How to Select Pressure-Sensitive Labels for Your Products

But here’s the thing: not all pressure-sensitive labels are created equal. And if you want yours to stick—literally and figuratively—you need to make smart choices about materials, adhesives, printing, and finishes. In this guide, we’ll help you evaluate your packaging needs and break down the decisions that go into building an effective, high-performing label.

What Are Pressure-Sensitive Labels?

If you’ve ever peeled the backing off a sticker and placed it on a jar, bottle, or box, that’s a pressure-sensitive label. Also known as self-adhesive labels, these are made from layers of face stock, adhesive, and a release liner.

Unlike other labels that require heat, water, or glue to activate, pressure-sensitive labels apply with, you guessed it, pressure. That makes them fast, flexible, and reliable for manual and automated application processes.

What makes them perfect for prime labeling is the balance of function and form. These labels hold strong while giving you complete creative control over design, texture, finish, and format. If you’re wondering what pressure-sensitive labels are good for, they’re ideal for primary labels used in front-facing, consumer-focused applications that must look great and perform well.

Key Factors When Choosing a Pressure-Sensitive Prime Label

Choosing the ideal label isn’t just about picking what looks good on a screen. It’s about knowing how it will work with your actual product in the real world. Here are the factors to keep in mind:

Product Surface Type

Is your product in a glass jar? A plastic pouch? A metal tin?

Surface type impacts how well the adhesive bonds. High-energy surfaces like glass allow for better adhesion, while low-energy plastics (like HDPE) may require a specialized adhesive to prevent peeling. For example, a beverage company using curved PET bottles needs different label specs than a skincare brand with frosted glass jars.

Accu-Label’s experts can explain your options and help you avoid bubbling, curling, adhesion failures, and other label defects before you commit to production.

Packaging Shape and Size

The shape of your packaging directly affects your label design and application method. Flat boxes? Easy. Curved bottles or odd shapes? You’ll need a label that conforms without wrinkling or lifting.

Accu-Label offers high-quality, custom pressure-sensitive labels in nearly any specialty shape or die-cut layout to suit your container, whether it’s a lip balm tube or a 1-gallon chemical jug. Proper sizing also improves machine application speed and reduces wasted products.

Application Environment

Where will your product go once it leaves your facility? That matters more than you think.

Your label must hold up if your item is exposed to heat, cold, moisture, or abrasion. Refrigerated alcoholic beverages need moisture-resistant materials and freezer-grade adhesives, and automotive products need labels that can resist oil, friction, and heat.

You don’t want labels peeling off in transit or failing in front of a customer. Our label materials are selected based on your specific use case to maintain appearance and performance.

Adhesive and Liner Type

One of the most overlooked parts of a label is also one of the most important: the choice of adhesive.

Permanent adhesives are ideal for most retail products, while removable adhesives work better for promotional items or reusable containers. Depending on your application needs, we also offer specialty options like freezer-grade, high-tack, or repositionable adhesives.

And don’t forget about the liner. If you’re using automated labeling equipment, choosing the right liner ensures smoother operation and fewer bottlenecks on the production floor.

Don’t leave the effectiveness of your custom pressure-sensitive label to chance—partner with Accu-Label to design, proof, print, and adhere an eye-catching label that drives sales.

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Design and Customization Options

Your label can be more than a sticker, it can be a storytelling tool. Whether you want bold and modern or soft and elegant, we’ll help bring your brand vision to life.

Design options include:

Finishes: Gloss, matte, soft-touch, metallic
Embellishments: Foil stamping, embossing, spot varnishes
Custom Colors: Pantone matching for brand consistency
Textures: Tactile finishes that enhance product feel and quality perception

With custom pressure-sensitive labels, the design options are nearly endless, but what matters most is how those choices align with your brand, your customers’ expectations, and your packaging environment.

Digital vs. Flexographic Printing: What’s Right for You?

One of the most common questions we hear is: “Should I go digital or flexo?“

The answer depends on your volume, timeline, and complexity.

Digital printing is best for short runs, frequent design changes, and multi-SKU product lines. It’s fast and cost-effective for low volumes and allows for high-quality, on-demand output.

Flexographic printing is ideal for larger quantities, precise color matching, and special inks or finishes. Once your plates are created, it’s the most cost-efficient method for big runs.

At Accu-Label, we offer both, so you’re never boxed into one solution. We’ll help you decide based on your product goals and budget.

How Accu-Label Helps You Get It Right

Labeling can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Our team brings decades of experience to help you choose and execute the right pressure-sensitive label strategy from day one.

Here’s how we support you:

Hands-on Technical Support: We help you select the right face stock, adhesive, and finish for your product and environment.
Digital + Flexo Printing In-House: We’re ready for short-run, high-SKU, or high-volume production.
Fast Prototyping: We’ll quickly send you a sample so you can test, tweak, and move forward with confidence.
Reliable Reorders: Consistency is key, which is why Accu-Label ensures your labels match across every order, every time.
Co-Packer Friendly: We understand timelines, specs, and packaging systems—because we work with co-packers and fulfillment partners daily.

With Accu-Label, you’re not just ordering a label. You’re partnering with a team that sees the whole picture.

Create Custom Pressure-Sensitive Labels That Get Noticed and Last With Accu-Label

Pressure-sensitive labels offer flexibility, durability, and shelf appeal—but only if you choose the right combination of materials, adhesive, printing method, and design. For business owners and product teams ready to take labeling seriously, it starts with understanding your product and finding a partner to help you bring it all together.

At Accu-Label, we’ve spent over 35 years helping brands build custom labels that look great and perform even better. Whether you’re in food and beverage, cosmetics, chemicals, or automotive, we’ve got the experience and tools to get your product ready for the spotlight.

Reach out today or explore our prime label services to get started.

Insider Tips on Choosing the Right Pressure-Sensitive Label for Products

What Are Pressure-Sensitive Labels?

Key Factors When Choosing a Pressure-Sensitive Prime Label

Product Surface Type

Packaging Shape and Size

Application Environment

Adhesive and Liner Type

Design and Customization Options

Digital vs. Flexographic Printing: What’s Right for You?

How Accu-Label Helps You Get It Right

Create Custom Pressure-Sensitive Labels That Get Noticed and Last With Accu-Label

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