper-Evident | Fragile Paper / VOID | 0.5-2 RMB |
| Promotional | Price / Holiday | 0.1-0.5 RMB |
| Warning | Flammable / High Temperature / Chemical | 0.3-1 RMB |
| Paper | Coated / Mirror / Matte Silver / Fragile | 0.05-0.5 RMB |
| Film | PP / PET / PVC / PI | 0.15-3 RMB |
| Metallic | Aluminum Foil / Metallized | 0.5-1 RMB |
| Specialty | Thermal / Holographic | 0.05-3 RMB |
| Food | Food-Grade Materials | 0.1-0.5 RMB |
| Pharmaceutical | Medical-Grade Materials | 0.5-2 RMB |
| Electronics | PI / PET | 0.3-1.5 RMB |
| Personal Care | PVC / PET | 0.3-1 RMB |
| Industrial | PI / Aluminum Foil | 0.5-3 RMB |
| Cross-Border | FDA + RoHS | 0.5-1.5 RMB |
5-Step Selection Process
- Define Function—Product / Anti-counterfeiting / Logistics / Tamper-evident / Promotional / Warning
- Determine Industry—Food / Pharmaceutical / Electronics / Personal Care / Industrial / Cross-border
- Select Material—Paper / Film / Metal / Specialty
- Determine Specifications—Size / Process / Adhesive
- Find Suppliers—Compare quotes from 3 companies by "Material + Industry"
If you'd like to see the material map—refer to the complete comparison of 12 label materials, or directly contact a LeXiang Packaging consultant, and you'll receive label selection recommendations + a quote within 24 hours.
FAQ
What post-press processes are required for labels?
3 core processes: (1) Die-cutting (cutting by knife die according to the design shape, die plate cost 200-1500 RMB/plate); (2) Slitting (cutting roll labels into single rolls or sheets); (3) Rewinding (neatly winding the slit labels into standard rolls). All 3 processes are indispensable: die-cutting determines shape, slitting determines size, rewinding determines quality. Each process takes 1-3 days, total post-press lead time 5-7 days.
What is the die-cutting process?
Die-cutting is the process of cutting labels with a knife die (steel pieces assembled into the design shape). 3-step flow: (1) Mounting the die plate — install the die on the die-cutting machine; (2) Adjusting machine pressure — according to paper thickness; (3) Batch die-cutting — automatic die-cutting 10,000 sheets/hour. 3 common issues: (1) Die wear (reduced precision); (2) Die-cutting offset (label dimension deviation); (3) Rough edges (uneven cut edge). Simple household test: check whether edges are flat and cuts are vertical after die-cutting.
How is precision controlled in the slitting process?
Slitting is cutting large label rolls into small rolls (according to customer size). 3 precision controls: (1) Slitting knife precision — ±0.1mm; (2) Tension control — stable web tension during slitting (to avoid stretching deformation); (3) Winding evenness — flat roll ends without wrinkles. 3 common issues: (1) Slitting offset (uneven roll edges); (2) Stretching (label deformation); (3) Wrinkling (uneven roll ends). 3 precision grades: Grade A (±0.1mm) / Grade B (±0.3mm) / Grade C (±1mm). Grade A is recommended for high precision (e.g., QR code labels).
What is the purpose of the rewinding process?
Rewinding is the process of neatly winding slit label rolls into standard rolls. 3 core functions: (1) Appearance — neat roll ends without wrinkles; (2) Counting — accurate counting according to customer quantity; (3) Packaging — standard rolls easy for transport and storage. 3 common issues: (1) Inaccurate counting (+1/-1 sheets); (2) Excessive tension (stretching deformation); (3) Insufficient tension (loose roll ends). 3 rewinding methods: manual rewinding (slow but precise) / semi-automatic / fully automatic. Roll labels must be rewound; sheet labels do not require rewinding.
How are post-press processes inspected and accepted?
3-step acceptance: (1) Sampling inspection of 5% rolls — check die-cutting quality + slitting precision + rewinding evenness; (2) Test 100 sheets for labeling — check whether flat + whether can be peeled off; (3) Real-scenario testing — apply on product for 7 days to check for falling off. Passing all 3 acceptance steps = qualified. It is recommended to inspect every new supplier on first cooperation, and conduct monthly sampling inspection for fixed suppliers.
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