Food Labels for Packaged Foods, Jars, Bottles, Bags and Containers

Food labels help products stand out on shelves, communicate important information, and give customers confidence before they buy. Whether you package sauces, snacks, baked goods, candy, coffee, spices, frozen foods, refrigerated products, jars, bottles, bags, boxes, clamshells, tubs, or specialty foods, the right label can bring together branding, ingredients, nutrition details, barcodes, storage instructions, batch information, and required product statements.

Choose from blank labels on 8.5" x 11" sheets, blank roll labels for compatible Epson, Primera, and Afinia inkjet label printers, or custom printed roll labels produced with your artwork. Food labels are available in true rectangle, square, circle, and oval shapes, with material options including white matte, semi-gloss, high gloss, clear, brown kraft, removable, waterproof film, fluorescent, recycled, and other specialty finishes.

Because food packaging varies widely in shape, surface, temperature, moisture exposure, and handling, always test the exact label material on the actual container before placing a large order.

Why Choose Our Food Labels?

Sheet Labels, Roll Labels or Custom Printed Food Labels?

Food Labels by Packaging Type

Different packages require different label sizes, materials, adhesives, and layouts. The usable label area, surface shape, moisture exposure, storage temperature, and application process should all be considered before ordering.

Labels for Jars & Canning Products

Jar labels are commonly used for jam, jelly, pickles, salsa, sauces, honey, spices, soup, preserves, and specialty foods. Common placements include the front, back, lid, bottom, or a wraparound layout.

For canning and mason jars, avoid embossed lettering, seams, ridges, and sharply curved shoulder areas. A paper test printed at actual size is the easiest way to confirm fit.

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Labels for Bottles

Food and beverage bottles may require front-and-back labels, a wraparound label, a neck label, or a cap seal. Sauces, syrups, oils, dressings, beverages, condiments, and specialty foods often benefit from gloss or waterproof materials because bottles are frequently handled around moisture, spills, oils, and refrigeration.

Measure the bottle at the exact label height because taper, shoulders, curves, and panel width can change from one section to another.

Labels for Bags, Pouches & Flexible Packaging

Stand-up pouches, coffee bags, snack bags, bakery bags, candy bags, and flexible packages often use a large front label for branding and a separate back label for ingredients, nutrition details, preparation instructions, or barcodes.

• Apply labels to the flattest panel available
• Avoid folds, gussets, seals, and zipper tracks
• Test adhesion on coated, textured, or flexible packaging
• Leave enough room for the package to flex without lifting the label

Labels for Boxes, Cartons & Clamshells

Boxes and clamshells can use labels for branding, product names, ingredients, nutrition information, barcodes, price codes, closure seals, and tamper evidence. Clear labels can help maintain visibility through plastic clamshells, while paper labels are often suitable for dry cartons and bakery boxes.

A rectangle or square label generally provides the most usable space for food information. Circle and oval labels work well for lids, seals, logos, and smaller branding areas.

Bakery & Dessert Labels

Food labels for bakeries, home bakers, cafes, caterers, and dessert businesses can be used on cookie bags, bread bags, cake boxes, pastry boxes, clamshells, jars, cups, and gift packaging.

Common information includes the product name, flavor, ingredients, allergen statements, preparation date, best-by date, storage instructions, producer information, and barcode.

Candy, Chocolate & Confectionery Labels

Candy labels can be applied to bags, boxes, jars, wrappers, tins, and gift containers. Bright gloss, clear, kraft, fluorescent, and custom printed materials can help products stand out while still leaving room for ingredients, allergens, net contents, and branding.

For oily, waxed, or flexible packaging, request samples and test adhesion before ordering.

Coffee, Tea & Dry-Goods Labels

Coffee, tea, spices, herbs, grains, baking mixes, snack foods, nuts, and other dry goods are commonly packaged in bags, pouches, jars, canisters, tins, and boxes. Labels may include the product name, roast or blend, flavor, origin, ingredients, net weight, preparation instructions, lot code, and barcode.

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Refrigerated & Frozen Food Labels

Refrigerated and frozen foods need labels that can withstand low temperatures, condensation, moisture, frequent handling, and possible exposure to oils or sauces. Waterproof film or another durable material is usually the better choice.

Apply labels to clean, dry packaging at the recommended temperature and allow the adhesive time to bond before exposing the package to cold or moisture.

Choose the Right Food Label Shape

Choose a shape that fits the smooth usable area and provides enough space for both branding and required product information.

Food Labels on Sheets

Blank sheet labels are a practical choice for startups, home-based food businesses, farms, bakeries, caterers, test kitchens, seasonal products, gift packaging, samples, and short production runs. They are supplied on standard 8.5" x 11" sheets for compatible desktop laser or inkjet printers.

• Print small quantities as needed
• Change recipes, flavors, ingredients, dates, or product names
• Use compatible desktop laser or inkjet printers
• Choose from many standard shapes, sizes, and materials
• Print nutrition panels, barcodes, batch codes, and variable information
• Use downloadable templates for many popular layouts

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Food Labels on Rolls

Blank roll labels are designed for compatible inkjet roll-label printers such as Epson ColorWorks, Primera, and Afinia. They are useful for commercial kitchens, food manufacturers, co-packers, farms, bakeries, specialty food producers, and growing businesses that need to print labels in-house.

• Print one label at a time or in larger batches
• Print variable barcodes, dates, lot numbers, SKUs, and recipes
• Choose paper, gloss, clear, kraft, and waterproof film materials
• Apply labels by hand or with compatible application equipment
• Support changing products without storing large preprinted inventories

For roll labels, the first dimension is the width across the roll and the second dimension is the length into the roll. Confirm your printer model, maximum roll width, core size, outside diameter, label gap, sensing method, and orientation before ordering.

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Custom Printed Food Labels

Custom printed food labels are a strong choice for established products, retail distribution, wholesale programs, co-packed goods, and businesses that want labels delivered fully printed and ready to apply.

• Full-color printing using supplied artwork
• Professional appearance for retail and wholesale packaging
• Available in indoor and weather-resistant materials
• Suitable for jars, bottles, bags, boxes, tubs, clamshells, and other food packages
• Delivered on rolls for convenient hand or machine application

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Choose the Right Food Label Material

Waterproof & Moisture-Resistant Food Labels

Waterproof or moisture-resistant food labels are recommended when packaging may be refrigerated, frozen, exposed to condensation, handled with wet hands, splashed with water, or exposed to sauces, oils, grease, or product residue.

Waterproof performance depends on the face stock, adhesive, ink type, printer, package surface, application temperature, storage conditions, and exposure. Test the complete printed label before placing a large order.

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Nutrition Facts, Ingredient & Allergen Labels

Food packaging often needs space for nutrition facts, ingredients, allergen statements, net contents, storage instructions, preparation directions, producer information, and required disclosures. A rectangle or square label usually provides the most usable area for dense information.

Businesses are responsible for determining which laws, disclosures, formatting rules, and statements apply to their products and sales channels.

Barcode, QR Code & Variable-Data Food Labels

Food labels can include UPC barcodes, QR codes, lot numbers, batch codes, SKUs, best-by dates, production dates, prices, and other variable information. Blank sheet and roll labels make it easier to update this information without ordering separate preprinted inventory for every variation.

For best barcode performance, use high-contrast artwork, sufficient quiet zones, a suitable material, and a printer capable of producing sharp, readable output. Test scans before production.

Tamper-Evident & Package-Sealing Labels

Rectangle, square, circle, and oval labels can also be used to close boxes, seal clamshells, bridge lids and containers, or show whether a package has been opened. The best shape and adhesive depend on the package material, opening point, surface area, and handling conditions.

Test the seal on the actual package because paperboard, plastic, glass, coatings, texture, and refrigeration can affect adhesion.

How to Measure Food Packaging for Labels

• Measure the smooth, usable area where the label will be applied
• Avoid seams, folds, gussets, ridges, embossed areas, zipper tracks, and sharply curved surfaces
• Measure circumference for full-wrap labels
• Decide whether wraparound label edges should meet, leave a gap, or overlap
• Choose a label slightly smaller than the usable panel
• Keep important text away from seams and curved edges
• Print a paper test at actual size before ordering
• Test the label after the package is filled, sealed, refrigerated, or frozen

View Food Label Templates

Application Tips for Food Labels

• Apply labels to clean, dry packaging whenever possible
• Remove dust, oil, grease, moisture, food residue, and fingerprints
• Apply at the recommended temperature for the adhesive
• Start at one edge and smooth the label gradually across the package
• Avoid placing labels over seams, folds, ridges, or sharply curved areas
• Allow the adhesive time to bond before refrigeration, freezing, or moisture exposure
• Test the full application process before labeling a large batch

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of label is best for food packaging?

The best label depends on the package surface, storage temperature, moisture exposure, handling, printer type, and required information. Standard paper may work for dry goods, while waterproof film is often better for refrigerated, frozen, oily, or moisture-prone products.

Are food labels available on both sheets and rolls?

Yes. Many sizes and materials are available on standard 8.5" x 11" sheets and on rolls for compatible inkjet label printers.

What shapes are available for food labels?

Food labels are available in true rectangles, squares, circles, and ovals. These shapes can be used for fronts, backs, lids, bottoms, wraps, seals, and information panels.

Do refrigerated foods need waterproof labels?

Waterproof film is usually the better choice when labels may be exposed to condensation, wet handling, spills, sauces, oils, or frequent refrigeration.

What labels should I use for frozen foods?

Use a durable material and adhesive tested for the expected freezer temperature, moisture, package surface, and application conditions. Testing on the actual package is essential.

Can I print nutrition facts and ingredient labels myself?

Yes. Blank sheet and roll labels can be used to print nutrition panels, ingredients, allergen statements, net contents, dates, and other product information. You are responsible for ensuring the content and formatting meet applicable requirements.

Can I print barcodes and QR codes on food labels?

Yes. Use high-contrast artwork, adequate quiet zones, suitable material, and sharp printer output. Test every barcode or QR code before production.

Can I print food labels with an inkjet or laser printer?

Yes. Choose label material specifically designed for your printer type. Do not run inkjet-only materials through a laser printer.

Do your roll labels work with Epson ColorWorks printers?

Many blank roll labels are available in configurations compatible with Epson ColorWorks printers. Confirm the printer model, roll width, core size, outside diameter, label gap, sensing method, and orientation before ordering.

Do your labels work with Primera and Afinia printers?

Yes. Blank roll labels are available for many Primera and Afinia inkjet roll-label printers. Verify the exact printer requirements before ordering.

Can you custom print my food labels?

Yes. Custom printed food labels are available using supplied artwork and are delivered ready to apply.

Should I request samples before ordering?

Yes. Packaging surfaces, coatings, moisture, temperature, oils, handling, ink, and storage conditions can affect label performance. Samples help confirm size, adhesion, print quality, and appearance.

Ready to Create Professional Food Labels?

Whether you package sauces, snacks, baked goods, coffee, candy, spices, refrigerated foods, frozen products, jars, bottles, bags, boxes, tubs, or clamshells, we offer blank sheet labels, blank roll labels, and custom printed options to fit your production process.

Related Resources

• Jar Labels
• Canning Labels
• Coffee Bag Labels
• Product Labels
• Waterproof Labels
• Label Size Guides
• Blank Sheet Labels
• Blank Inkjet Roll Labels
• Custom Printed Labels
• Label Templates