10 Packaging Label & Sticker Design Ideas for Businesses

Packaging labels and stickers may be small, but they contribute greatly to a business’s success. They tell people what the product is, how to use it and where it came from. They also shape how your brand is remembered.

For small businesses, they’re an easy way to improve packaging without adding big costs. They help with clarity, presentation and even how your product is handled during shipping. More importantly, they make your product feel more complete. 

When packaging labels are incorporated properly, their functional and aesthetically pleasing design can add to an overall positive customer experience.

This guide breaks down the difference between labels and stickers, what they can do for your business, and ten packaging ideas you can try today.

Why stickers and labels are important for your packaging

A good label gives people the right information. It tells them what the product is, how to use it and when to use it by. Clear labelling builds trust and helps customers feel confident about their purchase.

Stickers and labels add more flexibility. You can use them to share a message, seal a box or guide handling. They also make your packaging more personal. A sticker that says “Thank you” or “Packed in Brisbane” gives your customer something to connect with.

Used well, both labels and stickers make your packaging easier to understand and more enjoyable to open.

The difference between stickers and labels

Labels are for product details. You’ll usually find them directly on the item. They list ingredients, give care instructions or show expiry dates.

Meanwhile, stickers are used on the packaging or included as extras. They can carry your logo, a QR code or a discount message. You can also use them for fun touches like a quote or brand slogan.

If the goal is to inform, use a label. If it’s to engage, go with a sticker.

Why are stickers and labels important for packaging? 

Labels give customers the information they need. They show what the product is, how to use it, where it’s made and when it expires. This helps people feel confident about their purchase. Explore the importance of stickers and labels below:

To promote your business

Your packaging is often the first thing people see. A clear label or a well-placed packaging sticker design helps build brand recognition. It shows your colours, your logo and the tone of your brand. You can also include your website, social handles or contact info so customers know where to find you next time.

You can learn more about small business packaging ideas by reaching out to us and exploring our marketing print solutions. 

To create a positive experience for your customers

Businesses use stickers and labels to add dimension to their products. Adding stickers and labels is a key element to memorable product packaging and unboxing experience.

Without packaging stickers and labels, boxes are just boxes. On your packaging, labels and stickers can help create a more positive experience by:

• Showing them where their product was made

• Teaching them the easiest way to open their product

• Teaching them how to use the product or suggesting more ideas

• Reinforcing your brand slogan or tagline, with a curated sticker or label design

• Showing how to handle the product properly

• Showcase your slogan or brand voice visually

These small touches help customers feel more confident in your product and more connected to your brand.

To keep your customers coming back

Creating a positive experience with labels and staying front-of-mind with packaging stickers gives a better chance of making a loyal customer. Also, a customer looking to shop with you again might want to learn more about your business. Labels can be used on packaging to show:

• Your business address

• How to find your website

• Your contact number

• A link to review products or leave feedback

• Other similar products you offer

To help with packing and shipping

Labels are useful behind the scenes, too. You can use them to organise stock, show product variants or add batch numbers. Stickers can flag fragile items or tell couriers which side should face up. They improve your process and make your shipping more reliable.

10 Must-Try Ideas for Packaging Labels and Stickers 

Smart use of stickers and labels can lift your packaging without major cost or effort. And the best part is you don’t need to do a full rebrand. A few small touches can make your product more useful, more shareable and more memorable. Here are some label and sticker ideas to start with.

QR Codes

One of the easiest ways to encourage customers to come back for more is to use QR codes on your packaging. A QR code label could easily be scanned by phones to lead to things like:

• Your Contact page

• Your Google reviews

• A link to call your number directly

• Product instructions

• A discount code or thank-you page

Depending on its end purpose, you could print a QR code for your packaging on either a sticker or a label. Make sure your QR code is easy to scan and the page it leads to loads fast.

Different shapes of stickers and labels 

Stickers and labels come in more than just business card shapes and sizes. You can stick out from competitors with rounded corners, circles, and custom-cut designs. A unique shape can help your packaging stand out on shelves and feel more aligned with your brand.

To create a package that really fits your product’s value and your brand,  explore other shape and size options. 

Brighten your packaging with colours and patterns 

Once you’ve chosen a unique shape for your packaging stickers and labels, you can get extra creative with colours to design stickers that match your company’s brand.

If you’re selling something like bottled products or are a fan of minimal designs, you could remove colour entirely and opt for a clear sticker design. Make sure to keep the colours easy to read and consistent with the rest of your design.

Freebies

Everyone loves a freebie. On top of sticking labels and colours to the outside of your packaging, you can hide a few goodies (stickers) inside too. Sticker freebies could be in all shapes and sizes, fit for common spots or things they can reuse, such as:

• Laptops

• Bikes

• Windows

• Water bottles

Keep the design simple and on-brand by adding a logo, icon or tagline. Don’t make it feel like another ad.

Seal products in style (and with added durability)

Packing tape is practical, but it’s a bit bland. Why not add some extra flavour to your packaging by helping to keep it sealed with stickers? They’re durable, colourful, and add an extra dimension to the unboxing experience. 

Your packaging sticker design could be as simple as your brand name or logo, or you could get creative with printed stickers that say things like:

• “Open me!”

• “Great things inside”

• “What are you waiting for?”

• “You’ve been expecting me”

Stickers also work well to hold down ribbons or string when you’re adding extra touches to your packaging.

Give the postie a hand

Post handlers aren’t as lucky as your consumers because they have no idea what’s inside your packaging. Stickers and labels should be used on the outside of boxes that travel to indicate things like:

• “Fragile”

• “Keep upright”

• “Do not bend”

• “Perishable”

It’s one of the simplest ways to avoid damage and show customers you care about how their order arrives.

Go for eco-friendly options

If your business values sustainability, your packaging should show it. Choose recyclable, compostable or biodegradable stickers and labels where possible. You can also add a small note on the label to tell customers how to dispose of it the right way. 

Offer promos and discounts through scratch and peel stickers

Add a scratch-to-reveal code or message to your packaging. This works well for limited-time discounts, loyalty perks or even fun product facts. It adds a bit of interaction to the unboxing and gives people a reason to engage with your brand again.

Just keep it simple and make the reward clear.

Adding names to stickers

People are drawn to small details nd touches addressed to them as the receiver. A sticker that says “Packed for Sam” or “Made just for you” can make a product feel more personal. This works especially well for gift orders or handmade items.

You can handwrite names or print batches based on customer data.

Suggest product pairings

Use a sticker to suggest what goes well with the product inside. For example:

• “Try this with our coffee scrub”

• “Pairs well with our oat conditioner”

• “This lid fits our 500ml bottles too”

It’s a low-effort way to upsell, reduce confusion or introduce customers to something they didn’t know you offered. You can add it to the back of the box, near the barcode or right next to your logo. This technique is also useful for stock rotation and cross-promotion without hard selling. 

Create the best packaging label and sticker designs with Snap Print Solutions

Need help printing custom stickers or packaging labels for your products? Snap Print Solutions makes it easy. We offer commercial printing services to suit businesses of any size, graphic design support to get the look right and local service with fast turnaround times

If you're after custom shapes, clear messaging or a full brand refresh, we’ll help you achieve and materialise your packaging ideas.

Start by visiting your local Snap Centre or browse our online printing services to get started.