Custom Embossed Labels

Choosing Stock for Embossed Labels

Not every label material embosses well. Thicker, softer papers take embossing best, holding a crisp raised shape. Textured papers, such as felt-marked, laid or cotton-style stocks, are especially popular for embossed labels on wine, spirits and artisan food, because the texture and the raised design work together.

Smooth white papers emboss well too and suit cleaner, modern designs. Very thin papers and most plastic films do not hold embossing as well, so if you need a waterproof label for a bottle that will sit in ice, we will advise on the best compromise between durability and embossing depth.

Coloured stocks, such as black, cream or kraft, make blind embossing especially striking, as the raised design shows through light and shadow alone. Flat, unembossed versions of the same designs are our product labels on plain stock.

Designing for Embossing

Embossing works best on bold elements: a logo, a brand name or a simple border. Very fine lines and small text can lose definition when raised, so keep embossed elements at a generous size. Text that will be embossed should usually be at least 8 to 10 pt, and lines at least 0.5 mm thick.

Plan which parts of the label will be raised and which will be flat. A common approach is to emboss the logo and perhaps a decorative border, while keeping product information, ingredients and legal text flat and printed. This keeps the label readable while adding a premium touch where it matters.

We create a separate embossing plate for your design, so send artwork with the embossed areas on their own layer. The free proof shows exactly which elements will be raised. If you are designing from scratch, it helps to think about the label at arm's length and up close. From a distance, the shopper sees colour and shape; up close, in the hand, they notice the embossing and the paper texture. A good embossed label works at both distances, with a clear overall design and a raised detail that rewards a closer look. Shaped outlines follow the same artwork rules as our logo stickers cut to shape.

Labels for Jars, Bottles and Boxes

Embossed labels are used on many containers. On jars, a round or oval label on the lid or front suits honey, preserves, candles and skincare. On bottles, a tall rectangular label or a shaped label with a curved top suits wine, spirits, olive oil and cordials. On boxes, an embossed label can replace full box printing, turning a plain box into a branded one.

Shape matters. A die-cut label, cut to a custom outline such as a shield, a crest or an arch, looks more distinctive than a simple rectangle. Embossing within a shaped label, with a raised border following the outline, creates a classic, crafted look.

When applying labels to curved surfaces, the embossing should not be so deep that it causes the label to lift. We balance depth and adhesion for your container. If you apply labels by hand, supply on sheets is usually easiest; if you use a labelling machine, tell us the core size and the direction the labels should come off the roll, and we set up the reels to suit. Round containers with a strong curve are covered on the jar labels for curved surfaces page.

Pairing Embossing With Foil

Foil and embossing are a natural pair. Gold foil on a raised logo shines and catches the eye from across a shop, while copper and rose gold give a warmer feel. Silver foil suits modern and clean designs. Matt foils give a more understated metallic finish.

On dark stocks, a foil embossed logo is particularly striking. Foil reflects whatever light is around it, so a label that looks quiet under a warm shop lamp can sparkle under bright supermarket lighting; it is worth picturing where your jars and bottles will actually be sold when choosing between bright and matt foils. A black label with gold foil embossing is a classic for spirits, chocolate and luxury candles. A cream label with copper foil embossing suits artisan food and natural cosmetics. A shimmer without a raised edge is available as hologram stickers for a metallic effect.

Mark the Raised Areas on a Printout

Embossed labels go wrong when the raised area is decided late, so print your label artwork at actual size, take a pen and shade exactly what should rise: usually the brand name or a single motif, rarely both. That shaded printout, scanned or photographed, is the clearest brief we can get. Then tell us the container the label goes on, because a tightly curved bottle limits how deep the emboss can be, and the stock you prefer; textured uncoated papers show embossing best. Supply the artwork as vector files with the emboss on its own layer, and we show the raised elements on a free proof. The quote comes by email within one working day; minimums are low and set per job, though the small plate cost means a slightly longer run costs less per label. Labels are produced in four to seven working days after approval and delivered free and tracked on the UK mainland. Soap makers who want the same effect on a textured stock use our soap labels on textured paper.