CS Labels
CS Labels is a UK-based manufacturer of digitally printed self-adhesive labels and flexible packaging using Xeikon technology, serving food and drink, pharmaceutical, automotive, and beauty customers globally from its Wolverhampton headquarters.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1976
- HeadquartersWolverhampton, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What CS Labels does
CS Labels is a UK-based manufacturer of digitally printed self-adhesive labels and flexible packaging, operating from a 20,000 sq.ft. purpose-built facility in Wolverhampton. The company traces its origins to Creative Screenprint (founded 1976), was rebranded as CS Labels in 2001 under Managing Director Simon Smith, transitioned to 100% digital production with Xeikon presses in 2008, launched digitally printed flexible pouches in 2015, and was acquired by Asteria Group in 2020. It serves a diversified customer base spanning food and drink (breweries, distilleries, wineries), pharmaceuticals, automotive, beauty and cosmetics, chemicals, and vape/e-liquid, with named enterprise customers including Graze, Twinings, and Tourism Australia alongside a long tail of over 200 breweries and craft beverage brands.
The company's core technology is the Xeikon digital press platform, deployed at 1200dpi with non-toxic dry toner, enabling variable data printing, multi-SKU runs in a single pass, and embellishments such as Colour-Logic metallic effects (over 260 shades) and peel-and-reveal multi-layer labels, all without plates or origination charges. In-house bespoke conversion machinery supports end-to-end flexible pouch manufacturing. Certifications include ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001, BRCGS Packaging, and IRQAO registration, with the business also holding British Printing Industries Federation membership. Awards include PrintWeek Label Printer of the Year 2019, Digital Printer Awards (multiple categories, 2014-2019), and a 2019 nomination for Label Industry Global Awards European Converter of the Year.
CS Labels operates a direct-to-customer model with a £150 minimum order value, no minimum order quantity, an 8 working-day lead time from artwork approval, and worldwide shipping from its Wolverhampton site. Revenue is generated from one-off label and pouch orders plus embellishment services, monetised via unit pricing without subscription or recurring components. The company runs a website-led go-to-market motion (quote requests, sample pack requests) supplemented by industry award participation and case-study content marketing, targeting both SMEs/startups and global FMCG, pharmaceutical, and chemical enterprises.
CS Labels firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CS Labels
- Legal name
- CS Labels Ltd
- Website
- https://cslabels.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1976
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- CS Labels is a UK-based manufacturer of digitally printed self-adhesive labels and flexible packaging using Xeikon technology, serving food and drink, pharmaceutical, automotive, and beauty customers globally from its Wolverhampton headquarters.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CS Labels industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Label Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Printing and Related Support Activities (3231), Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) (323111), Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing (326111), Packaging and Labeling Services (56191)
- SIC
- Plastics, Foil & Coated Paper Bags (2673)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialty & Functional Labels (Linerless, RFID/NFC, Braille, Smart) (IMALAKAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Flexible Cosmetic Packaging (Pouches, Sachets, Stick Packs) (IMALAJAE), Decoration & Branding Services (Printing, Hot Stamping, Metallization, Labeling) (IMALAJAN), Packaging & Product Brand Design (BPAFAEAG)
Keywords
Where CS Labels is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wolverhampton
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
CS Labels business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Digitally Printed Self-Adhesive Labels: CS Labels manufactures digitally printed self-adhesive labels using Xeikon technology. They offer labels from standard and functional to high-end embellished labels, serving various industries including food and drink, pharmaceuticals, automotive, beauty and cosmetics, and more.
- Digitally Printed Flexible Pouches: Through their Pouches.co.uk division, CS Labels produces digitally printed flexible pouches using Xeikon technology, serving FMCG, pharmaceutical, and chemical companies.
- Label Embellishment Services: Additional services including embossing, debossing, tactile raised varnish, textured varnish, foiling, and peel and reveal embellishments offered as add-ons to standard label orders.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Labels - No minimum quantity, £150 minimum order value |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Embellishments - Embossing, foiling, tactile varnish, peel & reveal |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Flexible Pouches - Bespoke service for any budget |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
CS Labels product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CS Labels manufactures digitally printed self-adhesive labels and flexible stand-up pouches using Xeikon digital press technology, serving industries including food and drink, pharmaceuticals, automotive, beauty and cosmetics, chemicals, and vape/e-liquid. The company offers premium embellishments (embossing, debossing, tactile varnish, foiling, peel and reveal) and in-house studio services, with no minimum order quantity and a £150 minimum order value. It sells primarily to UK businesses with worldwide shipping capability.
Product overview
CS Labels is a UK-based, market-leading manufacturer of digitally printed self-adhesive labels and flexible packaging. The company operates as a single unified offering built around Xeikon digital printing technology, producing labels for diverse industries (food & drink, pharmaceutical, automotive, beauty, chemicals, and more) and flexible pouches through its Pouches.co.uk division. The core product portfolio consists of digitally printed self-adhesive labels with specialized label types (peel & reveal, foil blocking, spot varnishing, tactile warning, window decals) complemented by studio services, embellishments, adhesives, and material consultation. CS Labels positions itself as an innovation leader, having pioneered digital flexible pouches in 2015 and maintaining approximately 60 employees as of 2019.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CS Signature: A consultative service providing additional support on specialist products, offering premium label solutions with creative guidance.
Products and services
- Digitally Printed Self-Adhesive Labels High-quality digitally printed self-adhesive labels manufactured using Xeikon digital press technology. Available with variable data, multiple sorts in a single run, and premium embellishments, serving industries including food and drink, pharmaceutical, automotive, beauty, chemical, and vape/e-liquid.
- Digitally Printed Flexible Pouches (Pouches.co.uk) Digitally printed flexible stand-up pouches produced via the Pouches.co.uk sub-brand using Xeikon technology. Suitable for FMCG, pharmaceutical, and chemical companies from start-ups to global enterprises.
- Studio Services In-house studio services including artwork proofing using an automated proofing system, design assistance, and file format optimization for digital presses. Supports customers needing configuration of artwork for optimal digital press output.
- Label Embellishments Premium label finishing options including embossing, debossing, tactile raised varnish, textured varnish, foiling, and peel and reveal features. Colour-Logic technology enables over 260 metallic shades without foil stamping.
Quantifiable outcome
- No origination/plate charges resulting in cost savings for short runs and design changes
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use CS Labels
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
CS Labels technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
CS Labels partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- XeikoncoreCS Labels has a strategic technology partnership with Xeikon, using their digital printing presses and technology. CS Labels is described as a 'true, world class, technology leader for digital self-adhesive printed labels' using Xeikon technology. The Xeikon CX3 press is used for label production, and CS Labels was the first printing company in the world to digitally print stand-up flexible pouches on a Xeikon press. Xeikon (part of the Flint Group) nominated CS Labels for the European Converter of the Year Award in 2019. CS Labels has an 'excellent and long-term technology partnership' with Xeikon.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CS Labels competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Avery Dennison: Global leader in label materials and pressure-sensitive label manufacturing with massive scale and broad product breadth. Comparable to CS Labels as a large label industry player, but operates across the full label value chain at much greater scale and with broader material science capabilities than CS Labels' pure digital printing focus.
- CCL Industries: World's largest specialty label company following its acquisition of Multi-Color Corporation, serving healthcare, consumer, and industrial end markets. Comparable as a global label giant with digital and conventional printing capabilities, but with vastly larger scale, geographic footprint, and enterprise customer relationships than CS Labels.
- Multi-Color Corporation: Global label converter serving wine, spirits, beverage, and consumer products with conventional and digital printing, now part of CCL Industries. Comparable in serving overlapping beverage and consumer end markets and competing for similar label awards, but operates at much larger scale and with global production footprint.
- Constantia Flexibles: Global flexible packaging manufacturer with strong European presence, serving FMCG and pharma with films, pouches, and labels. Comparable to CS Labels' Pouches.co.uk division and overall packaging positioning, but at vastly greater scale, with conventional and digital capabilities across multiple continents.
Direct peers
- ePac Holdings: US-headquartered digital flexible packaging specialist built on HP Indigo technology, focused on short-to-medium run flexible pouches for SMEs and mid-market brands. Directly comparable to CS Labels' Pouches.co.uk division as a digital-first flexible packaging manufacturer serving similar short-run, multi-SKU customer needs, though ePac has a multi-site US/international footprint versus CS Labels' single UK site.
- Label Apeel: UK-based self-adhesive label manufacturer with strong position in premium and embellished label work. Directly comparable to CS Labels as a UK label printer competing in the same PrintWeek, FlexoTech, and Digital Printer awards circuits, and named alongside CS Labels in industry shortlists; offers similar food, beverage, and cosmetics label focus.
- Royston Labels: UK self-adhesive label manufacturer offering digital and conventional printing across food, beverage, cosmetics, and industrial end markets. Comparable to CS Labels as a UK-based label converter with digital capabilities, similar customer verticals, and similar scale profile serving UK and European brand owners.
- Reflex Labels Plus: UK-based digital and conventional label printer specializing in premium wine, spirits, and craft beverage labels with embellishment capabilities. Comparable to CS Labels in target verticals (craft beer, wine, spirits), digital print technology adoption, and embellishment/premium finishing service offering.
- Premier Labels: UK self-adhesive label manufacturer with digital and flexo capabilities serving food, beverage, and household products. Comparable to CS Labels as a UK-based label converter competing for similar SME and mid-market brand owner customers, with overlapping product categories and embellishment offerings.
- S&N Labels: UK-based digital label manufacturer offering short-run, variable-data self-adhesive labels with embellishment and finishing services. Comparable to CS Labels in digital-first production model, UK-centric distribution, and SME-friendly minimum order flexibility for craft and premium brand customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CS Labels social profiles
Digital presenceCS Labels compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
CS Labels financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CS Labels leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
CS Labels subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
CS Labels funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CS Labels M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CS Labels
What does CS Labels do?
CS Labels manufactures digitally printed self-adhesive labels and flexible stand-up pouches using Xeikon digital press technology, serving industries including food and drink, pharmaceuticals, automotive, beauty and cosmetics, chemicals, and vape/e-liquid. The company offers premium embellishments (embossing, debossing, tactile varnish, foiling, peel and reveal) and in-house studio services, with no minimum order quantity and a £150 minimum order value. It sells primarily to UK businesses with worldwide shipping capability.
Is CS Labels a public or private company?
CS Labels is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was CS Labels founded?
CS Labels was founded in 1976. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is CS Labels based?
CS Labels is headquartered in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does CS Labels make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Digitally Printed Self-Adhesive Labels are the primary driver. The others are digitally Printed Flexible Pouches and label Embellishment Services.
Who are CS Labels's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Avery Dennison, CCL Industries, Multi-Color Corporation and Constantia Flexibles. Direct peers are ePac Holdings, Label Apeel, Royston Labels, Reflex Labels Plus, Premier Labels and S&N Labels.
Does CS Labels have an API?
No public API is recorded for CS Labels.
What industry is CS Labels in?
CS Labels's product category is Commercial Label Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALAKAK, Specialty & Functional Labels (Linerless, RFID/NFC, Braille, Smart), with a secondary code of IMALAJAE, Flexible Cosmetic Packaging (Pouches, Sachets, Stick Packs). Its NAICS code is 3231 and its SIC code is 2673.