Labels aren’t something most of us think about on a daily basis, unless they form a major part of our job role. As a consumer, take a second to think about exactly how many labels you look at in just one day. From makeup, to toiletries, to supermarket shopping to post – labels provide us with textual and visual information about nearly everything we use and consume.
If you are a business owner, you will know all about labels, particularly if you manufacture and distribute products. The way you design and create your labels will be heavily influenced by how the labels are used, where they will be used and who they will be used by.
Getting labels right is extremely important, which is why we’ve come up with a few pointers to help you with your initial considerations:
Which Area of Business do you Work in?
The area of business you work in will heavily influence the type of labelling that’s right for your company. If your products are used in a large-scale manufacturing process they must be incredibly durable in order to stay in good condition whilst enduring that process. If your products are sold in a retail environment the visual effect of the label is key. If you sell online aesthetics will be paramount to ensure you get a good rate of conversion. If you’re in healthcare or a similar industry, the function of the label is extremely important.
How will your Labels Come?
Self-adhesive labels come in many different formats, and the type of format they come in does need to be considered, especially in relation to storage space. The type of label you order will have an impact on the format it comes in, but the three most common type of format are; fan folded, sheets and rolls.
Have you thought About the Label Shape?
The shape has to be functional and attractive, and there are many different shapes of label available. Labels can be round, square, hexagonal, oval – whatever shape you want. Key considerations with label shape should be:
- Is all the information clearly visible? The information on your label is paramount so make sure you don’t sacrifice information for label shape.
- Are you applying self-adhesive digital labels to products yourself? If you’re going to be sticking the labels on by hand, go for a simple shape that’s easy to line up.
How durable does the Label Need to Be?
As well as the amount of contact the labels will have with durable factors like peoples hands, boxes palettes, you also need to consider the environment the label will be used in. How moist is the environment? How hot or cold is the environment? What level of light will the products be exposed to? All of these factors will affect the materials that need to be used on the label.
What are the Labels Being Stuck To?
Sometimes a specialised adhesive needs to be used in order for your label to stick properly to the product. Consider what material the label will be stuck to before you make a final decision on your digital labels.
Who are your Target Consumers?
It is essential you know your target market before you design your label. You must also know who you will be against in order to know how to stand out. For example; if you are selling a bottle of sauce that’s going to be in a supermarket in the condiment section, you need to have a look at what is being sold alongside your product. If there are lots of products using red and green on the label and you use the same design, you simply won’t stand out. And if you’re targeting higher end consumers and your labels look cheap, you simply won’t appeal to your target market.
Do you need to Abide by Any Laws?
Some labels are subject to HSE laws, so check to see if that is something you need to consider before you order any labels.
These are just some of the considerations you need to make when you are considering the design and manufacture of your labels. Remember the more informed you are, the more of an informed decision you can make when it comes to getting those labels made.