Top Label Questions Canadians Ask - Answered
Picture this: you’ve got a fantastic product, you’ve built your brand, and the shelf is the new stage. Now you need a label that not only looks great, but performs in Canada: across provinces, weather conditions, bilingual requirements, and budget constraints. If you’ve ever Googled things like custom label printing Canada or waterproof labels Canada, you’re in the right place.
1. What materials should I use for my labels?
Selecting the wrong material can lead to peeling, fading, or ink smudging - and that means brand damage at the shelf. For Canadian conditions (cold storage, moisture, outdoor exposure) the right material is crucial.
Key questions & answers
Paper vs film vs vinyl vs BOPP labels: Paper is cost-effective for indoor usage; film or BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene) are more durable and ideal for moisture, chemicals or freezer conditions. BOPP is excellent for waterproof, oil-resistant, tear-resistant uses.
Adhesive matters: If your product will be chilled, frozen or handled wet, you’ll need a more aggressive adhesive or one designed for cold-temp use.
Finish and longevity: A gloss or film surface will handle wear better than uncoated paper.
What to tell your supplier
“Our packaging is going into freezer + cross-docked through the Prairies. We’re looking for custom labels that will withstand cold, moisture and still look premium.”
With Westkey Xibita, you can rest assured you’ll get a label that sticks, lasts & expresses the brand.
2. What printing technologies are available, and which should I choose?
How you print your labels drives cost, minimum quantities, turnaround time and finish quality.
Options
Flexographic printing: Best suited for high volumes with consistent quality, ideal for large runs (retail, national distribution).
Digital label printing: Great for lower minimums, faster turnaround, variable data (e.g., batch numbers or promotions). This is the go-to for craft or new brands.
Sheet labels vs roll labels: Sheets are generally used for manual application, while rolls are most often used for automated production lines).
How to apply it
If you are a startup or local brand testing product-market fit, start with lean digital and smaller runs. If you’re a chain distributor or national brand, traditional flexo printed labels might deliver better unit cost. At Westkey Xibita, we’ll help you decide which printing technology fits your volume, budget and brand timeline, and then print it right here in Canada.
3. What size, shape and finish should my label be?
Labels are your brand handshake. If the size, shape or finish is off, it may look cheap, or worse, not work on the packaging.
Things to consider
Size & shape: Fixed sizes are cheaper; custom die-cut shapes add cost but also shelf impact.
Finish: Gloss vs matte vs satin. Also laminate or varnish (especially important for durability).
Packaging surface: Curved bottles, squeeze containers, irregular surfaces may demand special die or materials.
Advice
Prototype first. Run a mock-up on your actual packaging to ensure fit, adhesion and look. Be sure to ask for sample options to show what the label will look like in real use.
4. What Canadian regulatory or compliance questions do I need to know?
Labels that don’t comply with Canadian regulations risk fines, recalls, or simply being pulled from shelves. Make sure you are up to date on labeling requirements in Canada.
Key regulations
The Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act (CPLA) governs labelling of pre-packaged consumer products in Canada.
The federal guide on “Quality levels for labels” outlines standards for print and finishing for government procurement.
Bilingual requirement: Many consumer-facing labels must have both English & French text to meet federal regulations.
At Westkey Xibita we're your Canadian label-compliance partner. We understand language requirements, print quality and federal regulations from the outset, and we’ll build bilingual proofing, content check and finish spec into the quote so you avoid costly reprints or compliance delays.
5. How much do custom labels cost and what affects the price?
Cost drivers
Material type: Paper is cheaper; film/BOPP, vinyl etc cost more.
Printing method: Digital with no plates costs more per unit for large runs; flexo printing is better for higher volumes.
Finish & special effects: Foil stamping, embossing, tactile varnishes add cost.
Shape & size: Custom shapes and large sizes cost more and may require more waste or longer set up.
Minimum order quantity (MOQ): Smaller runs cost more per label.
At Westkey Xibita we’ll run the numbers with you and show you the cost impact of materials, finishes and runs - so you can control your budget and avoid surprises.
6. How do design and branding tie into my label strategy?
Design tips
Use the correct colour mode (CMYK for print; Pantone for brand colours) to ensure colour accuracy.
Ensure artwork is high resolution (300 dpi) and pre-press friendly (add bleed where required, include die lines, safe zones, etc.).
Make sure readability is good (font size, contrast) especially for bilingual text.
Think about shelf impact: Does your label need to pop on a shelf of competitors? Extra finishes can help.
How we provide value
At Westkey Xibita we don’t just print - we help you design. We'll review your artwork for printability, compliance, material suitability and brand fidelity, and provde mock-ups to confirm how it looks on real packaging.
7. How can I order, manage inventory, and reorder labels efficiently?
Labels are not a one-and-done cost. It's important not to underestimate the value of inventoried product, re-order management, and warehousing.
Key points
Short vs large runs: If you test the market, maybe start small; if you’re national, you might need larger runs and warehousing.
Print + store + ship model: Warehousing your product allows you to print & store now and ship labels to your assembly plants when needed.
Version control: Be sure to manage SKUs, branding updates, and packaging changes - so you don’t print obsolete
Client benefits
At Westkey Xibita our label department & warehousing capabilities make us your full-service label partner in Canada. You don’t need multiple vendors!
8. Sustainable & eco-friendly label options
Trends & options
Use of FSC-certified paper or compostable facestocks.
Film/film-free options that are easier to recycle, i.e compostable labels.
Trade-off: the more sustainable the material/adhesive, sometimes the higher the cost or the shorter the lifespan - so it's important to match sustainability with performance.
Our value proposition
At Westkey Xibita we use eco-friendly label materials, aligned with Canadian recycling standards, without sacrificing brand or quality. We'll show you what switching to compostable label stock will mean in terms of cost and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I print only 100 labels in Canada? Yes! If you select digital short‐run options; you don’t always need large minimums.
How do I apply labels to curved or irregular surfaces? Let’s discuss material, die-cut and adhesive options suited for your packaging.
Do I need to proof labels before print? Absolutely! Proofing prevents costly mistakes (text miss, bleed errors, wrong material).
What if I change packaging next year? We’ll build version control and reorder strategy into your plan so you don’t waste old stock.
What’s the shelf-life of a roll of labels in storage? Ask your supplier: material, adhesive and storage conditions affect longevity.
Ready to get your labels right the first time? Contact Westkey Xibita for a free Canadian label consultation and quote. We’ll walk you through material selection, print method, artwork review, inventory (print + warehouse + ship) and cost breakdown - all under one roof in Canada.
Let’s make your label work as hard as your brand!
