How Do You Choose the Right Label Size for Your Product?

When it comes to product packaging, every detail matters—and that includes choosing the right label size. Whether you’re selling food, cosmetics, household goods, or health products, your label needs to fit well, stay secure, and look professional. But with so many options available, how do you decide what size label is right for your product?

This blog will guide you through the key factors to consider, from the shape of your packaging to the information you need to include. Whether you’re just starting out or updating your existing labels, this will help you make informed decisions that boost your brand’s impact and meet practical needs.

Why Label Size Matters

Label size isn’t just about appearance—it plays a role in usability, compliance, and customer perception. If the label is too small, you might not have enough room for all the required information. If it’s too large, it can crease, peel, or make the packaging look unbalanced. A well-sized label enhances branding, supports product recognition, and ensures a clean, professional look.

For businesses shipping products or selling in-store, choosing the right size also prevents issues during labelling, printing, and shelf display. Plus, it saves money by reducing wasted material and returns due to labelling errors.

1. Measure Your Packaging

The first and most obvious step is to measure your product’s surface. Whether you’re applying labels to jars, bottles, boxes, or pouches, always measure the flat, usable area rather than the entire surface. Labels stick best to smooth, flat areas—so if your product has curves, ridges, or tapers, avoid placing labels there.

Use a flexible tape measure to check the height and width of the area available. For round containers like bottles or tubes, you’ll want to measure the circumference and height of the label space. Many businesses use a wrap-around label for full coverage or a front-and-back label layout, depending on product type.

2. Consider Label Shape and Orientation

Label size goes hand in hand with label shape. You might choose from:

• Rectangular labels for jars, bottles, and boxes
• Round labels for lids or smaller products
• Square labels for a modern, symmetrical look
• Custom die-cut shapes to match your branding

Think about how the label will sit on the product. A tall label may suit a bottle, but might not work on a short, wide tub. If you’re printing your labels in-house, consider the orientation—landscape or portrait—as it affects how you format your design files.

3. Think About the Information You Need to Include

How much text and imagery do you need? Regulatory information like ingredients, allergens, barcodes, and instructions can quickly take up space. Then there’s your logo, brand colours, tagline, and design elements to consider. If you try to fit everything on a label that’s too small, it may end up cluttered and hard to read.

Before choosing a size, sketch out a rough layout or use design software to plan your label. This helps you see how much space you actually need to display the necessary information clearly and legally.

4. Choose a Size That Works with Your Printer or Label Supplier

If you print labels yourself, check what sizes your printer supports. Desktop label printers often work best with standard sizes and may struggle with very small or unusually shaped labels. For larger runs, label metrics may offer standard label dimensions that advise you best.

Popular standard sizes include:

• 60mm x 40mm – ideal for small containers or product stickers
• 90mm x 60mm – a common choice for front-facing bottle or jar labels
• 100mm x 150mm – used frequently for shipping labels or ingredient lists

Choosing a standard size helps simplify the ordering process and ensures compatibility with labelling equipment.

5. Factor in Application Method

Will the labels be applied by hand or machine? Manual application is more forgiving, but machines require consistency. If you use a labelling machine, speak with your supplier or manufacturer to ensure the label size matches the machine’s settings and feed tolerance.

Labels that are too narrow, too tall, or oddly shaped might not apply smoothly with some machines. This can lead to misalignment or even machine jamming, costing time and money.

6. Consider Label Bleed and Border

If your label design includes a full-bleed background (where colour or design extends to the edge), you’ll need to account for bleed margins. Most printers require at least 2mm of bleed around the label edge to avoid white borders.

This means your design should slightly exceed the label size, but the actual printable content should stay within the safe area to prevent important text from being trimmed off. If your label is very small, bleed and margins can limit the usable space even further—another reason why choosing the right size is essential.

7. Match Label Size to Usage

The intended use of the product should also influence your choice. If the product will be handled frequently, stored in the fridge, or exposed to moisture or oils, a larger label can help ensure it stays in place. It also gives space for important care or usage information.

For retail items, consider shelf visibility. A label that’s too small may get overlooked. For e-commerce products, shipping labels should be large enough to display barcodes and addresses clearly, especially for courier scanning.

8. Order Samples or Print Mock-ups

One of the best ways to confirm your label size is to order a sample sheet or print mock-ups on paper to test on your packaging. This gives you a clear idea of how the label will look and feel in real-life use.

Apply the label to the product, check alignment, and see if it sits properly. This hands-on approach helps avoid mistakes and ensures that your final label order meets expectations.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right label size is about more than just picking something that fits. It’s about balancing appearance, readability, application, and practicality. By carefully measuring your packaging, planning your design, and considering how your label will be printed and used, you can choose a size that supports your branding and meets your operational needs.

A well-sized label looks professional, communicates clearly, and sticks where it should—helping your product stand out on the shelf or arrive safely to your customer’s door.