What factors affect the cost of custom printed labels?

Custom printed label cost is determined by label size and shape, face material and adhesive, number of print colours, printing method, finishing options such as foil or lamination, and order quantity, with no single fixed price applying across different specifications.

Size and shape affect how much substrate and ink are used per label and whether a standard or custom die is needed for cutting; a simple rectangular shape is generally more economical than a complex custom contour requiring a dedicated die. Material choice has a direct cost impact, since film substrates like PET or BOPP typically cost more than standard paper, and specialised adhesives, such as those for low-surface-energy plastics or cold-chain applications, cost more than general-purpose formulations.

The number of print colours affects cost more significantly on flexographic printing, where each colour typically needs its own plate and press station, than on digital printing, where additional colours add minimal incremental cost. Finishing techniques such as foil stamping, embossing, or lamination each require separate tooling and production steps, adding cost proportional to how many techniques are combined. Order quantity has perhaps the largest overall effect, since fixed costs like plate-making are spread across more units at higher volumes, lowering the per-label price. Because these variables interact, an accurate cost figure requires providing the manufacturer with a complete specification rather than asking for a general price per label.