Material: White Poly VS. White Paper
White “Poly”
Material Composition:
“Poly” labels are made from various types of plastic materials, such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). These materials are synthetic polymers known for their durability and resistance to moisture, chemicals, and tearing.
Durability and Resistance:
Poly labels are suitable for applications where labels need to withstand harsh conditions or come into contact with liquids. Examples include, product labels for chemical containers, industrial equipment, and items with exposure to moisture.
Cost:
The cost of white poly can vary but is generally slightly higher than paper. In general, paper labels tend to be more cost-effective than poly labels.
White Paper
Material Composition:
Paper labels are made from various types of paper, ranging from basic uncoated paper to more specialized options like coated paper or thermal paper.
Durability and Resistance:
Paper labels are generally less resistant to moisture, chemicals, and tearing compared to poly labels. They are better suited for indoor or dry environments, such as product packaging, labeling office supplies, food packaging (non-direct contact), and other situations where the labels won’t be subjected to extreme conditions.
Cost:
The cost of poly labels and paper labels can vary based on factors such as material quality, printing technology, and customization options. In general, paper labels tend to be more cost-effective than poly labels.
Before you pick the label material, think about what you really need. If you want labels that can handle tough conditions and last a long time, go for the White Poly. But if you’re looking for labels that are budget-friendly and meant for indoor use, White Paper would be a good fit.
Special Materials
Metallic Poly
Ever seen those labels that shimmer like metal? That’s metallic poly!
Metallic poly material is a type of label substrate made from a combination of plastic (poly) materials with a metallic finish. This material is designed to provide the visual appeal of a metallic appearance while benefiting from the durability and characteristics of plastic materials.
Metallic poly have a shiny, reflective surface that resembles the look of metal, adding a touch of luxury and sophistication to the labels, the metallic finish can also enhance the vibrancy and depth of the label design’s colors, making them more visually striking. And since it’s made from poly materials, metallic poly labels are more durable and resistant to moisture, chemicals, tearing, and other harsh conditions compared to traditional paper labels.
Clear Poly
Clear poly is made from transparent or semi-transparent plastic (poly) materials. Labels made from clear poly material have the unique characteristic of being see-through or translucent, allowing the underlying surface or product to show through the label.
Clear poly labels are designed to be transparent, allowing the background color or surface to show through the label material, this can create a seamless and integrated look, and like other poly materials, clear poly labels are durable and resistant to moisture, chemicals, tearing, and other challenging conditions.
Kraft paper
Kraft paper is known for its distinctive brown color and coarse texture, giving it a rustic and natural look. It’s a popular choice for various labeling applications due to its unique aesthetic and environmentally friendly appeal.
Kraft paper is typically brown in color, which adds a warm and organic feel to labels. The color comes from the natural unbleached fibers used in its production, it has a coarse and textured surface, which can give labels a tactile and rustic quality.
White felt
White felt is a type of label material that is designed to replicate the texture and appearance of felt fabric, but it is typically made from paper. This material is commonly used for creating labels with a tactile and textured feel, giving them a soft and luxurious look reminiscent of actual felt material.
White felt have a textured surface that imitates the look and feel of felt fabric. This texture adds a unique and tactile quality to the labels. The texture and appearance of white felt labels provide a soft and elegant aesthetic, making them suitable for various upscale and sophisticated applications.
Finish: Matte VS. Gloss
Matte Finish:
A matte finish is characterized by a flat, non-reflective surface. Imagine it like a soft, cozy blanket for surfaces. Light does not bounce off a matte surface as much as it does off a glossy surface, It’s not shiny at all, so it doesn’t reflect light much, resulting in reduced glare and reflections. This gives it a calm and elegant look, they are commonly used in prints, product packaging, and interior design.
Gloss Finish:
Now, A gloss finish, also known as a high-gloss or shiny finish, is characterized by its reflective and polished appearance. It’s like a mirror for surfaces. Glossy surfaces are more vibrant and eye-catching due to the way they reflect light, it’s super shiny and cool. Gloss finishes are commonly used in photography, magazines, brochures, product packaging, and automotive coatings. Keep in mind, though, that glossy things can show fingerprints, smudges, and scratches more easily due to their reflective nature.
In summary, the main difference between matte and gloss finishes lies in their appearance and light reflection properties. If you want things to look elegant and not shiny, go for matte. But if you want them to be extra eye-catching and shiny, gloss is the way to go!