In almost every product category—whether it’s skincare, candles, frozen food, supplements, electronics, handmade items, or shipping packages—labels play a crucial role in informing, guiding, and reassuring customers. But there’s one recurring customer complaint found across online marketplaces, retail stores, and social media reviews:
“The label became unreadable.”
This includes issues like:
Smudged text
Peeling labels
Faded barcodes
Oil-soaked stickers
Water-damaged print
Worn-off safety warnings
Wrinkled ingredient lists
When customers cannot read important information, their perception of the brand declines sharply. Unreadable labels are not just a cosmetic failure—they impact compliance, safety, usability, and trust.
The good news? Waterproof labels directly eliminate the root causes of these complaints.
This article explains exactly why unreadable labels happen, how waterproof labels prevent these issues, which industries benefit the most, and how switching to waterproof materials can significantly increase customer satisfaction—and reduce returns, complaints, and bad reviews.
Why Customers Complain About “Unreadable” Stickers
Before exploring waterproof label solutions, we must understand why labels become unreadable in the first place. Most complaints arise from environmental exposure or handling conditions that paper-based labels simply cannot survive.
Common causes include:
1. Water exposure
Rain, splashes, humidity, and condensation can instantly cause paper labels to wrinkle or bleed.
2. Oils and lotions
Skincare, candles, food packaging, and chemical products often come into contact with oil, which destroys standard paper labels.
3. Heat
Candle jars, cosmetics, and shipping environments often create enough warmth to weaken adhesive or warp labels.
4. Refrigeration and freezing
Condensation forms on containers, ruining paper labels or causing bubbling and peeling.
5. Frequent handling
Products touched daily—like skincare tubes or drink bottles—cause labels to smudge or fade.
6. Friction during shipping
Packages rub against conveyor belts, poly mailers, and other cartons, wearing down fragile labels.
7. Poor adhesive performance
Paper labels often lift at the edges, peel off, or slip out of alignment over time.
8. Printed text fading
Inkjet and low-quality direct thermal prints can fade quickly under harsh conditions.
When labels fail, customers feel frustrated, confused, or misled—especially when they lose access to important information.
How Waterproof Labels Reduce Customer Complaints About Unreadable Stickers
Waterproof labels solve these problems at the root by using durable, moisture-resistant, oil-resistant, and smudge-proof materials that protect both the printed text and the adhesive bond. Here’s how they drastically reduce complaints.
Waterproof Labels Reduce Customer Complaints by Preventing Water Damage
Why water exposure ruins normal labels
Paper labels absorb water instantly. They wrinkle, dissolve, smear, and discolor. Humidity can also cause the print to fade or bubble.
How waterproof labels eliminate water complaints
Waterproof labels:
Repel water
Do not absorb moisture
Maintain shape and clarity even when fully submerged
Provide crisp readability after rain, washing, or shower storage
Remain intact during condensation cycles
Ideal for:
Soap and bath products
Beverage bottles
Outdoor equipment
Food containers
Refrigerated products
Waterproof Labels Reduce Customer Complaints by Resisting Oils & Grease
Why oils destroy standard labels
Oils and lotions dissolve the ink on paper labels, weaken adhesive, and cause the entire label to smear or peel away.
How waterproof labels solve the oil problem
Waterproof labels:
Resist oils, lotion residue, wax, plant oils, and fragrance oils
Prevent smudging when customers touch products with oily hands
Keep ingredient lists and branding fully visible
Maintain adhesion on slippery surfaces
Especially important for:
Skincare bottles
Aromatherapy products
Candle jars
Hand creams and salves
Haircare items
Cooking oils
Waterproof Labels Reduce Customer Complaints by Withstanding Heat & Temperature Changes
Why temperature affects label readability
Heat can:
Loosen adhesive
Cause paper to yellow or curl
Cause text to fade
Warp labels on curved containers
How waterproof materials improve heat resistance
Waterproof labels maintain:
Adhesive grip
Print clarity
Shape and structure
Durability
Even when exposed to:
Candle heat
Warm car interiors
Body heat
Hot shipping environments
Bathroom temperature changes
Waterproof Labels Reduce Customer Complaints by Preventing Smudging & Fading
Why smudging happens
Paper labels printed with inkjet or uncoated thermal technology smear easily when touched or rubbed.
How waterproof labels prevent smudges
Waterproof labels offer:
Smudge-proof printing
Scratch resistance
Long-lasting text clarity
Print that does not rub off, even when scratched
Eliminates complaints such as:
“I can’t read the instructions anymore.”
“The barcode wouldn’t scan.”
“The label rubbed off after a few days.”
Important for:
Shipping environments
Retail products
Daily-use items
Beauty and skincare packaging
Outdoor products
Waterproof Labels Reduce Customer Complaints by Improving Adhesive Performance
Why normal labels peel or fall off
Moisture, temperature changes, oils, and friction weaken adhesive bonds in standard paper labels.
Waterproof labels stay adhered
High-quality waterproof labels use adhesives that:
Stick to plastic, metal, glass, cardboard, and textured surfaces
Resist peeling in humidity
Stay secure in refrigeration and freezing
Grip even curved surfaces
Prevent edge-lifting
Prevents frustrations like:
“The label fell off.”
“The sticker came loose after one use.”
“The label slid off when I touched it.”
Industries That Benefit the Most from Waterproof Labels
1. Skincare & Beauty
Common customer complaints include:
Ingredient lists smearing
Branding peeling off
Tube labels rubbing off during use
Waterproof labels ensure the packaging remains premium and readable even with heavy handling and oil exposure.
2. Handmade Soap & Bath Goods
Labels often fail due to:
Steam
Moisture
Wet storage
Soap sweating
Waterproof labels keep bar wrappers and containers looking fresh.
3. Candles & Wax Melts
Heat and fragrance oils can:
Warp labels
Fade print
Make stickers slide
Waterproof labels maintain crisp safety instructions and branding.
4. Food & Beverage
Condensation, refrigeration, and spills cause paper labels to:
Bubble
Tear
Smear
Waterproof labels stay intact from production to consumption.
5. Frozen & Refrigerated Foods
Standard labels fail immediately in freezer cycles. Waterproof labels:
Resist frost
Handle thawing condensation
Maintain barcode readability
6. Cleaning Supplies & Chemical Products
Products with surfactants or solvents damage paper labels. Waterproof labels resist:
Household chemicals
Bleach
Cleaning agents
7. Shipping & Logistics
Customers complain when shipping labels:
Smear in the rain
Tear on conveyor belts
Peel on poly mailers
Waterproof shipping labels prevent delivery confusion and help keep carrier scanning smooth.
How Waterproof Labels Improve Product Professionalism
Unreadable labels send a negative message:
The brand is careless
The product is low-quality
Information is unimportant
Safety may have been overlooked
Waterproof labels communicate the opposite:
Professional packaging
Reliable quality
Attention to detail
Strong brand identity
Long-term usability
How Waterproof Labels Reduce Returns & Negative Reviews
Unreadable labels are often a direct cause of:
1-star reviews
Negative customer feedback
Unnecessary returns
Poor seller ratings
Examples of common review comments include:
“I couldn’t read the ingredients anymore.”
“The warning label rubbed off.”
“The barcode was unreadable.”
“The label was already peeling when it arrived.”
“After one use, the sticker smudged.”
Switching to waterproof labels dramatically reduces such incidents by ensuring the label stays readable throughout the entire customer journey.
Strategies for Using Waterproof Labels to Prevent Complaints
To maximize the customer experience, businesses should:
1. Use waterproof labels on all high-moisture products
Even partial exposure can ruin paper labels.
2. Choose the right size and placement
Labels should not be too small, curved excessively, or placed where they will rub off.
3. Ensure proper surface prep
Clean containers before labeling to ensure maximum adhesion.
4. Test labels in real-world conditions
Include:
Water exposure
Friction
Oils or lotions
Freezing/thawing
Heat and steam
5. Ensure text and icons are high-contrast
Readable labels help customers feel safer and reduce confusion.
Conclusion: Waterproof Labels Solve One of the Most Common Packaging Problems
“Unreadable” stickers are one of the top reasons customers lose trust in a brand, complain, or stop buying. Waterproof labels eliminate these problems by offering superior durability, readability, and adhesion in real-world environments.
They:
Resist water, oils, and heat
Stay readable for the product’s full lifespan
Prevent smudging, fading, and peeling
Make compliance information reliable
Improve brand professionalism
Increase customer satisfaction
For any business selling products exposed to moisture, handling, heat, or friction, waterproof labels are a powerful tool for reducing complaints and protecting brand reputation.
Direct Thermal Labels Suppliers – BETCKEY Label
FAQs
1. Why do customers often complain about unreadable labels?
Unreadable labels usually result from water exposure, oils, handling friction, temperature changes, or poor adhesives—all issues that waterproof labels are designed to prevent.
2. Are waterproof labels worth the investment for small businesses?
Yes. Waterproof labels reduce returns, negative reviews, and customer complaints while improving brand image and packaging durability.
3. Can waterproof labels be used on curved or moist surfaces?
High-quality waterproof labels adhere well to curved, smooth, or slightly moist surfaces, making them ideal for bottles, tubes, candle jars, and food containers.
