The main difference between a label and a logo is that a logo is a picture that showcases your business. On the other hand, a label tells people what your company sells or does. Packaging label and logos are not only the necessity of your business, in-fact, they also provide you with a chance to showcase your creativity in front of the customer. Logos tend to be small as well as versatile, but a label needs to cover a bigger canvas for sure. Creative labels tend to serve one purpose; it helps providing information to a potential customer. Labels inform customer both directly and indirectly. Remember that creating a label is like creating an expectation in the customer and expectations must always be high for the customer to buy the product. Labels talk with the customer with both the colors, designs, words and the artfulness it is placed with on the packaging.
Are you finding it difficult to design a label?
If you are finding the task of designing the label complicated then no issue. This is expected of first-timers. The truth is that designing a label is not that difficult. They just need to aid the product in standing out and compelling the consumer to buy the product for sure. Other than this, another thing to take care of is the technical factors. For example what needs to be included, the printing expenses and the aesthetics etc. No need to get anxious at this point, because we will be walking you through all these things one by one and easing your concerns along the way.
Time to go through the label checklist together
Before having your packaging label design made, you need to have a few things prepared ahead for the designer. This will actually help you reduce your last-minute fatigue and let things go more smoothly. So, let us go through these things one by one and see how we can cater to those,
· Measure your packaging dimensions before time
This is very crucial. For the making of your label, you must be well-aware of your packaging box dimensions. Obviously, a small label will look odd on the large container and vice versa. To save you from such disasters, have the accurate dimensions of the box or container. There are some standard sizes and common labels available for them such as a 1litre bottle or 12oz can. So, you need to be fully aware of the shapes and size of your packaging box.
· Get thoroughly acquainted with the printing services
You tend to face some limitations when it comes to the printing of the label. For this, make sure you are acquainted with these limitations before time. This will help you in your planning a lot. See the technical requirements of the printing machines such as; the font, size, paper, colors etc.
What are the frequently used types of product labels?
Some of the most frequently used labels can include;
Front label:
A front label needs to be bombastic! It should speak loudly for the product and make it look simply amazing. Front labels introduce your product to the customer. They set the first impression that is very crucial for your brand. So, we advise you to choose the label that is unique and creative.
Back label:
The back label is where the extended information regarding your product and brand is printed. So this essentially includes’ ingredients used in the product, its description, barcodes, certification icons and many other fine details. The description in this area needs to be very interesting as well. Remember that, at this point in time, the customer has been intrigued enough to pick up your product and read the details. If these details are fetching than they are definitely going to buy the product for sure. Ensure that it remains consistent with the front label as far as the visuals are concerned, but text can be different.
Lid label:
The lid label, as the name suggests, comes on top of the lid. This is similar to the front label. If the size of the lid is large, then it can provide more space for the graphics than even the front label.
Quality seal:
These are another place where you can brand your label. Take a look at Nestle and their water bottle seals. Even those have some markings of Nestle upon them. These quality seals are a great place to have your label.
Neck label:
Mostly used in bottles, neck labels tend to provide some decoration for the product. A bottle may have this seal on the upper part of the neck. This tends to be the mini version of the front label and decorates the bottle further.
Design your product label in the best possible manner
Since we are acquainted with the different types of labels, let us move on to the design guide for labels. There are some very crucial points that need to be kept in mind when it comes to designing your label and we will discuss them one by one.
· Decide which branding theme you want to follow
This is of extreme importance. Labels are meant to create a very unique and creative visual appeal for the customer. For this purpose, it involves using the logo or label designs that encourage overall branding style of the company. Look at StarBucks. You can differentiate between StarBucks coffee cup and other coffee cups within seconds due to their strategically designed label. Remember that in doing so you are looking for specific colors, flavors etc.
· Creating your label template
The next step is for you to draw a label draft. This solidifies your idea and shows you all the weaknesses and advantages. Drafts always have room for improvement and can be changed until it becomes unified to your overall brand theme.
· Mocking-up your Label design
The 3d mock of your custom label is very helpful as well. The reason behind this is that it helps you in saving printing costs. The 3d design shows what needs to be expected of it for sure.
Are you designing a label that has the X-factor?
Ensure that all your work does not go to waste. Be aware of designing a label that is worthy of all the efforts you put into it. Custom packaging needs to have an excellent packaging label design and that works best when you are very creative in your idea and just as practical in your final design. Finding the right balance between creativity and practicality is very hard, but once you do find it then it is no rocket science to make a label as famous as StarBucks or Audi!