Adhesive-Side Printing and Vitrofanie Printing for Cosmetic Labels: Transparent Luxury with Technical Precision
Through the Bottle: How Adhesive-Side Printing and Vitrofanie Printing Give Cosmetic Labels a New Dimension
In Cosmetics, Experience Sells – Starting with the Label
In the world of cosmetics, packaging is more than protection. It communicates brand value, builds trust, and shapes the consumer’s first impression.
An increasing number of brands are opting for transparent packaging with a minimalist aesthetic. The product itself is meant to be seen, while the label becomes an integral part of the design rather than simply sitting on top.
To achieve this effect, Etivoet offers two refined techniques that speak literally through transparency: adhesive-side printing and vitrofanie printing.
Adhesive-Side Printing: Minimalist Luxury with Technical Precision
Adhesive-side printing involves printing on the adhesive side of the label, making the design visible through the transparent material.
This technique delivers a clean, luxurious appearance and allows for creative possibilities, such as subtle brand messaging or batch information on the inner side of the label.
It effortlessly combines aesthetics, functionality, and regulatory compliance – ideal for high-end cosmetic lines.
Key considerations:
- Adhesive-side printing requires temporarily removing the label from its liner, which may slightly reduce adhesive strength.
- This technique is exclusively achievable via flexographic printing.
Vitrofanie Printing – An Innovative Alternative Without Adhesive Loss
Vitrofanie printing offers a clever alternative to adhesive-side printing while maintaining full adhesive performance. The process involves printing in three layers:
- The reverse side of the label in mirror image
- An opaque white layer
- The front side of the label
This approach achieves the same transparent, luxurious effect without compromising the adhesive.
Vitrofanie printing, like adhesive-side printing, can also be executed digitally. In digital applications, printing on the adhesive side is technically impossible, so the design is printed in mirror image onto transparent material. This ensures the artwork remains visible through the packaging, while preserving adhesive strength and flawless finishing.
Technical Refinement in Service of Design
Whether for perfumes, diffusers, or skincare, Etivoet’s experienced prepress specialists collaborate closely with brands to tailor every detail to the material, printing process, and finishing method.
From transparent films to specific varnishes and coatings, each component is optimised for visual impact, durability, and regulatory compliance.
Transparency as a Signature of Quality
Adhesive-side printing and vitrofanie printing are not fleeting trends but evolutions in cosmetic packaging. They unite design and technology in a single, transparent brand experience – refined, durable, and instantly recognisable.
Would you like to find out which technique suits your brand best?
Contact Sara for personalised advice.
