Comparing shrink sleeve, screen print, and PS label
Shrink Sleeve
Screen Print
PS Label
+ Full Container Coverage
+ Infinite Graphic Potential
+ Supports Complex Container Shapes
+ Premium Appearance
+ Improved Sustainability
+ Durability to Elements
+ No Secondary Label
+ Clean & Tidy Appearance
+ Infinite Graphic Potential
+ Budget-Friendly
+ Suitable for Flat Panels
What’s a shrink sleeve label?
A shrink sleeve label, often called a “shrink label” or simply “sleeve”, is a type of packaging label that is applied to a product container, such as a plastic bottle, glass jar, or aluminum beverage can, and then shrunk to conform tightly to the shape of the container using heat. These labels are made from a thin & flexible plastic material.
360-Degree Coverage: Shrink sleeves can cover the entire surface of a container from top to bottom, providing maximum real estate for brands to tell their story.
Durability: Shrink sleeves are resistant to moisture and can withstand mild to moderate abrasion, making them suitable for a wide range of products including food & beverage, personal care, and household.
Vibrant Graphics: The possibilities are endless as shrink sleeve labels enable high-resolution graphics & advanced printing techniques like tactile varnish, holographics, foils, matte, and gloss to help products stand out on the shelf.
Customization: Shrink sleeves can be customized in terms of size, shape, and design, allowing for creative and unique packaging solutions. Containers that have an unusual or complex shape & size are great candidates for a shrink sleeve.
Shrink sleeves have become a popular choice for brand owners looking to differentiate their products and improve shelf appeal by maximizing graphical capabilities & container coverage.
What’s a screen printed label?
Direct screen printing on bottles is a printing process used to apply graphics, text, logos, or other designs directly onto the surface of plastic bottles using UV-curable ink. This process is commonly used for labeling household products & chemicals, trigger spray bottles, cosmetics, health & beauty products, and personal care items.
Protection: While many PS labels can be damaged or even destroyed by exposure to moisture or a container’s liquid contents, direct screen print will continue to perform.
Sustainability: For brand owners looking to improve their product’s sustainability, direct screen print maintains the recyclability of the container without introducing a secondary label.
Elegance: There’s no denying the simple beauty & class of a screen printed bottle’s label-less appearance.
While screen printing doesn’t allow for as complex of graphics as sleeves or PS labels due to the nature of the technology, it does provide brand owners with a more sustainable package & a clean appearance that is especially resistant to the elements.
What’s a pressure sensitive (PS) label?
A pressure sensitive label, often referred to as a PS label, is a type of label that adheres to the surface of a container when pressure is applied. These labels are designed with an adhesive backing that is protected by a release liner or backing paper. When pressure is applied to the label, such as by pressing it onto a plastic bottle or jar, the label sticks to the container and then releases from the backing paper.
Versatility: Pressure-sensitive labels can be used on a wide range of surfaces and materials, including glass, plastic, metal, paper, and cardboard. This versatility makes them suitable for various packaging types and products, including flat surfaces & panels.
Customization: Pressure-sensitive labels can be easily customized in terms of size, shape, design, and color. This flexibility allows businesses to create unique and eye-catching label variations that match their branding and product requirements.
Budget-Friendly: Pressure-sensitive labels are often more cost-effective due to reduced size / container coverage and less expensive materials.
Overall, pressure-sensitive labels offer flexibility in container material, limited product coverage, and a budget-friendly solution for brands to consider.
