What Label Apeel Ltd does

Label Apeel Limited is a UK-based, family-owned premium label manufacturer operating from Leicester since 1980 (per legal entity filings; the company's marketing cites 45+ years of trading). The firm produces bespoke self-adhesive labels — primarily for spirits (gin, whisky, rum, vodka), wine, premium food, cosmetics, and selected industrial categories such as car care. Its technical proposition combines digital printing (HP Indigo WS6900), flexographic and conventional printing (MPS presses), digital converting and finishing (ABG Digicon), and screen printing, layered with specialist finishes including hot foil, embossing and debossing, high-build varnish, clear 'no-label look' labels on ultra-clear PP/PET, reverse-side sandwich printing, shaped and internal die-cuts, peel-and-reveal multi-layer labels, and specialty effects such as scratch-and-sniff and glow-in-the-dark inks. The portfolio includes both durable labels engineered for chillers, ice buckets, condensation, and chemical exposure, and decorative labels optimised for premium shelf presentation.

The business operates a direct-to-customer model: customers — predominantly brand owners and their design agencies — engage via the labelapeel.co.uk website through quote requests, portfolio requests, and open-door pressroom visits. Pricing is bespoke and project-based, varying by label size, material substrate (including Fedrigoni self-adhesive papers such as Sirio Pearl, Cotone, and Tintoretto Gesso), print method, finishing complexity, run length, and tooling. The company holds FSC-C177421, BRCGS Packaging Materials, ISO 9001:2015, BPIF membership, and Sedex membership, supporting access to food-contact and sustainability-mandated supply chains. Marketing is anchored in a rich content ecosystem (Label of the Month, Label Insights, Beyond the Press, video training library) and industry award positioning, including five UK Label Printer of the Year wins.

The company has been recognised five times in seven years as UK Label Printer of the Year (most recently 2023), was a triple finalist at the 2026 Digital Labels & Packaging Awards, and won Gold at The Design & Packaging Masters 2025 for the Faer Isles Subsea Vodka label. Customer relationships are long-tenured (notably a 12+ year relationship with Tarquin's Gin) and span craft distilleries, vineyards, premium food producers, energy drink and protein supplement brands, cosmetics labels, and industrial product manufacturers. Helena McKinder serves as Managing Director, representing the second generation of family ownership; the company has no disclosed institutional investment, M&A activity, or geographic expansion beyond the UK.

Name

Label Apeel Ltd

Legal name

Label Apeel Limited

Website

https://labelapeel.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Label Apeel Limited is a UK-based, family-owned premium self-adhesive label manufacturer in Leicester producing bespoke labels for spirits, wine, food, cosmetics, and industrial brands using digital, flexographic, and screen printing with specialist finishes including hot foil, embossing, and clear no-label-look constructions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Label Printing & Manufacturing

akta.pro primary industry

Labels & Pressure-Sensitive Materials (labelstock, PSA labels, liners) (IMAMAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Decoration & Branding Services (Printing, Hot Stamping, Metallization, Labeling) (IMALAJAN), Sustainable Labels, Adhesives & Inks (Wash-Off Labels, De-inkable Inks, Low-VOC) (IMALAMAJ)

Keywords

• Premium label printing
• Self-adhesive labels
• Spirits bottle labels
• Wine label manufacturer
• Decorative label finishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Leicester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Custom Label Printing Services: Label Apeel generates revenue through bespoke label printing projects. Customers submit artwork and specifications, and the company produces custom-decorated self-adhesive labels with premium print and finishing techniques. Pricing is quote-based per project, covering materials, print method, finishing, and tooling.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Label Apeel manufactures premium decorative self-adhesive labels for spirits, wine, food, nutrition, cosmetics, and industrial brands in the UK and internationally. The company combines digital (HP Indigo WS6900), flexographic (MPS), and screen printing with specialist finishing — including hot foil, embossing, high-build varnish, clear 'no-label look' labels, shaped die-cuts, reverse-side printing, and peel-and-reveal multi-layer constructions — to deliver custom-printed labels for both short-run launches and larger repeat production.

Product overview

Label Apeel Ltd is a UK-based label manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of premium self-adhesive decorative labels. The core offering spans wine labels, spirits labels (gin, whisky, rum, vodka), cosmetic labels, food labels, and beverage can labels. These are complemented by specialist finishing services including hot foil printing, embossing/debossing, high-build varnish screen printing, clear/transparent labels, shaped/custom die-cut labels, reverse-side printing, peel-and-reveal multi-layer labels, scratch-and-sniff fragrance labels, and glow-in-the-dark specialty effects. The company utilises both digital printing (HP Indigo) and flexographic printing technologies, offering capabilities from short-run personalised labels to larger scalable production runs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Premium Wine Labels
• Custom Spirits Labels Custom spirits bottle labels for gin, rum, vodka, whisky, and liqueurs, combining considered materials, precise print, and decorative finishing including hot foil, high-build varnish, emboss/deboss, and internal die-cut shapes, targeted at craft distilleries and premium spirits brands.
• Durable Can and Bottle Labels Moisture-resistant pressure-sensitive labels for cans and bottles designed to withstand ice buckets, fridges, condensation, heat, and outdoor conditions, using PP (BOPP) materials, freezer-grade adhesives, and protective finishes for premium drinks and beverage brands.
• Cosmetic and Beauty Labels Premium labels for cosmetics and beauty products combining luxury substrates, colour consistency, protective coatings, and decorative finishing techniques suitable for bathroom environments and hand contact, targeted at cosmetics and beauty brands.
• Premium Food Labels High-precision clear and decorative labels for food products including pickles, preserves, and condiments, designed for machine application and packaging line performance while maintaining premium shelf appearance, targeted at artisanal and premium food producers.

Quantifiable outcome

• UK Label Printer of the Year (5th time in 7 years) — evidence of consistent premium quality delivery
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HP (Hewlett-Packard)coreTechnology or IntegrationLabel Apeel uses HP Indigo WS6900 digital presses for label printing. The HP Indigo platform enables high-quality digital print with precise colour management, variable data capabilities, and efficient short-to-medium run production for brands starting out or requiring frequent design changes.
• Fedrigoni (Self-Adhesives)coreTechnology or IntegrationFedrigoni supplies premium self-adhesive materials including Sirio Pearl Ice White, Cotone Extra White, Cotone Bianco, and Tintoretto Gesso for Label Apeel's premium label production. Fedrigoni materials are referenced across wine, spirits, and gin label projects as the chosen substrate.
• Steve Wood ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationSteve Wood Services supplies tooling (dies and cutting tools) for label production. Referenced in multiple projects as the tooling supplier for shaped die-cuts, high-build screen tooling, and embossing applications.
• Arden EngravingcoreTechnology or IntegrationArden Engraving supplies tooling and engraving services for label production. Referenced alongside Steve Wood Services as a tooling partner for embossing, foiling, and die-cutting tools.
• Tomlinson DiescoreTechnology or IntegrationTomlinson Dies supplies embossing and die-cutting tools. Referenced in video content as a tooling partner collaborating on embossing training resources, and supplying embossing and foiling tools for premium label projects.
• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)coreOthersLabel Apeel is FSC-certified (FSC-C177421), meaning the paper materials used come from sustainably managed forests. The company uses FSC-certified materials such as Apple Touch paper for sustainable label applications.
• BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards)coreOthersLabel Apeel holds BRCGS Packaging Materials certification, demonstrating compliance with global food safety and quality standards for packaging material manufacturers.
• ISO 9001:2015coreOthersLabel Apeel holds ISO 9001:2015 certification, the internationally recognised standard for quality management systems.
• BPIF (British Print Industry Federation)minorOthersLabel Apeel is a BPIF member, connecting the company with the broader UK print industry community, industry standards, and collective representation.
• SedexminorOthersLabel Apeel is a Sedex member, indicating membership in a global ethical supply chain data platform supporting responsible business practices.
• Apple Touch (FSC-C177421)coreTechnology or IntegrationApple Touch is an FSC-certified paper material partly made from apple waste from the cider and juice industries. Label Apeel uses this material for sustainable whisky label applications, such as the Fielden Whisky label for Oxford Artisan Distillery.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• CCL Industries: World's largest label manufacturer with multi-technology platform across pressure-sensitive, shrink sleeve and in-mould labels. Broad incumbent competing in premium tier alongside its mass-market business.
• Constantia Flexibles: European-based flexible packaging and label producer with a strong drinks and FMCG presence. Overlaps on premium decorative labels as part of a wider packaging portfolio.
• Clondalkin Flexible Packaging: European packaging converter including self-adhesive labels for premium drinks and personal care. Broad incumbent where Label Apeel competes selectively on premium decoration-only mandates.

Direct peers

• Mercian Labels: UK self-adhesive label printer serving premium drinks, food and cosmetics brands. Closely comparable in target verticals, decorative finishing capability and project-based B2B model.
• Baker Labels: UK-based digital and flexo label printer of similar size serving drinks, cosmetics and food brands. Most directly comparable peer in terms of technology mix, customer segments and premium positioning.
• Reflex Labels Plus: York-based UK label converter specialising in premium self-adhesive labels for drinks, food and beauty. Comparable scale, technology and target verticals.
• Ravenwood Packaging: UK-based label converter with expertise in shrink sleeves and self-adhesive labels for food, beverage and personal care. Comparable decorating-technology offering and customer verticals.
• Royston Labels: UK specialist label printer with a strong craft-drinks and premium-FMCG customer base, using digital and conventional print plus decorative finishing. Closest niche-comparable UK peer.
• Berkshire Labels: UK label manufacturer producing premium self-adhesive labels for drinks, cosmetics and FMCG. Comparable in target verticals, premium decorative finishing focus and similar scale.

Regional players

• Skanem Group: Nordic-headquartered self-adhesive label converter with UK presence, serving premium drinks and FMCG. Comparable self-adhesive technology but materially larger scale and broader geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Label Apeel Ltd