Labelling in the Official Language: PTAC Requirements and a Sticker Solution
What labelling in the official language requires, what information must be in Latvian, and how to solve it with stickers — with sizes, materials and prices from EUR 17.60/m².
Labelling in the official language means that all mandatory product information — name, ingredients, usage and safety instructions, manufacturer, expiry date — must be available to consumers in Latvia in Latvian. This is set out in the Official Language Law and Cabinet Regulations on the use of languages in information, while compliance is monitored by the PTAC (Consumer Rights Protection Centre), whose inspections most often flag missing or incomplete translations on imported goods. The most practical solution for a retailer is a sticker with Latvian text, which can be printed from EUR 17.60/m² (excl. VAT) and delivered within 1–3 business days.
Why this applies specifically to retailers
Responsibility for ensuring a product on a shop shelf is labelled in the official language lies not only with the manufacturer or importer, but also with the retailer offering the product to the consumer. If you import goods from Poland, Lithuania or outside the EU and the packaging only has foreign-language text, Latvian labelling must be added before the product reaches the shelf.
PTAC inspections generally check three things: whether the mandatory information is in Latvian at all, whether it is legible and inseparable from the product, and whether the translation matches the original in content. A sticker is a fully acceptable solution — what matters is that it is firmly attached, does not hide the original mandatory information, and the text does not wear off during normal use.
What must be on the labelling sticker in Latvian
Content varies by product category, but the minimum for most consumer goods is as follows:
- Food – product name, ingredient list with allergens highlighted, net quantity, expiry date, storage conditions, manufacturer's/distributor's name and address, nutritional value, country of origin where required. Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 also sets a minimum letter size: mandatory information must have an x-height of at least 1.2 mm (or 0.9 mm if the largest packaging surface is smaller than 80 cm²).
- Cosmetics – method of use, warnings, expiry date and function in Latvian; the INCI ingredient list remains in the international naming system.
- Household chemicals – hazard and precautionary statements, pictograms, first-aid instructions in the official language.
- Toys – warnings (such as age restrictions and small parts) must be in Latvian.
- Textiles – fibre composition and care instructions.
- Electrical goods – instructions for use and safety warnings in Latvian; instructions are often handled with a separate insert rather than a sticker.
If you're unsure about specific wording, compare it with a similar product from a Latvian manufacturer on the shelf — that's the quickest way to check you haven't missed anything. This article is a practical guide, not legal advice.
Common mistakes
- A sticker is placed over the original information, covering the batch number or expiry date.
- Text too small — a 6pt font on a 30×20 mm sticker is illegible and doesn't meet the minimum letter height for food.
- Only the product name is translated, but not the ingredients and warnings.
- A paper sticker is applied to a frozen or wet product and peels off after a few days.
- Machine translation without review: "composition" and "ingredients" are mixed up, allergens are not highlighted.
Materials and prices
| Sticker type | Price, EUR/m² (excl. VAT) | When to choose |
|---|---|---|
| Standard print, no contour cutting | 17.60 | Rectangular labelling stickers on sheets, dry goods |
| Print with contour cutting and transfer film | 24.00 | Irregular shapes, round stickers |
| Laminated (print + laminate) | 24.00 | Fridge, freezer, wet or oily surfaces |
| Easy removable | 28.80 | Seasonal or promotional labelling that must be removed without residue |
| Transparent | 48.00 | Glass jars, bottles, "no-label" look |
There are no setup fees. Price per piece depends on sticker size — the smaller the sticker, the more fit per square metre:
| Sticker size | Approx. pcs per 1 m² | Approx. EUR/pc (laminated, EUR 24.00/m²) |
|---|---|---|
| 30×20 mm | ~1300 | from 0.02 |
| 40×30 mm | ~700 | from 0.04 |
| 60×40 mm | ~360 | from 0.07 |
| 90×50 mm | ~200 | from 0.12 |
| A7 (105×74 mm) | ~110 | from 0.22 |
| A6 (148×105 mm) | ~55 | from 0.45 |
These figures are indicative — the exact price depends on quantity, material, cutting method, and whether you need sheets or rolls. More on the options: sticker printing.
Sheets or rolls
If stickers are applied by hand one at a time, sheets in A4 or A3 format are sufficient and the cheapest option. If you have thousands of products or use a labelling applicator, we produce rolls with a specified core diameter and winding direction.
How to prepare the file and how long it takes
Send the artwork in vector format (.ai, .eps, .pdf, .svg), CMYK, raster images at 300 dpi. Convert text to outlines, leave a 2–3 mm bleed area and at least a 2 mm safety margin from the edge so letters don't end up on the cut line. If you don't have artwork, send us a photo of the original packaging and the Latvian text in Word or by email — we'll lay it out legibly and send it for approval.
We produce labelling stickers within 1–3 business days. Urgent orders can be completed faster by arrangement. Delivery in Riga via partner courier is EUR 16.00 per trip, or free pickup at Kandavas iela 29A. The same order often also includes shelf price tags and leaflets — one artwork, one delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stick Latvian text over the original label?
You can apply it to a free area of the packaging or over foreign-language text, but you may not cover information that must remain visible under the regulations — batch number, expiry date, barcode, hazard pictograms. If there isn't enough space, use a multipage (fold-out) sticker or a hang tag.
Is a Latvian translation enough if the packaging already has Lithuanian and Estonian?
No. In the Latvian market, mandatory information must be in Latvian regardless of how many other languages are already on the packaging. Other languages may appear alongside it, provided their text is not larger than the Latvian text.
How small can a labelling sticker be?
Technically we print and cut from around 15×10 mm, but legibility is the deciding factor. For food, plan for a letter x-height of at least 1.2 mm, which in practice means at least a 40×30 mm sticker for a short ingredient list, and 60×40 mm or larger if there are allergens and a nutrition table.
What material is suitable for frozen products?
PP film with lamination and a cold-resistant adhesive. Paper stickers peel off due to condensation. Apply to dry packaging at room temperature before the product goes into the freezer.
Will you produce 50 stickers for one small batch of products?
Yes, we also work with small quantities. For small runs, the price per piece is higher because we calculate the minimum sheet area, so it's often more cost-effective to combine several different labels on one sheet.
Will you help with the text content?
We lay out and format the text you provide, and check legibility and sizes. The product distributor is responsible for ensuring the translation matches the original in content.
Send us a photo of the original packaging and the Latvian text to info@attaprint.lv, call us, or message us on WhatsApp at +371 25776699 — we'll prepare a quote with material, size and price within one business day. Contact details and opening hours: attaprint.lv/kontakti.
FAQ
Can I stick Latvian text over the original label?
You can apply it to a free area of the packaging or over foreign-language text, but you may not cover information that must remain visible — batch number, expiry date, barcode, hazard pictograms. If there isn't enough space, use a fold-out sticker or a hang tag.
Is a Latvian translation enough if the packaging already has Lithuanian and Estonian?
No. In the Latvian market, mandatory information must be in Latvian regardless of how many other languages are already on the packaging. Other languages may appear alongside it, provided their text is not larger than the Latvian text.
How small can a labelling sticker be?
Technically we print and cut from around 15×10 mm, but legibility is the deciding factor. For food, plan for a letter x-height of at least 1.2 mm — in practice at least 40×30 mm for a short ingredient list, and 60×40 mm or larger if there are allergens and a nutrition table.
What material is suitable for frozen products?
PP film with lamination and a cold-resistant adhesive. Paper stickers peel off due to condensation. Apply to dry packaging at room temperature before the product goes into the freezer.
Will you produce 50 stickers for one small batch of products?
Yes, we also work with small quantities. For small runs, the price per piece is higher because we calculate the minimum sheet area, so it's often more cost-effective to combine several different labels on one sheet.
Will you help with the text content?
We lay out and format the text you provide, and check legibility and sizes. The product distributor is responsible for ensuring the translation matches the original in content.
