Can Labels, Beer Labels & Tin Labels: Personalised Label Ideas for Every Container

Whether you're a craft brewer, a home-based jam maker, or a boutique business packaging candles and tea blends, the little details make a big difference. And when it comes to packaging, personalised labels are one of the most cost-effective yet powerful ways to build your brand and make your products pop.

In this guide, we’re going beyond just design—we’ll explore the best materials, techniques, and styles for creating standout can labels, beer labels, and tin labels that match your vibe and hold up in the real world. Plus, we’ll show you how to make your labels event-ready, food-safe, and totally unique.

The Importance of Personalised Labels for Cans

Let’s start with the basics—why bother going custom?

In today’s competitive market, especially across Australia’s small business and craft scenes, you only have a few seconds to catch a customer’s eye. Personalised labels do more than just convey information—they communicate your brand identity, story, and value. Whether it’s a beer can at a weekend market or a homemade biscuit tin gifted at Christmas, a thoughtful label creates a memorable impression.

They also provide practical benefits:

Help customers identify your product instantly
Offer a tactile and visual experience
Communicate ingredients, origin, and usage
Create emotional connections with buyers
Showcase your unique story or business origins

It’s like putting a personality on your product—bold, minimal, rustic, or luxe—it’s your call. The great thing about personalised labels is that they give you full creative freedom. From quirky slogans to vibrant colour labels, you can reflect the heart and soul of your brand in every product.

The Best Materials for Can, Beer, and Tin Labels

Choosing the right material is just as important as the design. It affects how the label performs, how it feels to the touch, and whether it stays put or peels off under pressure. For products like cans, bottles, or tins that face constant handling or exposure to the elements, selecting durable materials is crucial. Getting it right ensures your product looks professional and keeps your design intact, even in harsh conditions. Whether you're dealing with receipt rolls for a quick transaction or high-end products that need premium packaging, the material you choose should reflect the use and environment of the product.

1. Waterproof Bottle Labels

For beverages—especially beers and sparkling drinks—your labels need to survive the cold, condensation, and even an ice bucket bath. Waterproof materials like vinyl or BOPP (biaxially-oriented polypropylene) are great choices.

Resistant to water, oil, and smudges
Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use
Suitable for commercial fridges and Esky-ready packaging
Often scratch-resistant, making them perfect for cans that are handled often

The material is designed to withstand moist conditions without peeling or fading, meaning your beer label remains sharp throughout its life cycle.

2. Food-Safe Sticker Materials

If your tins or jars contain food, make sure your label materials are certified as food-safe. Look for materials that comply with Australian food labelling standards, especially if the label is directly in contact with the food. The right materials ensure that your product is not only safe but also premium-looking and compliant with Australian regulations.

Ideal for spice jars, chutneys, and small-batch food items
Can be non-toxic, BPA-free, and feature adhesive that’s safe for food packaging
Gives consumers peace of mind about your product’s integrity

3. Rustic and Vintage Label Styles

You can’t go past Kraft paper labels, recycled paper stock, or textured linen finishes for that handmade, organic vibe. These work beautifully for honey jars, craft beer, herbal teas, or anything sold at farmers’ markets.

Recycled paper conveys an eco-conscious brand ethos.
Linen texture is an elegant touch for artisanal goods and high-end packaging.
Foil or embossing gives a luxurious feel, even on a rustic backdrop.

You can also mix materials—use a kraft label with foil accents for an upscale twist on a rustic look.

Label Design Tips for Curved Surfaces

Designing thermal labels for flat surfaces like boxes is one thing—but cans, bottles, and tins? They’ve got curves, edges, and often varying diameters. Here’s how to tackle them:

Test a physical sample first. What looks great on screen might not sit properly on the can.
Use thinner, flexible materials that can conform to the container without bubbling or peeling.
Avoid critical information near edges, as it might warp or get cut off during application.
Design with the curve in mind—circular logos and symmetrical layouts often work best on round tins and jars.
Consider top and bottom labeling for added flair—especially for gift packaging. This is ideal for showcasing special branding on the top of a tin or a can, making the label visible from all angles.

When it comes to can labelling, especially for items like soft drinks, beers, or packaged foods, you want your labels to look seamless and professional, no matter how complex the surface. Using the right printers is critical here. High-quality printers can ensure your design stays crisp and intact, even on curved surfaces. They can help you achieve high precision with minimal distortion, so the final product looks polished from every angle.

How to Make Your Beer Bottle Labels Stand Out

Custom beer labels are a must if you're looking to carve a niche in the craft beer space—or if you're just creating a unique gift for a mate’s 40th.

Some standout ideas to make your beer bottle labels pop:

Limited Batch Artwork: Collaborate with local artists to design label art for each batch. Not only is it collectible, but it also builds community support.
Interactive Elements: QR codes that link to music playlists, videos, or tasting notes. If your beer pairs well with a certain song or event, why not share it?
Flavour & Pairing Suggestions: Help your buyers enjoy the experience—recommend a cheese or food pairing right on the label. People love a personalised touch when it comes to food and drink!
Seasonal Themes: Special edition summer ales? Go for bright, citrus-inspired labels. Winter stouts? Moody, deep colours work beautifully. These types of labels speak to the changing seasons and give customers a reason to come back for more.
Sustainable Messaging: If your beer is brewed using eco-conscious methods or local ingredients, shout it out! Use your label to tell the story of your ingredients, how they’re sourced, or how your brewery supports sustainability.

And don't forget: in Australia, alcohol labels must include certain information, such as alcohol volume, pregnancy warnings, and standard drink statements.

Creating Limited Edition or Seasonal Tin Labels

Tins offer a stylish way to package almost anything—biscuits, teas, spice blends, candles, or even skincare products. And because they’re reusable, they often get kept and re-used, which means your branding sticks around too. This makes tin can packaging a fantastic option not only for its practical benefits but also for its long-lasting visual impact.

Seasonal label tips:

Use bold colours and seasonal iconography (think gum leaves in spring or gold foil for festive gifts)
Offer “collectable tin” editions for holidays—Christmas tins, New Year limited editions, or birthday commemorations
Pair with eco-friendly or refillable packaging to boost your sustainability cred. This helps show that you care about both the product and the planet.
Include limited-time discount codes on labels to drive return purchases. This adds a sense of urgency, encouraging consumers to snap up the product before it's gone!

Tin labelling is also perfect for event bundles—Mother’s Day, Father's Day, birthdays, or end-of-year gifts—and makes fantastic gift sets.

Can Labelling for Events

Do you need to make your event unforgettable? Can labelling for events is booming, especially in Australia’s wedding and festival scenes.

Event-ready cans are ideal for:

Weddings – Custom beer or soft drink cans with the couple’s names and wedding date. Imagine guests toasting with personalised cans at your reception!
Corporate Gifting – Branded cans as unique swag for a corporate event or conference—perfect for leaving a lasting impression at trade shows and business functions.
Bucks and Hens Nights – Inside jokes, cheeky taglines, and themed designs. Personalise the cans with quirky quotes or emojis that reflect the night’s energy.
Birthdays – Celebrate milestones with limited-edition brews or mocktails. Birthday cans make a fun alternative to traditional party favours.

You can even create personalised message labels, letting guests write their names or a message directly on the can. This could become a fun ice-breaker, making it easy for guests to interact.

Round Container Label Designs

From lip balms to spice blends, round containers offer a cute, compact packaging solution—but they require clever labelling. Round containers have a unique appeal, but the challenge comes with creating a design that works well on such a constrained surface.

Smart Design Ideas for Round Containers:

Top Labels: Circular labels for the lid work perfectly for brand logos or special messages
Side Wraps: Use slim wraparound labels for ingredients, instructions, or a tagline
Combo Packs: Label matching tins in sets for a gift-worthy product
Translucent Labels: Let the product or metallic finish show through. This works particularly well for products like candles, jams, and even cosmetic products.

Don’t forget to use waterproof finishes for products used in kitchens or bathrooms, as they may come into contact with moisture or oils.

Waterproof & Durable Label Options for Cans

Sometimes your product isn’t just sitting on a shelf—it’s in a fridge, on a beach, or bouncing around in a picnic basket. For those moments, you’ll want durable, long-lasting labels that can take the hit.

Durable Label Materials for Harsh Conditions:

Cold storage: Choose an adhesive that withstands condensation and low temperatures
Outdoor events: Use UV-resistant inks and laminates to avoid fading
Shipping: Opt for scuff-proof finishes
Reusable containers: Consider washable labels

Branding with Custom Can Labels

Consistency is the secret sauce of good branding. Your custom can labels should mirror the same tone, colours, and style on your website, socials, and other packaging.

Here are key branding components to lock in:

Typography – Stick to 1–2 fonts for all labels, keeping your look clean and recognisable
Colour Scheme – Use shades that evoke the emotion you want (earthy, fun, minimalist)
Voice – Is your brand cheeky, serious, eco-conscious, or nostalgic? Let your label copy reflect that
Visual Icons – Consider a unique brand mark that can be used across all product lines

A well-branded custom label boosts credibility and makes even small-batch products look shelf-ready. The design must work across the full range, from social media to product packaging.

Small Detail, Big Impact

From bold craft beer branding to soft vintage tin labels, a well-made personalised label can set your product apart. It shows you care about the details. It connects emotionally with your audience. And it turns an ordinary can, bottle, or tin into something worth keeping.

And in today’s world of pop-up stalls, Etsy shops, and local markets across Australia, that personal touch can make all the difference. A simple yet well-executed design can elevate your product and communicate professionalism, care, and attention to detail.

Let’s Make It Personal

Whether you’re prepping for an event, launching a new range, or simply want your packaging to reflect your personality, custom labels are the way to go. Ready to get started?

Contact Label Power today - waterproof, food-safe, and event-ready label options - bring your brand to life with style.