Scout online for label printing services

Use the catalogs and pricing on label printer web sites to narrow your label printing choices and comparison shop among printers.

I recommend: LabelLab has an easy step-by-step way to build an order online and a long list of FAQs for beginners.  Blue Ribbon Tag & Label has detailed explanations of custom label printing services. Or try My1Stop, Consolidated Label, PrintMyThing! or Lightning Labels, where you'll also find a concise introduction to label printing.  For another good intro, see Western States Envelope and Label.

Choose your material for product labels

Paper product labels work as food labels or for other short-term uses and may be laminated to protect the ink. Film product labels (commonly called BOPP) are best for packages that get wet, like shampoo. Films can be clear, for a see-through product label. For a fancy look, there are product labels "hot-stamped" with gold or silver foil and for that homespun image, brown kraft paper labels.

I recommend: The build-a-quote feature at Lightning Labels describes film and paper product labels for uses including wine label printing and CD label printing. Find brown kraft labels at Kraft Kottage and foil product labels at Appleson Press and In-Touch Direct.

Pick the best size and shape for product labels

Your package size will dictate your label size choices. For shapes, your printer will offer a standard range of rectangles and squares (with square or round corners) or ovals and circles or you can request product labels in custom shapes.

I recommend: Online Labels has a veritable encyclopedia of product label shapes and sizes.  See Lightning Labels for a display of unusual shapes for custom label printing.

Select colors for custom label printing

For full-color label printing, it's a challenge to get colors to come out as they looked in your design viewed on a computer monitor. Traditional Flexographic label printing presses typically mix four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) to approximate all colors. New digital printing presses may mix seven colors for a better match. In any case, get proofs of your product labels before okaying production.

I recommend: Some label printing companies ask you to select colors on their sites or specify your color choices in the universal Pantone system; others work off your artwork. Here's how LabelLab handles the color issue.

Negotiate your product label printing deal

Your choices on time, quantity, materials and ink will determine your price. Paper product labels are cheaper but not as durable as film product labels. Water-based adhesives are cheaper but not as long lasting as solvent-based. One-color label printing may save you money over full-color. A low run, fast-turnaround job can be produced by a digital press but at a higher cost than a high-run, slow turnaround job on a Flexographic.

I recommend: See some sample pricing on custom label printing at LabelLab - but any of the printers in this guide can quickly give you quotes online, on the phone or via email.

Or do your own product label printing

You'll want professional label printing for high quality, high volume runs and special materials like films and foils. But for low-volume, paper label printing, it's easy to order blank label stock online and make your own on a laser or ink-jet printer.

I recommend: Avery is loaded with templates, software and tips for label printing.  Find blanks for label printing at Online Labels.