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Sustainable Labeling: How to Choose Greener Labels

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These days, consumers and many manufacturers are realizing the merits of going green. Not only are eco-friendlier packaging options good for the planet, but they're good for your reputation and your bottom line.

In a recent Consumer Brands/Ipsos poll, 84% of respondents said they were concerned about waste from plastics and packaging. Recycling is at the forefront of their minds, and they're willing to prioritize brands that show a greener approach.

What does that mean for you? It means that taking a look at your packaging options, right down to the labeling, is crucial.

What Makes More Sustainable Labeling?

What factors play into a label’s sustainability? There are many components to a label—the material, the adhesives, the finish, even the ink—that can play a role in the label’s compatibility with the recycling process.

It’s important to understand how recycling works and the requirements for your packaging before you choose the labels for your product. Labels are ubiquitous---almost every product has a label of some sort on the product, whether it’s a food, beverage, consumer good, or medical supply. In most cases, the recycling process doesn’t require that consumers and users remove their label to recycle.

During the recycling process, products are often heated to very high temperatures. This heating burns off any labels and glue. For certain products, the recycler may request that labels be removed. The labels themselves may also be recyclable (in the case of some paper labels, for example). Different recyclers may have different standards for their recyclable products, so if you're working with consumers in a particular region and recycling is a concern, it may be a good idea to explore the local regulations and guidelines.

But of course, if your company has taken measures to provide more sustainable products to your consumer, then you’ll want to do your due diligence when it comes to exploring sustainable label options. Here are all the aspects of labels you should consider when you’re seeking more sustainable label choices.

Are Label Adhesives Recyclable?

Generally speaking, most label adhesives aren’t recyclable. Even if a paper label is used, the adhesive will need to be removed before the label can be recycled. There are natural adhesives out there, but it depends on the other requirements of the label and storage conditions for the product. Look for an RCA or recycling compatible adhesive if it fits your specifications.

RCAs were first devised for use in the postal system. When it comes to recycling envelopes, the adhesive closure and even stamps can be a concern. In most cases, the RCAs are used to adhere paper to paper. During the recycling process, paper is shredded into pulp. The adhesives are resistant to shredding and can then be removed before the final processing. Other adhesives can damage the recycling machinery and cause problems.

There are also biodegradable label adhesives (and even labels themselves). These are often used on food products, and these labels will break down over time. The biodegradable adhesive is often plant-based, made from materials like sugarcane. In some cases, these options can be an appropriate choice.

Most label components like ink, standard adhesives, and lamination are considered contaminants in the recycling process, but recycling companies will often remove them during the processing if they are a problem. The adhesive itself can't be extracted from the label or recycled. It's also important to note that many adhesives eventually degrade, change, and deteriorate over the product's life. Removable and repositionable label adhesive options offer a lower tack and can be used in some cases.

Which Label Materials Are Most Sustainable?

Choosing paper labels can make your product packaging more sustainable and recycling-friendly. Many paper labels on sauce jars and other products can be washed off or removed during recycling. Generally speaking, paper labels are often the most eco-friendly and may even be made from recycled materials.

Plastic and synthetic labels can be used on packaging with the same type of plastic. For example, polypropylene or PET bottles with polypropylene or PET labels can usually be recycled together—no label removal necessary. In some cases, a label may fit around the entire package (like a beverage bottle) and can be removed easily once the product is gone.

Choosing Finishes and Lamination

Another area to review is the finish and lamination on your labels. Some labels need to be water-resistant, heat-proof, or otherwise able to withstand certain conditions. In this case, a protective finish is important. Other embellishments like metallics can align with your branding and make your product stand out.

For lamination, matching the material to the packaging can increase the recyclability of the product. Again, a polypropylene laminate would be appropriate for a polypropylene bottle. A paper label with a laminate finish may not be as easily recycled. It’s also important to check the adhesive and the ink before deeming the label recyclable (even if the lamination is the same material as the product packaging).

In many cases, the finish, adhesive, and even ink will factor into the sustainability of a label. It's important to weigh the requirements of your label and the information you need to convey against the merits of going completely green. With the proper guidance, you should find a label that will do the job while still complementing your product.

Fortunately, when it comes to labels, there are ample options for customizing and adjustment. Your product is different and distinctive, so you’ll need a label that works for you. We have an array of labeling choices here at T&L Graphic Systems. If you need to find a sustainable label or a label with any unique property, we're here to help. Reach out today to explore your options.

Sauce Label Design: 4 Ways to Make Your Special Sauce Stand Out!

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You've worked hard to develop your special sauce. Perhaps it's a recipe passed down through your family or a product you've arrived at through much trial and error. When you're ready to take your secret sauce to the masses, the right sauce label design makes all the difference.

There’s a big world out there when it comes to sauce label design. If you want your hot sauce or BBQ sauce labels to stand out from the crowd, you’ll need to spend some time crafting the perfect label design and selecting the best type of label for your product.

Here are 4 ways to ensure your hot sauce label design is just as fiery as the product within.

1. Make Sure Your Sauce Label Design Conveys the Right Information

First and foremost, a label is a way to convey important information. In the medical industry, labels are absolutely crucial for accuracy and messaging. But even for a product used in a consumer’s home or a commercial kitchen, the correct label information is vital.

It's essential to familiarize yourself with labeling requirements for food products. Explore the FDA’s labeling requirements to get it right. You’ll need to include ingredients, allergen notes, ounces, nutrition information, and details about your manufacturing plant on your food label. Most food products must also be stamped with an expiration date or production date.

You may also want to include important information in your hot sauce label design, such as the heat level. It's helpful for consumers to know the storage requirements too. For example, some sauces are stable enough to forgo refrigeration, while others will fare better when chilled.

2. Include Your Branding, Story, and Personality!

Once the technical constraints for your BBQ sauce or hot sauce label design are out of the way, you can start to work on the fun stuff! How will you capture your customer’s attention and share your story? There are many sauces out there, but yours is unique!

Look at the differentiators. What makes your sauce special? Is it the history of your brand? Was this sauce passed down from generations? Or perhaps you use unique ingredients—homegrown hatch chiles or heirloom tomatoes? Figure out what makes your product extraordinary and convey it on your label.

Labels play an integral role in helping you promote your product. Your sauce label design offers a chance to advertise your product, lure in sauce-lovers, and differentiate you from the other options out there. Use color and brand consistency to grab their attention. Maximize your use of space label space and create a sauce label design that enhances your product.

3. Be sure that Your Labels are Die-Cut to Fit the Bottle

There’s nothing more disappointing than coming up with a great design, only to find that it doesn’t fit the bottle. Fortunately, with die-cutting and an array of label options, you can adjust your sauce labels to fit your bottles and packaging seamlessly.

Often you may be limited by access to bottling supplies, especially if your sauce business is just getting off the ground and starting to branch out into the retail market. Seek labels that curve with the bottle and compliment the shape of your sauce container.

We’ve all seen the ubiquitous Heinz ketchup bottles—one of the celebrities of tomato sauce label design. You may have heard that if you hit 57 on the neck of the bottle, the ketchup comes out faster. But did you know that the whole concept was a gimmick dreamt up by H.J. Heinz, based on his lucky number? The labeling not only fits the sauce bottle, but it serves a purpose (and creates a very distinctive brand story in the process).

4. Select the Right Finish to Ensure Your Label Sticks Around

With food and beverage labeling, there's another important consideration—will your sauce label design hold up to the wear and tear of the kitchen? Sauce labels are exposed to wet, cold, and hot environments often. Splashes of food and sauce can get on the bottles, and in a commercial environment, they might be wiped down frequently. So how do you ensure your label stays put?

Another crucial component of sauce label design is in the finish. Special coatings and lamination can help ensure that your label holds up to damp, cold, and warm environments. When the bottle sweats, you don’t want your label to go south! When it’s passed around the table, hand-to-hand, you don’t want your label to smudge or become illegible.

Special coatings and adhesives are available to ensure your label stays strong even in challenging environments. Some labels require more protection than others, but it’s always best to consider how your food product will be used and what common hazards it will face.

Your label tells a lot about your product and is critical to your success. There are few pieces of marketing collateral quite so vital to your brand as your product label. Take the time to ensure that your sauce label design meets all the needs and requirements to knock their socks off! Need help? Reach out to T&L Graphics today to learn more about our services. We’ll help you create the perfect label.

Deciphering Common Medical Device Labeling Symbols

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If you work in any area of the medical industry, you likely have some familiarity with medical device labeling symbols. You've probably seen the images on everything from pill bottles to medical equipment.

But do you ever wonder why we use symbols in the medical industry? They almost seem like hieroglyphics or a coded message. Have you seen the medical device labeling symbols and asked yourself what they mean? We see them printed on medical labels in the lab, the pharmacy, or throughout any medical practice.

Fortunately, medical device labeling symbols are standardized, and you can decipher most with just a little sleuthing to find a medical device symbols glossary. These medical device labeling symbols are essential—they keep consumers, patients, and medical professionals efficient, informed, and safe from harm.

Why Medical Device Labeling Symbols Keep Us Safe

Medical device labeling symbols are simple images that convey a lot of critical information. Symbols on medical devices can indicate storage guidelines for an item. They can symbolize safety precautions needed or offer guidance on how a medical product should be administered or used.

For years, the medical industry has used symbols in labeling, largely because symbols are universal, but the medical device labeling standards have shifted and evolved over time. As manufacturers and technology have changed, the number of symbols has grown, and designers have adapted them to encompass the medical industry's new needs.

Medical device users need not understand English or know how to read to understand the symbols. The understandability of medical device labeling symbols is particularly helpful for global markets. When manufacturers create a medical device or product, they can market it in any country, not just the native manufacturing region. Medical device symbols are essentially universal (although countries may have their own medical device labeling standards and guidelines).

Symbols Are Used Everywhere

Symbols have long been used in consumer goods—not only for medical devices but in many different products. The characters on a product label might tell the consumer about the contents inside or how they can recycle the container. There are symbols used in kosher food manufacturing and symbols to indicate the organic origins of food. Some symbols might tell consumers how to store products or warn them about misusing the products as well.

As with medical labels, the symbols used for all products are there because they convey a message in a clear, easy-to-follow manner. There are no concerns about language barriers or inability to read when pictures are used on a label. Labeling symbols make products more accessible and easier to use—something that’s particularly crucial when it comes to the medical field.

Symbols also take up less valuable label real estate. When you're trying to convey a lot of information in a small amount of space, a symbol can help you get your message across quickly and clearly. Medical device labeling symbols are ubiquitous in the medical field because often, there are many instructions needed. A symbol is a convenient, straightforward way to get that information across to anyone who needs to know.

Medical Device Labeling Symbols Offer a Lot of Information in a Little Picture

So what can we learn by looking at medical device labeling symbols? There's a lot of information conveyed, but some of the symbols can get confusing for those new to the medical profession or less familiar.

In 2016, the FDA released the final rule on the “Use of Symbols in Labeling.” These rules allow symbols on medical device labeling without accompanying explanatory text. These criteria helped those navigating label design and figuring out how to fit the necessary information on a medical device. You can use a standalone medical device labeling symbol as long as the symbol meets certain standards (like those set forth by the American National Standards Institute, ANSI, or International Organization for Standardization, ISO).

Manufacturers may also use a symbol that's not part of the ISO standards if they can show that the symbol is easily decipherable to their target audience. The FDA rule also mandates that manufacturers include a symbols glossary (in paper or electronically) available to users as part of the labeling or packaging. However, the glossary isn’t needed if a company prints explanatory text along with the symbol.

There are many positives about the medical device labeling standards and guidelines. Using symbol-only labels makes the message clear, safe, and easy to comprehend. In a small amount of space, the safety labels can still get the message across.

One aspect of labeling that the medical device labeling ruling underscores is the critical need to choose the correct label for the job. When you’re relying on a small medical label to offer so much important information, it needs to have the right finish, lamination, and adhesive to stay in place and stick to the medical device. Even though the symbols and labels are standardized, it's still essential to seek the highest quality labels with resistant coatings and finishes.

At T&L Graphics, we offer labels in an array of finishes and types, including chemical, cold, and heat-resistant options. We serve the medical field with labels such as:

  • Medical imaging
  • Pharmaceutical labels
  • Vial labels
  • I.V. labels
  • Biohazard labels for containers
  • Admission labels
  • Labels for radiology
  • Medical device and equipment labels

We can recommend the right adhesive and label material to ensure your labels can stand up to frequent use, wear, and tear. When you rely on labels for critical information, don't settle for anything less than the top of the line. Reach out to us today to get the right labels for all your important applications.

Conveying Information Customers Need: Product Labeling Requirements

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Product Labeling Requirements

Your product label is one of the best messaging tools for you to connect with your customers. There’s a lot of information on that little bit of space, and you want to maximize that message!

But what are the product labeling requirements? What information do you need to include? It's essential to figure out what MUST be on your label so that you can make the most of the rest of the label real estate.

Whether you're running a large-scale operation or starting with a small line of products, it's important to follow the labeling requirements for anything you sell to the public. Today we’ll explore product labeling requirements to help ensure you’re getting the right information on your products.

Why Product Labeling Requirements Exist

Imagine buying foods and products in the late 1800s. Cosmetics and food were beginning to be widely distributed across the country. Before the industrial revolution, you were stuck eating and using whatever products you could produce yourself and make in your kitchen. You knew all the ingredients and exactly how you made it. Once general stores, traveling merchants, and catalog delivery became widespread, people could get nearly any product they wanted.

At the same time, laws and regulations weren't in place to protect consumers from the dangers of certain unknown ingredients. Many cosmetics and food products contained ingredients that were hazardous and even poisonous. For example, Coca-Cola got its name because it originally contained traces of cocaine from the coca leaf. Other items contained opium derivatives and ingredients like formaldehyde, borax, lead, and even arsenic!

Similarly frightening, food and cosmetic producers could hide spoilage by adding flavoring and coloring to mask signs of decay. When transporting certain items could take weeks at the advent of refrigeration, products could still quickly go bad. Manufacturers added dyes, perfumes, salts, acids, and even creatively colored packaging to make products seem fresher and healthier than they really were.

Finally, in the early 1900s, the U.S. Government Bureau of Chemistry regulators started to test products' safety and began to require labeling to include certain ingredients and information. Initially, they tested many additives to ensure that the levels were safe for consumption and set forth guidelines that manufacturers had to follow. With the Food and Drug Administration's birth in 1930, additional transparency requirements came about, including general product labeling requirements in food and cosmetics.

Over the 20th Century, food and cosmetic labeling requirements would grow and become more uniform. Finally, in 1993, the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) was put in place to set many of the typical label requirements we still see today. The NLEA requires ingredient listings, nutritional listings on food products, and all health claims to be substantiated and supported by research. The NLEA standardized the information on product labels and ensured that consumers know about dangerous ingredients, allergens, or other items of concern in their food and toiletries. Although some product labeling requirements are still evolving, such as those regulating essential oils and supplements, a good general rule is to follow the FDA guidelines to ensure you’re telling customers what they need to know.

Product Labeling Requirements Apply to Small Sellers Too

Suppose you're creating a product to sell on your own or through an online marketplace like Etsy or eBay. In that case, it's vital that you still familiarize yourself with product labeling requirements and do your best to follow the product labeling regulations.

Smaller creators may be covered under the “Cottage Food Laws” of their particular state. These state-specific guidelines give lenience to home cooks and small-scale producers, but they vary widely. Some states do not allow cottage food sellers, even at farmers' markets. It's essential to familiarize yourself with the laws regulating your state. If you're shipping across the country, you should follow national (FDA) guidelines.

Restaurants that occasionally sell packaged products like their famous salsa or their deserts are still required to include ingredients, serving size, and allergen contents on their product labeling as well. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA temporarily relaxed some of the stringent requirements, allowing restauranteurs to sell off extra food as “take out,” without robust product labels.

While there are thresholds in the FDA’s product labeling requirements—food sellers with under $50,000 in food sales or under $500,000 in business revenue—it's important for even small sellers to follow the regulations. Product labeling requirements are in place to keep consumers safe and informed. By following the label guidelines, you're setting your business up to avoid liability and the dangers that could come with a mislabeled product.

What Exactly are the Product Labeling Requirements for Cosmetics? For Food?

So if you've created a great new product or a great new beverage, what do you need to say on the label? What are the product labeling requirements to keep your product on the up and up?

According to the FDA and the FTC, cosmetic products must include:

  • An identity statement with a common name, description, a commonly understood term, or an illustration.
  • The quantity, weight, measurement, or count.
  • Name and place of the manufacturer (or product distributor or packer) and a distribution statement, like "manufactured on behalf of…." (if the name and address isn't the manufacturer).
  • Directions and material facts—in other words, how your product should be used, especially if using it in another manner could be dangerous.
  • Warnings should the product contain hazardous or flammable ingredients [per 21 CFR part 700].
  • Ingredients “in descending order of predominance.”

Food product labels must also include:

  • Prominent information panel (placement guidelines are listed in the FDA’s Food Labeling Guide).
  • Ingredients, allergens, and nutrition information, following FDA specifications, including typeface, weight, and uniform display.
  • Serving size.

The FDA’s comprehensive Food Labeling Guide is easy to follow and offers clarification and details on important areas like beverages, fruit juices, canned goods, and more. All food, drink, and cosmetic sellers should take the time to explore the product labeling requirements and regulations to make sure you're including everything necessary on your product.

Once the critical product labeling requirements have been met, you can figure out the fun part of designing and creating a product label that stands out. You’ll want a label that captures your brand and catches the consumer’s eye. Fortunately, we can help! At T&L Graphic Systems, we know how to create labels that make the most of your product. Reach out today, and we'll help you create the labels you need for all your products.

Logistics and Labels: 5 Reasons Why Supply Chain Labeling is Important

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Supply Chain labeling

In the last year, the United States has fought through the global pandemic of COVID-19. During this time, our supply chain has been crucial to keeping America running. Supply chain labeling is an essential and often overlooked piece of the logistics puzzle.

While 2020 has been a year like no other, the truth is that the supply chain is always critical to our survival and meeting our needs. Manufacturing and transporting goods across the country has been vital to our well-being since the days of the industrial revolution.

In challenging times and “normal” times, logistics and the supply chain keep us running smoothly. Here are 5 reasons why supply chain labeling is important.

1. Supply Chain Labeling Helps Suppliers Communicate

At the very core, labels are a communication tool. A label tells us what’s in the box, bottle, container, or shelf. Supply chain labeling, like medical labeling, consumer product labels, and all other labeling forms, acts as a sign. The labels send a signal and message to those who read them.

Today, the reader may be a computer and a scanner, using barcoding to track and inventory products. Ultimately, though, it's the human manufacturer and the human recipient who will benefit from the communication chain. Quality-printed labels send a message and ensure that message is clear. Labels are an important tool for branding, consumer connections, and the identity of products.

2. Labeling Aids in Quick Identification

In manufacturing, shipping, and logistics, as with many other industries, labels help identify a lot of information with a simple, quick scan. Because labels use numerical values and patterns, they help keep the supply chain organized and efficient. Orders come in, products go out, and suppliers can pinpoint what and where everything is in the process.

When workers pick and scan in a warehouse, they need to get the correct product on the pallet. Labels make scanning and identification a straightforward process. Team members are faster and more efficient in their work, thanks to labeling.

3. Barcoding Helps Track and Organize

Barcoding was invented in the 1950s by Norman Woodland. The concept was based on morse code, using thick and thin lines to code a scannable message. It would take several decades before barcoding became commonplace, but this invention set the stage for much of the product tracking we use every day in the supply chain.

Coding is so common these days that we hardly think of the barcodes found on nearly every product. These labels assist in inventory tracking, as well as provide valuable information on demographics and demand. It’s crucial that barcoding is clear and placed correctly. Reflectance, smearing, and tearing can inhibit an accurate read. Quality barcodes are a must because barcodes help us track and organize everything in the supply chain.

4. Labeling Helps in Recalls

A recall is something that no manufacturer wants to think of, but labels help us minimize the damage when product recalls happen. Enhanced tracking and custom logistics label solutions help ensure that no matter where a product is, it's easily identifiable. Because product labels convey essential information, including ingredients, dates, and origin, we can use the label to refine the recall and ensure that the only products returned are damaged.

Clear, correct labels also help prevent product recalls. One of the most common reasons for recalls is misprinted label information, so labels must be printed properly, easy-to-read, and stay affixed with the right adhesive.

5. Shipping Relies on Supply Chain Labeling

Labels play a critical role at the shipping point of the supply chain process as well. In fact, in many cases, the correct information on a shipping label is the most vital label detail. Without the right information, products can get held up and delayed.

A missing label may extend delivery times and may even result in lost or damaged products. When a product must get to the right destination quickly, a clear, durable label is essential.

Supply chain labeling is the backbone of the health and efficiency of industry. When you need labels you can rely on, T&L Graphics has you covered. From die-cutting to tear and abrasion-proof coatings to high-strength bonding and temperature resistance, our labels stay clear and stay put.