5 Expert Tips for Crafting Premium Wine Labels: From Design to Print Performance

1. Paper or Stock: The Foundation of Quality

Paper weight and texture speak before the branding does.
A thin or overly smooth stock can make even the best wines feel generic. The best wine labels use heavier, tactile papers such as Tintoretto Gesso or Cotton Extra White, which convey authenticity and craftsmanship.

Textured surfaces like Super Pearl Opaque hold ink beautifully, enhance foil depth, and bring a hand-crafted feel that consumers associate with quality.

Tip: Always test your chosen stock under real lighting and against your bottle colour. Paper tone can subtly shift the overall design mood.

2. Adhesive: The Quiet Performer

Even the most beautiful wine label loses its impact if it doesn’t stay securely in place. Just as paper defines the feel, adhesive determines how well it endures.

High-tack permanent adhesives provide a strong, lasting bond on glass bottles, even through bottling lines, cold storage, and ice bucket conditions. They prevent edge lift and bubbling, keeping labels firmly in place throughout service.

For wineries prioritising sustainability, wash-off adhesives allow easy label removal during recycling, ensuring bottles can be reused or reprocessed without residue - combining performance with environmental responsibility.

Tip: Match adhesive to both surface and temperature conditions. Premium wine labels demand performance as well as beauty.

3. Finishes: Subtlety Over Shine

The finish defines the tone of your brand. Too much gloss feels mass-produced; subtlety feels sophisticated.
For luxury appeal, opt for ultra-matt or soft-touch varnishes, then layer in selective hot foil or embossing to add contrast and texture.

A standout example of this approach is the label we recently produced for MydFlower, a wild wine brand designed by Kingdom & Sparrow. Controlled foiling and texture were used to create depth without overpowering the illustration.

At Label Apeel, we specialise in Luxury wine labelling, using high-build varnish, foil, embossing and many more finishes to create tactile highlights that invite touch and never glare.

Tip: The right finish can elevate your brand. Ask our team for advice on balancing texture and shine to keep your label striking yet refined.

Our print experts can advise on the optimal combination of materials, adhesives, and finishes to ensure your labels perform flawlessly and elevate your brand presentation. Contact our team

4. Design Style: Simple Design, Powerful Story

Strong design doesn’t rely on noise or excess detail. A clear, well-structured layout allows the brand to speak for itself.

Focus on hierarchy, the visual order that guides the eye from the brand name to the variety and supporting details. Balanced spacing and clean typography create a sense of confidence and quality that draws attention naturally.

Tip: Storytelling succeeds when design and production work hand in hand. Bring your printer into the creative stage early. The right material and finish choices can turn a good design into a story that lives on the bottle.

5. Alignment and Registration: The Mark of Precision

In premium label printing, precision defines quality. Even the smallest deviation - a misaligned foil, an off-centre emboss, or an uneven die-cut can disrupt the sense of balance and craftsmanship.

Tip: Choose your label printer carefully. Precision printing depends on expertise, technology, and attention to detail; the elements that turn a good label into a truly premium one.

At Label Apeel, perfect registration isn’t optional; it’s a standard. Every detail is measured, reviewed, and refined to ensure the final label feels intentional and flawlessly executed.

Request our portfolio to see the precision behind our label printing, or Contact us to discuss your next project.