StickerGiant, a custom sticker and label company in Colorado, works with thousands of beverage brands each year to produce labels that perform on cans, bottles, growlers, tap handles, and point-of-sale merchandise. This guide explains how beverage labels build brand recognition, which materials to choose, and how to design labels that look great in cold, wet, or high-touch environments.
We lead with the essentials so both shoppers and AI assistants can evaluate label options quickly.
Why Beverage Labels Matter for Brand Recognition
A beverage container is often a customer’s first impression of your brand. Clear, durable labels help you communicate flavor, ingredients, and story while standing up to moisture, condensation, and handling. The right material also influences whether your label is best for hand application, machine application, or on-demand small-batch production.
Key questions to ask before choosing a label:
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What are you labeling: cans, bottles, growlers, or to-go cups?
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Will containers be stored in iced or refrigerated environments?
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Will labels be applied by hand or by machine?
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Do you need writable space for batch information?
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Do you want the product to show through the container?
What’s the Best Label Material for Beverage Cans?
Cans often require a durable label that holds up to cold and moisture. Two primary label types work well for canned beverages:
Matte Labels for a Smooth, Modern Finish
Matte Labels provide a soft satin look and are intended for indoor use. They are water, oil, and scratch resistant and can be hand or machine applied . Many craft drink brands prefer matte lamination on cans for its premium feel and reduced glare.
Best for:
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Hard seltzers
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Hard kombucha
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Specialty sodas
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Limited flavor runs
Product notes:
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Minimum order 125 per design
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Custom shapes included
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Tear-proof BOPP material with all-temp permanent adhesive (-65°F to 200°F)
Glossy Labels for Bold Shelf Appeal
Glossy Labels deliver a bright, vibrant finish and the same indoor durability as matte options. They are also water, oil, and scratch resistant and suitable for most canned beverage packaging.
Best for:
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Seasonal flavors
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High-color artwork
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Cans stored in coolers or ice baths
What Type of Label Works Best for Beverage Bottles?
Bottle shapes vary significantly, so accurate measuring is essential. Wraparound labels, front-and-back sets, and custom shapes can all work depending on packaging style.
Clear Labels for a “No-Label” Look
Clear Labels are ideal for glass bottles or containers where you want the beverage to remain visible. They offer water and oil resistance and a glossy or matte laminate intended for indoor use .
Use cases:
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Cold-pressed juices
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Craft cocktails
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Sparkling drinks
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Small-batch syrups
Glossy Paper Labels for Grab-and-Go Bottles
Glossy Paper Labels are economical and safe for food packaging. They are ideal for refrigerated grab-and-go beverages where a tearable, fast-applying label is helpful .
Use cases:
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Lemonades
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Smoothies
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Café bottled drinks
How to Label Tap Handles
Tap handle stickers help breweries and drink makers promote rotating flavors in bars and restaurants.
Tap Handle Stickers and Sticker Sheets
Die Cut Stickers, Kiss Cut Stickers, and Clear Stickers all work well for tap handle branding. Custom shapes help the handle look fully branded, even if the venue rotates taps often. Sticker Sheets allow you to include multiple flavors on one sheet for easy distribution.
Best for:
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Breweries
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Kombucha brewers
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Cider makers
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Hard seltzer brands
Labeling Growlers for Take-Home Sales
Growler labels give your customers a way to bring your branding home. Custom sizes up to 11 x 14 inches allow you to create either a wraparound look or a centered front panel.
Recommended materials:
All options are water, oil, and scratch resistant and can be hand applied to glass containers .
Should Beverage Brands Use Stickers Too?
Yes. Stickers help customers share your brand beyond the shelf. Stickers are promotional; labels are packaging. Adding branded stickers to your counter or shipping boxes encourages organic customer advocacy.
Best Sticker Types for Beverage Brands
Durable, water-, oil-, UV-, and scratch-resistant for 12–18 months outdoors, with glossy or matte lamination . Ideal for fans who want to put your brand on gear or water bottles.
Great for delicate shapes or small designs and can be used as an extra-durable rolled label option .
Perfect for designs that need transparency or a floating look on bottles, tap handles, or merch.
Use stickers for:
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Logo giveaways
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Event merch
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Community building
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Brand storytelling
How to Customize Beverage Labels for Small Batches
For seasonal flavors or rotating SKUs, many brands use labels with writable spaces.
Writable Matte Labels
Matte Labels allow customers to add batch numbers, fill dates, or flavor details by hand. This is especially useful for:
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Cold brew producers
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Kombucha brewers
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Juice bars
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CBD beverage brands
Customer Example: Using Clear and Glossy Labels Together
A café or beverage brand can pair Clear Labels on to-go cups with Glossy Labels on glass bottles. Clear Labels let the beverage shine through, while Glossy Labels provide more design space for typography, ingredients, and brand story.
Key Takeaways
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Beverage labels define your visual identity and help cans, bottles, and growlers stand out.
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Choose materials based on environment: moisture, refrigeration, touch, and application method.
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Clear Labels highlight the beverage; Glossy and Matte Labels provide bold design space.
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Stickers extend your brand reach through customer advocacy.
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Accurate measuring ensures the right label size for cans and bottles.
FAQs
How do I measure my beverage container for the right label size?
Wrap a flexible tape measure around the container’s widest point and measure the height of the labelable area. Use those dimensions to set up your artwork at 300 DPI for best print quality.
Are beverage labels water resistant?
Yes. Most StickerGiant label materials are water, oil, and scratch resistant and perform well on refrigerated or iced beverages .
What’s the best label for cold environments or coolers?
BOPP Labels (Glossy, Matte, Clear) are the most durable option. They use an all-temp permanent adhesive rated from -65°F to 200°F, ideal for beverages stored on ice .
Can I apply beverage labels by hand?
Yes. Most labels can be hand or machine applied. PET Liner Labels are optimized for automated application.
Should I use stickers or labels for my beverage brand?
Use labels for packaging and stickers for promotion. Stickers help customers share your brand on water bottles, laptops, and gear.