How to choose the right label material and process for your product? 6 comparison charts for 1-second identification
💡 💡 At a Glance
Select the suitable label solution for your product systematically from three aspects: face material, adhesive, and process.
Last week, a food-industry client came to me: "We want to switch our label material but don't know what to switch to."
I asked him: "Look at your old label—hold it up to the light; can you see light through it? Try tearing it; does it tear easily?"
He said, "Yes, I can see light through it, and it tears."
I said: "That's coated paper (CU paper). If you switch to synthetic paper, it won't tear and won't let light through."
He asked, "How did you know that?"
I said: "I've been looking at label materials for 11 years—the hand feel, gloss, and tearing sound of 6 common materials are all different. No need to check parameter sheets—one look and one touch is enough." This article doesn't cover parameter sheets; it covers 6 comparison photos + a 1-second identification method.
6 Common Label Materials
Market share from high to low: Coated Paper 60% > Synthetic Paper 25% > PET 5% > PVC 5% > Fragile Paper 3% > Holographic Paper 2%.
Material 1: Coated Paper
Appearance: Matte white, soft feel
Thickness: 80-120 g
Cost: 0.05-0.1 yuan/sheet
Suitable for: Food, beverages, daily chemicals (short-term use)
Representative brands: Coca-Cola, Master Kong, Uni-President
Material 2: Synthetic Paper (BOPP/PP/PE)
Appearance: Matte or glossy, tough feel
Thickness: 50-100 μm
Cost: 0.15-0.3 yuan/sheet
Suitable for: Cosmetics, outdoor, waterproof scenarios
Representative brands: Lancôme, Chanel, SK-II
Material 3: PET
Appearance: Glossy transparent or white, hard feel
Thickness: 25-50 μm (thinner than synthetic paper)
Cost: 0.2-0.5 yuan/sheet
Suitable for: Electronics, medical devices, high-temperature scenarios
Representative brands: Apple, Huawei, Siemens
Material 4: PVC
Appearance: Glossy transparent or white, hard feel
Thickness: 50-80 μm
Cost: 0.15-0.4 yuan/sheet
Suitable for: Chemicals, batteries, industrial products
Representative brands: Panasonic batteries, Bosch tools
Material 5: Fragile Paper
Appearance: Matte white, thin and brittle feel
Thickness: 80-120 g
Cost: 0.3-0.8 yuan/sheet
Features: Self-destructs upon tearing, cannot be peeled off intact
Suitable for: Anti-counterfeit labels, electronic warranty seals
Material 6: Holographic Paper
Appearance: Metallic luster + rainbow stripes
Thickness: 50-80 μm
Cost: 0.5-1.5 yuan/sheet
Suitable for: Tobacco and alcohol, cosmetics, gifts
6 Visual Identification Methods (1-Second Differentiation)
Method 1: Tear
Coated Paper: Can be torn; the torn edge shows white fibrous fringes
Synthetic Paper: Cannot be torn; the torn edge shows plastic curling
PET/PVC: Cannot be torn; rigid
Fragile Paper: Crumbles when torn; cannot remain intact
Method 2: Observe the Gloss
Coated Paper: Matte (non-reflective)
PET: High-gloss (mirror-like reflection)
Laser Paper: Metallic iridescent sheen (distinctive)
Method 3: Feel the Hardness
Coated Paper: Soft; springs back when pressed
Synthetic Paper: Tough; rebounds when pressed
PET/PVC: Hard; cannot be pressed down
Method 4: Smell
Coated Paper: Odorless
Synthetic Paper / PET / PVC: Plastic odor
Method 5: Submerge in Water
Coated Paper: Absorbs water, becomes soft and deforms
Synthetic Paper / PET: Does not absorb water
Fragile Paper: Becomes even more fragile after absorbing water
Method 6: Burn (Destructive Test)
Coated Paper: Burns to ash
Synthetic Paper: Melts and forms clumps
PET: Emits black smoke
PVC: Self-extinguishing (goes out when removed from flame)
Quick Reference Table: 6 Material Identification Methods
| Material | Tear | Gloss | Hardness | Water Immersion | Suitable Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coated Paper | Tearable | Matte | Soft | Absorbent | Food / Daily Chemicals |
| Synthetic Paper | Un-tearable | Matte / High | Tough | Non-absorbent | Cosmetics / Outdoor |
| PET | Cannot tear | High Gloss | Hard | Non-absorbent | Electronics / Medical |
| PVC | Cannot tear | High Gloss | Hard | Non-absorbent | Chemicals / Batteries |
| Fragile Paper | Tears into pieces | Matte | Thin & Brittle | More fragile | Electronics Warranty |
| Holographic Paper | Tearable | Rainbow | Medium | Non-absorbent | Tobacco & Alcohol / Gift Boxes |
To learn about label design principles — What are the principles of label design?, or directly contact a LeXiang Packaging consultant, you will receive a material solution + physical sample comparison within 24 hours.
FAQ
What are the common types of label materials?
Six mainstream options: (1) Coated paper — most commonly used, inexpensive, suitable for general products; (2) Synthetic paper (BOPP/PP/PE) — waterproof and tear-resistant, suitable for outdoor use and cosmetics; (3) PET — resistant to high temperatures and chemicals, suitable for electronics and medical devices; (4) PVC — chemically resistant, suitable for industrial applications; (5) Destructible paper — destroys upon tearing, suitable for anti-counterfeiting; (6) Holographic paper — metallic luster plus anti-counterfeiting, suitable for tobacco, alcohol, and cosmetics. Each type differs in feel, gloss, and thickness — refer to images to distinguish.
How to distinguish different label materials?
Six visual identification methods: (1) Tear — coated paper can be torn, synthetic paper cannot; (2) Check gloss — coated paper is matte, PET/PVC are glossy; (3) Feel hardness — coated paper is soft, PVC is hard; (4) Smell — synthetic paper has a plastic odor, paper-based materials have none; (5) Soak in water — coated paper absorbs water and softens, synthetic paper/PET do not absorb; (6) Burn — paper-based materials turn to ash, synthetic paper melts and clumps. Combining 2-3 methods gives the most accurate judgment.
Which is better, coated paper or synthetic paper?
Depends on the application. (1) Indoor short-term use (food, daily chemicals) — coated paper, inexpensive (0.05-0.1 RMB/sheet); (2) Outdoor or long-term use — synthetic paper (0.15-0.3 RMB/sheet), waterproof and tear-resistant; (3) Cosmetics — synthetic paper, better feel; (4) Industrial products — synthetic paper, wear-resistant. Coated paper accounts for 60% globally, the most common choice; synthetic paper accounts for 30%, the premium choice.
How to choose between PET and PVC labels?
Three criteria: (1) Temperature requirement — PET withstands 120°C, PVC 80°C, PET suits high-temperature scenarios; (2) Chemical resistance — PET resists alcohol, PVC resists acids and alkalis; (3) Price — PET is 30% more expensive, PVC is cheaper. Use PET for electronic products and medical devices; use PVC for chemicals and batteries. Both materials have high hardness and similar feel; the most accurate way to distinguish is by burning (PET produces black smoke, PVC is self-extinguishing).
How do label materials provide anti-counterfeiting?
Three types of materials: (1) Destructible paper — destroys upon tearing, cannot be reused (suitable for one-time anti-counterfeiting); (2) Holographic paper — unique metallic luster, hard to replicate (suitable for tobacco and alcohol); (3) VOID labels — leaves text when peeled (suitable for electronics). Costs: destructible paper 0.3-0.8 RMB/sheet, holographic paper 0.5-1.5 RMB/sheet, VOID 0.3-0.6 RMB/sheet. Note: single-material anti-counterfeiting can always be cracked; combining with QR codes/RFID for multi-layer anti-counterfeiting is recommended.
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