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TTB Beer Label Requirements: 8 Elements You Need on Craft Beer Labels

A great craft beer label has to do two jobs at once. It has to catch a shopper’s eye on a crowded shelf, and it has to satisfy the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (the TTB) before you can legally sell it. Miss a required element and your label approval can get rejected, which means a delay right when you’re trying to get a beer to market.

Here are the 8 elements the TTB requires on a malt beverage (beer) label, what each one actually means, and where the rules live so you can check them yourself.

The 8 required elements at a glance:

Brand name
Class and type designation
Name and address of the brewer, bottler, or importer
Net contents
Alcohol content (when required)
Ingredient and additive disclosures (when they apply)
The Government Warning
Country of origin (imported beer only)

All of this lives in 27 CFR 7.63, the section that lists the mandatory information for a malt beverage label, plus the sections that spell out each element. The TTB modernized these rules in 2022, so if you’ve seen older guides citing section numbers in the 7.20s, those have moved.

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First, the ground rules: legibility and placement

Before the individual elements, two general rules apply to all of the mandatory information:

It has to be readable. Mandatory information must be readily legible under ordinary conditions and set against a contrasting background (27 CFR 7.52).
It has to be big enough. The minimum type size is 2 mm for containers larger than half a pint, and 1 mm for containers of half a pint or less (27 CFR 7.53). The information also can’t be covered or hidden (27 CFR 7.54).

Keep these in mind early, because they affect how much room your design needs to leave for the required copy.

1. Brand name

Every label needs a brand name, the name the beer is marketed and sold under (27 CFR 7.64). It can’t mislead people about the age, origin, identity, or other characteristics of the beer. If a product isn’t sold under a brand name, the name of the bottler or importer stands in as the brand name.

2. Class and type designation

This is the part of the label that tells people what the product actually is. It can be as general as “malt beverage” or as specific as a recognized style. The rules for class and type live in Subpart I of Part 7 (sections 7.141 through 7.147), and Chapter 4 of the TTB’s Beverage Alcohol Manual is the practical guide to the designations.

Worth knowing: Your style name in the artwork (say, “Hazy IPA”) and your official class designation are two different things. The artwork can read however your brand wants. The class designation just has to be a recognized one, shown clearly on the label.

A trio of beer bottle labels with net contents and other TTB label requirements.

3. Name and address

The label has to identify who’s responsible for the beer, with wording that depends on where it was made:

Brewed in the U.S.: phrases like “Brewed by” or “Brewed and bottled by,” followed by the brewer’s name and address (27 CFR 7.66).
Imported: “Imported by” (or similar), followed by the importer’s name and address (27 CFR 7.68).

The name has to match your brewer’s notice or basic permit on file with the TTB. Small mismatches here are a common reason a label gets kicked back.

4. Net contents

The label has to state how much beer is in the container, in U.S. customary units like fluid ounces, pints, or quarts (27 CFR 7.70). Metric measures are allowed in addition to the U.S. units, but not in place of them. Net contents can be printed on the label or molded into the container itself.

5. Alcohol content (when required)

Here’s one that surprises a lot of brewers: for beer, federal rules make alcohol content optional, unless your state requires it (or in a few cases prohibits it). Alcohol content “may be stated on any malt beverage label, unless prohibited by State law” (27 CFR 7.65). Most brewers include it anyway because customers expect it.

If you do state it, the TTB allows a tolerance of 0.3 percentage points above or below the listed number for beers at 0.5% ABV or higher, and it has to be expressed as a percentage by volume.

Heads up, this may change: The TTB has a 2025 proposal (Notice 237) that would make an alcohol content statement mandatory for more products, as part of a broader “Alcohol Facts” panel. It’s still a proposal, not law (more on that below), but it’s worth knowing the optional status may not last.

A beer can with a prominent government warning.

6. Ingredient and additive disclosures (when they apply)

Beer labels don’t carry a full ingredient list, but a few specific additives have to be declared when they’re present (27 CFR 7.63(b)):

FD&C Yellow No. 5: a statement such as “Contains FD&C Yellow No. 5.”
Sulfites: “Contains sulfites” (or “Contains a sulfiting agent”) when the beer has 10 or more parts per million of sulfur dioxide.
Aspartame: the statement “PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE,” in capital letters, set apart from other text.
Cochineal extract or carmine: a statement naming the additive, such as “Contains cochineal extract” or “Contains carmine.”

Worth knowing: Older label guides (and a lot of pages still floating around online) list a required saccharin warning about cancer in lab animals. That requirement was removed from the TTB regulations back in 2004 and is no longer part of beer labeling. If you’re working from an old checklist, drop it.

7. The Government Warning

Every beer at 0.5% ABV or higher needs the federal Government Warning, set in 27 CFR 16.21. It has to read, word for word:

GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.

“GOVERNMENT WARNING” appears in bold capital letters, and the rest of the text is fixed. It has to run as a single continuous paragraph and can sit on the front, side, or back of the container. You can’t paraphrase or shorten it.

8. Country of origin (imported beer only)

This one applies only to imported beer (27 CFR 7.69). The label has to show where the beer came from, commonly as “Product of [country].” The TTB rule points to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the exact marking formats, so importers should check those as well. Domestic beer doesn’t need a country-of-origin statement.

How label approval works: the COLA

Once your label has all of its required elements, most beers need a Certificate of Label Approval (a COLA) before you can sell across state lines. You apply with TTB Form 5100.31 through the TTB’s COLAs Online system, and the process is governed by 27 CFR Part 13. The TTB reviews your artwork against the requirements above and either approves it or sends it back with the issues to fix.

The fastest way to avoid a rejection is to get the required elements right the first time, since a kicked-back label usually means weeks of delay.

What’s changing in 2025 and beyond

The 8 elements above are current. But the TTB has proposed the biggest change to alcohol labeling in years. In January 2025 it published two proposed rules, laid out in its announcement on Alcohol Facts and allergen labeling:

A mandatory “Alcohol Facts” panel (serving size, servings per container, alcohol by volume, calories, carbohydrates, fat, and protein), which would also make an alcohol content statement mandatory for more products.
Mandatory major food allergen labeling (milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame).

Both are still proposals, not law. The comment period closed in August 2025, and if a final rule is published, the TTB has proposed giving the industry five years to comply. Nothing on your label has to change today, but it’s worth designing with a little room to grow.

Quick pre-print checklist:

☐ Brand name (not misleading)
☐ Class and type designation
☐ Name and address (matches your TTB permit)
☐ Net contents in U.S. units
☐ Alcohol content (if your state requires it, or you choose to include it)
☐ Any required additive disclosures (FD&C Yellow No. 5, sulfites, aspartame, cochineal/carmine)
☐ Government Warning, word for word
☐ Country of origin (imported beer only)
☐ Type size and legibility check (2 mm / 1 mm)
☐ COLA approved before you sell across state lines

Getting all of this onto a label that still looks great is what we do. If you’re working on a new can or bottle, take a look at our craft beer label options, or send us your artwork and we’ll help you make sure it has everything the TTB expects.

Frequently asked questions

What are the required elements on a craft beer label?

The TTB requires a brand name, a class and type designation, the name and address of the brewer or importer, net contents, alcohol content (when required), certain ingredient and additive disclosures, the Government Warning, and, for imported beer, country of origin. These are set in 27 CFR 7.63 and the related sections of Part 7.

Is alcohol content required on a beer label?

Under federal rules, alcohol content is optional for beer unless your state requires it (or, in limited cases, prohibits it). Most brewers list it anyway. A 2025 TTB proposal would make it mandatory for more products, but that rule is not final.

Do craft beer labels need a Nutrition Facts or ingredient list?

No. Beer regulated by the TTB doesn’t require a Nutrition Facts panel or a full ingredient list today, though specific additives like sulfites or FD&C Yellow No. 5 must be declared. A 2025 TTB proposal would add a mandatory “Alcohol Facts” panel and allergen labeling, but it has not been finalized.

What is a COLA and do I need one?

A COLA is a Certificate of Label Approval. Most beers sold across state lines need one before they can go to market. You apply with TTB Form 5100.31 through COLAs Online, and the TTB reviews your label against the required elements.

Does a beer label still need a saccharin warning?

No. The saccharin warning that used to be required was removed from the TTB regulations in 2004. If you’re using an old checklist that still lists it, you can drop it.

Where does the Government Warning have to go on the label?

It can appear on the front, side, or back of the container, but it has to run as a single continuous paragraph, with “GOVERNMENT WARNING” in bold capital letters, using the exact wording in 27 CFR 16.21.

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Why Don’t Beer, Wine, and Spirits Labels Have to Disclose Ingredients or Serving Facts on Labels?

⚞ The Highlights:

- Different agency, different rules. Beer, wine, and spirits labels are regulated by the TTB (the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, not by the FDA under food labeling law. That’s why the FDA’s Nutrition Facts and ingredient-list rules don’t apply.
- Ingredients and serving facts are voluntary today. You can add them, and many brands do, but federal rules don’t require them on most alcohol.
- Some “alcohol” actually falls under the FDA. Beers not made from malted barley and hops, and wines under 7% alcohol by volume, are regulated by the FDA and do need a Nutrition Facts panel and an ingredient list.
- This may change. In January 2025 the TTB proposed two rules that would make an “Alcohol Facts” statement and major food allergen labeling mandatory. They are still proposals, not law.

Pick up a box of crackers and you’ll find a Nutrition Facts panel and a full ingredient list. Pick up a six-pack, a bottle of wine, or a fifth of bourbon, and most of that information isn’t there. If you make or sell alcohol, you’ve probably wondered why your label gets to skip what every packaged food has to show.

The short answer: your label answers to a different agency, under a different law. Here’s how that works, what your label actually has to include today, and the proposed rules that could change all of it in the next few years.

(more…)

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Dos and Don’ts for Non-Alcoholic Beer Labels

⚞ The Highlights:

“Non-alcoholic” and “alcohol-free” aren’t interchangeable. “Non-alcoholic” means under 0.5% alcohol by volume and has to carry a specific disclaimer. “Alcohol-free” means 0.0%, with no wiggle room.
A product under 0.5% can’t be called “beer.” It has to be a “malt beverage,” “cereal beverage,” or “near beer.”
Who regulates your label depends on ingredients. Made from malted barley and hops? It’s a TTB malt beverage. Made without them? It falls under the FDA and needs a Nutrition Facts panel and ingredient list.
The Government Warning usually doesn’t apply. A true non-alcoholic product under 0.5% is outside the rule that requires it.

Do: get the “non-alcoholic” vs. “alcohol-free” distinction right

These two phrases mean different things, and the TTB treats them differently.

“Non-alcoholic” can be used on a malt beverage only if the statement “contains less than 0.5 percent (or .5%) alcohol by volume” appears immediately next to it, in legible print on a contrasting background. This is set in 27 CFR 7.65(e).
“Alcohol-free” can be used only on a product that contains no alcohol at all (0.0%). There’s no tolerance, per 27 CFR 7.65(f).

That second one carries an extra step. Because “alcohol-free” promises 0.0%, the TTB requires formula approval with laboratory sample analysis to back up the claim before it will approve the label. That’s spelled out in TTB Guidance G 2016-1A. If your product has any trace of alcohol, call it “non-alcoholic,” not “alcohol-free.”

Don’t: call a sub-0.5% product “beer,” “ale,” or “lager”

The TTB reserves “beer” and its cousins for products at 0.5% alcohol by volume or higher. A product under that line can’t use “beer,” “lager,” “ale,” “porter,” “stout,” “malt liquor,” or any other designation normally used for full-strength beer. Instead, it has to carry one of three class designations: “malt beverage,” “cereal beverage,” or “near beer.” This is in 27 CFR 7.145.

You can still build your brand around the beer experience in your design and marketing. The class designation just has to be one of those three terms, shown clearly on the label.

A bunch of non alcoholic malt beverage labels on cans.

Worth knowing: This is one of the most common mix-ups we see on non-alcoholic labels. A brand will design a gorgeous “NA IPA” can and use “IPA” as the class designation. The art can say whatever fits your brand, but the official class designation on the label needs to be “malt beverage,” “cereal beverage,” or “near beer.”

Do: figure out who regulates your label first, the TTB or the FDA

This is the question that trips up the most NA brands, and it’s worth answering before you design anything. Whether your label follows TTB rules or FDA rules comes down to how the product is made, not just its alcohol content.

Made from malted barley and hops (then brewed and dealcoholized): it’s a malt beverage under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, so it stays under the TTB, the same as regular beer, even at 0.0% to 0.5%. The FDA confirms this in its guidance on dealcoholized malt beverages: these stay with the TTB “regardless of alcohol content.”
Made without malted barley and hops (for example, brewed from other grains, or without hops): it doesn’t meet the malt beverage definition, so it falls under the FDA. That means it needs a full Nutrition Facts panel and ingredient list under FDA food labeling rules, per the FDA’s guidance on labeling certain beers.

So two non-alcoholic “beers” sitting next to each other on a shelf can follow completely different labeling rules. If you’re not sure which side of the line your recipe falls on, confirm it before you print. (For the bigger-picture version of why alcohol and food labels diverge, see our post on why beer, wine, and spirits labels don’t have to disclose ingredients.)

Creative can labels for non alcoholic beers.

NA beer vs. regular beer: what each label needs

Here’s a side-by-side of the labeling differences, assuming your non-alcoholic product is a traditionally brewed malt beverage under the TTB.

Label element	Regular beer (0.5% ABV or higher)	Non-alcoholic (under 0.5% ABV)
Class designation	“Beer,” “ale,” “lager,” “IPA,” etc.	“Malt beverage,” “cereal beverage,” or “near beer” only
“Non-alcoholic” statement	Not applicable	If “non-alcoholic” is used, must add “contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume” adjacent to it
Government Warning	Required	Not required (product is under 0.5% ABV)
Brand name, net contents, name and address	Required	Required
Nutrition Facts panel	Not required (Serving Facts optional)	Not required if it’s a TTB malt beverage; required if the product falls under the FDA
TTB label approval (COLA)	Required for a malt beverage	Required for a TTB malt beverage; “alcohol-free” (0.0%) also needs lab analysis

Do: know when the Government Warning applies, and when it doesn’t

The federal Government Warning is required on alcoholic beverages, which the rules define as products containing 0.5% alcohol by volume or more (27 CFR 16.10). A genuine non-alcoholic product under 0.5% falls outside that definition, so it generally doesn’t need the warning.

One caution: this is one of the few places where being just over the line matters a lot. If your product comes in at 0.5% or above, even slightly, it’s an alcoholic beverage in the eyes of the rule and needs the full Government Warning. Know your actual alcohol content before you decide.

Don’t: forget the tax marking on a true cereal beverage

If your product is a cereal beverage (a malt product under 0.5% that the brewer removes without paying beer tax), the bottle label has to carry the legend “Nontaxable under section 5051 I.R.C.” This sits in the brewery tax rules at 27 CFR 25.242, not in the main labeling part, so it’s easy to miss. It’s a small line, but leaving it off a cereal beverage label is a compliance gap.

Don’t: let the rules flatten your design

Non-alcoholic beer is a crowded, fast-growing category, and the label still has to earn the sale. Shoppers reaching for an NA option are often trying something new, and the can is what gets them to pick it up. The compliance pieces (class designation, the “non-alcoholic” line, any required panels) can all live cleanly on a well-planned layout without dulling the design.

This is where we come in. Whether your NA product is a TTB malt beverage or an FDA-regulated beverage, we’ll help you fit everything the label needs into artwork that still looks the way you want it to. Take a look at our craft beer label options, or reach out and we’ll talk through your project.

Frequently asked questions

Is non-alcoholic beer regulated by the TTB or the FDA?

It depends on how it’s made. A non-alcoholic beer brewed from malted barley and hops (then dealcoholized) is a malt beverage regulated by the TTB, the same as regular beer. A product made without malted barley and hops falls under the FDA and follows food labeling rules, which include a Nutrition Facts panel and ingredient list.

What’s the difference between “non-alcoholic” and “alcohol-free”?

“Non-alcoholic” means the product contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume, and the label has to say “contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume” next to the claim. “Alcohol-free” means exactly 0.0% alcohol, with no tolerance, and the TTB requires lab analysis to support that claim before approving the label.

Can you call a non-alcoholic product “beer”?

No. A product under 0.5% alcohol by volume can’t use “beer,” “ale,” “lager,” “porter,” “stout,” or similar terms as its class designation. It has to be labeled a “malt beverage,” “cereal beverage,” or “near beer.” Your branding and artwork can still center on the beer experience.

Do non-alcoholic beers need the Government Warning?

Usually not. The federal Government Warning is required on beverages with 0.5% alcohol by volume or more. A true non-alcoholic product under 0.5% falls outside that requirement. If your product is 0.5% or above, the warning is required.

Do non-alcoholic beers need a Nutrition Facts panel?

Only if the product is regulated by the FDA rather than the TTB. Traditionally brewed NA malt beverages (malted barley and hops) stay under the TTB and don’t require one, though some brands add a nutrition or Serving Facts panel voluntarily. Products made without malted barley and hops fall under the FDA and do need a Nutrition Facts panel and ingredient list.

Does a non-alcoholic beer need TTB label approval?

If it’s a TTB malt beverage, yes, it generally needs a Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) like any other malt beverage. An “alcohol-free” (0.0%) product also needs formula approval with laboratory analysis. FDA-regulated products don’t get a COLA, but they have to meet FDA food labeling rules.

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What Is Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) and Why Is It Good For Product Labels?

⚞ The Highlights:

BOPP stands for biaxially oriented polypropylene. A plastic film that’s been stretched in two directions during manufacturing, which makes it stronger, clearer, and more dimensionally stable than standard polypropylene.
BOPP is the workhorse of label films. It’s water-resistant, oil-resistant, UV-stable, and acid-resistant, and it works on glass, plastic, and metal containers.
Available in white, clear, silver/holographic, and squeezable formats. Mid-priced. More durable than paper, less expensive than PET.
Common uses: beverages, food, beauty and cosmetics, household products, anything that lives in moisture or humidity.

Choosing a label material shapes how the product looks on day one and how it looks six months later. You need a material that catches the eye but also holds up to the bottle going in and out of a refrigerator, the bottle being squeezed, the bottle sitting in a humid bathroom for a year. BOPP is the material most brands settle on for this job. Below is what BOPP is, what makes it the default choice for most product labels, and where it fits compared to the alternatives.

BOPP vs. paper vs. PET vs. vinyl: how it compares

Feature	BOPP	Paper	PET (Polyester)	Vinyl
Type	Plastic film	Paper-based	Plastic film	Plastic film
Water resistance	High	Low (even with wet-strength treatments)	Very high	Very high
UV / outdoor stability	Mid	Low	High	High
Cost	Mid	Low	Mid–High	Mid–High
Available finishes	White, clear, silver, holographic; gloss, matte, soft-touch	Semigloss, gloss, textured, kraft, estate	Clear, white, vinyl-style	Various heavy-duty finishes
Best for	Beverages, food, beauty, household. Anything in moisture	Indoor products, premium and craft positioning, budget runs	Outdoor, industrial, automotive, harsh environments	Heavy-duty, signage, long-life outdoor

The short version: BOPP is the default for most product labels in moisture or humidity. Paper is cheaper for indoor-only products. PET and vinyl are heavier-duty for outdoor and industrial. For a deeper comparison across every material, see Pros and Cons of Different Types of Label Materials.

Understanding BOPP

BOPP stands for biaxially oriented polypropylene. It’s a plastic film made by stretching standard polypropylene in two directions during manufacturing. First lengthwise, then crosswise. That biaxial stretching is what gives BOPP its key properties: higher strength, better clarity, and more dimensional stability than untreated polypropylene.

You’ve passed by BOPP labels thousands of times without thinking about it. It’s the film on most of the bottles, jars, and containers you’d find in a grocery store, beverage cooler, or beauty aisle.

Why BOPP is the default film for product labels

BOPP is durable

BOPP is one of the most durable label film options on the market. It resists peeling, wrinkling, and lifting, which are common failure modes for paper labels. On jars, bottles, tubes, and rigid containers, BOPP holds up for the long haul.

BOPP resists moisture, oil, and UV

Because BOPP is plastic, it doesn’t absorb water. Spills and splashes don’t smear the printing or warp the label.

BOPP also handles oils, solvents, and acids well. That makes it the natural fit for household products that live in bathrooms and kitchens (shampoo, dish soap, surface cleaners) and for food products with low pH (tomatoes, coffee, citrus, hot sauce, condiments) that would degrade or discolor a paper label over time.

BOPP prints beautifully

BOPP film accepts both water-based and solvent-based inks, which gives you a wide range of color, finish, and effect options. Ink adheres well because the film goes through a surface-treatment step during manufacturing that improves printability. The result is sharp, vibrant prints that hold their color over the life of the product.

BOPP is flexible

BOPP is thin and flexible, which makes it easy to apply on rounded and flat surfaces alike. Because it’s so thin, the label can look as if the design was printed directly onto the container. A “second-skin” effect that’s especially clean on glass and clear plastic.

BOPP works on glass, plastic, and metal

BOPP is compatible with all the common consumer-goods substrates: metal cans, glass jars, plastic bottles, ceramic. The right pairing of BOPP film and adhesive lets you label across product lines without changing materials between SKUs.

BOPP is FDA-compliant for food packaging

BOPP labels meet FDA food-contact compliance standards when they include the required information: a statement of identity, net quantity of contents, list of ingredients, and the name of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. BOPP labels designed and manufactured by Blue Label Packaging meet these standards.

BOPP is cost-efficient

BOPP is more affordable than PET while offering similar durability and moisture resistance. Paper is cheaper per label, but in moisture-prone environments, paper labels often need to be replaced sooner. Which can cost more in the long run than choosing BOPP from the start.

Worth knowing: The fastest way to see why BOPP is the go-to for most product labels is to hold it. Request a free sample pack to feel our BOPP labels next to paper and other film alternatives.

Sauces and seasoning products with custom labels and packaging

BOPP label options

BOPP isn’t a single look. It comes in several variations.

White BOPP

The most common BOPP option. Widely used in health and beauty, personal care, and cosmetic categories. White BOPP is also common on food products where bold branding needs a solid background.

Clear BOPP

Transparent BOPP gives products a sleek, “no-label” look. The design appears to float on the container. Common on beverages, household products, specialty foods, and cosmetic products. Same moisture resistance as white BOPP, just with the substrate showing through.

Silver and metalized BOPP

For a more luxurious appearance, silver or holographic BOPP gives products a metallic or iridescent finish without the cost of hot foil stamping. Same durability and moisture resistance as standard BOPP.

Squeezable BOPP

Specialty BOPP designed for product containers that flex during use. Squeeze bottles for shampoo, condiments, lotions, and other products where the package contorts in the hand. Squeezable BOPP keeps adhesion and prints clean even with constant flex.

Pressure Sensitive Labels on honey jars

BOPP across industries

BOPP shows up across most consumer product categories. The patterns we see most often:

Food and beverage

Beverages (beer, wine, spirits, kombucha, cold brew, juice, sparkling water), specialty foods, sauces, condiments, and packaged snacks. BOPP’s water resistance handles refrigeration and ice baths; acid resistance handles tomato, coffee, and citrus products that would discolor a paper label.

Health and beauty

Cosmetics, skincare, haircare, body care, fragrance, and bath products. BOPP’s moisture resistance is critical here. These products live in bathrooms and showers where paper would warp or peel. Soft-touch laminates over BOPP add the velvety hand-feel premium beauty consumers expect.

Household and cleaning

Surface cleaners, dish soaps, laundry detergents, and home care products. BOPP’s solvent and chemical resistance keeps the label intact when products spill or drip on the container during use.

Pet products

Pet food, treats, grooming products, supplements. BOPP works for both indoor pet products and outdoor pet supplies that face moisture or weather.

Cannabis and CBD

Glass and plastic packaging for flower, edibles, tinctures, and topicals. BOPP holds up to the moisture-controlled storage environments common in cannabis products and accepts the design detail and finishes the category often calls for.

Health, supplement, and nutraceutical

Pill bottles, supplement jars, protein powders. BOPP’s compatibility with both glass and plastic substrates makes it flexible across SKUs.

Specialty and craft brands

Small-batch food and beverage brands often use BOPP because it accepts a wide range of finishes (matte, gloss, soft-touch, foil) without giving up the moisture resistance these products need on shelf and in the home.

Frequently asked questions

What does BOPP stand for?

BOPP stands for biaxially oriented polypropylene. It’s a plastic film that’s been stretched in two directions during manufacturing. First lengthwise, then crosswise. That biaxial stretching gives BOPP its key properties: higher strength, better clarity, and more dimensional stability than untreated polypropylene.

Are BOPP labels waterproof?

Yes. BOPP is a plastic film that doesn’t absorb water, so the label and its print stay intact through moisture, humidity, splashes, and even brief submersion. That’s why BOPP is the default for beverage labels, beauty products that live in showers, and household products in kitchens and bathrooms.

Is BOPP the same as polypropylene?

BOPP is a specific form of polypropylene. Standard polypropylene is the base plastic. BOPP is polypropylene that has been biaxially oriented. Stretched in two directions during manufacturing. To make it stronger, clearer, and more dimensionally stable. Most product labels described as “polypropylene” are actually BOPP.

What products use BOPP labels?

BOPP shows up across most consumer product categories: beverages (beer, wine, spirits, kombucha), food (sauces, condiments, packaged snacks), health and beauty (skincare, haircare, cosmetics), household products (cleaners, detergents), pet products, cannabis, supplements, and specialty craft brands. It’s the default for any product that lives in moisture, humidity, or contact with water.

Is BOPP recyclable?

BOPP can be recycled in some streams, but recyclability depends on the local recycling infrastructure and whether the label is paired with a compatible container. BOPP labels on PET bottles can sometimes contaminate the PET recycling stream, depending on the adhesive and the recycling facility. If sustainability is part of the brand promise, talk through specifics with your printer to find a configuration that fits your goals.

Is BOPP cheaper than PET?

Yes, generally. BOPP is mid-priced; PET is mid-to-high-priced. Both offer durability and moisture resistance, but PET is more rugged for outdoor, industrial, and high-temperature applications. For most retail product labels that don’t need PET’s extreme durability, BOPP delivers similar performance at a lower cost.

What finishes are available for BOPP labels?

BOPP accepts a wide range of finishes: gloss, matte, soft-touch lamination, spot UV varnish, hot foil stamping, embossing/debossing, and metallic or holographic effects. White BOPP, clear BOPP, silver/metalized BOPP, and squeezable BOPP are all available formats. The film’s strong ink adhesion means most printing techniques and finishes work well on it.

Wine bottles with custom pressure sensitive labels

Choose BOPP for durable, attractive product labels

BOPP film is the default choice for most product labels for a reason. It’s resistant to moisture, oil, and UV. It comes in white, clear, metalized, and squeezable formats. It works on glass, plastic, and metal. It accepts a wide range of finishes. And it costs less than PET while delivering similar performance for most retail use cases.

If you’re sorting through label material options, take a look at our BOPP labels page for more on what we offer, or request a sample pack to feel BOPP next to paper and other film alternatives. Get in touch when you’re ready to talk through a project.

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Designing Beer Labels: Sizing and Dimensions

⚞ The Highlights:

12 oz can labels are typically around 3.625″–4″ tall by 7.5″–8″ wide. 16 oz can labels run around 5″ tall by 7.5″–8″ wide.
Standard 12 oz beer bottle labels are typically 3.5″ by 4″ for the front, with a back label between 2.5″ by 2.5″ and 3″ by 4″. 22 oz bombers use larger labels, often 4″ by 5″ or bigger.
Growler labels sit around 4″–5″ tall by 4″–6″ wide. Crowler labels typically run around 6″ by 9.5″.
Three formats for cans: pressure-sensitive labels, shrink sleeves (full 360° wrap), or direct-printed cans (no separate label at all).

A good beer label design needs the right canvas. Beer cans and bottles only give you a few square inches to work with, so getting the dimensions right before you start designing is the difference between a clean rollout and a redesign two days before press. Below is a complete sizing reference for the most common beer containers, plus practical guidance for partial wrap, full wrap, custom shapes, and printed cans.

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Finding the Perfect Match: Beer Container Types and Beer Labels

⚞ The Highlights:

The main beer container types are cans, bottles, growlers, crowlers, kegs, and barrels. Each one needs a different approach to labeling.
12 oz and 16 oz cans dominate craft beer. Cans can be branded three ways: pressure-sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, or direct-printed cans.
Growlers (refillable jugs, 32 or 64 oz) and crowlers (single-use 32 oz aluminum cans) both serve taproom-to-home customers, just with different cost and reuse profiles.
Kegs use collars and wraps, not full body labels. Barrels and casks rarely need consumer-facing labels at all.

Cans, bottles, growlers, crowlers, kegs, and barrels are the main containers breweries use to get beer to customers. Each one has different sizing, label requirements, and use cases. We work with breweries on labels for all of them, and the right container often depends as much on where the beer is going as on what’s inside.

Below is a quick comparison of the main beer container types, then a breakdown of each with sizes, label dimensions, and what we typically see breweries use them for.

Beer container quick reference

Container	Common volumes	Label format	Typical use
Can	8.4, 12, 16, 19.2 oz	Pressure-sensitive label, shrink sleeve, or direct-printed	Retail, distribution, taprooms
Bottle	12, 16.9 (500 mL), 22, 25.4 (750 mL) oz	Front + back labels (or full wrap)	Retail, premium and specialty releases
Growler	32, 64, 128 oz	Pressure-sensitive label, hang tag, or wrap-around	Taproom-to-home (refillable)
Crowler	32 oz	Pressure-sensitive label	Taproom-to-go, outdoor events, sample shipping
Keg	5, 5.16, 7.75, 15.5 gal	Keg collar (around the top) + optional keg wrap	Bars, restaurants, large events
Barrel or cask	4.5, 9, 53, 59, 66 gal	Minimal labeling (typically internal use)	Aging, secondary fermentation, specialty batches

1. Beer Cans

Cans dominate craft beer for a few simple reasons. They’re lightweight, cost-effective, and easy to ship. The metal blocks light, which protects flavor better than clear glass. They’re highly recyclable, which matters for both brewers and consumers paying attention to packaging waste.

And cans give you size flexibility. You don’t have to stop at the standard 12 oz format.

Common can sizes

8.4 oz. Often used for specialty releases or high-ABV beers
12 oz. The classic standard
12 oz slim. Same volume, narrower profile
12 oz “Sam Can”. A wider-mouth format produced for Boston Beer Company
16 oz. The “tallboy” or “pint” can, popular for IPAs and tap-pour-style craft beers
19.2 oz. The “stovepipe,” often sold as single-serve
32 oz crowler. An aluminum can used for taproom fills (covered separately below)

Can label dimensions

For 12 oz cans, pressure-sensitive labels are typically around 3.625″–4″ tall by 7.5″–8″ wide.

16 oz cans usually run around 5″ tall by 7.5″–8″ wide.

If you’re using shrink sleeves, the label can cover the entire can from top to bottom: roughly 5″–6″ for a 12 oz can or 6″–7″ for a 16 oz can, depending on how much real estate you want for the design.

Pressure-sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, or direct-printed cans?

The same can can be branded three different ways:

Pressure-sensitive labels are the standard sticker-style label. They go on flat or cylindrical surfaces with adhesive. Lower setup cost, low minimums, and easy to change between runs. The format most craft breweries start with.
Shrink sleeves wrap the entire can in a printed film that shrinks under heat. They give you 360° coverage and more design real estate, but cost more and have higher minimums. A fit when the design needs to wrap or the container has unusual shape.
Printed cans (direct-to-can) put the design directly on the aluminum, with no separate label at all. They used to require minimums in the hundreds of thousands. Digital direct-to-object printing has changed that. We typically work with breweries on minimums around 1,500 to 2,000 cans per design, which is realistic for a single seasonal SKU rather than a year’s worth of inventory.

For a deeper comparison of growlers, crowlers, and printed cans, see our Growlers vs. Crowlers: What’s the Difference? post.

2. Beer Bottles

Beer bottles

Bottles are still a real part of the craft beer market, even with cans pulling ahead in raw volume. Bottles hold a loyal following for specialty releases, premium positioning, and traditional formats. Some brewers prefer them for high-gravity or barrel-aged beers, where the slower oxygen exchange lets nuanced flavors develop over time.

Why choose bottles?

Brand image: glass carries a premium or nostalgic feel that some consumers still associate with quality.
Flavor preservation: dark glass shields beer from harmful light, especially important for hop-forward and barrel-aged styles.
Tradition: many craft beer drinkers still associate bottled beer with authenticity and craftsmanship.

Common bottle sizes

12 oz. The classic standard for craft and mainstream beers
16.9 oz (500 mL). Popular for breweries with European roots or styles
22 oz “bomber”. Frequently used for limited-edition or specialty releases
750 mL. Typical for high-end Belgian-style or barrel-aged releases

Bottle label dimensions

Beer bottles typically use a front label and a back label, though some breweries use a single wrap-around label that covers the whole bottle.

A common front label is around 3″ x 3″. The back label typically runs between 2.5″ x 2.5″ and 3″ x 4″, depending on the bottle shape and how much regulatory information you need to fit.

3. Beer Growlers and Crowlers

Growlers and crowlers serve the same goal. Getting fresh draft beer out of the taproom and into a customer’s hands. With two different approaches.

Growlers (refillable)

A growler is a refillable jug, typically amber glass with a handle, sized at 32 oz or 64 oz (and occasionally 128 oz / one gallon). The customer brings it back to the brewery for refills, which makes it the natural fit for taproom-focused breweries that build local repeat business.

Growler labels generally sit in the 4″–5″ tall by 4″–6″ wide range, depending on the curve of the bottle and how much branding you want to show. Some breweries use larger wrap-around labels (around 4″ x 14″) for full-coverage branding.

Crowlers (single-use)

A crowler is a 32 oz aluminum can filled and sealed at the brewery on demand. The name is a mash-up of “can” and “growler,” and the format borrows the best of both: the freshness of a growler fill, with the durability of a can. Crowlers are single-use; once you’ve finished it, the can goes in the recycling bin.

Crowler labels typically run around 6″ x 9.5″. Most breweries apply them at the time of fill so the same blank crowler stock can serve multiple SKUs.

Worth knowing: Crowlers ship better than growlers because aluminum is durable, the seal is airtight, and there’s no UV light penetration. For breweries that send out samples or fulfill small online orders, crowlers (or printed cans) are usually the more reliable option than glass growlers.

For a deeper comparison of growlers vs. crowlers vs. printed cans, see our Growlers vs. Crowlers: What’s the Difference? post.

4. Beer Kegs

Kegs are the workhorse of draft beer. A lot of craft beer sales happen on-premise. Bars, restaurants, taprooms. And aluminum kegs are how that beer moves. The decision to use kegs usually comes down to cost-efficiency (refillable, reusable), reduced packaging waste, and straightforward shipping logistics.

Why choose kegs?

Bulk distribution: built for high-volume on-premise service.
Quality control: minimal oxygen exposure keeps beer fresh longer than bottles or cans on a shelf.
Sustainability: reusable containers reduce per-pour packaging waste.
Cost efficiency: fewer materials per ounce of beer than individual cans or bottles.

Common keg sizes

Half barrel (1/2 bbl): 15.5 gallons, the standard for bars and large events
Quarter barrel (1/4 bbl): 7.75 gallons, often called a “pony keg”
Sixth barrel (1/6 bbl): 5.16 gallons, popular for smaller tap rotations and limited releases
Cornelius keg (“corny keg”): 5 gallons, common for homebrewers and small-scale operations

Keg label sizes

Keg collars sit around the top of the keg and usually measure 6″–7″ in diameter. They carry compliance information (style, ABV, brewery) and basic branding.

Some breweries also use keg wraps, longer narrow labels that wrap around the keg’s body. These typically run 3″–6″ tall and up to 30″ wide, depending on the keg’s circumference. A well-designed wrap helps a keg get noticed in a crowded cellar or cooler line.

5. Beer Barrels and Casks

Beer casks

Barrels and casks are used by craft breweries for aging or secondary fermentation, typically after the initial brewing process. Wood barrels can infuse unique flavors into the beer (oak, bourbon, wine notes) that can’t be replicated in stainless steel. The result is more complex, layered profiles.

Brewers usually reach for a barrel when they want to create limited-edition or specialty batches that stand out. Beers that command premium prices and generate buzz among craft enthusiasts.

Why use barrels or casks?

Flavor enhancement: wood barrels previously used for spirits or wine can add vanilla, caramel, tannins, or residual whiskey or wine character.
Extended aging: slower oxygen exchange creates subtler, more nuanced flavor development over time.
Brand differentiation: barrel-aged beers stand out on shelves and menus, and they support premium pricing.

Common barrel and cask sizes

Standard bourbon barrels (53 gallons): often repurposed from bourbon distilleries; the most common size in the U.S.
Wine barrels (59 gallons): popular for sour or wild ales, where vinous qualities add complexity
Hogsheads (66 gallons): larger barrels used for extended aging
Firkins (9 gallons): smaller traditional British casks used for real ale or specialty releases
Pins (4.5 gallons): half the size of a firkin, ideal for very small-batch cask ales

Smaller casks are useful when you’re trying out a new recipe without a big commitment. Larger barrels hold more beer and support extended aging when the recipe is dialed in.

How to choose the right container for your beer

The container is half of the packaging decision. The label is the other half. A few factors usually drive the call:

Where is the beer going? Retail shelves want cans or bottles. Taprooms, refill programs, and event sales lean toward growlers and crowlers. On-premise distribution is keg territory.
What’s the volume per SKU? Pressure-sensitive labels and shrink sleeves are flexible at smaller volumes. Printed cans get cost-competitive once you commit to a planned run.
How often will the design change? Seasonal SKUs, one-off collaborations, and frequently rotating releases benefit from formats with low minimums and short turnaround. Flagship beers that hold a design for years can justify a longer-run printed can.
What’s the brand’s positioning? Bottles still carry premium or traditional connotations for some consumers. Cans signal modern craft. Growlers feel local and refillable. Each format sends a signal before anyone reads the label.
What’s your operational setup? If you don’t have an applicator, shrink sleeves require a partner. If you don’t have a seamer, crowlers do too. Format choice has logistics implications beyond the design.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the most common can size for craft beer?

The 12 oz can is the long-standing standard. The 16 oz “tallboy” has become equally common for craft IPAs, sours, and seasonal releases over the last decade. Most craft breweries use both, with 12 oz for flagship year-round beers and 16 oz for limited or higher-ABV releases.

What’s the difference between a growler and a crowler?

A growler is a refillable glass jug (typically 64 oz). A crowler is a single-use 32 oz aluminum can filled and sealed at the brewery on demand. Growlers are reusable; crowlers are recycled after use. Crowlers ship better and stay fresh longer once sealed; growlers are the better fit for local taproom-to-home programs. For a deeper comparison, see our Growlers vs. Crowlers post.

Can you put a label on a printed can?

You can, but it usually defeats the point. Printed cans carry the design directly on the aluminum, so a separate label adds cost without adding visual real estate. Most breweries that use printed cans go without an additional label. The exception is a small “neck” label or sticker for limited-edition variants on a base printed can.

What size label fits a 12 oz can?

A standard 12 oz can label is around 3.625″–4″ tall by 7.5″–8″ wide when applied as a pressure-sensitive label. Shrink sleeves for the same can run roughly 5″–6″ tall and cover the full body of the can.

How big are bottle labels?

Most beer bottles use a front label around 3″ x 3″ and a back label between 2.5″ x 2.5″ and 3″ x 4″, depending on the bottle shape and how much regulatory information you need to include. Wrap-around labels for bottles can run up to roughly 3″ tall by 10″–12″ wide.

Do kegs need labels?

Yes, but they’re different from bottle or can labels. Kegs use collars (round labels that sit on top of the keg, around 6″–7″ in diameter) for compliance and identification. Some breweries also add longer keg wraps around the body of the keg for branding visibility in a tap-line cooler. The collar is required; the wrap is optional.

Why do some brewers use bombers (22 oz bottles)?

Bombers carry a “specialty release” feel that 12 oz bottles and cans don’t. Brewers use them for limited editions, barrel-aged releases, anniversary beers, and other one-off projects where the format itself adds perceived value. The bigger format also handles barrel-aged or high-gravity beers that benefit from more headspace and aging time.

Ready to talk through containers and labels?

Your container is half the story. The label that goes on it is the other half. Whether you’re packaging a first run of 12 oz cans, a 22 oz specialty release, or building a refill program with growlers, getting the format right comes down to your audience, your distribution, and your timeline.

If you’re sorting through which container fits your brewery’s stage, take a look at our digitally printed cans page for more on direct-to-can production, or our craft beer label printing page for an overview of label work across all formats. Request a sample pack to see materials and finishes in person, or get in touch if you have specific questions about your beer and your container.

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Growlers VS. Crowlers: What’s the Difference?

⚞ The Highlights:

A growler is a reusable jug, typically glass or stainless steel, for transporting draft beer. A crowler is a single-use 32-ounce aluminum can filled and sealed at the brewery on demand.
Printed cans are a third option more breweries are choosing for distribution and seasonal releases. The artwork goes directly on the aluminum, so there’s no separate label to apply or peel in a cooler.
Growlers commonly come in 64 oz. jugs requiring labels around 4×6 inches, while crowlers are typically 32 oz. cans needing labels closer to 6×9.5 inches.
In comparison, a standard 12 oz. beer bottle or can holds less than a 32 or 64 oz. container and generally needs a shorter label, often around 3.625×8 inches.

Growlers, crowlers, and printed cans are three different ways breweries get fresh beer out of the taproom and into customers’ hands. A growler is a refillable glass jug, typically 64 ounces. A crowler is a single-use 32-ounce aluminum can filled and sealed at the bar. Printed cans take it a step further: the design is printed directly on the aluminum, so there’s no separate label at all.

Each has its place. We work with breweries on all three, and the right choice usually comes down to where the beer is going next. Here’s how to think about it.

What is a growler?

If you’ve ever left a brewery taproom with a jug of beer to drink at home that night, that was probably a growler. Growlers are airtight glass, steel, or ceramic jugs that hold draft beer for transport from the brewery. A standard growler holds 64 ounces, which is a little more than five 12-ounce beers. A half growler, sometimes called a howler, holds 32 ounces.

Growlers are reusable. Customers bring them back to the brewery for refills, which is why they’ve stayed popular with taproom-focused breweries that build local repeat business.

What is a crowler?

A crowler is a 32-ounce aluminum can filled and sealed on demand at the brewery. The name is a mash-up of “can” and “growler,” and the format borrows the best of both: the freshness of a growler fill with the durability of a can.

Crowlers are filled with a small countertop seamer that purges the can with CO₂, fills it with draft beer, and crimps a lid on top. Once sealed, they’re durable, fully opaque (no UV light getting through), and oxygen-free, which keeps the beer fresher for longer than a growler can.

Crowlers are single-use. After the beer is gone, the can goes in the recycling bin.

What about printed cans?

If your brewery has outgrown growler fills but isn’t ready to commit to massive offset can-printing minimums, printed cans are worth a look. Direct-to-object printing (sometimes called DTO or direct-to-can) puts a full-color design straight onto the aluminum. There’s no separate label to apply, no peeling in the cooler, and no warehouse full of pre-printed cans tying up cash.

For breweries running seasonal releases, one-off collaborations, or just trying out new artwork before committing to a long run, the math has shifted. Digital printing eliminates the plate costs that historically forced can printing into six-figure minimums. We typically work with breweries on minimums around 1,500 to 2,000 cans per design, which is realistic for a single seasonal SKU rather than a year’s worth of inventory upfront.

Worth knowing: Printed cans aren’t replacing growlers or crowlers. They’re a different tier of packaging for beer that’s leaving the taproom for retail, distribution, or events.

Growler vs. crowler vs. printed can: side by side

	Growler	Crowler	Printed Can
Material	Glass, steel, or ceramic	Aluminum	Aluminum
Typical size	32 or 64 oz	32 oz	12 oz standard, 12 oz sleek, or 16 oz
Reusable?	Yes	No (single use)	No (single use)
Filled when	At the taproom, on demand	At the taproom, on demand	In production, ahead of distribution
Where it can go	Limited in glass-free areas (beaches, pools, parks, festivals)	Anywhere cans are allowed	Anywhere cans are allowed
Freshness once filled	A few days	Several weeks unopened	Standard can shelf life (months)
Per-can cost	Higher upfront for the jug, low per fill	Low per can, plus labor and label at fill	Drops with run size; accessible at smaller batches with digital printing
Best for	Local taproom-to-home customers	Outdoor venues, events, sample shipping	Retail, distribution, planned seasonal SKUs

Glass growlers and aluminum crowlers: how they work

With growler bottles, the brewer fills the glass container with the beer of your choice and seals it under counter-pressure to lock in carbonation. The result is taproom-quality beer that travels home in good shape.

The process for a crowler is a little different. An aluminum can is sanitized and purged with CO₂ to push out the oxygen that degrades flavor. The can is filled with beer, then a small seamer (a machine that looks a bit like a sewing machine) raises the can and crimps a lid on top under pressure. A label goes on the can, and the customer walks out with a 32-ounce can of fresh draft beer.

Three crowlers with product labels attached.

Growler vs. crowler: size

Crowlers come in one size: 32 ounces, which is two pints. Growlers give you a little more flexibility. They typically come in 32-ounce or 64-ounce sizes, so you can pick up the equivalent of two pints or four pints in one container.

Growler vs. crowler: container upkeep

Like all glass, growlers need regular cleaning. Otherwise, foamy residue builds up and the next fill won’t taste as good as it should. Glass Jug Beer Lab recommends a few simple rules to keep growlers in good shape:

Store your growler cold until you have time to clean it to help limit bacterial growth.
Triple rinse with hot water to help ensure your growler is clean.
Air dry your growler upside down so that moisture can’t sit inside your container and spur bacterial growth.
Leave the cap off to prevent the air inside your growler from becoming stagnant.

Unlike a growler, a crowler is intended for a single use. Once you’ve finished it, rinse it out and recycle it. There’s nothing to clean and nothing to bring back.

Growler vs. crowler: where can they go?

The biggest practical difference between growlers and crowlers isn’t taste. It’s where you can take them. Beaches, bike paths, campgrounds, parks, pools, and public festivals tend to prohibit glass, which makes a crowler the better fit for any setting where glass is restricted.

Shipping is the other place this matters. Growlers can technically be shipped, but glass breaks and growlers often arrive flat. Crowlers ship better because aluminum is durable, the lid is airtight, and there’s no UV light penetration to mess with the beer. For breweries that send out samples or fulfill small online orders, crowlers and printed cans are the more reliable option.

A 64 oz. growler with a hang tag attached.

Growler vs. crowler: how much does each cost?

The last factor for most breweries is cost. The fills are similar in price, but the containers aren’t. Crowlers are usually cheaper per unit because the cans are inexpensive and there’s no reusable component. Some breweries even include the can in the price of the fill since they’re meant for one-time use.

Growlers cost more upfront because the customer is buying the jug along with the fill. The trade-off is that the jug comes back, and after the first purchase, refills are typically less expensive per ounce. If you want more beer in one trip, the 64-ounce growler is usually the better value.

Which is right for your brewery?

If your beer is mostly leaving the brewery in the hands of local customers, growlers are the classic option. They’re refillable, sustainable, and the customer comes back.

If you need a single-use, durable option for one-off fills, outdoor events, or shipping samples, crowlers are usually the answer. They’re cheap per can, glass-restriction-friendly, and they hold beer well unopened.

If you’re producing beer for distribution, retail, or planned seasonal releases, printed cans are worth a serious look. The per-can cost drops as the run grows, there are no labels to peel or apply, and the artwork becomes part of the shelf experience.

Worth knowing: Most breweries we work with use more than one. Growlers and crowlers cover the taproom. Printed cans cover everything that ships out into the world.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a crowler last compared to a growler?

A sealed crowler can stay fresh for several weeks unopened thanks to zero oxygen intake and no UV exposure through the aluminum. A growler, once filled, is best consumed within a few days. The seal on a growler isn’t as airtight as a crowler’s lid.

Can you ship a growler?

You can, but it’s risky. Glass can break in transit, and many growlers arrive flat. Crowlers and printed cans handle shipping much better because they’re durable and oxygen-sealed.

Do crowlers need labels?

Most do. Crowlers are typically blank aluminum cans labeled at the time of fill, so the brewery applies a pressure-sensitive label that identifies the beer, ABV, and any required information. Some breweries skip labels entirely on higher-volume SKUs by using printed cans instead.

Are printed cans cheaper than crowlers?

It depends on volume. Crowlers are inexpensive per can but require labor, a label, and a seamer at fill time. Printed cans require an upfront print run, but the cost per can drops as the order grows, and there’s no per-fill labor on the brewery’s end. Most breweries use crowlers for one-offs and printed cans for SKUs that justify a planned run.

What’s the minimum order for printed cans?

Traditional offset can printing required runs in the hundreds of thousands, which priced most craft breweries out. Digital direct-to-object printing has changed that. We typically work with breweries on minimums around 1,500 to 2,000 cans per design, which fits a single seasonal SKU rather than a year’s worth of inventory.

Can I refill a crowler?

No. Crowlers are designed for single use. Once you’ve finished it, the can goes in the recycling bin. Growlers are the reusable option.

Labels, crowlers, or printed cans: we can help you sort it out

The growler-versus-crowler decision used to be the only one. Now there’s a third option, and for breweries growing past taproom-only sales, printed cans are often the better fit. We work with breweries on all three formats: pressure-sensitive labels for growlers and crowlers, and digitally printed cans when the volume and timeline make sense.

If you’re sorting through which one fits your brewery’s stage, we’re here to help. Take a look at our digitally printed cans for a closer look at how the process works, or request a sample pack to see the print quality on actual aluminum. For label work on growlers, crowlers, or any other beer container, start here.

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Seasonal Beer Labels: Trends, Consumer Demand, and Design

Studies show that holiday or limited-edition packaging can double purchase preference compared to standard packaging for beverages. That’s a pretty compelling reason to consider offering seasonal beers, right?

Consumers also see “limited edition” designs as collectible, which can drive incremental purchases. Limited-edition packaging works by creating a feeling of scarcity and exclusivity (Journal of Consumer Marketing).

When you time your beer to an occasion, people pay attention.

Which Seasons Matter Most?

Beer consumer data shows that there are several ideal seasons and holidays in the U.S. where beer consumption and interest in seasonal beers spike.

Fourth of July beer can label

Fourth of July

The biggest beer week of the year, every year. NielsenIQ and NBWA data consistently rank Independence Day as beer’s top sales week.

Summer ale beer label

Summer

Nearly 40% of annual beer sales occur May–August, with July 4th and Labor Day surges. Weekly deliveries can run 50% higher than average during this period (Good Beer Hunting citing NBWA/Nielsen).

St. Patrick's Day beer label

St. Patrick’s Day

The #1 on-premise beer sales day of the year for bars and restaurants according to NIQ CGA.

Super Bowl beer label

The Super Bowl

More than $1.4B in off-premise beer sales occur around the Super Bowl (NIQ).

Fall ale beer label

Halloween & Fall

IRI scan data shows seasonals account for ~11.6% of their annual volume in October, with Märzen specifically at ~9.5% (Brewers Association/IRI). On-premise, Oktoberfest beers can outperform pumpkin beers, commanding higher prices (Union POS Data).

Thanksgiving beer label

Thanksgiving Eve (“Drinksgiving”)

Consistently a top-5 night for on-premise sales. Lightspeed data shows beer orders up +85% vs. a normal Wednesday (Lightspeed), while BeerBoard confirms significant spikes in traffic.

Holiday ale beer label

Winter Holidays

Early December Saturdays rank among the top on-premise sales days of the year (NIQ CGA). Off-premise, Circana reports Thanksgiving alone delivers a $2.4B lift in alcohol sales vs. an average week.

Great Lakes Brewing’s Christmas Ale is a case study in winter seasonals’ power, ranking as a top-15 craft brand nationally over just eight weeks (Brewbound).

Bottom line: the best bets are summer, St. Patrick’s, Super Bowl, fall (Halloween + Oktoberfest), and early December holidays.

How to Approach Seasonal Beer Labels

Research shows that label design directly impacts shopper attention and purchase. In Quad’s 2025 shelf study (they used real planograms and eye-tracking), beer shoppers gravitated to labels with strong color blocking, clear beer style callouts, and simplified hierarchies.

Here are some research-backed to put together an appealing seasonal label:

Design Considerations

Contrast and clarity

Eye-tracking studies show modern, clean labels earn more visual attention and selection than dense, illustrated designs (Systematic Review). For seasonals, make sure the beer style is legible at a glance and avoid overcrowding your design.

Color psychology

A peer-reviewed experiment with Danish beer drinkers found that warm label colors and specific bottle forms significantly influenced perceived quality, liking, and expected price. Consider leaning into warm palettes for fall or winter releases and brighter, high-contrast colors for summer offerings.

Occasion cues

Research on packaging and occasion-linked alcohol products shows simple seasonal cues (shamrocks, snow, fall textures) help position beers as timely choices (Alcohol Focus Group Study).

Always highlight the beer style name prominently. Seasonal buyers want quick recognition (e.g., “Oktoberfest Märzen” or “Holiday Ale”).
Incorporate one or two clear seasonal visuals (like snowflakes, leaves, or shamrocks) rather than cluttering the label with many small details.
Balance brand identity with seasonal cues: keep core brand elements consistent so your seasonal releases still look like they’re part of your portfolio.
Consider limited-edition cues (like “Only this season” or numbered runs) to play into collectability and scarcity.

Materials & Finishes by Season

Summer (ice buckets, patios, coolers):

BOPP films with condensation-resistant adhesives to prevent peeling and water whitening.
Wet-strength papers with high wet opacity for premium looks that survive ice-bucket immersion.

Fall (Oktoberfest, Halloween):

Textured/kraft or uncoated wet-strength papers for rustic, autumnal cues that can still pass moisture tests.
Soft-touch coatings increase perceived quality and willingness to pay more (~+5%) in studies.
Tactile UV for raised seasonal details (leaves, steins).
Blacklight inks

Winter (Christmas ales, gift packs):

Metalized papers or metallized BOPP for holiday shimmer (Label Industry Reports).
Foil stamping (gold/silver) + emboss/deboss create premium cues widely used in holiday packaging (Craft Brewing Business Case Study).
Soft-touch overprint with spot gloss is supported by tactile packaging research showing elevated quality perception.

Sustainability Considerations

Shrink sleeves: Many breweries use shrink sleeves to get full-bottle designs, but not all are equally friendly to recycling. Look for versions that can be removed easily during the recycling process so your bottles and cans don’t get rejected. (APR Guidance)
Pressure-sensitive labels: These are the standard labels most brewers use. To support sustainability, consider options that are easier to wash off or recycle so your packaging doesn’t cause problems in reuse or recycling streams (UPM Wash-Off Case Study).
Paper facestocks: Choosing paper made with certified or lower-carbon materials is another way to lower your environmental footprint, especially when you’re producing multiple seasonal runs each year (UPM Label Life).

Key Takeaways

Seasonal beers succeed because they tie your brand to a moment. With the right mix of timing, design, materials, and finishes, your next fall seasonal, Super Bowl lager, or Christmas ale can stand out on the shelf and or at the bar.

Ready to talk about your next seasonal? Request a quote or get a sample pack to see what’s possible.

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What Label Materials are Best for Beer Cans?

When you’re sourcing labels for your beer cans, you’re making a choice that affects your production line, shelf appeal, and whether your label survives the trip from brewery to backyard cooler. We’ll walk you through your options and what each label material can realistically handle.

Pressure-Sensitive Film Labels (BOPP, PET)

This is one of the most common label materials used for beer cans, especially among craft breweries and beer producers. You’ll usually see these made from polypropylene (BOPP), which is lightweight and cost-effective, or polyester (PET) if you need a tougher, more scuff-resistant label. These materials hold up well in cold-fill conditions and sticky, wet environments like the canning line.

Pros:

Water-resistant and scuff-resistant with the right laminate
Works with most modern applicators
Fast changeovers for SKUs
Wide range of finish options (gloss, matte, soft-touch)

Cons:

Needs proper adhesive selection for cold and wet application
Not curbside recyclable unless label is removed

Best for:

Flagship SKUs, seasonal releases

Finishing Options:

Compatible with hot foil, spot UV, screen printing, gloss/matte laminates, and even soft touch

Environmental Considerations:

Performs well in condensation, temperature-controlled environments, and even submerged in ice buckets (when paired with cold-wet adhesive, a pressure-sensitive adhesive specifically made to maintain tack and bond strength on cold, wet surfaces)
Can scuff in pallet transit or fridge rub if unlaminated

Pressure-Sensitive Paper Labels

Pressure-sensitive paper can give a can a premium, handcrafted feel. They’re a go-to when your brand leans into a traditional look or you want a label that has a tactile feel. Just know you’ll need the right adhesive and coatings to keep things looking clean.

Pros:

Distinctive feel that conveys quality
Works well with foil and embossing

Cons:

Less durable in wet or high-friction environments
Needs lamination or varnish to prevent scuffing and fiber breakdown
Costs more than BOPP

Best for:

Limited releases, barrel-aged beers

Finishing Options:

Excellent for emboss, foil, and matte varnishes

Environmental Considerations:

More prone to damage in cold fill or ice buckets unless laminated
May degrade in humid storage or cooler bags

Shrink Sleeves

Shrink sleeves offer 360° coverage and vibrant, full-can graphics. They’re printed flat, then shrunk to fit the can using steam or radiant tunnels (equipment that uses heat or steam to shrink the sleeve tightly to the can’s shape).

Pros:

Full-body design real estate
Excellent moisture and abrasion resistance
Hides can imperfections (like dents)

Cons:

Requires shrink tunnel and seam orientation equipment
Can add cost and complexity compared to pressure sensitive labels
Can interfere with aluminum recycling unless perforated for removal

Best for:

Year-round products with high shelf visibility

Finishing Options:

UV varnishes, cold foil, screen printing, spot UV, tactile (sand) varnish

Environmental Considerations:

Durable in coolers and cold chain
Look for recyclable polyolefin or perforated sleeves to reduce recycling issues

Summary: Which Material Fits Where?

Most versatile overall: BOPP
- Balances cost, performance, and compatibility with cold-fill, short runs, and embellishments.
Best for premium tactile branding: Textured Pressure Sensitive Label Paper
- Ideal for seasonal or specialty products with foil and embossing.
Best for full-can design & high shelf impact: Shrink Sleeves
- Wrap-around visuals and strong durability, as long as you can manage the tunnel.
Best for high-speed, high-volume lines: Cut-and-Stack Paper Wraps
- Extremely cost-effective at scale, though less flexible for seasonal releases.

There’s no one right label for every beer, but there’s a best label for the way you brew, fill, ship, and sell.

Need help figuring out what works for your production setup? Contact us and we’ll walk you through it.

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What Label Materials are Best for Beer Bottles?

Choosing the right label material for your beer bottles matters more than most people think. A smudged label or one that peels off in a cooler can make a high-quality beer look second-rate.

Beer Bottles with custom labels

BOPP Labels

Pros: BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene) labels are versatile, water-resistant, and oil-resistant. They perform exceptionally in refrigerated and wet conditions, making them ideal for beers stored in coolers or ice buckets.

Cons: Less eco-friendly compared to paper (but keep in mind, paper labels will have problems with moisture and durability).

Best applications: Standard production lines, large batches, breweries looking for consistent performance.

Finishing options: Compatible with lamination, UV varnish (a protective coating that adds gloss or matte texture), hot foil stamping (metallic accents pressed with heat), , screen printing, and spot UV (selective gloss coating to highlight areas).

Environmental factors: Performs well across cold storage, shipping friction, and handling. Resistant to moisture, abrasion, and temperature shifts. These labels won’t smudge or slide off when pulled from a cooler full of ice.

Shrink Sleeve Labels

Pros: Shrink sleeves offer 360-degree branding, meaning the label wraps entirely around the bottle, maximizing design space. They work perfectly for bottles with unique shapes and are highly durable and abrasion-resistant.

Cons: Higher upfront cost; you or your co-packer will need to have specialized application equipment to apply the shrink sleeves to the container. Less environmentally friendly and more difficult to recycle compared to pressure-sensitive options unless you add a perforation and the consumer removes from the container prior to recycling

Best applications: Premium products, uniquely shaped bottles, full coverage branding.

Finishing options: UV varnishes, cold foil, screen printing, spot UV, tactile (sand) varnish.

Environmental factors: Resistant to moisture and abrasion; heat sensitivity requires careful application control. Inner-printed sleeves are protected from scuffs during shipping and shelving.

Paper Labels

Pros: More extensive embellishment options and good for a rustic or artisanal brand look.

Cons: Vulnerable to moisture unless coated or laminated, which can increase cost. In refrigerated or damp environments, untreated paper labels may absorb water and wrinkle or peel.

Best applications: Small batch, premium artisan beers, or products stored in dry conditions.

Finishing options: Die cutting, lamination, UV varnish, hot foil stamping, embossing, screen printing, and spot UV.

Environmental factors: Must be protected from moisture; less suitable for refrigerated or wet environments unless heavily treated.

Vinyl Labels

Pros: Durable, moisture-resistant, excellent for outdoor exposure and long-term storage.

Cons: Higher cost than paper or BOPP; adhesive compatibility is an important factor. May not be the best fit for high-volume runs due to cost.

Best applications: Beers frequently exposed to outdoor environments or harsh storage conditions—think beer garden seasonals or special event releases.

Finishing options: Compatible with die cutting, lamination, UV varnish, hot foil stamping, embossing, screen printing, and spot UV.

Environmental factors: Excellent performance in moisture, cold storage, UV exposure, and abrasion conditions. Maintains label clarity and adhesion even after extended outdoor use.

Quick Comparison Table

Material	Durability	Moisture Resistance	Cost	Best Application
BOPP	High	High	Low	General-purpose labeling
Shrink Sleeve	Very High	Very High	High	Unique shapes, premium branding
Paper	Low	Low (unless treated)	Moderate	Dry environments, artisanal look
Vinyl	High	High	High	Outdoor, harsh conditions

Choosing your label material means considering your production scale, product storage conditions, and desired brand impact. Need help deciding which material suits your specific needs? Contact us or request a sample pack and we’ll guide you through it.