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Custom Labels for Cake Boxes: Size, Cost, and Design
How to pick, design, and price custom labels for cake boxes without losing money on packaging.
On this page
- What to put on a cake box label
- How to design custom labels for cake boxes on your phone
- How to choose the right label size for your cake box
- Paper or waterproof: choosing label material
- What custom labels for cake boxes cost
- How to add label cost to your cake price
- How to test labels before you order a large batch
- Where to get custom labels for cake boxes
- Mistakes that cost you money with custom labels for cake boxes
What to remember
- Measure the box lid before you order any label.
- A label is packaging, so it belongs in your overhead.
- Design on your phone with a free tool, then order a small batch first.
- Add the label cost to your cake price, not to your profit.
You already bake the cake, and the label is the last thing a customer sees before they open the box. Getting custom labels for cake boxes right means the box looks like your business, not a generic bakery box. For more craft guides like this one, see the craft hub on this site.
What to put on a cake box label
You decide what goes on your label, and you can put your business name on it. You can also add a phone number and a short thank you on the label. If you sell at a market, check your state cottage food rules for what must be on the label.
Keep the design simple, because a logo, a name, and one contact method are enough. Too much text makes the label hard to read, so use a font size that is easy to read from afar.
A label is not the same as a tag, because a tag hangs from the box with a string. A label sticks to the box, and tags cost more to assemble, so labels are faster when you pack many boxes.
How to design custom labels for cake boxes on your phone
You do not need a computer or design software, because you can use a design app on your phone. You can pick a template, change colors, and add text in the app on your phone. You can also use a word processor and print your labels on sticker paper at home.
Measure the box lid
Use a ruler to find the flat area where the label will go. Write down the width and height.
Pick a label size
Choose a size that fits inside your measurement with a small border. You can pick any size that fits your box.
Choose a material
Think about where the box will go. If it goes in the fridge, you may want a waterproof label. Paper may be cheaper.
Design your label
Open a design app. Pick a template. Add your business name, phone number, and a thank you.
Order a small batch
Print at home or order 25 to 50 labels from a print shop. Do not order hundreds until you test them.
Test on a real box
Stick one label on a box. Put it in the fridge for an hour. Check that it stays stuck and the ink does not run.
How to choose the right label size for your cake box
Start with your box lid, and measure the flat part where the label will sit. Write down the width and height in inches, and leave a small border for the edges. That border stops the label from peeling up at the edges of the box lid.
A 2 by 2 inch label fits many boxes, but you should always measure your own box. A label that is too big will peel at the edges, and one that is too small may look lost. Pick a size that fits inside your measurement with a small border around the label.
Paper or waterproof: choosing label material
Think about where the box will go, because that changes the label material you need. If it goes in the fridge, you may want a waterproof label instead of plain paper. Paper may be cheaper for boxes that stay dry, and the material changes the total cost. The material also changes how long the label lasts on the box in the fridge.
Test a label first, and put it on a real box and leave it overnight. Check that it stays stuck and that the ink does not run in the cold fridge. If it fails, try a different material before you order a much larger batch of labels.
What custom labels for cake boxes cost
The cost depends on size, material, and how many labels you order at one time. A small batch often costs more per label, but a large batch often costs less per label. A large batch often costs less per label, but you pay more money upfront for it. Add the label cost to your packaging overhead for every single box that you sell.
Your Brevl shop costs $20 a month, and that is part of your monthly overhead. The label cost is another line in your packaging, and it adds up over time. When you price a cake, you need to cover ingredients, labor, and overhead like labels and your shop fee.
To find your cost per box, divide the total label order by the number of labels. Add that number to your box cost and your other packaging costs for a single box. That gives you your total packaging cost for one box that you sell to a customer.
For example, our guide on cake pops says they sell for $2 to $5 each. If you sell a dozen at $3 each, that is $36 in total revenue for you. Subtract your ingredients, your labor, and your overhead, which includes the label and your $20 monthly Brevl fee. The amount left after all three is your margin, so if it is zero, your price is too low.
How to add label cost to your cake price
Add the cost of one label to your packaging cost for each box you sell. Then add that number to your ingredient cost and your labor cost for the whole cake. Your price must cover all three of those costs plus a margin for your work. Brevl can calculate this for you, so you can see your margin after all three.
Do not treat the label as free, because a label cost adds up over many boxes. If you do not add it to your price, you pay for it out of your profit. Use the custom cake pricing guide to see how to work out your own numbers.
How to test labels before you order a large batch
Order a small batch first, and print at home or order 25 to 50 labels from a shop. Do not order hundreds of labels until you test them on a real cake box. A bad label wastes money and time, so you should test before you buy in bulk.
Stick one label on a real box, and put it in the fridge for an hour. Check that it stays stuck and that the ink does not run or smear at all. If it fails, change the material or the printer before you order any more labels.
Where to get custom labels for cake boxes
You have three main choices for custom labels, and each choice has a different cost. You can print at home on sticker paper, or you can order from a local print shop. You can also order from an online printer, but each choice has a different turnaround time.
Printing at home can be cheapest for a small batch, but you pay for paper and ink. Ask your local print shop how fast they can turn your label order around for you. Online printers may be cheaper for large batches, but you have to wait for the shipping.
Mistakes that cost you money with custom labels for cake boxes
The biggest mistake is ordering too many labels before you test them on a real box. If the label peels off or the ink smears, you waste money and your own time. Another mistake is forgetting to add the label cost to your cake price for each box. That mistake eats your margin, so you end up paying for the label out of profit.
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Common questions
What size label fits a standard cake box?
Measure the flat part of your box lid, and write down the width and height. A 2 by 2 inch label fits many boxes, but you should always measure your own box. A label that is too big will peel at the edges, so the size really matters.
Can I print custom labels at home?
Yes, you can buy sticker paper for your home printer and print your labels there. Print a test sheet first to check the colors and the size of the label. Home printing is cheapest for small batches, but a print shop usually costs less per label.
Do I need to include ingredients on the label?
That depends on your state cottage food rules, because some states require an ingredient list. Some states require an ingredient list and an allergen statement, while other states do not require them. Check your state rules before you print, and ask your local health department if you are unsure.
How do I add label cost to my cake price?
Add the cost of one label to your packaging cost for each box you sell. Then add that number to your ingredient cost and your labor cost for the cake. Your price must cover all three of those costs plus a margin for your work. Brevl can calculate this for you, so you can see your margin after all three.
What material holds up in the fridge?
Think about where the box will go, because that changes the label material you need. If it goes in the fridge, you may want a waterproof label instead of plain paper. Test a label first, and put it on a real box and leave it overnight. Check that it stays stuck and that the ink does not run or smear at all.
General information, not legal or tax advice.