There are times when you need clarity in your branding and messaging, and that time calls for a clear label.
Clear labels are some of the most versatile products we offer, with opportunities to let your brand shine through increased brightness and visibility. To get this type of label design optimized, however, you need to do a few things.
As you can see on the 
Tips For Setting Up A Clear Label
Clear products will print best with vector images, where a white layer of ink can be added behind your design, without interfering with your design and brand. This is needed to create an opaque layer that helps your colors pop. You can see this in play in the Cashew Later labels below. There is the red-and-yellow and the green-and-yellow sections of the label that really pop, but there is also a section of the label that is just clear with black text. The UPC symbol on the secondary label to the right in the photo has a layer of white to make sure that the code will scan at the point of purchase. This label mixes both color and transparency to create a bold piece of branding.
In the image below, you can see what the label looks like when it's applied to the product. The color of the dip itself really shines through the label because of how the design is built. Mixing color, text and different shapes helps this label design promote the product, while not overpowering the experience for the customer.
Other ways to use clear labels include focusing just on black-and-white typography, like in this cologne label and the tavern label below.
On this blu atlas eau de parfum label, it's a small square that attaches to a 1ML bottle, and the all-caps typography helps with legibility in a small scale. In all of these label use cases, the beauty of the clear label itself is that the edges are nearly seamless, and you can't see where the edge itself ends, so it blends into the container.
In this D.A. Long Tavern label, black and white are again the featured colors, but there is a design element of the person's face. This label setup allows for the clear substrate act as a platform for the artwork and the typography to showcase this brand.
If you're looking to learn more about how to set up clear labels, or how to apply clear labels, we have many resources on the website and our customer support team is ready to answer any questions. We have free custom shapes for your designs, and our clear labels are designed for indoor use with a moisture resistance, so you can be sure that they will hold up in cold cases and on windows.
TRY CLEAR LABELSStickerGiant, a custom sticker and label company in Colorado, produces Clear Labels that help brands highlight the product inside the container while keeping text and graphics sharp and legible. This guide explains how Clear Labels work, how to set up your artwork, and how to choose the right design approach for your packaging.
Clear Labels offer an almost invisible edge, high readability, and a water-resistant BOPP material suitable for indoor product packaging. They are widely used for food, beverages, cosmetics, candles, wellness, and other consumer goods.
What Are Clear Labels?
Clear Labels are printed on durable, transparent BOPP material with glossy or matte lamination. By adding or removing white ink behind specific artwork elements, you can create either opaque color or glass-like transparency. This control allows brands to highlight the product inside the container without sacrificing design clarity.
Key Specifications (machine-readable):
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Material: clear BOPP label material
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Finish: glossy lamination or matte lamination
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Adhesive: all-temp permanent (-65°F to 200°F)
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Durability: water, oil, and scratch resistant
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Application: hand-applied or machine-applied
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Formats: rolls only
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Minimum order: 125 labels per design
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Best for: glass containers, cosmetics, beverages, candles, wellness, and premium packaging
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Notable feature: micro perforations available for tamper-evident finishes
Why Use Clear Labels for Product Packaging?
Clear Labels allow brands to show off the natural color and texture of what’s inside the packaging. They soften the transition between label and container, making the design feel integrated and premium.
Common benefits include:
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Seamless, near-invisible edges
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Product-forward presentation for glass jars, bottles, and tubes
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Strong legibility with white ink reinforcement
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Moisture resistance suitable for refrigerated environments
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High-end look without specialty container printing
How To Prepare Artwork for Clear Labels
Start With Vector Artwork for the Cleanest Print
Vector files (AI, PDF, SVG) produce the sharpest results on Clear Labels because they allow the Art Team to accurately place white ink behind selected shapes or text. This is essential for creating opacity where needed.
Why white ink matters:
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It creates an opaque layer behind color so your design doesn’t fade into the background.
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It ensures UPC codes, ingredient lists, and fine typography remain readable.
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It lets you intentionally combine opaque elements with transparent ones for a layered effect.
When Should You Add a White Ink Layer?
Use white ink behind:
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Brand logos
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Small text and ingredient information
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Barcodes and UPC codes
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Bold color blocks
Leave white ink off when you want:
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A transparent window effect
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The product color to show through
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Minimalist black typography that reads directly on the container
Real Examples of Effective Clear Label Designs
1. Mixed Opaque Color + Transparency
A popular food brand uses Clear Labels to let the vibrant color of their dip show through the packaging. Their label combines:
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White-backed red, yellow, and green sections that pop
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Transparent zones allowing the product color to be visible
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A UPC code backed with white ink to ensure point-of-sale scanning accuracy
This approach creates a bold shelf presence while keeping the product itself at center stage.
2. Minimalist Black-and-White Typography
A fragrance brand applies a small Clear Label with all-caps black text on a 1 mL bottle. The simple design reads cleanly because the container itself becomes the backdrop. Clear Labels are especially useful at very small sizes because the edges disappear, creating a premium feel.
3. Clear Labels With Artwork Elements
A tavern brand uses clear material as a neutral canvas for a portrait illustration. The transparency around the artwork softens the edges, making the detailed illustration feel seamlessly integrated with the glass.
Common Questions To Guide Your Label Decision
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What are you labeling: food, cosmetics, beverages, candles?
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Is the container glass, plastic, or metal?
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Should the product color show through the design?
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Will the label face moisture, oil, or refrigeration?
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Do you need a tamper-evident micro perf?
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Will you apply labels by hand or machine?
Clear Labels are ideal when you want the container or product to visually participate in the design. For thick, highly textured surfaces or very small tubes, other materials like Glossy Paper Labels or Matte Labels may perform better.
Best Use Cases for Clear Labels
Food and Beverage Packaging
Clear Labels offer strong adhesion and water resistance, making them suitable for refrigerated dips, sauces, and juices.
Cosmetics and Skincare
They create a luxury aesthetic by showcasing product color through the container.
Candle and Home Goods
Clear Labels enhance glass jars without covering too much surface area.
Health and Wellness
Opaque text areas ensure regulatory details remain legible.
How To Apply Clear Labels
To get the best results:
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Clean the container thoroughly to remove oils.
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Apply the label slowly from one side to avoid trapped air.
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Use firm pressure, especially on curved surfaces.
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For machine application, select the correct roll orientation when ordering.
Key Takeaways
- Clear Labels blend into the container and highlight your product.
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Use white ink to create opacity behind logos, text, and color.
- Vector artwork ensures crisp edges and accurate white ink placement.
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Clear Labels are water resistant and ideal for indoor product packaging.
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Best for glass packaging and for brands that want product-forward design.
FAQs
Are Clear Labels water resistant?
Yes. Clear Labels are water, oil, and scratch resistant and hold up well in refrigerated environments.
What artwork files work best for Clear Labels?
Vector files such as AI and PDF provide the sharpest results and allow precise white ink control.
Can I use Clear Labels on glass jars and bottles?
Yes. Clear Labels are ideal for glass containers because the transparent material blends seamlessly with the surface.
Do Clear Labels work for barcodes and UPC codes?
Yes, as long as a white ink layer is placed behind the code for contrast and scannability.
Are Clear Labels good for cosmetics?
Yes. They provide a premium, minimal aesthetic that lets the product color show through.