Paper or polypropylene labels? How to choose the material
Paper is cheaper and easy to write on; polypropylene survives water, oil and handling. A side-by-side comparison and a quick guide by product.
Most label problems come from the material, not the print. Here is how the two most common face materials compare.
Side by side
| Paper | Polypropylene (PP) | |
|---|---|---|
| Water and condensation | softens and can peel | resists |
| Oil and grease | marks | wipes clean |
| Tearing | tears | tear-resistant |
| Squeezable bottles | creases | flexes better |
| Writing with a pen | easy | needs a suitable pen |
| Look | matt, natural, kraft possible | white, clear or matt silver |
| Price | lower | higher |
A quick guide by product
| Product | Usual choice |
|---|---|
| Boxes, files, dry goods | paper |
| Jam and honey jars on a shelf | paper or kraft; PP if they go in the fridge |
| Drinks, sauces, oils | PP |
| Cosmetics, soaps, shower products | PP |
| Cleaning and chemical products | PP, with varnish or laminate |
| Freezer and chilled food | PP with an adhesive for cold surfaces |
| Outdoor storage, pallets | PP, printed by thermal transfer |
Printing on PP
Blank PP labels are printed with a thermal transfer printer and a ribbon. Direct thermal printing needs heat-sensitive paper and won't work on PP. See direct thermal vs thermal transfer.
Clear or white?
White PP gives full contrast for text and barcodes. Clear PP gives the "no-label look" on glass and clear bottles; for bright colours it needs a white underprint. See clear labels.
We make blank polypropylene labels in any size and print waterproof labels on PP. Not sure? Send us a photo of your product and where it is stored.
FAQ
Are polypropylene labels waterproof?
PP film resists water and condensation. For long outdoor or wet use, the print should be thermal transfer or protected with varnish or laminate.
Can I print polypropylene labels with a direct thermal printer?
No. PP labels need a thermal transfer printer and a ribbon, or must be printed by the manufacturer.
Which is cheaper, paper or PP?
Paper. PP costs more but lasts where paper fails: water, oil, cold and handling.