Pick a label size from the container, not from its volume. Two 375ml jars from different suppliers can differ in height by more than a centimetre, and a label that sits perfectly on one will crease over the shoulder of the other. Measure first, then pick the size.
This guide shows how to measure any jar, bottle, can or tin in two minutes, gives starting sizes for the containers Australian makers use most, and sums up what the law says has to go on a food or cosmetic label.
How do I measure a container for a label?
You need a ruler and a strip of paper.
- Find the straight side. Most jars and bottles curve in at the shoulder and again at the base. Measure only the flat, vertical part between the two curves. That is the tallest your label can be.
- Take 3mm off each end. A label that runs onto a curve lifts and creases. Keep at least 3mm clear of where each curve starts.
- Wrap the paper strip round the widest part and mark where it overlaps. That length is the circumference, or roughly the diameter times 3.14.
- Decide how far round the label goes. A front label that covers up to about a third of the way round is fully visible from the front and easy to apply straight. Go further only if you want a wrap-around label.
- For a lid, measure the flat top, not the whole lid, and choose a circle a few millimetres smaller so the edge does not catch on the rim.
If your measurement lands between two of our sizes, go down to the smaller one. A label with a little breathing room looks deliberate; one that touches the curves looks like a mistake.
What size label for common Australian containers?
These are starting points from typical Australian supplier dimensions. Containers vary, so always check yours.
| Container | Typical size | Starting label |
|---|---|---|
| 250ml round jar, 63mm lid | About 67mm wide, 98–100mm tall | 5 x 7.5cm rectangle, landscape; 5cm circle on the lid |
| 375ml round jar, 63mm lid | About 72–73mm wide, 113–127mm tall | 6 x 9cm rectangle, landscape; 5cm circle on the lid |
| 500ml panelled jar, 82mm lid | About 89mm wide, 122mm tall | 7.5 x 10cm rectangle, landscape; 6.5cm circle on the lid |
| 375ml can | About 66mm wide, 129mm tall | 6 x 9cm rectangle, upright |
| 750ml wine bottle | About 73–75mm wide | 10 x 12.5cm front, upright; 6 x 10.5cm back, landscape |
| Candle tin, 50g | About 52mm wide | 4cm circle on the lid |
| Candle tin, 180–200g | About 71–83mm wide | 6.5cm or 7.5cm circle on the lid |
| 30ml dropper bottle | About 33mm wide | 3 x 4.5cm rectangle, upright |
| 100ml dropper bottle | About 48mm wide | 5 x 7.5cm rectangle, upright |
Our rectangles come in eleven sizes from 3 x 4.5cm to 10 x 15cm, and circles and squares from 4cm to 15cm. If none of them fits, ask us for a custom size.
Paper or vinyl labels?
For anything that gets wet or handled, vinyl. Every label we print is vinyl with a protective laminate, so it does not go soggy in the fridge, smudge in the bathroom or peel off a bottle sitting in an esky of ice. Paper labels are cheaper per piece, but they are the wrong choice for sauces, drinks, skincare and candles.
One application tip: stick labels onto clean, dry containers at room temperature. Condensation on a jar straight out of the fridge stops any adhesive from gripping properly.
What has to go on a food label in Australia?
Packaged food sold in Australia is covered by the Food Standards Code, set by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). For most packaged food, the label needs:
- the name of the food
- your business name and an Australian address
- a lot identification (a batch code or date)
- an ingredients list
- allergen declarations
- a use-by or best-before date
- storage or use directions where they matter for safety or shelf life
- a nutrition information panel
- country of origin
Allergens have their own format. Under the plain English allergen labelling rules, which have been mandatory since February 2024, allergens are named in plain words (milk, not whey), shown in bold in the ingredients list, and summarised in a separate "Contains" statement next to it.
There are exemptions, and they matter to market sellers. Food sold at a genuine fundraising event, and food made and packaged on the premises it is sold from, do not need a full label. Allergen information, the name of the food, and safety directions still have to be displayed with the food or given on request. Very small packages, under 100 square centimetres of total surface, can skip the ingredients list and nutrition panel, but still need the name, business details, lot identification and allergen declarations.
Note that food made in your home kitchen and then sold at a market stall is generally not "made on the premises" of the stall. Home-based food businesses also need to notify their local council, and requirements vary between states and councils.
Country of origin labelling applies to most food sold at retail, including at markets. Many foods need the kangaroo-and-bar-chart label; others, such as confectionery, biscuits, snacks, tea, coffee and drinks, only need a text statement.
What about cosmetics, soap and candles?
Cosmetics and soap must list every ingredient, in descending order by amount. If the container is too small to fit the list, it has to be made available another way, such as on a sign or card displayed with the product. Soap makers may also have obligations to the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS).
Candles are covered by a product safety ban on wicks with too much lead. Burn instructions and warning labels are good practice even where they are not mandatory.
Where do I check the rules properly?
This guide is a starting point, not legal advice. Before you print a run of food or cosmetic labels, check the official sources:
- FSANZ: food labelling for businesses
- ACCC: country of origin food labelling
- Product Safety Australia: cosmetics ingredients labelling
- Your state food authority and local council, for market and home-kitchen rules
We print what you send, so the content of the label is yours to get right. What we can do is check that the text is large enough to read and far enough inside the cut line to print cleanly, free of charge on every order.
Ready to print?
Labels are usually rectangle or circle stickers, with squares for lids and boxes. Most shapes start at ten, so you can test a label on real jars before ordering a full run. We print in Sydney within 1–2 business days and ship free Australia-wide.
Using stickers for more than labels? See custom stickers for small business and market stalls, or check your artwork against our print-ready artwork guide.
