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Picking the wrong sticker material is one of the most common mistakes small businesses make when ordering stickers for the first time. You design a great label, print a hundred pieces, stick them on your product — and two days later, the ink smudges, the edges curl, or the label peels off in the fridge.
The fix is simple: choose the right material for where your sticker will end up. This guide breaks down the four most common sticker materials available in Singapore, what each one is good for, and which one suits your product.
The 4 Most Common Sticker Materials in Singapore
Mirrorkote (Glossy Paper)
Mirrorkote is a coated paper sticker with a smooth, glossy surface. It’s the most popular and most affordable sticker material in Singapore. Colours come out vibrant and sharp — great for bold designs with lots of colour.
Best for: Product labels, packaging stickers, thank-you stickers for e-commerce parcels, logo stickers, promotional giveaway stickers, event stickers.
Not suitable for: Anything that gets wet, oily, or stored in a fridge. Mirrorkote is paper — it absorbs moisture and can smudge or peel when exposed to liquids.
Price range: Most affordable option. Good for bulk orders where you need high volume at low cost.
Choose mirrorkote if: Your stickers will be used indoors, on dry surfaces, and don’t need to survive moisture or rough handling. If you’re an online seller on Shopee or Lazada printing thank-you stickers or packaging seals, mirrorkote is usually the best starting point.
Woodfree (Matte Paper)
Woodfree is an uncoated paper sticker with a smooth, matte finish. It has no gloss — the surface feels flat and natural. One useful feature: you can write on it with a pen, which makes it practical for labels that need handwritten information.
Best for: Address labels, form stickers, inventory labels, minimalist product labels, labels where you need a writable surface.
Not suitable for: Wet environments, outdoor use, or products that need bold colour impact. Because woodfree is uncoated, colours appear softer and less saturated compared to mirrorkote.
Price range: Similar to mirrorkote — very affordable.
Choose woodfree if: You want a clean, understated look or you need to write on your labels. Common for office labelling, address stickers, and brands going for a minimal design style.
Synthetic PP (Polypropylene)
Synthetic PP is a plastic-based sticker material. Unlike paper stickers, it is water resistant and tear resistant. It won’t peel or smudge when it gets wet, and it holds up well against handling, condensation, and light oil exposure.
Best for: Food and beverage labels, cosmetic and skincare product labels, bottle labels, any product that will be refrigerated or come into contact with moisture. Also great for product labels that go through shipping — PP handles rough handling much better than paper.
Not suitable for: There are very few downsides. It costs more than paper, so if your sticker doesn’t need water resistance, you’d save money with mirrorkote instead.
Price range: Mid-range. Costs more than paper but doesn’t need lamination to be water resistant, which keeps the total cost reasonable.
Choose synthetic PP if: Your product labels will face moisture, condensation, or handling. If you sell food products, beverages, skincare, or anything stored in a fridge — synthetic PP is the standard choice. It’s the most popular material for custom sticker printing in Singapore among F&B brands and online sellers.
Clear PP (Transparent)
Clear PP is the transparent version of synthetic PP. It has the same water-resistant and tear-resistant properties, but the base material is see-through. When applied to a surface, only your printed design is visible — the label itself disappears.
Best for: Glass bottles, jars, clear packaging, cosmetic containers — anywhere you want a “no label” look. The design appears to float directly on the product surface, which gives a premium, high-end feel.
Not suitable for: Dark or heavily textured surfaces where the transparency won’t show. Also not ideal for designs with large white areas — white ink printing on clear material is possible but adds cost.
Price range: Similar to synthetic PP. Slightly higher if white ink is needed.
Choose clear PP if: You’re labelling glass bottles, transparent jars, or clear packaging and want the sticker to blend seamlessly into the product. Very popular with artisan food brands, craft beverage makers, and beauty products in Singapore.
Quick Comparison Table
| Material | Water Resistant | Writable | Indoor | Outdoor | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mirrorkote (Glossy) | No | No | Yes | No | Packaging stickers, thank-you labels, promos |
| Woodfree (Matte) | No | Yes | Yes | No | Address labels, forms, minimalist designs |
| Synthetic PP | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Food labels, cosmetics, product packaging |
| Clear PP | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Glass bottles, jars, “no label” look |
How to Choose: Based on Your Business
Online seller (Shopee / Lazada)?
Start with mirrorkote for thank-you stickers and packaging seals. If your product label needs to survive shipping and handling, upgrade to synthetic PP.
Home baker or F&B brand?
Go with synthetic PP — it’s water resistant and fridge-safe. Your jam jars, sauce bottles, and cake boxes need labels that won’t peel or smudge in cold or humid conditions.
Cosmetics or skincare brand?
Synthetic PP for opaque containers, clear PP for transparent bottles or tubes. Both handle moisture from bathrooms and daily use.
Event or wedding stickers?
Mirrorkote is perfect — affordable, vibrant, and the stickers are used once in a dry indoor setting.
Glass bottles or jars?
Clear PP every time. The transparent base gives your product a clean, premium look that stands out on the shelf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best sticker material for food labels in Singapore?
Synthetic PP is the go-to choice for food labels. It’s water resistant, fridge-safe, and holds a clean print. For glass jars and bottles, clear PP gives a premium transparent finish. Paper-based materials like mirrorkote are not suitable for food products that will be refrigerated or exposed to moisture.
Is mirrorkote sticker waterproof?
No. Mirrorkote is a paper-based material. It will absorb moisture, smudge, and peel if it gets wet. It’s best for indoor use on dry surfaces — packaging, thank-you stickers, and promotional labels.
What is the difference between synthetic PP and clear PP stickers?
Both are water resistant and tear resistant. The difference is appearance — synthetic PP has a solid white base (your design prints on a white background), while clear PP is transparent (your design appears to float on the surface with no visible label). Choose clear PP for glass or transparent packaging.
Can I write on sticker labels?
Only woodfree (matte paper) stickers have a writable surface. Mirrorkote, synthetic PP, and clear PP are all smooth or coated surfaces that don’t take pen or marker ink well. If you need handwritten information on your labels, choose woodfree.
Which sticker material is cheapest in Singapore?
Mirrorkote (glossy paper) is the most affordable sticker material. Woodfree is similar in price. Synthetic PP and clear PP cost more but offer water resistance and durability. For basic indoor stickers, mirrorkote gives you the best value per piece.
Ready to Print?
Now that you know which material suits your product, the next step is getting your stickers printed. Orange Print offers all four materials — mirrorkote, woodfree, synthetic PP, and clear PP — with no minimum order and same-day turnaround available.
Browse our sticker and label range →
Get a quote on WhatsApp → +65 8438 1313
Not sure how to prepare your sticker artwork? Read our guide: How to Design Your Own Custom Stickers for Printing →
