Labels for Jars That Last: Show Up Fresh on Market Day

What I’ve learned (the hard way) about labels that last

Whether it’s a jam jar, a honey bottle, or your signature garlic-dill pickles, the right labels for jars help you look professional and build trust. They also survive whatever farmers market day throws at you. And I say that not just as a writer, but as a maker myself.

I create fantasy headpieces and accessories, which aren’t exactly messy but are still delicate and highly detailed. For me, great labels and packaging aren’t just decorative—they’re essential. A well-designed label can elevate your product, help it stand out in a crowd, and make it feel more expensive. But hauling everything from one convention to the next? That can shred flimsy labels in no time, leaving your display looking worn out and your brand looking unprofessional. And replacing labels before every event? Totally impractical.

So even though I don’t sell food, I’ve seen firsthand how much harder it is when you’re dealing with things like oil, brine, condensation, and coolers. Farmers market vendors have to think about durability on a whole different level—and that’s exactly what this post is here to help with.

Looking for more ideas to help you get your farmers market product display ready? Here’s a great list of printables to help you sell at a farmer’s market.

Why jar labels need to work harder at the farmer’s market

As I mentioned above, my own products aren’t very messy, but I do enjoy shopping at my local farmers markets. Here’s what I know for sure: labels for jars better be sturdy. If jarred goods aren’t in a cooler where the labels have to stand up to moisture and condensation, then they’re out on a table. Inevitably, those jars are going to get handled by shoppers and be exposed to sunshine.

If you need to make durable labels for your farmers market product display, look for oil-resistant and waterproof jar labels. Labels that stick on glass jars—and stay looking like you just applied them—should be your first priority.

Want your jars to stay sharp from morning setup to final sale? These label options are built for it:

In a sea of booths, branding sets you apart and builds trust

Having been on both sides of the table, I promise you that the perception of your booth affects the perception of whatever you’re selling. The first, and probably most obvious thing to know, is that polished packaging (like custom labels for jars) helps create a perception of value. What may surprise you is how much a polished, professional booth can affect the way you perceive yourself and, in turn, affect the way you sell your items. When you’re proud of what you’re presenting, it shows, and I’ve seen it attract shoppers firsthand. It’s kind of how confidence makes people more attractive in everyday life. For a booth, that might mean clean signage, matching tent cards, or even just a set of well-designed labels that make your display look intentional and put-together.

I’ve also seen how a sloppy or haphazard booth repels customers and is often accompanied by a seller that looks defeated or “checked out.” When there are dozens of booths competing for attention, you definitely want to have good-looking products and displays that attract customers and invite them to keep looking. Even something as simple as well-designed labels for honey jars can signal professionalism at a glance.

What to look for in labels for jars

Fortunately, there are label materials out there that are engineered specifically for all the nonsense your jars have to put up with on market day. Avery has a long legacy of research and development that goes all the way back to the invention of the sticker. Not to mention the fact that we have an entire in-house R&D team doing quality testing and solving problems. They spend roughly 5 hours a day, or 1,300 hours a year, just testing Avery labels in printers. And that doesn’t even account for how they test labels before sending them off for certifications like BS5609. These kinds of certifications are so strict, they’re actually done by accredited third parties. Fun fact: our waterproof and chemical-resistant UltraDuty® labels are so durable they’re BS5609-certified to last in the ocean for 90 days!

Now, you probably don’t need waterproof labels that are that hardcore for jams or hot sauce. But you do need durable labels for jars—the kind that can handle condensation, oil, and lots of handling. Regular waterproof and oil-resistant features will do just fine for food-safe jar labels. But it’s nice to know that Avery has a whole team dedicated to the science behind anything you need our labels to do.

Best materials for jar labels

Avery has a lot of durable materials perfect for making adhesive labels for jars that really last when you need them to. But if you want a simple rule to help you choose, this is my best advice: go for waterproof materials. Avery waterproof materials usually have a lot of other durability benefits that work well for jarred goods. Whether you’re dealing with coolers, sunlight, or sticky fingers, the icons below highlight features that help your labels shine on market day—and show how you can get them.

• 💧 Waterproof (from coolers to full dunking)
• 🌞 Resists fading from sunlight (UV-resistant)
• 🧴 Oil-resistant
• 🧪 Chemical-resistant
• 🛡️ Scratch-resistant
• ✂️ Tear-resistant
• ❄️ Freezer-safe
• 🔥 Microwave-safe

  

Material	What it does	How to Get it
Matte white film	💧 🌞 🧴 🧪 🛡️ ✂️ ❄️🔥	DIY printable Custom printing
Rainbow holographic film	💧 🌞 🧴 🧪 🛡️ ✂️	Custom print only
Chrome silver film PET	💧 🌞 🧴 🧪 🛡️ ✂️ ❄️	Custom print only

Printing at home vs. custom printing

The last thing to look for when considering labels for jars is how you plan on printing them. You can print your own labels at home using inkjet or laser printers, which gives you more control over small batches and quick changes. If you want to make printable labels for jars at home, all you have to do is make sure the type of label you buy matches the printer you have. Not sure what kind of printer you have, or why it matters? We fully break it down in this article.

Pro Tip: You can also buy Avery labels marked Laser/Inkjet that are specially designed for both types of printers.

If you want to go hands-off, Avery WePrint® offers professionally printed labels that are ideal for bulk orders, vibrant colors, and saturated images. You can choose custom shapes and sizes and order them on sheets or rolls depending on your production needs.

Quickly create custom labels for jars

Get started labeling quickly with five of our most popular jar label templates. You can edit the font and texts, switch out colors and images, and do so much more with our online label maker. Then, depending on your material choice, you can order your designs custom-printed or print them yourself on blank Avery labels.

Pro Tip: Custom sizes are a free option when you order custom printed labels or blank labels by the sheet or roll.

Your product deserves a label that works as hard as you do

If you’re thinking about selling your homemade jarred goods, I want to give you this advice: It’s okay to start small; just start. When I first started selling my crafts, I shared a free table at a local comic shop with another vendor. I definitely didn’t start selling at comic conventions with thousands of attendees my first time out. Of all the things I wish I had known then, how to add branded details to packaging is right at the top.

Even if your setup is simple—just a cooler and your best product—a professional jar label makes a strong impression. I’ve seen plenty of beautiful custom labels for jars get wrecked by ice, condensation, or curious hands. One small switch to waterproof, oil-resistant labels would have made all the difference for those sellers.

When you’re ready to grow, you can build out your farmers market product display with tent cards, price signs, and branded extras that bring a polished look to your whole setup. Whether you’re just starting or already scaling up, the right label helps your jars—and your story—stand out.

Want more tips for market-day success?

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When you’re ready to share your setup, tag us on Instagram using #AveryProducts—we’d love to see how your labels are showing up strong at the market!