I. Core Selection Principles: Safety First, Functional Fit
When selecting label materials for beverage-type health products, the foremost requirement is “food-contact safety.” The material must then be compatible with the product’s full life cycle, ultimately achieving a balance among safety, functionality, and cost. All three principles are essential:
(1) Food-Contact Safety Principle
Because labels directly contact—or are in close proximity to—beverage packaging, the substrate, adhesive, and printing inks must not contain migratory harmful substances such as heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury), fluorescent brighteners, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or hazardous plasticizers.
Priority should be given to materials certified for food-contact safety, such as:
China’s GB 4806 series standards
EU Regulation No. 10/2011
U.S. FDA 21 CFR Part 175–178
This prevents compliance risks associated with material migration.
(2) Environmental Adaptability Principle
Beverage-based health products are stored under varying conditions—ambient temperature, refrigeration (0–4°C), or freezing (–18°C). Some products also undergo temperature and humidity fluctuations during cold-chain transportation. Label materials must therefore provide corresponding resistance to temperature, moisture, and aging.
Examples:
Refrigerated products: labels must resist low temperatures without becoming brittle; adhesives must remain effective.
Room-temperature functional drinks: labels must resist UV exposure to prevent fading.
Alcohol-containing health beverages (e.g., ginseng wine): labels require chemical resistance to prevent alcohol vapor from causing edge lifting.
(3) Functional Matching Principle
Different product types require different label functions:
For traceability information: select substrates suitable for high-definition QR code printing.
For premium appearance: choose textured specialty substrates (e.g., matte film, soft-touch film).
For anti-counterfeiting: integrate holographic materials or fluorescent fibers.
Labels must also match the surface characteristics of the packaging:
Glass: smooth surface → requires high initial tack adhesives.
PET bottles: slight static charge → requires anti-static film to avoid dust attraction.
II. Substrate Categories and Selection: From Basic Performance to Application Fit
The substrate is the core carrier of a label, determining its physical properties, printability, and environmental durability. Substrates used for beverage health products fall into two major categories: paper-based and film-based materials. Their characteristics differ significantly.
(1) Paper-Based Substrates: Cost-Effective and Suitable for Short-Term Ambient Storage
Paper substrates use natural fibers, offering moderate cost and excellent printability. They are ideal for ambient-stored health beverages with shorter shelf lives (6–12 months), such as herbal drinks or short-fermentation health beverages.
- Coated Paper (Glossy Paper)
The surface coating provides smoothness and excellent color reproduction, suitable for labels requiring fine visual detail (ingredients chart, logo, etc.).
However, its moisture resistance is weak—unlaminated coated paper absorbs moisture and may deform or blur. Lamination (gloss or matte) is required.
Best for:
Room-temperature bottled health drinks (e.g., goji berry juice, red date beverage) in PET or HDPE containers, requiring basic product information labeling.
- Matte Paper
Non-glossy surface with a soft, refined texture, giving a premium appearance—ideal for high-end health drinks like ginseng beverages or bird’s nest drinks.
Like coated paper, it requires lamination to improve moisture resistance.
Compared with coated paper, its scratch resistance is slightly weaker; paper weight ≥ 80 g is recommended to maintain stiffness.
Best for:
Premium gift-boxed beverages (e.g., sea cucumber oral liquid) requiring both elegance and functional elements such as traceability codes and anti-counterfeit marks.
- Kraft Paper
Made from natural kraft pulp, naturally brown, offering an eco-friendly and rustic aesthetic. Suitable for products emphasizing “natural” or “additive-free” concepts, such as organic herbal teas or natural fruit–vegetable beverages.
Moisture resistance is better than coated paper but still requires lamination or waxing for water protection.
Printability is limited; best for single or dual-color printing (black, dark brown, etc.).
Best for:
Eco-friendly concept beverages (e.g., organic spirulina drink) packaged in glass jars or composite paper cans, highlighting natural/organic brand values.
Advantages of paper substrates:
Low cost, recyclable, environmentally friendly.
Disadvantages:
Poor moisture and weather resistance; require surface treatments like lamination or waxing.
Paper weight should be ≥ 70 g to avoid wrinkling after application.
