Paper remains a popular label material. It is easy to print onto and offers surfaces ranging from absorbent matt for office Inkjets or Laser printers to Cast gloss which is smooth and has a high lustre. It is available with numerous adhesives to solve many varied applications, such as garment labelling where the adhesive should remove cleanly from the item.

Paper remains inexpensive compared with synthetics and this makes it a natural contender for Prime labelling where cost is paramount. Just like others, it can have the surface changed by inexpensive U.V. varnishing or over-laminating.