Waterproof Labels

Waterproof Labels and Stickers

4.7214 reviews

Orders from £6.11 ex VAT (£7.33 inc VAT) plus delivery

Create custom waterproof labels and stickers online with instant, no-obligation pricing.

Custom waterproof labels and stickers printed in the UK on durable vinyl that survives water, oil, fridges and outdoor use. Smudge and tear resistant with strong permanent adhesive, ideal for bottles, jars, cosmetics and equipment. Full colour in any size or shape, on sheets.

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Check your proof before you order
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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.
Live production times and full delivery details →
Gloss vinyl - Permanent specification
DetailSpecification
Face FilmCalendered Vinyl
Face FinishGlossy
Gauge (ISO 2286-3)100 micron nominal
Tensile Strength50N/15mm MD / 48N/15mm TD nom.
Elongation at break180% MD nominal
AdhesivePermanent solvent-free acrylic
Adhesion to glass 20 mins13N/25mm nominal
Adhesion to glass 24 hour20N/25mm nominal
Application temperature+10°C to +50°C
Service temperature-20°C to +100°C

About Gloss vinyl - Permanent

Our standard white gloss vinyl is the workhorse of the range: a 100 micron white PVC film with a bright, smooth surface that prints sharp, saturated colour and a clean gloss finish. It is fully waterproof, so print will not run or smudge when wet, and the film shrugs off oil, grease, fridges, freezers and everyday knocks. Outdoors it is rated for around five years before the colours start to soften.

This is the material most of our customers choose for product labels, packaging, bottles and jars, logo stickers and general labelling around a workshop or kitchen. If you need to write on a label you can, with a permanent fine-tip marker, which is handy for batch codes and dates.

The adhesive is a permanent solvent-free acrylic. It grips smooth and lightly textured surfaces firmly within 24 hours and is designed to stay put for years. It is not intended for very low-energy plastics such as polypropylene tubs or ABS: for those, look at our high tack vinyl. Labels are supplied on sheets with a gap between each one, so they peel off individually.

Description

Waterproof labels & stickers, printed on a gloss or matt vinyl

Custom printed waterproof labels and stickers for both business and home users, made in the UK on self-adhesive waterproof vinyl. Supplied on sheets in a gloss or matt finish, with a permanent or removable adhesive - truly multi-purpose and built to last.

Printed to resist water, oil, fridges and the outdoors, our waterproof stickers won’t smudge when wet and stay UV resistant for many years. If you need to write on them you can, with a permanent fine-tip marker, so it’s easy to add batch codes or personalise them even further.

As the most cost-effective waterproof stickers we produce, they come in a wide selection of handy shapes and sizes. We cut every label to the exact measurements you provide using precise cutting technology, giving you the freedom to choose any size you like. All material is in stock, and your labels are produced and dispatched as soon as you approve your proof. Looking for see-through labels? Clear waterproof labels are available too. The full specification for each material is shown in the designer above when you select it.

Fully waterproof

Survives water, oil, fridges, freezers and outdoor use without peeling.

Long-lasting colour

Bright, fade-resistant print that stays sharp for years, indoors or out.

Sticks to anything

Strong permanent adhesive grips glass, plastic, metal and card.

Any size or shape

Rectangle, square, circle, oval or a custom die-cut, gloss or matt.

What waterproof really means: read the guide

The three layers that make a label waterproof, how it copes condition by condition from fridges to dishwashers, gloss or matt, and sizing for wet containers.


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

  • Bottles, jars and cosmetics
  • Food packaging and drinks
  • Candles and toiletries
  • Outdoor signage and events
  • Asset and equipment labelling
  • Kitchen and ingredient organisation
  • Warning and property labels
  • School supplies and personalisation
Printed in the UKon premium waterproof materials
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.


Where waterproof labels earn their keep

Because the print is sealed into a waterproof vinyl rather than sitting on paper, these labels go where ordinary stickers fail: wet, cold, greasy, sunny or simply handled every day. These are the jobs our customers order them for most.

Product labels for bottles, jars and tubs

Cosmetics, candles, sauces, drinks, cleaning products and toiletries all spend their lives in bathrooms, kitchens and fridges. A waterproof label keeps its colour through condensation, splashes and hand cream, and it will not lift at the corners after a week on the shelf. Choose gloss for a bright, shelf-ready finish or matt for a softer, more premium look, and add a permanent marker to hand-write batch codes or best-before dates.

Warnings, hazard notices and property information

A notice that has to be read has to be seen, and a large waterproof sticker is often the clearest way to put a warning where it is needed: on machinery, gates, bins, electrical cabinets, hazardous storage and site entrances. Print bold text in any size, stick it directly to the surface and it stays legible through rain and washing down. The same approach works for property information, contact details on equipment and “private” or “no parking” markers.

Events, promotions and short-run advertising

Waterproof stickers make cheap, fast advertising for a launch, an open day or a seasonal offer. Print a batch with the date and details, hand them out or fix them to packaging, bags and windows, and they survive the weather until the event is over. Because you can order from a single label, a one-off run for a market stall or a club event costs no more than the labels themselves.

Exhibitions, banners and display

At a show or fair you often need to add a stand number, a QR code, a price or a “sold” marker to a banner, board or product at the last minute. A waterproof sticker fixes cleanly to banner material, foamboard and painted surfaces and can be swapped for a fresh one at the next event, leaving the banner itself untouched.

Around the home, school and workshop

Name labels for lunchboxes, water bottles and PE kit that go through the dishwasher and washing machine; jar and container labels for the pantry, freezer and utility room; tool, drawer and storage labels in the garage; plant labels in the greenhouse. Anywhere a paper label would turn to mush, a waterproof one keeps working, and because they are supplied on sheets with a gap between each label they are easy to peel and apply one at a time.

Whatever the use, the process is the same: choose your size and shape, pick gloss or matt, design online or upload your artwork, and approve your proof. Your labels are printed to order in the UK and dispatched on a tracked DPD service.


Frequently asked questions

Are these labels fully waterproof?

Yes. They are printed on water-resistant materials and finished so they survive water, oil, fridges, freezers and outdoor use without smudging or peeling.

What material do you print these on?

A premium, heavyweight self-adhesive vinyl chosen purely for durability - a nice thick, hard-wearing film that far outlasts thin economy vinyls. It’s available in both a matt and a gloss finish, so you can pick the look you want without giving up on toughness.

What inks do you use, and how are they printed?

Long-lasting eco-solvent inks, which bond into the vinyl for excellent water, scratch and UV resistance so your labels stay sharp for years indoors or out. Every order is printed on our highest-quality print setting for the best possible detail and colour - never a fast throughput mode that trades quality for speed.

Can I order any size or shape?

Absolutely. Set any width and height, choose a rectangle, square, circle, oval or a custom die-cut shape, and we cut to your exact spec.

What is the minimum order?

Just one. Order a single label or thousands, and the price per label drops as your quantity grows.

How quickly will I get my labels?

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

Can waterproof labels go in the freezer?

Yes. The vinyl is rated from -20 to +100 degrees. Apply the label at room temperature to a dry container, leave it 24 hours for the adhesive to bond fully, and then freeze. Labelling a container that is already frozen or wet is what causes edges to lift.

Will waterproof labels survive a dishwasher?

The film and print will for a while, but repeated hot cycles with detergent are the hardest test for any adhesive edge. For items washed daily, choose our laminated vinyl labels, which seal the print under a clear protective film.

 

Waterproof labels guide

What "waterproof" actually means for a label

Plenty of labels are sold as waterproof. Some survive a splash, some survive a dishwasher, and the difference is in three layers: the film, the ink and the adhesive. Ours are printed on 100 micron PVC vinyl with eco-solvent inks that cure into the film and a permanent acrylic adhesive, which is why they cope with fridges, freezers, hot-fill jars and years outdoors. This guide sets out what that means condition by condition, so you can match the label to where it will live.

The three layers

  • Face film. The 100 micron PVC does not absorb water, so it will not swell, wrinkle or go soft the way paper does. It also does not tear when wet.
  • Ink. Eco-solvent ink bites into the vinyl surface rather than sitting on top of it. Once cured it does not run, smudge or lift with water, oil or handling. It resists UV for years, which is what keeps colours from fading outdoors.
  • Adhesive. A permanent acrylic that reaches full strength after 24 hours and is unaffected by water once bonded. The one thing it cannot do is bond to a wet or cold surface in the first place, so labels go on dry and at room temperature.

Paper labels marketed as "water-resistant" are usually a coated paper. The coating sheds a splash, but the paper underneath still wicks water in from the cut edge, and the print is on the coating, not in it. That is fine on a dry shelf and useless in a fridge.

Cross-section of a waterproof vinyl label with water beading on the surface Water beads and drains off Ink cured into the film Film: 100 micron PVC Adhesive: permanent acrylic Surface Nothing reaches the ink or the bond.
Vinyl construction, exaggerated for clarity. Because the film is non-porous and the ink is in the film rather than on it, water has nothing to soak into.

Condition by condition

ConditionStandard vinyl (this product)What to know
Splashes, wiping, humid roomsNo problemBathrooms, kitchens, greenhouses. Wipe with a damp cloth as often as you like.
Fridge and condensationNo problemApply at room temperature and let the bond set for 24 hours before chilling.
Freezer to -20 degreesRatedService temperature runs from -20 to +100 degrees. Label before freezing, not after.
Hot-fill jars and warm equipmentRated to 100 degreesLet the jar cool below 50 degrees before applying, or apply first and fill after.
Full immersion, ice buckets, boatsWithstandsThe film and ink are unaffected. Edges lift only if the surface was dirty or oily when applied.
Outdoors, direct sunAround 5 yearsUV-stable inks; expect colours to soften slowly after that. For longer, add lamination.
Dishwasher, repeated cyclesShort termHeat plus detergent plus jets is the hardest test. For items washed daily choose laminated vinyl.
Solvents, fuel, acetone, strong cleanersWill mark the printThe film survives; the ink softens. Laminated vinyl seals the print under a clear film.
Polypropylene tubs, powder coat, rough surfacesAdhesive may liftWaterproofing is fine; the bond is the issue. Use the high tack version.
The label is waterproof from the moment it is printed. The bond is not.

Almost every "my waterproof label came off" story is an application problem: a cold jar out of the fridge, a bottle still wet from rinsing, or a surface with skin oil on it. Dry, clean, room temperature, press from the centre, wait a day. Do that and the label outlasts the container.

Gloss or matt, white or clear

Both finishes on this page are the same 100 micron film and equally waterproof. Gloss gives deeper colour and wipes cleanest, so it is the default for bottles, jars and anything sold in a shop. Matt reads better under bright light, hides fingerprints and takes a permanent marker, which is why it suits ingredient panels, batch labels and anything you will write on. If you want the label itself to disappear on glass, the clear vinyl is the same construction in a transparent 70 micron film.

You can write on any of them with a fine permanent marker; ballpoints and date stamps will not take. For hand-written daily dates on dry goods, uncoated paper is the better tool.

Sizing for wet environments

  1. Stay on the straight section

    On a curved bottle or jar, keep the label within the straight-sided part and at least 5 mm clear of any curve or seam. A label bent over a shoulder is under constant tension and lifts first when it gets wet.

  2. Leave a gap on wraparounds

    A wrap should stop at least 10 mm short of meeting itself. Overlapping vinyl onto vinyl on a container that expands and contracts in a fridge is where edges peel.

  3. Round the corners

    Sharp corners catch and lift; a 2 to 3 mm radius does not. Every rectangle on the product page can have rounded corners at no cost.

  4. Keep text off the edge

    Hold text and logos inside the safe area the designer draws. Backgrounds run out to the bleed so no white edge shows when the label is cut.

  5. Test one

    Order a single label, apply it, and put the container through a week of real use. It costs less than a coffee and settles every question above.

4.7
Based on 214 reviews
Verified reviews from REVIEWS.io
Justin F.Excellent Service3 weeks ago

These waterproof labels are great for our purposes due to condensation being an issue sometimes. These labels mean we no longer need to worried.

Sylwia S.4 weeks ago

Great quality and fast delivery 😊😍

Tim H.Excellent quality2 months ago

This is the second time I have used this company and absolutely delighted with the final result. We produced small round stickers for our motorcycle tour and they are really great quality.

AnonymousGood stuff2 months ago

Really good quality labels

AnonymousGreat product3 months ago

Good quality, easy to use

Emlyn W.Brilliant4 months ago

High quality, great product - quite a long wait for a big order but that’s something you have to accept when you’re using a team of actual humans.

Jemima R.Perfect4 months ago

Perfect great service and open honest communication will definitely use again for product labels

Justin F.Great Product5 months ago

These were exactly what I needed, colour and print came out great, easy to peel/easy to stick... tops!

Victoria W.Highly recommend5 months ago

My go to for having product labels printed! Great friendly communication & the turn around time is pretty good when you factor in the quality of the end product. Highly recommend!

Andrew H.Great product, not so great communication.5 months ago

Labels are great, exactly what I’d wanted.

darnell f.Darnell Dre8 months ago

very pleased

Deborah J.Brilliant and respectful service11 months ago

Perfect insert for a remembrance wreath

Esther S.Perfect stickers1 year ago

Great finish on the waterproof stickers ordered. Put on motorcycle top box and stays perfect. Thanks.

AnonymousGreat and affordable labels1 year ago

The team went over and beyond to fulfil this order. And the quality of the labels is excellent. Really pleased with how they turned out. Thank you!!!

Rachel H.Brilliant service1 year ago

I’d definitely recommend sticky Things Ltd. The online tool was so easy to use. They offered a really flexible solution (I only wanted a small print run) and the service I received was excellent and very friendly. Absolutely brilliant

Joanne S.Waterproof stickers1 year ago

The waterproof stickers I ordered are amazing, Great quality, wonderful customer service and delivered so quickly. I will definitely be ordering from you again!! Thank you!!

Sarah P.Amazing Service Amazing Stickers1 year ago

From start to finish we had a great experience with Stickythings. We are a community Anti Solar Farm Group, we need stickers to help spread the word about two monstrous solar farms, threatening to cover our beautiful Island in Black Panels. Our events come up last minute. Vicky was absolutely amazing at processing our story at short notice. The quality of the stickers are 1st class. Prices affordable and very competitive. Easy to create your own artwork. Again at a reasonable price. The website is easy to use and navigate. We wouldn't go anywhere else!!

Martin W.Waterproof labels1 year ago

The labels were perfect - 8 different label designs split across the 100 labels requested. Label colours excellent.

Andrew C.Beer Labels1 year ago

I found the upload process easy and intuitive and was delighted with the MOQ and pricing. The product arrived and was exactly as I'd asked for. I'll be back for sure.

Gary W.1 year ago

Great labels at a great price. My only issue would be a bit more transparency on the delivery dates, but if you order in advance there are no issues! Will continue to order