Abstract: An in-mold label material is a nonwoven mat of fibers having one side fused with the outer surface of a polymeric container and the other side coated with a pigment-containing latex suitable for printing thereon. The label paper is manufactured from commercially available fibers combined in water into a homogeneous mixture and then formed into a mat employing a wet-lay process. For use with polyethylene containers, the label may be a web consisting of 88-100% polyethylene fibers and 0-15% polyvinyl alcohol fibers or 70-100% polyethylene fibers, 0-15% polyvinyl alcohol fibers and 0-30% polypropylene fibers. For use with polyester containers, the label may be a web consisting of 50-90% polyester staple fibers, 10-40% bicomponent polyester/co-polyester, core/sheath binder fibers and 0-10% polyvinyl alcohol binder fibers thermally bonded together. The nonwoven web of fibers has a pigmented coating.