Product Label Printing: Requirements, Materials and Lead Times

For manufacturers in Latvia, product label printing usually means digital printing on white matte or gloss self-adhesive film with contour cutting to shape — runs from 50 pieces, with production time usually 2–5 business days. Labels for food, cosmetics and beverages must carry the information required by Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 and other regulations, including a minimum x-height of 1.2 mm for text (0.9 mm if the largest surface area is less than 80 cm²). As a guideline, a 50 mm round label costs from around €0.22/pc for a run of 100 pieces, and from around €0.06/pc for a run of 1,000 pieces (excl. VAT).

What to know before ordering a label

Before printing, you need to answer four questions: what packaging the label will be applied to, what conditions the product is kept in (fridge, freezer, moisture, oil, sunlight), how large the run is, and whether labels will be applied by hand or with an automatic labelling machine. These four factors determine the material and adhesive type far more than the design does.

In practice, the most common mistake is choosing a paper label for a product that comes into contact with moisture — a jar kept in the fridge, a glass bottle, or soap. Paper absorbs water, the edges lift, and the print smears. In such cases, we use polypropylene (PP) film, which is moisture-resistant and flexible.

Choosing a material

Prices are indicative, excl. VAT, and depend on label size, shape, run size and whether lamination or contour cutting is needed. We prepare an exact figure once we know the size and quantity — see more on materials and formats in our stickers section.

When lamination is needed

Lamination is worth having if the product is handled with oily fingers (oils, cosmetics), if the label may come into contact with cleaning agents, or if the packaging sits in a shop window in direct sunlight. Matte lamination reduces glare and improves readability against a dark background.

Mandatory information on the label

For food products, the label must include: the product name, a list of ingredients in descending order, highlighted allergens, net quantity, minimum durability date or "use by" date, storage conditions, the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor, country of origin (where required), and a nutrition table. A batch number is also required — this is often printed by the manufacturer itself using a date coder, so space should be left for it on the label.

Cosmetics are subject to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009: ingredients listed under INCI nomenclature, details of the responsible person, function, warnings, a PAO symbol or expiry date. Alcoholic beverages must state the alcohol by volume. If the label includes a barcode, plan for an EAN-13 code at a minimum of 80% scale with clear zones on both sides — otherwise the till scanner won't read it.

Preparing the file

For labels, we work with vector graphics in .ai, .eps or .pdf format, in CMYK. Practical requirements:

• Bleed of 2–3 mm on each side, safe zone 3 mm from the cutting line.
• Contour cutting line on a separate layer using a spot colour (e.g. "CutContour"), 0.25 pt.
• Text converted to outlines or fonts embedded.
• Raster images at least 300 dpi at actual size.
• Smallest text at least 5 pt; allow for a 1.2 mm x-height for the ingredients list.
• Black text set as 100% K rather than composite black, so edges don't look blurred.

If you don't have a file, we can prepare the layout from your text and logo. Before printing we always send a digital proof for approval, and for colour-critical products we recommend making a sample on the actual material.

Runs, shapes and lead times

We supply labels on sheets, individually cut, or on a roll with perforation — the latter is needed if application is done with a semi-automatic machine. For a roll, please specify the inner diameter and the orientation of the labels. Rush jobs are carried out by separate agreement; the fastest realistic turnaround for a simple rectangular label is two business days.

Labels alongside other brand materials

Manufacturers often need box labels, ingredient inserts, shelf signage and product catalogues at the same time — all of this can be produced in a single order while keeping the same colour profile. You'll find digital print products (cards, flyers, catalogues) in our printing services section.

For tastings, trade fairs and B2B meetings, popular choices from our promotional products catalogue include the Odessa 220 g/m² recycled cotton bag, 40 l (6 colours, screen printing or embroidery), the Americano® Espresso Eco 250 ml thermal mug with a leak-proof lid (17 colours, 360° digital printing), the H2O Active® Eco Treble 750 ml sports bottle, the Pebbles reusable notebook, and pens — Nash RCS (13 colours), Moneta made from recycled aluminium (10 colours), or Ziguur with laser engraving.

Frequently asked questions

How small can a run be?

We also work with a single sheet — for example, for a test batch of a new recipe or a seasonal product. From around 250–500 pieces, the price per label drops significantly, as set-up costs are spread over a larger quantity.

Will the label withstand a fridge or freezer?

White PP film with lamination copes well with fridge conditions and condensation. For freezers (down to -20°C), we use a film with cold-resistant adhesive — let us know this at the start of the order, as standard adhesive can lift once frozen.

Can the label have a round or irregular shape?

Yes, contour cutting allows any shape to be cut along a vector line — circles, ovals, labels with a cut-out around a bottle neck. We recommend avoiding sharp corners with a radius under 2 mm, as these tend to lift off sooner.

Who is responsible for the text complying with regulations?

The content and its compliance with regulations is confirmed by the manufacturer, as only you know the exact recipe, allergens and batch details. We check the technical side: letter size, readability, barcode scale and colour contrast.

How long does it take to get a price quote?

We prepare a quote within one business day, provided the label size, shape, run and material are known. If you're unsure about the material, send us a photo of the product — we'll offer two or three options with prices.

Email info@attaprint.lv or call or WhatsApp +371 25776699 — project manager Madara will help you choose the right material and prepare a quote within one business day. Contact details and address: attaprint.lv/kontakti, Kandavas iela 29A, Riga.