Frosted Labels

Frosted Labels – Silver Etch Finish

4.52 reviews

Orders from £11.22 ex VAT (£13.46 inc VAT) plus delivery

Design your own silver-etch frosted labels online and get an instant price.

Frosted labels with a silver etched-glass effect, printed in the UK for an elegant, understated finish. Ideal for cosmetics, candles, spirits and gifts where you want a premium, subtly translucent look. Waterproof vinyl with strong adhesive, cut to any custom size or shape.

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Delivery

  • DPD tracked delivery, £6.80 + VAT per order One delivery charge however many designs or items are in the order.
  • Made to order in 1 to 6 working days The clock starts the moment you order, because you approve your own proof on this page. Larger orders, and orders with several materials, can take longer.
  • Next working day to most of the UK once dispatched Two working days to the Scottish Highlands and islands, Northern Ireland and other offshore addresses. UK delivery only. DPD sends tracking and a delivery window on the day.
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Frosted Etch Vinyl - Permanent specification
DetailSpecification
Face FilmPolymeric matt calendered PVC, etched-glass effect
Face FinishTranslucent frosted (crystal etch)
Gauge70 micron nominal
Light transmission56% nominal
AdhesivePermanent solvent-based acrylic
Adhesion to glass 20 mins15N/25mm nominal
Adhesion to glass 24 hour20N/25mm nominal
Apply toGlass and smooth surfaces, wet or dry apply; not for low-energy plastics such as polypropylene
Application temperature+10°C to +50°C
Service temperature-30°C to +110°C
Fire ratingClass B - BS EN 13501-1; Class 0 - BS 476 pt 7
Durability7 years outdoor (unprinted, vertical exposure)

About Frosted Etch Vinyl - Permanent

Frosted etch vinyl is a 70 micron matt PVC with a crystal-etch surface that looks like sandblasted or acid-etched glass, with a fine metallic sparkle in the light. It is used on glass and clear plastic to give the etched look at a fraction of the cost: bottles and jars, glassware, mirrors, shop windows, doors and glass partitions, where it also makes the glass visible for safety. It is waterproof, scratch and UV resistant and rated for around five years outdoors.

The film is semi-transparent, passing roughly half the light, and our inks are translucent, so a design printed on it and stuck to a dark surface will be hard to see. For a design that stands out, choose white ink under your artwork in the designer and the white is printed first as a base; or print in white ink alone for a pure etched effect. Unprinted areas keep the frosted finish.

The adhesive is a permanent solvent-based acrylic that holds on glass, metal and smooth plastics. It is not suited to low-energy plastics such as ABS or car bumpers.

Description

Custom frosted labels & etched glass stickers, printed on silver-etch vinyl

Frosted labels with a silver etched-glass effect, printed in the UK on waterproof vinyl with a matt glitter finish and permanent adhesive - cut to any custom size or shape, from a single label upwards.

Our printed frosted labels give the look of real etched glass at a fraction of the cost. Made from a specialised matt vinyl with a fine silver crystal-etch effect, the metallic flakes catch the light for an understated, premium finish that suits cosmetics, candles, spirits and gifts.

Because we print with semi-transparent inks, these etched-look labels are at their best on glass, mirror, metal and aluminium, where the frosted film reads as subtle and classy. Print shows less on dark surfaces, so we can lay down a white ink layer behind your design if you need it to stand out.

Also known as etched decals or window manifestation, the same frosted vinyl works well on doors, partitions and glazing to mark the glass and help people avoid walking into it. There’s no minimum order, no set-up fee, and you can design online or upload print-ready artwork.

Real etched-glass look

A silver crystal-etch effect with fine metallic flakes gives the premium look of sandblasted glass without the cost.

Waterproof & durable

Printed on 70-micron matt vinyl with eco-solvent inks that are waterproof and offer scratch and UV resistance, indoors or out.

White ink option

Semi-transparent inks read best on glass; add a white ink layer behind your design so it shows on darker surfaces.

Any size or shape

Rectangle, circle, oval or a custom die-cut - supply your cutter guide and we cut frosted labels to match.

Etched glass without etching: read the frosted vinyl guide

How print behaves on a translucent frosted film, designing for candle jars and glassware, window manifestation for doors and partitions, and applying to glass.


How to order online

  1. 1
    Choose your options
    Pick your size, shape, material, finish and quantity - the price updates instantly.
  2. 2
    Add your artwork
    Upload a print-ready file or design it online in a few clicks.
  3. 3
    Approve & add to basket
    Check your live proof and order in a couple of clicks.

Popular uses for frosted labels

  • Cosmetic and skincare bottles
  • Candle jars and reed diffusers
  • Spirit, gin and wine bottles
  • Premium gift and hamper labels
  • Window and door manifestation
  • Glass partition safety markers
  • Mirror and glassware branding
  • Aluminium and metal product labels
Printed in the UKon waterproof silver-etch vinyl
Free instant proofsee your design before you buy
Order from just 1no minimum quantity

Our print guarantee

We print exactly what you approve, matched as closely as we can to your on-screen proof - with a natural tolerance for colour and material differences.

What we guarantee

  • Colour reproduced as closely as possible to your approved proof
  • Sharp, high-quality printing and clean, accurate cutting
  • Any printing, cutting or material fault is on us - we’ll put it right or reprint free

What’s down to you

  • Spelling, wording and layout in your artwork
  • Setting up white ink and clear areas correctly for your design
  • We can’t improve low-quality graphics - upload poor resolution and it will print at poor resolution
  • We print your design exactly as approved, so please check your proof carefully

By approving your proof you accept the following. Colour is reproduced as accurately as possible but cannot be guaranteed to match your screen, a printed sample or a previous order exactly. Differences between rich (full-colour) black and single black, colours sitting near the edge of the CMYK gamut, fine tints and slight variation between materials, finishes and print batches are a normal part of the printing process and may not be visible on your on-screen proof. These are considered within standard commercial print tolerance and are not classed as a fault. Where any question of print quality arises, StickyThings is the final arbiter of whether a job has printed correctly.


Frequently asked questions

What are frosted labels made from?

A specialised 70-micron matt calendered PVC vinyl with a silver crystal-etch effect and a permanent acrylic adhesive. The finish mimics sandblasted or etched glass, and the film is waterproof with around 5 years of external weathering.

Will my design show up on the frosted film?

We print with semi-transparent inks, so your artwork reads best on glass, mirror and light surfaces. On dark surfaces the print will be less visible - if needed we can add an opaque white ink layer behind your design, or print in white only. Order a free sample if you are unsure.

What surfaces do frosted labels stick to?

The permanent adhesive bonds to all smooth surfaces and looks especially good on glass, mirror, metal and aluminium. It will not hold on some low-energy plastics such as car bumpers and ABS, so test a sample first if you are unsure.

Can I use them for window manifestation and safety?

Yes. The same etched vinyl is widely used as window manifestation on doors, partitions and glazing so people can see the glass and avoid bumping into it - a useful health and safety measure in offices and shops.

Can I order custom shapes and sizes?

Absolutely. Enter any width and height for a standard shape, or supply a vector cutter guide for a bespoke die-cut. Labels are supplied on sheets as standard, with a minimum order of just one.

How quickly will I get my frosted labels?

Once you approve your PDF proof we get straight to print. For our current production and delivery times, please see our turnaround and delivery page.

Can frosted labels be used as window manifestation?

Yes. Frosted vinyl on clear glass is a common way to meet the requirement that large glazed doors and partitions are visible. Markings are expected at two heights, roughly 850 to 1,000 mm and 1,400 to 1,600 mm from the floor, as bands or repeated logos; check the guidance for your building.

Will colour print show on frosted vinyl?

Dark colours print clearly and pick up a soft sparkle from the film; light colours turn translucent and can vanish. For solid colour, ask for a white ink layer beneath the artwork. On a dark surface or dark liquid the frosted film reads as grey, so choose white or metallic vinyl there.

Frosted vinyl guide

The etched-glass look, and how to design for it

Frosted etch vinyl gives glass the appearance of sandblasting or acid etching without touching the glass. It is a 70 micron translucent film with a crystal-etch surface that lets about half the light through, so it softens what is behind it, catches the light with a fine sparkle, and makes clear glass visible. That last property is why the same material is used for both a premium candle jar and a safety marking on an office partition. This guide covers designing for a translucent film, the two very different jobs it does, and how to apply it to glass.

How print behaves on frosted film

Our inks are semi-transparent. On white vinyl the white film gives them their brightness; on frosted film there is no white behind them, so colours print as translucent tints and light colours all but disappear. Three approaches work:

  • Unprinted frosted. The film itself is the design: a frosted logo shape or band on clear glass, cut to your outline. This is the classic etched look and needs no ink at all.
  • Dark print on frosted. Black, navy or deep brand colours read clearly and pick up a soft metallic glint from the flake in the film. Good for names, dates and small logos.
  • White ink under colour. A white ink layer printed first where you want solid colour, then your artwork on top. The rest of the label stays frosted. This gives a full-colour design floating in a frosted panel.

Whatever the approach, the label only looks etched on clear or lightly tinted glass. On a dark surface or dark liquid the film reads as a grey patch and the print loses contrast; use a white or metallic vinyl there instead.

A frosted label on a clear glass candle jar, and a frosted manifestation band on a glass door HAVEN SEA SALT Candle jar 1.5 m Glass door manifestation
Left: dark print on a frosted panel gives a candle jar the etched look. Right: frosted bands and logos at two heights make a clear glass door visible, which is the safety requirement.

Two jobs, one material

JobTypical sizeDesignNotes
Candle jars, diffusers, spirits, cosmetics50 to 90 mmDark type or white ink under colourWaterproof and rated to 110 degrees, so fine on a burning candle jar
Glassware, mirrors, decanters30 to 60 mmUnprinted frosted logo, cut to shapeLooks engraved; dishwasher on a gentle cycle is tolerated, hand wash for longevity
Window manifestation on doors and partitionsBands 150 mm high or logos 50 to 100 mmUnprinted frosted shapes, often repeatedTwo heights, roughly 850 to 1,000 mm and 1,400 to 1,600 mm from the floor
Privacy panels and window graphicsUp to full sheetFrosted areas with clear cut-outs for logosLets light through, blocks the view; wet-apply large pieces
Shop window and door branding150 to 300 mmFrosted logo, or frosted with dark printRated around seven years outdoors; Class B fire rating for commercial glazing
Manifestation is a building requirement

Large areas of clear glazing that people could walk into must be made apparent. The building regulations and the Workplace Regulations expect markings at two heights, contrasting with the background seen through the glass from both sides. Frosted vinyl meets that on clear glass in most settings, and it is the cheapest way to make a partition or door compliant without replacing the glass. Check the specific guidance for your building before relying on it.

Applying frosted vinyl to glass

  1. Clean glass completely

    Glass cleaner, then a wipe with alcohol. Any smear or dust sits under the film and shows as a spot in the frosting.

  2. Small labels go on dry

    Up to about 100 mm, peel, position and press from the centre out. The adhesion figures on glass are strong: 15 N per 25 mm after 20 minutes, 20 N after a day.

  3. Large pieces go on wet

    Mist the glass with water and a drop of washing-up liquid, float the film into place, then squeegee from the centre to push the water out. Bubbles that remain clear in a day or two.

  4. Between 10 and 50 degrees

    A cold window in winter will not take the film; warm the room first. Once on, it is rated from -30 to +110 degrees.

  5. Glass and smooth surfaces only

    Frosted vinyl bonds to glass, acrylic, mirror and smooth painted or metal surfaces. It is not made for polypropylene or textured plastics.

4.5
Based on 2 reviews
Verified reviews from REVIEWS.io
Begam, A.

Lovely- not as opaque as I thought- but still does the job!

elaine h.

Perfect to customize my boxes