Custom Labels

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Custom Labels

Because it's a picture, symbol or tagline that will get your business recognized.

Because that little extra something can build your brand power, helping with customer recognition and loyalty.

Because labels emblazoned with custom graphics will give you an edge on the competition.

Whether you're trying to build your part-time eBay business or looking to add your logo to customer shipments, Label Value's got your custom label needs covered.

It's simple. You come up with the graphics and fill out the custom labels form, we deliver the finished package. If you don't see the size or type of label you need, talk to us. We can design a label to your specifications and guarantee it will work with your printer. Talk to a personal sales consultant today: 1-800-750-7764.

Custom Labels 101

Who benefits from custom labels?

• Small-to-medium businesses
• E-commerce
• Manufacturers
• Suppliers
• Packing facilities
• Retailers
• Medical practices
• Veterinary clinics
• Schools
• Non-profits
• Entrepreneurs

Popular Custom Label Applications:

• Shipping labels with color company logo
• Name badges and admission tickets
• Stickers
• Labels with colorful borders or background colors
• Labels with unique color codes for greater visibility or simple organization
• Prescription labels with company logo
• Color coded warnings and instructions

How do I begin?

Creating custom labels takes a few simple steps and requires special attention to the types of goods and services you provide. Your custom labels can be pre-printed in any Pantone matching system (PMS) color—up to eight colors in total.

1. Decide on the image, text and layout you want to use on your labels
2. Match your material to the type of printer you use – direct thermal or thermal transfer
3. Select your colors
4. Choose the size of the label or paper stock
5. Match the adhesive requirements to the environment
6. Know the quantity of labels desired

Choosing Custom Label Paper Stocks and Adhesives

As we mentioned before, the type of label you choose to print with custom graphics depends on the environment in which the label is applied (your office, manufacturing facility etc.) and the conditions in which your products are shipped.

Dymo labels, inkjet and laser labels for example, are primarily paper-based and do not hold up in all environments. Zebra compatible thermal transfer substrates are much more rugged and durable. Whatever your need, Label Value manufactures a variety of labels with special properties that can withstand extreme conditions.

Here is a sampling of some of our custom adhesives and paperstocks:

• Permanent Adhesive – General purpose, strong permanent adhesive. Use in standard Label Value brand labels. These adhesives generally form a stronger bond when gently burnished.
• Removable Adhesive – Long-term removability from smooth surfaces and good adhesive for rough surfaces.
• Freezer Grade Adhesive – All temperature/freezer adhesive. Becomes more aggressive as temperature drops, especially below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Paperstocks / Facestocks

Custom Label Sizes

Can't find the exact sized label for your application? We can design a label for you to your specifications and guarantee it will work in your printer. Our specialty? Creating custom labels for direct thermal and thermal transfer printers.

Click here to view our most common Dymo or Zebra label sizes.

Preparing Your Artwork

More experienced designers use professional graphics tools like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop to prepare their images. Whether you are such an individual, prefer to access the Label Value design team or consult with your favorite designer, it is vital that the graphics are created with the final production in mind. With more than 25 years of experience, our team has noted some of the most common pitfalls.

• Understand colors and how they really print. Most computer monitors, unless they have been color calibrated, do not faithfully reproduce color. Processed colors like CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) proportionally combine hues for a final color. This color, tomato red for example, might appear perfect on the screen but really prints more like the color of a bing cherry. Since matching a monitor's color to a printer's traits can also be challenging, Pantone aka PMS colors are best used.
• Be sure that your final artwork can be ripped to individual files used for the specific printing plates (one per color).
• Any art that is designed to reach the extreme edge of your label must include a 1/8" bleed.
• Be sure your files are designed for 300dpi or higher resolution and not 72dpi as is commonly used on Web sites.
• Check everything for typos, then check again.
• Double check all sizes and dimensions.
• Do not forget to bundle your text and fancy fonts to any disks or zip files.

Proofing Your Artwork

As part of your order, an art proof and possibly even a label die line will be sent to you. This step is usually the last before plates and dies are manufactured, so be sure everything meets your satisfaction. Be nitpicky as this is the last time you can edit your artwork before hard costs are sunk. Label Value wants you to be 100 percent satisfied with the job, so take your time and ask all of the questions you want to ensure you are going to receive what you expect. Be sure to check all PMS colors and font styles again and do one final check for typos. Once you sign off on the final art, it's off to production and manufacturing.

Keeping Your Labels Fresh

Once you've received your custom labels, you'll want to take care of them by following a few simple tips:

• Labels should be stored away from prolonged sunlight and extreme temperatures. The recommended storing condition is between 63 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 50 percent relative humidity - your typical home or office.
• All of our labels are lovingly wrapped in UV protective bags to protect from scratches and moisture. We strongly suggest you store your unused labels in this packaging for the longest shelf life and best quality.
• For maximum adhesion, apply labels and to a clean, dry surface.
• Sheet labels will perform best in printers if stored flat when not in use. Do not use curled, warped or damaged labels in any printer as they can curl off the liner and become lodged in your printer.

We Can Help

Call to speak with one of our courteous sales consultants today to discuss your custom label needs at 1.800.750.7764.

Custom Labels Terminology

• Adhesive – substance applied to the back of a label for adhesion to surfaces.
• Adhesive Freezer Temperature / Freezer Grade – An adhesive that remains adhered to frozen surfaces.
• Application Temperature – Temperature of a label at the time of application.
• Bleed – When the ink coverage of a label runs beyond the cut edge of a label (Think full-page glossy magazine ads—they're usually a full bleed).
• Burnished – Gentle application of pressure along the grain of the material designed to create a tighter bond or to begin reaction – usually absorption.
• Camera-ready art - Black and white or color-separated artwork supplied in its final form for printing preparation.
• Dieline – a scale drawing indicating the exact layout of the artwork including distinct and separate layers for orientation purposes. Used to show the final layout.
• Direct Thermal Printing – Printing technology that uses heated pins that activate a heat-sensitive coating in the face material forming the desired copy or images. Very popular printing method beacuse no ribbon or ink is required.
• Emboss - A condition where an image is pressed into a material to create an image that is raised above the normal level of the material.
• Face Material/Face Stock - Any paper, film, fabric, foil or plastic material used for converting into pressure sensitive labels.
• Justify – To arrange copy so that it lines up vertically on the left, right or both sides.
• Key Line - In artwork, an outline drawing of finished art for labels to indicate the exact shape, position, and size for all elements.
• Label Length – A label’s dimension from one side to the other in the direction of the pull of the roll.
• Label Width – The label’s dimension from one side to the other in the direction from one edge of the roll to the other.
• Moisture Proof - The property of a material which makes it virtually impervious to moisture.
• Opaque - Material that is not transparent, regardless of what it overlays.
• Permanent – Pertains to adhesives designed to give a lasting bond.
• Removable – Pertains to adhesives designed for easy removal from a surface.
• Ripped – Process of transferring files to digital storage media like CDs, DVDs or digital tapes.
• Substrate – Label surface material - could be paper or film.
• Thermal Transfer Printing – Imprinting process that uses heated pins against a transfer ribbon to apply an image to a paper or film substrate. (Thermal Transfer Labels).