Wine labels are some of the steadiest trade label work in Australia. Wineries keep cycling through new vintages, single-vineyard releases and label refreshes, and most runs are in the hundreds or low thousands, which suits digital roll printing. This guide is for the sign shops, designers and resellers who fulfil that work: what we print for wine through our labels on rolls, which stock suits which wine, how to size for the bottle, what compliance elements to check before the file goes in, and how to order.
What we do and don't do for wine
We print:
- Digital roll labels on matt paper, white BOPP, clear BOPP and silver BOPP, all at the same price for the same size and quantity
- A white underprint on clear and silver BOPP so colours read solid
- Matt or gloss laminate on BOPP (not on paper)
- Squares, rectangles, circles and custom die-cut shapes
- Rolls on a 76mm core, outside wound in four orientations to suit the applicator
- Turnaround from two business days
We don't print: foil, embossing, spot UV, textured wine papers (felt-marked, laid and similar), variable data, or mixed designs on one roll. Each unique label is its own job; several jobs can go in one order. For a reserve release that needs foil or embossing, use a specialist wine label printer for that release and keep the regular range with us.
Which stock for which wine
| Wine | Stock | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Chilled whites, rosé, sparkling | White BOPP | Handles fridge condensation and ice buckets |
| Room-temperature reds, craft brands | Matt paper | Warm, natural look; keep it away from moisture |
| Mid-market with a premium feel | White BOPP, matt laminate | Soft-touch finish that still handles moisture |
| Reserve and limited releases | Silver BOPP, white underprint, matt laminate | Metallic premium look |
| Clear or pale-green glass, "no-label" look | Clear BOPP, white underprint | The glass and wine show through |
Paper can't be laminated, so a paper label on a wine that will be chilled is the most common wrong spec we see. If the client wants the look of paper on a white or sparkling wine, move them to matt-laminated white BOPP. The roll label materials guide covers each stock in detail.
Sizing for the bottle
Bottle shape sets the label size, so get the bottle supplier's spec sheet for the recessed label area before locking artwork. Typical ranges:
| Bottle / label | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Bordeaux front | 80–100mm | 80–110mm |
| Bordeaux back | 80–100mm | 50–90mm |
| Burgundy front (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir) | 80–95mm | 80–100mm |
| Hock front (Riesling, Gewürztraminer) | 65–85mm | 100–130mm |
| Sparkling front | 90–120mm | 80–110mm |
| Neck label | 30–50mm | 60–90mm |
Sparkling front labels that follow the bottle's shoulder need a custom cut line. Neck labels are a separate job and should match the main label's stock and finish.
For machine application, tell us at quoting and include the applicator make and model so we set the right wind direction. Our standard rolls are on a 76mm core and build to roughly 250mm diameter. We also run a 312mm-wide roll format on white or clear BOPP. The roll label sizing guide has the full size, core and wind details.
Compliance: what to check before the file goes in
The winery is responsible for label compliance, and we print what's supplied. But as the reseller you're often the last person to see the artwork before it prints, and a two-minute check can save a full reprint. At a minimum, an Australian wine label should carry:
- The pregnancy warning mark, using the FSANZ-supplied file, not a redrawn version
- Allergens in the prescribed plain-English terms: "sulphites" (not "sulfites"), plus "egg" or "milk" if used in fining
- Alcohol content (e.g. 13.5% alc/vol) and the standard drinks statement
- Volume (e.g. 750mL)
- Country of origin statement
- Producer or supplier name and street address (a PO Box alone isn't enough)
- A lot identifier, often stamped on the bottle at bottling rather than printed on the label
Energy statements become mandatory on alcohol labels packaged from August 2028, so new designs should leave room for the panel. Vintage, variety and region claims fall under Wine Australia's Label Integrity Program.
This is a checklist, not legal advice. For the detail on each element, see our wine label compliance guide, and have the winery confirm specifics with FSANZ, Wine Australia or their advisor.
Artwork essentials
- Print-ready PDF at 100%, CMYK, fonts outlined, images at 300dpi
- 3mm bleed on every edge
- All text, and especially compliance text, at least 5mm inside the trim, because the cut can move by up to 2mm
- Brand colours as Pantone C (Coated) spot colours, not Uncoated
- Custom shapes: one closed stroke in a spot colour named exactly "Thru-cut"
- Clear and silver BOPP: a spot colour named exactly "White" (C10 M0 Y0 K0) under every area that should read as solid
The full walkthrough, including how to check separations in Acrobat, is in the roll label artwork setup guide.
Common problems on incoming wine artwork
- Pregnancy warning missing, redrawn or too small. Send it back to the client before it enters production.
- "Contains sulfites". The prescribed term is "sulphites".
- Paper specified for a chilled wine. Move to white BOPP.
- No White layer on clear or silver. Colours print washed out or grey.
- Compliance text hard against the edge. The cut can clip it; keep it 5mm in.
- Cut line drawn in black ink instead of the Thru-cut spot colour.
Minimums, turnaround and lead times
- Minimum order: $120 + GST per job on standard labels on rolls, or $60 + GST on the 312mm roll format. The minimum is in dollars, not quantity, so a small craft release can order what it needs.
- Turnaround: from two business days after artwork approval.
- Plan to the bottling date, not the finish date. Most bottlers want labels on hand several business days before bottling for set-up and checks, so build that into the client's schedule.
- Multiple varietals are separate jobs that can go in one order.
- Brand-colour-critical or silver jobs: a small sample run before a big order is cheap insurance.
Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum order for wine labels?
$120 + GST per job on standard labels on rolls, or $60 + GST on the 312mm roll format. It's a dollar minimum, so a small release doesn't have to over-order.
Will the labels survive an ice bucket?
On BOPP, yes. It's water-resistant and the adhesive holds in the cold. Paper isn't suited to chilled wine.
Does silver cost more than white?
No. All four stocks are the same price at the same size and quantity.
Can you do foil or embossing?
No. For those finishes, use a specialist wine label printer for that release.
Can I put four varietals on one roll?
No. Each design is its own job, but you can combine them in one order.
Do you check compliance?
No. We print what's supplied. Use the checklist above to catch obvious gaps, and have the winery confirm the specifics.
Key takeaways
- White BOPP for chilled wines, matt paper for room-temperature reds, silver for premium releases, clear for a "no-label" look.
- Paper can't be laminated. All four stocks cost the same.
- Size from the bottle supplier's spec sheet, and tell us if the labels go on an applicator.
- Check the pregnancy warning, "sulphites", alcohol, standard drinks, volume, origin and address before submitting.
- From two business days; minimum $120 + GST per job ($60 + GST on the 312mm format).
Order wine labels
Mediapoint prints trade-only, blind-shipped wine labels for resellers, sign shops and designers across Australia. See labels on rolls for live trade pricing, or send your artwork through and we'll confirm the stock and setup before it prints.
