Custom Clear Wrap-Around Labels

Printing White Behind Colours

Ink on clear film is translucent, so colours printed directly onto it look pale against a dark bottle. The solution is a layer of white ink printed under the colours, which makes them solid and bright. We can print white under some elements and leave others clear, for example a solid white logo with a transparent background.

This is the most important artwork decision for clear wrap-around labels. Tell us the colour of the container and its contents, and we will advise where white is needed. On clear glass with a light product, many designs work without white. On amber glass or dark liquids, white underprint is almost always necessary for legibility.

Metallic foils work beautifully on clear film. A gold or silver logo on clear film gives a bright, mirrored effect that stands out on both glass and coloured contents.

Order a short test run if the bottle colour is unusual. Seeing the label on the real container is the most reliable way to judge the white underprint, especially with tinted glass or cloudy liquids.

Small text on clear film needs extra care. Ingredient lists and legal lines should be printed on a white panel or in a strong dark colour so they stay readable whatever is behind them. The same underprint rules apply to printed labels for glass jars, where the contents sit directly behind the label.

Sizing Clear Wrap-Around Labels

Measure the circumference of the container where the label will sit and decide whether the label should meet at the back or overlap slightly. A small overlap of a few millimetres gives a neater seam and stronger hold. The label height should sit within the straight part of the bottle, avoiding curves near the neck and base, where film can wrinkle.

Send us your container, or its dimensions and a photo, and we will suggest a label size. For tapered bottles and jars, a slightly curved label shape may be needed so the film sits flat on the cone.

Check the surface of the container. Glass with embossed text, ridges or seams can stop a clear label sitting flat, and the outline of a seam may show through. Choose a smooth section of the container for the label area.

If you sell several sizes in one range, keep the label height proportional rather than identical. A label that looks right on a 70 cl bottle can look oversized on a 20 cl miniature. For bottles with a tapered neck, a shrink sleeve label that follows the curve is often the better fit.

Application by Hand or Machine

Small batches can be applied by hand, especially with a simple jig to keep the label straight. Clear labels show every air bubble and fingerprint, so apply them slowly, starting at the centre and smoothing outwards. A clean, grease-free bottle at room temperature gives the best result.

For larger runs, labels can be supplied on rolls for semi-automatic or automatic applicators. Tell us the core size and unwind direction your machine needs, and we will wind the labels accordingly.

Labels should be stored flat and at room temperature until use. Cold labels applied to cold bottles can lose adhesion, and labels left in a warm van can curl. Apply at least a day before chilling, so the adhesive has time to bond fully. Roll-fed runs are set up the same way as our die-cut labels supplied on rolls.

Who Uses Them

Craft gin, rum and vodka makers, cold-brew coffee and juice brands, kombucha producers and soft drink companies use clear labels on glass bottles. Cosmetic and skincare brands use them on serums, toners and dropper bottles. Candle makers use them on glass jars where the wax colour is part of the design. Hand wash and home fragrance brands use them on refill bottles.

The common thread is a container worth showing. If the bottle or the contents look good, a clear label lets them shine.

Retailers notice clear labels too. On a crowded shelf, a bottle that looks printed rather than labelled stands out as a premium product, which can help a small brand earn a place next to much larger competitors. Drinks brands often pair them with printed bottle neck tags for a gift message or a tasting note.

Getting Your Labels Made

Send us your artwork, container details and quantity. A custom quote follows by email within one working day, along with a free design proof showing where white underprint and foil will be used. Low minimums are quoted per job.

Production takes 4 to 7 working days once you approve the proof, and labels are delivered free and tracked to UK mainland addresses in 2 to 3 working days. Report any misprints within 10 days for a reprint or refund.

If you are switching from paper labels, send us one of your existing bottles with its current label. We can match the position and size so your filling and labelling routine stays the same. If you are new to labels, our guide to how our prices are set explains why quantity changes the unit cost.