Custom Labels for Cannabis Jars: Design, Specs & Compliance Guide 

Custom Labels for Jars: Key Takeaways 

• From glossy and bold to matte and minimal, your finish sets the tone before the customer reads a word

• A 3.5g flower jar needs different specs than a 1g concentrate container. We break down the most common dimensions so your labels don’t get lost or misapplied 

• Your custom labels for jars need THC warnings, weight, and batch info, but with the right layout strategy, you can stay legal without sacrificing design 

• Whether it’s a vertical seal or a shrink band, this detail isn’t just required, it’s a smart way to show professionalism 

• These small touches add serious value when done right and can even help differentiate SKUs within the same product line. 

Did you know that consumers may pay up to 26% more for cannabis packaged in visually striking, premium containers?  

At retail, nobody sells your product harder than your packaging. Especially when it’s fighting for attention in a sea of lookalikes 

Custom jar labels do more than display compliance info; they reflect your brand’s personality, show attention to detail, and influence how dispensary buyers and consumers perceive your product. 

In this guide, you’ll learn how cannabis brands use custom jar labels to: 

• Stay compliant in a multi-state market 

• Improve shelf appeal with bold, premium finishes 

• Make tamper-evident features part of the design 

• Choose label specs that fit glass jars and concentrates 

• Scale smarter with modular label systems and low MOQs 

Why Custom Labels for Jars Matter in Cannabis Packaging 

In cannabis, brand packaging isn’t passive. It fronts your brand. It announces quality. It’s the first handshake, even before the bud is revealed. 

It’s more than decoration and here’s how your label earns its keep: 

• It builds shelf recognition: In dispensaries with dozens of brands competing for attention, a unique label helps your jar get noticed and remembered 

• It connects with your target audience: Labels help communicate your brand’s tone, price point, and vibe at a glance, whether you’re going for luxe, eco-friendly, or streetwear-inspired 

• It ensures product trust and safety: Including proper THC symbols, strain info, batch numbers, and dosage details adds credibility and meets state regulations 

• It supports SKU and strain clarity: Custom jar labels help you streamline operations across multiple product lines, making it easy for budtenders and customers to navigate your catalog 

Materials & Finishes That Signal “Premium” 

When you’re trying to stand out in a competitive dispensary lineup, the right finish can elevate your look, communicate quality, and create a memorable customer experience. 

So what separates a premium label from the rest? Let’s unpack three finishes that brands keep coming back to. 

Gloss vs. Matte: Which Finish Fits Your Brand? 

The finish you choose changes how your label feels in-hand and on-shelf. Both can work beautifully, but they send very different signals. 

Gloss labels are: 

• Vibrant, shiny, and high-energy 

• Great for colorful, modern, or youthful brands 

• Ideal for retail environments where reflection catches attention 

Matte labels are: 

• Soft-touch, subtle, and elegant 

• Perfect for premium flower, wellness SKUs, or minimalist design 

• Often photographed better under lighting (great for social media and web listings) 

Use gloss to energize your shelf presence. Go matte when you want to feel high-end and understated. 

When To Use Colored Foil or Spot Gloss 

If your logo or brand mark deserves the spotlight, this is where foil and selective gloss finishes shine, literally. 

Spot gloss (also called selective UV) works best when: 

• You want to draw attention to specific label elements like a logo or strain name 

• You’re using a matte base and want contrast or dimension 

• You need to add texture without overwhelming your layout 

Colored foil stamping is ideal when: 

• You want metallic accents that suggest luxury or detail 

• Your label needs a pop of gold, silver, or holographic effect without full-surface coverage 

• You’re targeting premium positioning or collectors 

These effects add perceived value, but too much can feel overdone. Use them sparingly and strategically. 

Statement Looks: Holographic & Glow-in-the-Dark 

Sometimes, a bold design choice is exactly what sets your jar apart—especially in competitive or youth-driven markets. 

Use holographic finishes when: 

• You’re releasing limited-edition strains or seasonal drops 

• Your brand skews playful, futuristic, or visually experimental 

• You want a rainbow sheen that shifts under light 

Use glow-in-the-dark labels for: 

• Nightlife-friendly products (think pre-rolls or party packs) 

• Pop-up events or holiday promotions 

• A surprising visual twist that boosts unboxing moments or shelf appeal 

Just keep compliance in mind, as these finishes can still accommodate THC warnings and state symbols if applied thoughtfully. 

Label Specs for Glass Cannabis Jars & Concentrate Containers 

Before your label can shine, it has to fit and function. Whether you’re packaging flower in classic 3.5g jars or concentrates in smaller glass containers, your label specs need to be just right to stay compliant, stick well, and look premium from shelf to sesh. 

Here’s what to know when planning your label specs for glass cannabis jars and concentrate containers: 

Common Label Sizes by Product Type 

For flower jars (glass or borosilicate), most 3.5g (⅛ oz) jars require: 

• Wrap-around labels: ~2″ x 6″ to 2.5″ x 6.5″, depending on the jar’s diameter 

• Lid labels: ~1.5″–2″ diameter circles (for strain name, logo, or compliance icons) 

• Optional: Vertical tamper-evident strip from lid to side 

For concentrate containers that are 1g or 0.5g: 

• Lid-only labels: 1″–1.25″ circular labels are standard 

• Side labels (if applicable): ~1″ x 2″ rectangles or ovals 

• Consider child-resistant lids, which may reduce available space 

Pro tip: Always measure the flat printable area of your jar, not just the lid diameter, to avoid bubbling, creasing, or compliance placement issues. 

Things To Include on Every Label 

Help brands cover their regulatory and branding bases with every SKU. 

• Product name & strain info 

• Weight (e.g., “Net Wt. 3.5g”) 

• THC/CBD % breakdown 

• Batch ID / Harvest date / Lab results URL or QR 

• THC warning symbol (state-specific) 

• Compliance disclaimers (“Keep out of reach of children”) 

• Brand logo + optional effect or usage icons 

• Optional: usage tips, recycling notes, barcode/SKU 

Even if your jars are small, there are ways to modularize this info. Consider layering it across a lid label and side wrap if needed. 

Tamper-Evident Seals: Design + Function 

Tamper-evidence is more than a best practice, it’s mandatory in most cannabis markets, especially for inhalables and edibles. 

Options for tamper-evident integration: 

• Vertical label strips from lid to side (common on glass jars) 

• Perforated shrink bands over jar closures 

• Pressure-sensitive seals with text like “Sealed for your safety” 

• Breakable seals with brand logo for dual compliance and design impact 

Beast Coast Packaging tip: Incorporating your tamper seal into your main label layout helps cut costs and ensures aesthetic cohesion, especially if you’re applying by machine. 

Let Your Labels Do the Talking With Beast Coast Packaging 

In cannabis, your product’s story starts on the jar. And custom labels are where that story takes shape, through finishes, fonts, compliance marks, and intentional design.  

At Beast Coast Packaging, we don’t just print stickers. We help cannabis brands design smarter, stay compliant, and scale packaging that actually performs, visually and operationally. 

Here’s how we make it easier to get your labels right: 

• End-to-end label support: From dielines and compliance layout to finish consulting and pre-press 

• Premium materials, low MOQs: Launch-ready labels without overspending or over-ordering 

• Tamper-evident and compliant-ready: Designed for real-world dispensary requirements and multi-state licensing 

• Designed to move with you: Whether you’re labeling pre-rolls, jars, or concentrate container, we match your SKUs, not the other way around 

Besides custom jars, we also offer: 

• Custom bags 

• Custom mylar bags 

• Custom boxes 

• Pre-roll tubes 

• Exit bags 

Because when your cannabis is top-shelf, your packaging should speak volumes, without saying a word. 

Custom Labels for Jars: FAQs 

If you’re navigating custom jar labels for the first time or trying to scale smarter, these are the most common things we get asked at Beast Coast Packaging. 

Are glass cannabis jars better for custom labels than plastic ones? 

They usually are. Glass offers a smooth, consistent surface that helps labels apply evenly and stay put. It’s also more resistant to temperature shifts and moisture, meaning your label won’t bubble or peel after a week on the shelf. 

What size label fits a standard 3.5g (⅛ oz) cannabis jar? 

Most wrap-around labels fall between 2″ x 6″ and 2.5″ x 6.5″, depending on your jar’s diameter. If you’re using lid labels too, a 1.5″–2″ circle usually gets the job done. Beast Coast can help you dial in exact specs based on your jar style. 

Can I use clear labels on frosted or matte jars? 

Yes, but with the right design strategy. Clear labels can look sleek, but you’ll want to use white ink underlays beneath your text or logo so they don’t disappear against frosted or colored glass. We help brands proof this upfront so you don’t run into legibility issues later. 

What’s the fastest turnaround for custom jar labels? 

Most standard runs take 7–10 business days after final proof approval, but we offer rush production on select label types. Have a launch coming up? Let us know, we’re used to working on tight timelines without cutting corners 

How do I make sure my labels stay compliant across multiple states? 

We recommend creating a modular label layout: one consistent brand label with space set aside for state-specific compliance info (like THC symbols, batch numbers, warnings). We can also help you build a layout that makes compliance updates easy, especially if you’re expanding into new markets.