With a well-designed label, a product can fly off the shelves. But there’s a lot to think about when working out how to put together this core part of your packaging, and also plenty of room for mistakes to be made.
To avoid this, here are the most important things to keep in mind when you’re developing new product labels, and why they matter.
Is All the Necessary Information Included?
There are specific rules to follow when labeling products, and that means you need to include as much detail as possible, or else face the wrath of the regulators.
Accuracy is important, and for consumable items things like the ingredients list and the nutritional values must all be present and correct. This also means finding a good place on the packaging to put this potentially dry data.
Do the Colors Catch the Eye?
Attention-grabbing colors are frequently used by brands to make their products appealing. But as well as being eye-catching, your product labels have to be suited to the brand identity you’ve developed.
Another factor at play is that of consumer expectations; if your products are too outlandishly packaged compared with rivals, this could put people off rather than draw them in.
Are the Fonts Attractive and Legible?
Another aspect of presenting information on labeling is font choice. The typography you select for your labeling must look good while also being easy for the average person to read, even from a distance.
It should also fit your brand and complement other elements, such as your logo design. It could even be chosen based on overlooked elements, like the barcode.
Do Your Labels Need to Be Freezer/Microwave Safe?
Services like StickerYou can supply labels that comply with the requirements of safety in terms of product packaging which will be kept in freezers or heated in microwave ovens.
Again, this is relevant for consumable products, but could apply to other lines depending on where and how you expect them to be used. Safety is not something to compromise on, so take it seriously.
Is the Product Name Impactful?
If you’re launching a new product, then the name you opt for can be the difference between success and failure for a few reasons.
From a packaging perspective, it has to be memorable and engaging to your target demographic, as well as being unusual enough that it does not cause your product to seem too generic when placed alongside alternatives on the same shelf space.
How Big Should the Label Be?
The dimensions of the label, as well as its positioning on the packaging, will be entirely dependent on the shape and size of the packaging itself.
Furthermore, you need to work out if you’ll be able to get everything onto a single sticker, perhaps one which wraps around the product, or whether it will be a case of creating two or more labels that are applied on different sides.
You might also choose to have the design of the label printed directly onto the packaging material, in which case a different set of considerations come into play.
What Does the Label Feel Like in the Hand?
This is not often talked about, but the hand-feel of product packaging holds sway over how the contents and the broader brand is perceived.
Cheap and cheerful materials with a slick, shiny texture are obviously inexpensive, but if you’re pushing a premium brand, then a higher end, textured finish might serve you better in the long run.
Don’t be scared of testing out a few label designs to see which clicks with customers, rather than going all-in on just one before you’ve assessed its effectiveness.