Custom Labels Ltd has manufactured labels and asset tags in the UK since 1997. Everything is produced in-house in Somerset, which means faster lead times, verified quality, and a supplier you can actually reach when something needs resolving.
There is a broader conversation happening across British industry right now about where things are made and why it matters. Geopolitical instability, disruption in global shipping lanes, and the ongoing effects of trade uncertainty have created persistent supply chain challenges for manufacturers of all sizes. We are not immune to those pressures, and we think it is worth being straight with you about that.
At Custom Labels Ltd we have been manufacturing in the UK since 1997, and everything we produce is made in-house at our facility in Bridgwater, Somerset. That has always been the way we operate, and it is increasingly the reason customers come to us and stay with us. But being a UK manufacturer does not mean we exist in isolation from the rest of the world, and it would not be honest to suggest otherwise.
The reality of global materials
Like most specialist label manufacturers, a significant proportion of the materials we use are sourced from suppliers worldwide. That is not a compromise, it is a deliberate choice. The substrates, adhesives, and specialist materials that go into producing durable, high-performance labels are manufactured by highly specialised producers across the globe, and sourcing from the best rather than simply the nearest means our customers get materials that are genuinely suited to the job they need to do.
We are constantly evaluating what is available, what performs best in real world conditions, and what gives our customers the most reliable and long-lasting result. Whether that is a polycarbonate that can withstand harsh chemical environments, an adhesive engineered for difficult surfaces, or a substrate built to outlast the asset it is attached to, the materials we specify are chosen on merit.
That said, global supply chains bring their own realities, and like every manufacturer we have felt the effect of rising material costs over the past decade. We have absorbed what we can, but we will always be straight with you about what is driving any change in pricing. When you pay more, you are getting more.
What UK label manufacturing actually means in practice
Being a UK label manufacturer is not just a badge. For our customers it has real, practical consequences.
When you place an order with Custom Labels Ltd, it is processed, produced, and dispatched from a single site in Somerset. There are no overseas production partners, no third-party fulfillers, and no extended international supply chains adding weeks to your lead time or uncertainty to your delivery. Everything that goes into your label, from material selection and print to quality checking and despatch, happens under our roof.
That matters when you need a fast turnaround. It matters when you need to make a late change to a specification. And it matters when something needs resolving quickly, because you are speaking directly to the team that made your order.
ISO accredited quality you can verify
Custom Labels Ltd holds both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditation, covering quality management and environmental management respectively. These are not one-time certifications. They require ongoing compliance, regular auditing, and a genuine commitment to maintaining standards across every part of the operation.
As a Made in Britain member, our products are produced entirely in the UK to the standards that membership requires. For customers who need to evidence supply chain quality to their own clients, auditors, or procurement teams, that traceability has real value.
Supply chain resilience is no longer a nice-to-have
Supply chain disruption has become a primary concern across procurement, with the majority of businesses having experienced significant disruptive incidents in recent years. Many organisations now view sourcing from UK manufacturers as a strategic move rather than a default preference, with shorter production supply chains reducing dependency on international logistics and allowing closer collaboration between suppliers and customers.
For a label or asset tag, this might seem like a minor consideration. But labels are often the last thing ordered before a product ships or an asset goes live, which means delays have a disproportionate impact. A supplier relying entirely on overseas production with extended lead times is a very different proposition to one that can turn around an order in days and answer the phone when something changes.
Rooted in Somerset, supplying the world
Custom Labels Ltd is proudly based in Bridgwater, Somerset, a town with a strong industrial identity sitting at the edge of the Somerset Levels and close to some of the most significant energy infrastructure projects in the UK. Being part of that community matters to us, from sponsoring local football and cycling clubs to being a Tier 2 supplier to Hinkley Point Power Station through our partnership with ARC-UK.
That local rootedness does not limit what we can do. We supply customers across the UK and internationally, and have done for nearly three decades. What it does mean is that we have skin in the game. Our reputation is built here, our team lives and works here, and the quality of what leaves our building reflects directly on us.
What this means when you buy from us
When you buy from Custom Labels Ltd you get a supplier who controls the full production process. You get lead times that reflect actual manufacturing capacity, not international shipping schedules. You get ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accredited quality and environmental management on every order. And you get a team you can actually reach, based in the same time zone, who will sort out a problem the same day it arises.
We will also always be straight with you about pricing and the factors behind it, because we think that is how a long-term supplier relationship should work.
That is what UK label manufacturing means in practice. And after 29 years of doing it, we think it is worth saying clearly.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Custom Labels Ltd manufacture its products?
All labels and asset tags are manufactured in-house at our facility in Bridgwater, Somerset. Nothing is outsourced to overseas production partners.
Is Custom Labels Ltd ISO accredited?
Yes. Custom Labels Ltd holds ISO 9001 accreditation for quality management and ISO 14001 accreditation for environmental management.
What is the typical lead time for a label order?
Because we manufacture everything in-house in the UK, we are able to offer significantly shorter lead times than suppliers relying on overseas production. Contact our team for a specific turnaround time based on your requirements.
Does Custom Labels Ltd supply internationally?
Yes. While we are proudly based in Somerset, we supply customers across the UK and worldwide.
Why have label prices increased in recent years?
Like all manufacturers, we have been affected by rising global material costs driven by supply chain disruption, shipping cost volatility, and currency fluctuation over the past decade. We absorb what we can and are always transparent about what is driving any pricing change.
Can I request a sample before placing a full order?
Yes. We offer both standard and custom sample packs, dispatched within 24 hours. You can request one via our website or by contacting our sales team directly.
If you would like to talk to us about your label or asset tag requirements, or request a sample pack, get in touch with the team at Custom Labels Ltd.
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