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How to Prevent Labels from Melting or Warping in Hot-Filled Products

If you’ve ever had labels warp, peel, or slide right off bottles or jars after hot filling, you know how frustrating and costly that can be. We’ve seen it all, and we know what works (and what doesn’t). It’s always best to apply labels on a clean, dry, and room temperature container. But, sometimes it is necessary to hot fill.

Here’s what you need to know to keep your labels intact in hot-fill conditions.

Quick Checklist to Avoid Hot-Fill Label Failures:

Select heat-resistant label materials (like BOPP or PET)
Use adhesives specifically rated for high temperatures
Make sure containers are clean, dry, and prepped right
Choose label finishes that add durability (laminates, varnishes)
Test label performance in real-world conditions before scaling up

Pick the Right Label Material

The first thing to get right is your label material. Not all of them handle heat the same way. We recommend:

BOPP (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene): Durable, heat-tolerant, and reliable.
PET (Polyester): Excellent heat resistance and dimensional stability.
MDO: Similar to BOPP in terms of durability, heat tolerance, and reliability, MDO may be the better option depending on the container due to its flexibility.

Standard paper labels? Paper labels are possible for hot-fill products but be mindful of the type of adhesive used.

Not sure which material makes sense for your product? Contact us and we’ll walk you through it.

Choose Heat-Resistant Adhesives

Your adhesive is just as important as your material (if not more). Without the right one, even the best label will fail.

Most high-temp adhesives are rated for around 180–200°F, but results can vary depending on your container and fill speed. Always check the adhesive spec sheet and make sure it’s tested for your exact application.

Add Label Finishing for Extra Protection

Finishes help your label survive the journey from fill line to store shelf. They protect against scuffs, moisture, and the occasional warehouse disaster. Here’s what we like:

Clear polypropylene or PET lamination: Great for moisture and abrasion resistance. Check out our lamination options.
UV Varnishes: Good for extra durability without changing the feel too much.

Some finishes can change the look or feel a bit, so test them out before you commit.

Prep Your Containers the Right Way

Labels don’t stand a chance on a wet or dirty surface. And if you’re labeling plastics like polypropylene or HDPE, you’re starting with a tough surface to bond to. Here’s what helps:

Dry the containers completely. Use air knives or drying tunnels.
Wipe away oils, dust, or residue.

Prep won’t fix everything, but it goes a long way toward keeping your labels where they belong.

Apply Labels Under the Right Conditions

When it comes to applying labels after a hot fill, timing and pressure make all the difference:

Temperature: Wait until containers cool to below 90°F before labeling.
Pressure: Use consistent pressure so the label fully bonds.
Dwell Time: Let the adhesive cure for at least 24–72 hours before handling or shipping. That gives it time to fully settle in, especially in humid or changing environments.

Running at scale? Run a small test batch first and check with your applicator manufacturer for pressure settings.

Validate and Test Before You Go All In

Even with the right setup, things can go sideways. That’s why testing is key. We suggest:

Run a short trial batch.
Mimic your exact fill and cooling process.
Check your labels right away, then again after 24 and 72 hours.

Look for curling, peeling, bubbling, or anything that could get worse later. A little testing up front can save you a lot of headaches later.

Quick Summary

If you want labels that stay put after hot filling, you need the right combo of materials, adhesive, prep, and finishing.

Need help figuring it out? Contact us and we’ll help you find the right setup for your product, container, and process.

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Which Foods Are Not Required to Have a Nutrition Label?

If you’re researching label requirements for food products, you’re in the right place. Most packaged foods sold in the U.S. require a Nutrition Facts panel, but not all. Below, we break down the key exemptions so you can determine whether your product qualifies and what to consider during the packaging process.

Most Foods Require a Nutrition Label

FDA regulations state that almost all packaged foods intended for human consumption and sold at retail must include a Nutrition Facts label. You can see a visual example from the FDA here.

FDA Nutrition Label

Source: FDA.gov

This panel must follow a standardized format, including calories, fat, sodium, carbohydrates, protein, and other required nutrients per serving.

But there are a few exceptions based on what the product is and how (or by whom) it’s sold.

**Foods That Don’t Need a Nutrition Label: Key Exemptions**

Produce in grocery store

1. Raw Fruits, Vegetables, and Fish

If you’re selling raw, single-ingredient produce or fish without making any nutrient or health claims, you’re likely exempt. These products fall under a voluntary nutrition labeling program overseen by the FDA, under FDA guidelines (specifically 21 CFR § 101.45). You can find more guidance on this program through the FDA’s Food Labeling Guide.

2. Foods with Insignificant Nutritional Value

Items like plain coffee beans, tea leaves, food colors, and flavor extracts may be exempt if they don’t contribute meaningful calories, fat, sugar, or other nutrients that typically appear in a Nutrition Facts panel.

If your product has measurable calories, fat, sugars, or protein, it’s likely not excempt.

3. Foods Sold for Immediate Consumption

This exemption only applies to food prepared and sold for immediate consumption on-site like restaurant meals or freshly made deli items not packaged for later sale. If the item is prepackaged and sold at retail for later use, it will generally require a nutrition label.

4. Foods in Very Small Packages

If your product is in a package with less than 12 square inches of total label space, you may be exempt, as long as you don’t include a nutrient or health claim (like “low fat,” “good source of calcium,” or “supports heart health”). Claims like this, whether on the label or in marketing materials, require you to include the full Nutrition Facts panel regardless of package size.

5. Bulk Foods for Further Processing

Foods not sold directly to consumers like ingredients shipped in bulk to other manufacturers for further processing are exempt from nutrition labeling requirements as long as they are not intended for retail sale and don’t display any nutrition or health claims.

6. Small Business / Low Volume Exemption

This only applies to very small manufacturers. If your company has fewer than 100 full-time employees and sells fewer than 100,000 units of a product per year, you may qualify.

To claim this exemption, you must file an annual notice with the FDA through its Small Business Nutrition Labeling Exemption website, which outlines eligibility requirements and includes the necessary forms for submission.

You can do this through the FDA’s Small Business Nutrition Labeling Exemption website, which outlines eligibility requirements and includes the necessary forms for submission. For mid-sized manufacturers, this typically doesn’t apply.

How to Verify if Your Product Needs a Nutrition Label

Don’t guess, just verify it before making any packaging decisions. If you’re planning a new label or SKU, check to make sure your packaging accommodates regulatory requirements:

Ask yourself:

Is my product packaged for retail sale?
Is it intended for immediate consumption, or further processing?
Does the label or marketing include any nutrition or health claims?
Does it contain significant amounts of calories, fat, sugar, or protein?
Do I qualify as a small business (under 100 employees and <100,000 units annually)?

If you answered “yes” to the first and “no” to the rest, a full Nutrition Facts label is likely required. When in doubt, check with the FDA resources or your regulatory team.

FDA’s Food Labeling Guide – View PDF
21 CFR § 101.9(j) – The federal regulation listing all exemptions
FDA’s Small Business Nutrition Labeling Exemption – View Page

Even If You’re Exempt, Some Labeling Is Still Required

Food label allergen information

Exemption from a nutrition label doesn’t mean you don’t need labeling at all. You still need to include:

Statement of identity (common name of the food)
Net quantity of contents
Name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor
Ingredient list, if more than one ingredient
Allergen declarations for major allergens (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans)

And remember, if you make any nutrient content or health claim (like “low sodium,” “good source of fiber,” etc.), you must include the full Nutrition Facts panel, even if you would otherwise qualify for an exemption.

Nutrition Labels and Food Products

Most packaged foods will require a nutrition label, especially if you’re selling at scale. But if you think your product qualifies for an exemption, use the FDA resources above to confirm your product’s labeling status before starting design or ordering labels. This helps avoid costly reprints, missed deadlines, or label issues that could hold up your product launch.

Our team can work with you to make sure your label meets all requirements from day one.

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What is a Batch Number and Why Does it Matter for Product Labeling?

Thousands of businesses all over the world rely on batch numbers and batch management to handle and track their products as they move through different stages of the production and distribution process. Let’s discuss batch numbers, the type of information they include, why they’re important, best practices, and how you can add them to labels.

Understanding Batch Numbers

According to the FDA’s Code of Federal Regulations, a product batch number is a distinct combination of numbers, letters and symbols detailing a product’s manufacturing, processing, and distribution history.

With batch numbers, you assign a code to a group of products that were manufactured together during a single production run.The data in a batch number allows manufacturers and distributors to keep track of products as they move through the supply chain.

Information That Batch Numbers Typically Include

Your batch number should contain information that allows distributors and manufacturers to uniquely identify products in one production run. That means each code needs to include information like:

Manufacturing Date: When was the product manufactured? Most batch numbers use the Julian Date format, which is written as YYDD. This helps you trace when the product was manufactured, which is important to know during recalls.
Production Time: Some industries, like the food and beverage industry, mention the production time in batch numbers. This detail allows them to maintain better quality control while managing shelf life and expiration dates.
Location: Companies that have different production sites commonly include the location in batch numbers. Adding this information allows precise traceability for product batches at different stages of the manufacturing process.
Product Code: Batch numbers often include a product code, which corresponds to a specific Stock Keeping Unit (SKU). It helps distributors distinguish between different product varieties and types, such as regular and sugar-free versions.
Serial Number: In industries where several batches are made in a single day, serial numbers are added to batch numbers. It helps manufacturers and distributors distinguish batches produced on the same day or during the same shift.
Expiration Date Or Shelf Life Code: Batch numbers in some industries like cosmetics and food and beverage often include codes for shelf-life and expiration dates.

Why Batch Numbers Matter For Labeling Products

So, why add batch numbers to your product labels? The ISO 9001:2015 lays out best practices for traceability. It requires businesses to use batch numbers to track products and ensure quality control across different production stages.

Here are some of the reasons to use batch numbers:

Improves Traceability

When you’re adding batch numbers to product labels, you get precise traceability for your products. You can trace the lifecycle of an entire batch from manufacturing and processing to distribution and store shelves.

Ensures Regulatory Compliance

When you operate in an industry that’s exposed to strict regulations, such as food and pharmaceuticals, you need precise record-keeping. Not to mention, regulatory bodies like the FDA require batch numbers for food products, beverages, infant formula, and pharmaceuticals.

Allows Better Inventory Management

Your business can keep an accurate track of current inventory and anticipate demand. This reduces the risk of stockouts or overstocking.

Efficient Product Recalls

In the event of defects or safety concerns, your business can quickly identify the issue affecting a specific batch. You’ll be able to implement recalls much faster.

Best Practices For Batch Number Placement And Printing

Regulations surrounding the placement and printing of batch numbers can depend on your industry. However, guidelines usually include printing the batch number in a clear and prominent location. For instance, the FDA requires that you print the batch number somewhere it’s accessible, like the information panel on the label. The font size should be big enough to ensure readability, so about 1/16th of an inch for smaller labels, as detailed by 21 CFR §201.15.

Creating And Managing Batch Numbers

Whether you’re managing operations at a small or large scale, most companies leave managing batch numbers to specialized software.

For smaller-scale operations, common options include Craftbase, Unleashed Software, and QuickBooks Enterprise. For larger-scale operations, common options include NetSuite, SAP’s ERP suite, BatchMaster ERP, and Inciflo.

Integrating Different Batch Numbers Into One Label Run

For businesses that print batch numbers onto labels, integrating different batch numbers into a label run is a common scenario. That’s where labeling solutions like variable data printing comes in.

Variable data printing allows you to change elements like graphics or text for labels quickly adding several different batch numbers into a single run for a cost-effective and efficient solution.

Add Batch Numbers to Labels for Better Traceability and Compliance

Ready to put together a strategy for printing batch numbers in a single label run? Our experts can help. Learn more about variable data printing, get a sample pack, or request a quote!

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Restaurant Stickers: How Food Labels for Delivery and Takeout Orders Can Benefit Your Business

If you run a business where people order takeout or delivery, quality, consistent packaging is a must. However, it can be easy to overlook a valuable piece of the delivery and takeout puzzle – a food label.

No matter whether you call it a label or sticker, these markers can make a difference for your business. Here are three notable reasons why you should invest in food labels for your takeout and delivery orders.

Food Labels Can Provide Useful Information

A good label is a blank canvas for potential information, both for you and your customers. A single sticker is an easy way for you to share key business information with every container – and in a very professional, attractive manner as well. For example, the following details could prove useful to your customers:

Restaurant hours
Phone number
Website
Social media pages
Locations (if applicable)

Even though you’ve already completed a transaction, after an order, it doesn’t hurt to remind people how and where to contact you for their next order. Listed information can also prove useful for a new customer who had no idea they could follow you on social media or that you had a location near their mom’s house.

In addition to details like your phone number, stickers can also help you share information that’s custom to every order. A takeout label can easily include a blank space that’s designed for helpful features that would improve a customer’s experience. For example, a customer with a big order would probably appreciate it if each container had a sticker that listed what is in the container and when it was packaged. Sure, you could write it directly on a box, but labels look much more professional and act as a great way to include quality branding.

Food delivery and takeout labels being printed.

Food Labels Make for Extra Marketing Opportunities

Speaking of how labels make for more professional packaging, let’s talk about a key benefit of a good restaurant sticker: branding. Every takeout or delivery container is a marketing opportunity. Takeout and delivery labels are prime spaces to include your logo, color themes, and any other details that will resonate with customers. Any restaurant can slap a boring white sticker on a package and call it a day. Only yours can emblazon each order with your brand and get people excited before they open the container.

Another benefit of utilizing branded takeout labels is that it helps create a cohesive image for your business. From takeout containers to menus and signage, unified presentation is big for business. How big, you ask? One study estimates that consistent presentation of a brand can help increase revenue by 33 percent, so investing in some branded container labels can be a greater financial boon than you think. In fact, diehard fans may even appreciate an extra sticker or two in their bags – it never hurts to have your customers stick your brand in new places.

Food Labels Make Food More Secure

A good sticker offers do more than just look good and provide information. Restaurant labels can serve as tamper evident seals for delivery and takeout orders. That simple seal over the flap of a container can help protect food from devious delivery drivers. That’s a key safeguard with more people turning to delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats, especially since a 2019 study by U.S. Foods found that 28 percent of deliverers admitted to taking food from an order.

Even if you don’t rely on outside delivery people and trust your staff, the vast majority of customers still appreciate a tamper evident seal. That same study found that 85 percent of people would like restaurants to use some form of seal to protect their food. A simple seal can give your customers some peace of mind – and that’s something you can’t put a price on.

An assortment of food label stickers laying on a table.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Takeout and Delivery Stickers

Even a single sticker can make a notable impact on your packaging. Of course, that doesn’t mean you need to settle for basic labels for your restaurant. Every takeout or delivery label is a chance to educate and impress your customers, so it’s best to get the most out of these miniature marketing tools.

At Blue Label, we can help you enhance your labels without breaking the bank. If you really want to impress your customers, we can laminate to protect your artwork and add a textural element to your packaging. We can even utilize variable data printing technology to randomize certain elements – like different food items, slogans, or maybe pictures of your other menu options – of your labels and really spice up your sticker game. No matter what route you want to take, our experts can help you invest in stunning food labels for your to-go orders. Even better, our digital printing technology allows you to order labels in small quantities without sacrificing on quality and order flexibility.

Ready to amp up your takeout and delivery orders? Contact us today to talk to one of our experts about how we can help you improve your packaging.