To ensure that your product attracts the right customers, follow the principles of designing a product label.
If your product is new, it would be hard to stand out among hundreds of thousands of products available in the market similar to what you’re offering. However, people constantly look for new things that may be better than what they are used to in the hopes of finding a cheaper or better alternative—this is where your packaging and product label come in.
A product label gives identity to your product. It usually consists of the brand name, product name, packaging size, barcode, company’s details, and the required information such as ingredients, hazards, and warnings.
All products legally circulating in the market have these specifications, but how can a label help you get more buyers? It comes down to product label design—making it more appealing to the customers’ eyes. As consumers, some elements quickly catch their attention on the grocery shelves. Knowing what those are and where to place them could make your product more visible and attract more sales.
This guide will give you tips on how to make an effective product label design. However, before going on to the design proper, you must first know what product label fits your product. There are several types of product labels:
- Dry Peel: The label is held by an adhesive and can be easily torn off from the container. Dry peel labels are typically used for coupons because there is another label or more information positioned underneath the peel.
- Reseal: This kind is used to reseal the product when an opening is placed under the product label. This label comes in handy and convenient, especially for multi-use products like wipes or snacks.
- Fold Out: Designed like an accordion, a fold-out label provides additional information aside from the mentioned main components of product labels. It is convenient as manuals or coupons for products that do not have a box.
- Prime: Prime labeling is the most common type used in the market as you can enhance the product design better with different styles to make your product stand out even more through visuals and creative design.
- Specialty Die-cut: Specialty die-cut refers to the type of label with specific shapes or outlines. It is often used as a design or so that the label can fit a uniquely shaped container. This can bethe main label or a peel-off.
- Expandable Reseal Booklet: An expandable reseal booklet combines a fold-out and a reseal label. It contains directions for use and more information regarding the product.
- Tag and Board: Tag and board are more of packaging than a label, but it is printed out using the standard label printing method. The packaging board is used as the label itself as it contains the necessary information.
DOs in product label designing:
After knowing the types of product labels, you can now start designing the label for your products. Here are the things you should keep in mind to make your product label as enticing and inviting as possible without overwhelming the customers.
- Include important information
The primary purpose of a product label is to inform the customers what the product is. It should include all the necessary information like brand name,product name, barcode, ingredients, and other required details as mentioned above. They should be outlined or emphasized based on the specific information it gives.
All of the required details have specific standard positions on a product label, and they should be followed to avoid confusion and keep the label organized.
- Utilize the best tools
You need the right tools and equipment on hand before making a logo to ensure high quality. Many options are available when choosing the software to use when preparing and editing the logo and layout of the label. There are several free software, though it will come with limited features, and there are also those that have fees but are more flexible to aid your creative juices.
- Be consistent with the logo
Many companies have several products for sale, but one thing you need to make sure of is to add your logo on them so that consumers recognize the products that belong to you. This is one way to advertise your company and invite avid customers to support your new products also.
- Make it easy to read
No matter how creative and artistic your design looks, it will be all for nothing if the customer can’t read the label and other contents. They should see the details, such as the logo and brand name, even from across the room. You can be as playful as you want with the design, but remember to keep those two details readable for most eyes.
- Consider the packaging
There is no standard size with product labels. You must consider the size and shape of the container or package where you will put the label on. You don’t want extra paper sticking on the edge, right? Considering the shape of the label can also show your creative flair.
- Put empty spaces
On the one hand, when the designs are all clustered, the customers will have a hard time focusing on the critical details of the label. On the other hand, it is not pleasing to the eyes if it seems lacking.
Remember to keep enough “white spaces” or empty spaces between elements so that people can easily differentiate each part or detail from one another. With this, the buyers will find your products easier, and they won’t have a hard time reading the contents on the label to see what they need to know.
- Use different fonts
Using different font combinations can make the product label look more attractive. But it should not be too overwhelming—for example, do not overuse different fonts. Two or three font styles should be suitable. Contrasting fonts can make the design look more creative and fancy while complementing or related ones will make it more uniform.
Minimalist design is now a trend, but a classy look on your product label will never get old, no matter how vintage it may look.
- Put decorative touches
Even if a product label aims to inform the consumers of the product’s specs, you must not forget to include even a single decorative touch to attract potential buyers. Impressive specs cannot easily entice everyone since they may not even have the interest to read them in the first place. Including some designs can make your product look more attractive.
- Be creative
Being creative is not limited to just putting some fancy elements and designs. Instead, you can be playful with the details you choose and make the picture more fun. Having a creative and playful image for your label can make it stand out among the products since it can easily catch attention.
- Keep the brand design
Stay with the color or any other iconic elements that signify your brand. Keeping the new product different yet similar to the old ones can help people recognize your product. Establishing a standard look can be beneficial in the future because it will make you more recognizable to buyers, especially to avid ones.
DON’TS in product label designing:
If there are best practices in product label designing, mistakes or missteps may also happen but should also be avoided. Learn about the most common don’ts so your product labels can be highly effective.
- Overuse elements
Product labels only have limited space, and you should use them wisely to communicate better with your consumers. Overdoing your designs can make it overwhelming that it may even conceal necessary information. It also does not look good to the eyes and may not attract customers.
- Simply follow trends
Trends can get old fast, and they do not work for every product. Simply following trends to make your labels stand out could mean sacrificing your brand’s personality. Product label design is all about setting you apart from others to make you stand out.
- Make unsupported claims
Unsupported claims can backfire, especially if the consumers are not satisfied with your products or they caught you lying or exaggerating about your products’ benefits. This may cost you your reputation and the trust of your customers.
- Leave information out
Double-check the label before printing out or mass distributing. It is essential not to forget about the vital information so that your buyers are well-informed. New consumers are always looking for important details, so be aware.
- Forget target customers
While trying to improve your product label design, don’t forget about your target customers. They appreciate classic products, especially if they are your loyal buyers. Drastic changes in your brand appearance can cause confusion or even loss of interest.
Design Wisely
There are many other ways to make your product label design more attractive, and some of them are listed above. You must keep your creativity running wild; however, there are limitations since you must make a product label design that would attract as many people as possible.
Moreover, creating a product label design is not just about standing out and being different from the rest. You must also keep the basics in mind, including the required information on the label and maintaining your brand appearance.
