A sticker costs very little and goes on everything you sell. A takeout bag, a box of pastries, a jar of honey or a candle tin all look more finished, and more trustworthy, with a clean label on them. For small food and product businesses in Brooklyn, labels are one of the cheapest ways to look like a bigger brand.

Here is how to choose the right one.

Stickers or roll labels?

They do similar jobs, but they are made for different workloads.

• Die-cut stickers are cut to the shape of your logo or design. They work well as giveaways, on bags and boxes, and on laptops and water bottles if customers keep them.
• Roll labels come on a roll, so they are faster to apply by hand or with a dispenser. If you label dozens of containers a day, a roll saves time.

A rule of thumb: if you are sealing bags at a counter all day, use roll labels. If you are handing something out, use stickers.

Pick the shape and size

• Round labels are the most common for takeout seals and jar lids.
• Rectangle or square labels fit product information, ingredients or a barcode.
• Custom shapes make your logo stand out, but keep fine details big enough to see.

Measure the actual container before you order. Stick a piece of paper cut to the size you want on it and look at it from arm's length. If the text is hard to read, go bigger or say less.

Choose the right material

Where the label lives decides the material.

• Paper is fine for dry goods, bags and boxes.
• Weather- or water-resistant material is better for anything that goes in a fridge, gets wet or is handled a lot, like drinks, sauces and ice cream.
• Clear labels let the product show through, which works well on glass jars and bottles.

Tell us what the label goes on and where it will be stored, and we will suggest a material.

What to print on a food or product label

• Your logo and business name.
• What the product is, if it is not obvious.
• Your phone number, website or Instagram handle, so customers can reorder.
• For packaged food you sell to the public, check what information your product needs to carry, such as ingredients, allergens, net weight and your business address. Rules depend on what you sell and where, so confirm with the city or state agency that oversees your business before you print a large run.

Seasonal and holiday labels

Labels are an easy way to make regular products feel special for the holidays, Ramadan or Eid: a round "Happy Holidays" or "Eid Mubarak" sticker on your usual box turns it into a gift. Order these early, because everyone needs them at the same time.

Tips before you order

• Send your logo in the best file you have (a vector or a large, sharp image).
• Leave a small margin around the edge, so nothing important gets cut off.
• If you need Arabic and English on the same label, tell us up front so the layout fits both.
• Order a little more than you think you need. Running out in the middle of a busy week is worse than having extras.

Frequently asked questions

Can I order labels in my logo's shape?
Yes. Ask for die-cut stickers and send us your logo.

Do you print labels for food containers?
Yes. Tell us what goes in the container and whether it is refrigerated, and we will suggest the right material.

Will I see the design first?
Yes. You approve a proof before anything prints.

How much do labels cost?
It depends on size, shape, material and quantity, so we quote each job.

Get a quote

Amana Printing has worked with businesses in Bay Ridge since 2005. Send us your logo, the size and the quantity on WhatsApp at (929) 290-6165, or call (718) 491-6456 for a quote. You approve a proof before we print, and we ship anywhere in the US. Or stop by the shop at 507 68th St, Brooklyn, NY 11220.