Wausau Coated unveils Black Vellum Laminate labelstock for premium beverages

USA – Wausau Coated Products has expanded its wine and spirits portfolio with the launch of its 73# Black Vellum Laminate (W037402), a new labelstock engineered for premium beverage applications requiring both durability and high-end shelf appeal.

The Black Vellum Laminate features a reinforced, uncoated black paper face with a smooth vellum finish, designed to deliver a deep, matte aesthetic suited to wine, spirits and craft beverage brands seeking bold, minimalist packaging.

The material incorporates wet-strength properties, enabling it to perform in moisture-heavy environments such as ice buckets, refrigeration and cold-chain distribution.

According to the company, the labelstock supports a wide range of embellishment techniques, including embossing, foil stamping and die cutting, providing converters and designers with flexibility for premium decoration.

The laminate is paired with a 1.2 mil clear PET liner to ensure stability during high-speed, roll-to-roll automatic application processes.

At the adhesive layer, Wausau has integrated its i8308 adhesive, formulated to deliver strong initial tack and long-term adhesion, even on challenging substrates.

The adhesive is resistant to UV exposure, water and solvents, key performance attributes in the wine and spirits sector, where bottles may encounter condensation, temperature fluctuations and handling during distribution.

Gina Roemke, roll product manager at Wausau Coated Products, described the new material as a “game-changer” for brands seeking both visual impact and structural reliability. “It’s the perfect blend of beauty, strength and versatility,” she said.

The introduction comes as premium beverage producers continue to invest in tactile, visually distinctive labels to differentiate on crowded retail shelves.

Dark, textured substrates have gained traction in recent years as brands lean into understated luxury cues and sustainable-inspired aesthetics, even when performance requirements remain technically demanding.

Wausau Coated’s move also reflects broader industry demand for label materials capable of balancing decoration potential with converting efficiency.

As wineries and distilleries increasingly adopt automated application lines, compatibility with high-speed systems has become a critical factor in substrate selection.

With the addition of Black Vellum Laminate, Wausau Coated strengthens its position in the premium beverage labeling segment, offering converters a new option that combines moisture resistance, print adaptability and strong adhesion in a single construction tailored to high-value packaging applications.

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