Label Materials
The substrate is the foundation of your label. Hover each material to see its best use cases.
Matte PaperPaper StockClassic uncoated paper with a natural, flat finish.Best for: Craft food, dry goods, wine, artisan products, anything with a handcrafted feel
Semi-Gloss PaperPaper StockA balanced finish between matte and full gloss — vibrant but not overly shiny.Best for: Food & beverage, general retail, everyday consumer products where quality matters
Gloss PaperPaper StockHigh-shine coated paper that makes colors bold and images vibrant.Best for: Food & beverage, retail products, anything needing maximum shelf impact
BOPP FilmPlastic FilmMoisture resistant, durable, and tear resistant polypropylene film.Best for: Beverage bottles, sauces, condiments, cosmetics — anywhere moisture is a factor
Clear BOPPPlastic FilmTransparent film that creates a "printed directly on the product" appearance.Best for: "No label look" on clear bottles, premium beverages, cosmetics, supplements
VinylDurable FilmHighly conformable, weather-resistant film that adheres to curved and uneven surfaces.Best for: Outdoor products, equipment labels, bins, containers, UV and weather resistance
Polyester (PET)IndustrialExtremely durable film resistant to chemicals, heat, abrasion, and UV exposure.Best for: Chemical drums, GHS labels, industrial equipment, high-heat environments
Metallic FoilPremiumGold or silver metallic substrate for premium, high-end product presentation.Best for: Premium spirits, luxury cosmetics, specialty food, high-end retail packaging
Label Finishes
Applied over the printed label to protect and enhance appearance. Hover to see when to use each finish.
Gloss LaminateHigh Shine
A clear high-gloss film laminated over the label providing excellent scuff, moisture, and chemical resistance with a brilliant shine.
Best for: Food & beverage, cosmetics, any product where vivid color and shelf impact mattersMatte LaminateFlat Finish
A flat, non-reflective film laminate that gives labels a premium understated look while providing strong protection against scuffing and moisture.
Best for: Craft brands, premium cosmetics, artisan food, products going for a sophisticated lookUV Varnish — GlossUV Coating
A liquid UV-cured coating applied directly to the printed label giving a high-gloss shine and surface protection. Cures instantly under UV light.
Best for: Food & beverage, retail products needing a shiny protective coat without full laminate costUV Varnish — MatteUV Coating
A UV-cured matte coating that protects the label surface with a flat, low-sheen finish. Smooth to the touch without the bulk of a laminate film.
Best for: Premium cosmetics, craft food, artisan brands wanting a refined flat finish with surface protectionHow You Receive Your Labels
We deliver labels in the format that works best for your production line or packaging process.
Rolls
For automated labeling lines. Core size and roll direction to your spec.
Sheets
Flat sheets for manual application or tabletop dispensers.
Die Cut
Labels cut to any custom shape — round, oval, square, or contour.
Knife Cut
Straight-edge cut for butt-cut applications on rolls or sheets.
String Tags
Hang tags with hole punched and string attached for retail and apparel.
UPC & Barcode Printing
We build and print barcodes in house — everything except registering the number itself.
UPC Barcode Printing
We build and print UPC barcodes in house and integrate them directly into your label artwork. All barcodes are verified for scan compliance before printing.
QR Code Printing
We build and print QR codes in house. Link to any URL, landing page, or product information. Sized and tested for reliable scanning on your label format.
Pier Tags
Printed pier tags for retail and distribution. Includes barcode, product info, and pricing fields. Formatted to standard retail specifications.
Barcode Integration
We incorporate your barcode directly into your label design so everything prints in one pass — no separate barcode sticker needed.
Important: We Cannot Register Your UPC Number
GS1 barcode numbers must be purchased and registered directly by the brand owner through GS1 US (gs1us.org). Once you have your registered GS1 number, we build and print the barcode for you. Contact GS1 US before your first retail product launch.
Don't see what you need?
We work with many additional materials, adhesives, and specialty substrates not listed here — including freezer-grade stocks, tamper-evident materials, and more. If you have a specific application or environment in mind, get in touch and we'll find the right solution for your product.
Central Tape and Label · Houston, Texas · Est. 1978
Central Tape and Label is a Houston, Texas flexographic label printing company specializing in custom labels for food and beverage, cosmetic, health and beauty, chemical, and industrial brands. We print on a wide range of label substrates including matte paper, semi-gloss paper, gloss paper, BOPP film, clear BOPP film, vinyl, polyester (PET), and metallic foil — available with gloss laminate, matte laminate, UV gloss varnish, and UV matte varnish finishes. Labels are available in rolls, sheets, die cut, knife cut, and string tag formats to fit any production line or packaging requirement. We also build and print UPC barcodes, QR codes, and pier tags in house for retail-ready products. Serving Houston, Harris County, and businesses across Texas and the Gulf Coast, Central Tape and Label has been a trusted custom label printer since 1978. For custom label printing in Houston TX, food label printing, cosmetic label printing, chemical label printing, GHS labels, industrial labels, or BOPP film labels, contact our Houston label printing team at 713-462-8585 or visit centraltapeandlabels.com.