Sticky Business: Why Butchers and Food Distributors Can’t Function Without Custom Labels

More Than Just a Label

You’d be surprised how many businesses we work with tell us, “We can’t run our day without our labels.” And they mean it.

We’re not talking about fancy marketing stickers — we’re talking about the hardworking kind. The ones that go straight into the cool room. The ones that stick, stay, and survive the freezer. The ones that help busy teams keep up with food safety, expiry dates, stock rotation and everything in between.

So we thought we’d write about these humble-yet-crucial labels — and the butchers and food suppliers who use them every single day.

Gumview Grazing’s fresh meat packaging with Square Roll Labels.

Meet the Meat: Inside a Local Butcher’s Daily Workflow

Labels In Every Step of the Process

We have worked closely with a family-run butcher who’s been using Stickeroo labels for quite some time. Their team preps hundreds of meat trays each morning — and every single one needs a label before it hits the display cabinet.

They rely on their custom-printed labels to show:

• The type of cut (think T-bone, lamb chops, scotch fillet)

• Expiry or packed-on dates

• Batch or traceability codes

The labels are more than just helpful — they’re essential. The team even uses a marker to handwrite specific details for special orders or pre-packed meal trays.

Dessert packaging, fridge-safe round labels for Sweet Sinsations

Why Ordinary Stickers Don’t Cut It

Before switching to Stickeroo, they told us that other stickers were falling off when stored in the fridge or freezer. Some labels smudged. Others lost adhesion once condensation hit.

We helped them find the right combo:

• Afridge - and freezer-friendly adhesive that won’t budge, even when it gets cold and wet

• Awritable surface that’s perfect for dates and notes

• Afood-safe material that meets hygiene and safety needs

Now, their whole process runs smoother. No re-labelling. No complaints. Just quick prep and confident display.

Homemade relish jar round labels 

Scaling Up: How Wholesale Food Suppliers Use Labels at Volume

Inventory, Compliance and Clarity

We also print for wholesale food suppliers — the kind who need to move perishables from place to place.

For these businesses, labelling is about more than just branding. It’s about compliance, logistics, and making sure thousands of items are stored, packed and shipped without error.

Here’s how they use Stickeroo labels:

• Handling instructions (Keep Frozen / Use By / Store Below 5°C)

• Product identifiers for easy sorting in warehouses

• Branded packaging for resellers and retailers

Durability Where It Matters Most

Imagine labels sitting on cartons inside a walk-in freezer or passing through refrigerated trucks — they have to hold up through it all. That’s why our wholesale clients count on:

• Strong adhesion on cardboard, plastic, and vacuum-sealed packs

• Labels that don’t peel or fade when exposed to moisture or extreme cold

• Tear-resistant materials that can handle stacking and transport
  

One of our long-term wholesale customers told us the best thing about their labels is that they “just work” — no peeling, no smearing, no stress. They also love that Stickeroo roll labels are writable with permanent markers!

It means they can scale up without changing their workflow — just peel, stick, and go.

Machine applied labels are best for large runs to speed up the production process.

How These Businesses Save Time, Money and Headaches

Operational Efficiency

When your labelling system works properly, everything else moves faster.

 Butchers can prep more trays in less time.

 Warehouse teams can scan stock quicker.

 There’s less waste. Fewer packing mistakes. And zero time wasted re-labelling items that fell off in the cold room.

Brand Trust and Consistency

At the customer level, labels play a huge role in how your product is perceived. A clean, bold, consistent label says “we care.” It builds trust. It looks professional.

And with custom designs, businesses can align their labels with the look and feel of their brand — even if they’re dealing in bulk meat packs or wholesale cartons.

Thinking of Switching to Smarter Stickers?

Here’s why Stickeroo food labels are made for businesses like yours:

✅ Food-safe adhesive— safe for packaging and handling

✅ Fridge and freezer ready — won’t budge in the cold

✅Writable— perfect for dates, weights, and batch numbers

✅ Tough — tear-resistant, smudge-proof and made to last

✅Customisable — match your brand with full-colour designs

✅Roll or sheet formats — whatever suits your setup best

 

 

What our customers say about our Circle Roll Labels?

It’s Time to Label Like a Pro

Whether you’re a local butcher or working with wholesale foods and perishables, your labels really matter. They do the behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything moving.

If you’re ready to upgrade to durable, fridge-friendly, food-safe stickers that don’t just stick — but work hard for your business — we’re here to help. Explore Food Labels →Australia's Favourite Custom Circle Sheet Labels orCircle Roll Labels.