Home / Materials Guide

Materials guide.
Pick the right one.

Four substrates. Each one has a reason to exist. Here's everything you need to know to pick the right material for your product and use case.

White Vinyl Clear Vinyl Silver Vinyl Paper Comparison table →
White vinyl labels — premium gloss BOPP
Most popular · Roll labels, sheets, die-cut, bumper

White Vinyl

Premium gloss white BOPP (biaxially-oriented polypropylene). The default choice for most products, and for good reason. Waterproof, oil-proof, fridge-proof, and tear-resistant. Colours print vivid against the white base.

If you don't know which material to choose, start here.

  • 100% waterproof
  • Fridge and freezer safe
  • Oil and chemical resistant
  • Tear-resistant
  • Vivid colour reproduction
  • Gloss or matte laminate available
  • Min 500 (rolls) / 10 (sheets, die-cut)
  • Works on curved surfaces
Best for:
Food and beverage labels, cosmetics, candles, cleaning products, health and beauty, bath products, craft items, stickers for merch and events. Anything that might get wet, oily or handled a lot.
Shop Roll Labels → Shop Sticker Sheets → Shop Die-Cut →
Clear vinyl labels — crystal clear BOPP
Premium look · Roll labels, sheets, die-cut

Clear Vinyl

Crystal-clear BOPP with a transparent base. When applied to glass, clear packaging or bottles, it looks like the design is printed directly on the surface, no visible label border. Premium, minimal, modern.

White areas in your artwork will print as transparent unless you specifically request white ink. This is what creates the "no label" effect.

  • 100% waterproof
  • "No label" look on clear surfaces
  • Fridge safe
  • Oil resistant
  • Gloss or matte laminate available
  • White ink available on request
  • Min 500 (rolls) / 10 (sheets, die-cut)
  • Best on glass and clear packaging
Best for:
Candles, glass bottles, jars, clear pouches, cosmetics, beverages, anything where you want the packaging material to show through. Also great for branding stickers on dark or coloured surfaces.
Shop Roll Labels → Shop Sticker Sheets → Shop Die-Cut →
Silver metallic vinyl labels
Luxury · Roll labels only

Silver Vinyl

Metallic silver BOPP with a mirror-like base. Gives labels a premium, high-end feel that white vinyl simply can't match. The metallic base shows through lighter areas of your design, adding depth and dimension.

Dark designs and bold colours work especially well, the metallic base creates a contrast that looks expensive even on a modest budget.

  • 100% waterproof
  • Metallic mirror-like base
  • Premium shelf presence
  • Fridge safe
  • Gloss or matte laminate available
  • Roll labels only (min 500)
  • Best with dark or bold designs
  • 20% premium over white vinyl
Best for:
Premium skincare, luxury candles, high-end food and beverage, spirits, cosmetics, anything where shelf presence matters and you want to signal quality before the customer even picks the product up.
Shop Roll Labels →
Kraft paper labels — natural finish
Matte uncoated · Roll labels only

Paper

Uncoated matte paper label stock. Soft to touch with a slightly textured surface. Not waterproof, which is an important limitation to understand before ordering. Best suited to dry environments and products that will not be exposed to moisture.

Ink sits slightly differently on uncoated paper compared to vinyl. Colours are slightly less vivid but have a warmth that works well for dry pantry goods, gift packaging and artisan food products.

  • Natural, organic look and feel
  • Soft matte texture
  • Warm ink appearance
  • Eco-friendly aesthetic
  • Roll labels only (min 500)
  • Not waterproof
  • Not suitable for wet/oily products
  • Lowest price of all materials
Best for:
Pantry items (jars, tins, dry goods), gift packaging, artisan food products, hamper labels, anything that will not be exposed to moisture or oil.
Shop Roll Labels →
Side by side

Material comparison

Property White Vinyl Clear Vinyl Silver Vinyl Paper
Waterproof✓✓✓✗
Fridge safe✓✓✓✗
Oil resistant✓✓✓✗
Transparent areasNo✓NoNo
Metallic baseNoNo✓No
Natural feelNoNoNo✓
Available on rolls✓✓✓✓
Available as sheets/die-cut✓✓NoNo
Relative priceBase+5%+20%−5%
Finishing

Gloss, matte or no laminate?

For roll labels you can add a laminate finish at no extra charge. Most other printers charge for this as an add-on. At Sticky Sitch, gloss and matte laminate are both included in the base price.

Gloss laminate FREE

Shiny, vivid, high contrast. Colours pop. Great for brands that want to stand out on shelf. The most popular finish for food, beverage and cosmetics.

Matte laminate FREE

Flat, soft, no glare. Premium and modern. Great for skincare, cosmetics and premium food or beverage. Pairs well with dark or rich-coloured artwork.

No laminate

The vinyl as-is without an extra coating. Slightly less protective but gives a more natural, uncoated feel. Good for paper labels or when you want minimal gloss.

Still not sure?

Order a sample pack.
$16, credited back.

Touch every material in person before committing. The $16 comes back as credit on your first order.

Order a sample pack → Ask us directly →