Printing & Labeling FAQ

We offer four primary packaging customization services:

• Custom label printing: We print labels that you can apply in-house.
• Label printing and application: We print and apply the labels to your packaging before shipment, so it arrives ready to fill.
• Direct printing: Artwork is printed directly onto compatible packaging for a clean, integrated appearance.
• In-mold labeling: A printed label is integrated into select pop-top pre-roll tubes as the packaging is molded, creating durable, full-color, 360° graphics without a separate adhesive label.

Related custom-print projects may include flexible pouches, tamper bands, paperboard displays, and other specialty packaging. Available methods, materials, minimums, and artwork requirements depend on the product. For an overview of available custom packaging services, explore Customization Services.

With label printing, the labels are supplied separately for you or another partner to apply.

With label application, we coordinate the label printing and apply the finished labels to your packaging. This can reduce vendors, production steps, and in-house labor.

With direct printing, ink is applied directly to the package instead of to a separate label. The specific process may be digital direct print, screen printing, or another package-compatible method.

With in-mold labeling, a printed label is integrated into select pop-top pre-roll tubes as the packaging is molded. This creates durable, full-color, 360° graphics without a separate adhesive label.

The best option depends on the package material and shape, artwork, quantity, number of designs, desired appearance, compliance needs, and filling workflow.

Label printing and application are available for many of our:

• Pre-roll tubes
• Glass jars
• Ocean Jars
• Screw-top lids
• PCR pop-top bottles
• Pre-roll multipacks
• Slider tins
• Sana Hemp Containers

Direct-print options are available for select tubes, lids, multipacks, tins, and other compatible products.

In-mold labeling is available for select pop-top pre-roll tubes. The printed label is integrated into the tube as it is molded, creating durable, full-color, 360° graphics without a separate adhesive label.

Custom flexible pouches, tamper bands, and paperboard displays use their own product-specific printing processes.

Not every customization method is compatible with every material, color, or package shape. Confirm the current options for your exact product during quoting.

To compare eligible packaging, explore Pre-Roll Tubes, Cannabis Jars & Lids, Cannabis Containers & Bottles, Pre-Roll Multipacks, Flexible Cannabis Packaging, and Cannabis Packaging Add-Ons.

Labels are generally the more flexible option. They can accommodate a wide range of containers, materials, finishes, specialty treatments, and multiple product designs.

Label application is useful when you want to reduce in-house labor and receive packaging that is already branded and ready to fill.

Direct printing creates an integrated appearance without a separate label. However, it is limited to compatible package materials, shapes, print areas, artwork, quantities, and production methods.

In-mold labeling integrates a printed label into select pop-top pre-roll tubes as they are molded. It creates durable, full-color, 360° graphics without a separate adhesive label but typically requires larger order quantities.

If you are unsure, submit the package, quantity, number of designs, artwork, and desired appearance for review. Samples and printed proofs may also help with the decision.

Yes, custom labels can be ordered separately from packaging for in-house application.

Customer-supplied labels may be eligible for application, but they must be reviewed before production. Label dimensions, material, adhesive, roll direction, roll diameter, core size, spacing, quantity, and production overage can all affect equipment compatibility.

Applying labels to packaging supplied by another company is also project-specific. Samples of the container and label may be required for testing.

Available label stocks may include:

• White BOPP film
• Clear BOPP film
• Paper and kraft paper
• Other product-specific film or paper constructions

Available finishes and treatments may include:

• Matte lamination
• Gloss lamination
• Soft-touch finishes
• Metallic effects
• Spot UV
• Foil embossing

Availability depends on the label construction, artwork, package, quantity, printing partner, and application requirements. Specialty finishes may affect minimums, pricing, proofing, and lead time.

Paper, kraft, and other material options may be available, but a label should not be described as compostable or recyclable based only on its face stock.

The complete construction includes the printable material, adhesive, coatings, inks, and release liner. A compostable face material paired with a conventional adhesive does not automatically create a certified compostable label.

Labels can also affect whether a recycling or composting program accepts the finished package. Ask for documentation for the exact construction and confirm applicable local requirements before making an environmental claim. For broader guidance on materials, claims, and end-of-life pathways, explore Sustainability.

Label performance depends on more than size. Important factors include:

• Container material and surface energy
• Curves, tapers, seams, and surface texture
• Label stock and adhesive
• Application pressure and alignment
• Filling temperature
• Moisture, oils, condensation, and product residue
• Storage and transportation conditions

Some pop-top bottles and tubes have tapered sidewalls, so their templates use curved labels rather than standard rectangles. A rectangular label applied to a tapered package may wrinkle, lift, or appear misaligned.

Test the proposed label on the actual package under realistic filling, storage, and transportation conditions before production.

Use the current template for the exact product, size, and customization method you are ordering. Containers with similar names or dimensions may have different decoration areas, tapers, closures, and application tolerances.

A label template and a direct-print template for the same product may also have different printable areas. Do not convert between them by assuming the dimensions are interchangeable.

If your project includes multiple packages, prepare a separate artwork file using the correct template for each product.

Unless the product-specific template says otherwise, artwork should generally be supplied as an editable vector file in Adobe Illustrator, EPS, or a production-ready PDF.

Artwork preparation should include:

• Convert all fonts to outlines.
• Embed linked images.
• Use CMYK rather than RGB.
• Use high-resolution raster images, generally 300 dpi at final size.
• Extend backgrounds through the required bleed.
• Keep important text and graphics inside the safety area.
• Keep artwork and production lines on separate layers.
• Do not alter the dieline, scale, or orientation.
• Preserve designated spot colors when required.
• Supply separate files for different products or SKUs when requested.

Always follow the instructions in the exact template because flexible pouches, labels, direct printing, displays, and specialty effects may require different file preparation.

If your artwork is not production-ready, indicate that on the RFQ and submit the best available source files.

File preparation, template placement, minor adjustments, or additional design support may be available depending on the project. More extensive design work, rebuilding artwork, creating white-ink separations, or preparing multiple SKUs may require additional time and fees.

Artwork assistance does not include legal or regulatory approval. The customer remains responsible for the final content and required compliance information.

The cut line represents the intended finished edge of the label or printed piece.

The bleed extends artwork beyond the cut line so that small production variations do not leave an unintended white edge.

The safety area sits inside the cut line. Important text, logos, regulatory information, and barcodes should remain inside this area so they are not trimmed, distorted, or placed too close to an edge.

Direct-print templates may also show a maximum print area, seams, curves, folds, closures, or areas that cannot receive ink. Always preserve the production layers and use the dimensions shown in the approved template.

Yes. Clear and metallic constructions often require additional production layers or spot-color separations.

For example, a clear label may need a separate white-ink layer wherever the artwork should appear opaque. Areas without white ink may remain transparent or interact visually with the package color.

Metallic effects may be created with a specialty material, foil, ink, or treatment. The artwork must identify where the effect should appear. Do not simulate white ink, metallic effects, or transparency by flattening them into a standard CMYK image.

Confirm the required layer names, spot colors, and separation instructions before finalizing the artwork.

Yes. A digital proof is provided for approval before production begins. Digital proofing is generally used to confirm:

• Artwork placement and orientation
• Dieline and print area
• Copy and SKU
• Bleed and safety positioning
• White or specialty separations
• Basic production setup

A digital proof is not a guaranteed color match to a monitor, desktop printer, or previous production run. Screens and office printers represent color differently from production inks and substrates.

Press proofs may be available when a physical color, material, or finish review is important. They can add cost and time. Production does not begin until the final proof is approved.

Artwork should use high-contrast, production-quality barcodes and QR codes. Vector barcodes are preferred. Leave the required quiet area around the code and avoid placing it across a seam, curve, perforation, fold, or highly reflective treatment.

Test every code at its final printed size on the actual finished package. Curvature, transparency, metallic finishes, print gain, and surface glare can affect scanning.

Proofing confirms production setup, not legal compliance. Customers are responsible for confirming that the package and label contain all required warnings, symbols, statements, testing information, and market-specific content.

Minimums depend on the product, print method, label stock, finish, application requirements, and production partner. Some product specifications list a 5,000-unit minimum for label application, but there is no universal minimum across all projects.

Multiple SKUs can often be included in a production order. The available split depends on:

• Total quantity
• Quantity per design
• Package and label size
• Printing method
• Material and finish
• Full packaging case quantities
• Minimums imposed by the production process

Label-application quantities may need to be ordered in full case quantities. Provide both the total quantity and quantity per SKU when requesting a quote.

Pricing depends on:

• Package and quantity
• Label dimensions
• Label stock and adhesive
• Matte, gloss, soft-touch, or specialty finish
• Direct-print method and number of printed areas
• Total number of designs
• Quantity per design
• Artwork preparation
• Label application
• Proofing requirements
• Packaging handling and freight

Labels, application, and the blank package may appear as separate parts of the quote. A generic service unit price does not represent every project. Submit an RFQ for a complete package-specific quote.

Many label printing and application projects require approximately three to four weeks after final proof approval. Artwork preparation, proof revisions, production scheduling, and shipping are not included in that window.

To be safe, plan at least six weeks between placing the order and the date you need the packaging. Projects involving specialty materials, complex finishes, press proofs, multiple components, or unusually large quantities may take longer.

Production timing begins after payment requirements are met, artwork is complete, and the final proof is approved. Confirm the current estimated completion date before committing to a launch or filling schedule.

Explore Customization Services, then submit the Printing & Labeling RFQ with:

• Company and contact information
• Shipping destination
• Exact package and size
• Total order quantity
• Number of SKUs
• Quantity per SKU
• Whether the artwork is production-ready
• Artwork files, if available
• Desired label material
• Matte or gloss lamination
• Metallic effects, spot UV, foil embossing, or other treatments
• Whether label application is required
• Target delivery date
• Any special production or packaging requirements

When labeling multiple products, submit a separate RFQ for each package so we can review the template, quantity, finish, and application requirements accurately.

A typical project follows this sequence:

1. We review the product, quantity, artwork, finishes, and application requirements.
2. We prepare a quote and confirm the correct template.
3. Production-ready artwork is submitted and preflighted.
4. A digital proof is prepared.
5. You review and approve the final proof.
6. Labels or printed components enter production.
7. Label application is scheduled when applicable.
8. The customized packaging is completed and shipped.

Application projects may move through stages such as awaiting labels, awaiting scheduling, in progress, complete or partially shipped, and shipped.

For a reorder, provide the previous order number, exact package, quantities, SKU list, and final approved artwork. Files may remain available from an earlier project, but the package, dieline, copy, color, material, and production specifications should still be reconfirmed before reprinting. Do not assume that a previous file will be reproduced without a new review.

For related guidance on printed tamper bands, displays, inserts, and other components, explore the Add-Ons FAQ. You can also return to the Frequently Asked Questions hub.

Related guides: Custom 116mm Pre-Roll Tubes: Labels, Artwork & Ordering; How to Plan Flexible Cannabis Packaging for a Product Launch.