Inkjet label rolls come two ways. Die-cut rolls have labels already cut to a size and shape, with a small gap between each one. Continuous rolls are one long strip of label material that you print and cut to whatever length you need. Both run on the same printers. The right one depends on how many different products you label and how your printer cuts.
| Die-cut | Continuous | |
|---|---|---|
| Label size | Fixed: the size on the roll | Any length, set in your file |
| Shapes | Rectangles, squares and circles | Rectangles only |
| Finish | Peel straight off the liner, clean edges | Needs cutting after printing |
| Best for | One or a few products, production runs, hand application | Many products in different sizes, testing, short runs |
| Watch out for | Changing size means a new roll | Without an automatic cutter, you trim by hand |
Choose die-cut if
- You label the same product, or a few, over and over.
- You want round labels, like a 3" circle for jar lids.
- Labels go on by hand and need to peel cleanly off the backing.
Choose continuous if
- You sell many products that need different label lengths.
- You are still testing designs and do not want a stock of one size.
- Your printer has an automatic cutter, so it can cut each label to length for you.
Check your printer's cutter first
Continuous rolls work best on printers with a built-in automatic cutter, such as the Epson ColorWorks "A" models (CW-C6000A and CW-C6500A), the CW-C8000 and the Afinia L701. Some other printers only have a manual cutter or tear bar, so you would trim each label yourself. Peel-and-present models like the CW-C6000P are built for die-cut labels. If you are not sure which you have, check your printer's manual or ask us.
What we stock
- Die-cut: sizes from 1" x 1" to 4" x 10", plus 3" circles, in matte paper, gloss paper, matte BOPP and gloss BOPP. Browse all inkjet labels.
- Continuous: widths from 2" to 8" on a 3" core, 200 ft per roll (180 ft for matte BOPP). For example, 4" continuous gloss paper or 8" continuous gloss BOPP.
Which sizes fit your model: see the label roll size chart. Need something in between? We make custom sizes in Mississauga.
