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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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sauce-label-design-ways-to-make-sauce-stand-out

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.

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.

People Must Know What’s Inside the Test Tube

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Why printed labels are so important

In times of medical uncertainty, like the global Coronavirus pandemic we’re facing, it’s easy to overlook the common tools that contribute to keeping people protected and safe.

Printed labels are one of those important tools that often go unnoticed. From the lab to the clinic, to cleaning and sanitizing supplies, labeling plays a crucial role. When you need to know critical information, labels are a communication method you can depend on.

At T&L Graphics, we’re proud of the small-but-significant role we’re able to play in supporting medical professionals in the laboratory and on the frontlines of fighting the outbreak. Not only do we go above and beyond to meet our client needs, but through our essential work, we’ve supplied our clients with labels when they need them the most. It’s times like these that underscore why printed labels are so important and play a crucial role in patient health and safety.

Here’s why printed labels are more important than ever.

1. Labels Help Laboratories with Accuracy

Laboratories are on the frontlines of any fight against illness. From outbreaks to the flu season, to routine screening tests, labels help laboratories keep track of patient samples and convey important information to technicians. Mislabeled specimens are one of the most common yet preventable sources of errors in the medical field.

When a laboratory technician draws a sample, they affix a label with a bar code to track the specimen. This thermally printed label will accompany the sample through every phase of the journey, from the draw through the diagnostic laboratory tests.

2. Labels Keep Medical Staff Organized

In a busy clinic or emergency room, practitioners rely on the accurate messaging provided by medical labels. Our thermal labels are printed with bar-coded information that is uniquely assigned to each patient. With a simple scan, clinicians can access patient information as needed.

Printed medical labeling also ensures that pharmaceutical details are clearly printed and adhered to bottles. Warning and biohazard labels ensure that personnel follow safety protocols and provide patients with what they need when they need it the most. When there's no room for error, labels promote accuracy and organization.

3. Labels Stay in Place in Many Conditions

Thanks to special adhesives, our medical labels hold up to a variety of conditions, from the heat of the autoclave to chemical baths, cryogenics, and refrigeration. Labeling is critical to all aspects of testing and treatment. When you rely on a label, you need an adhesive that won’t budge!

Special coatings are available to protect labels from moisture, heat, and chemicals. UV coatings are treated with ultraviolet light to cure the protective varnish. These labels are used in medical laboratories, phlebotomy, critical care, and throughout the many steps of the diagnostic process.

4. Labels Help Keep Track While Protecting Privacy

Professionals rely on printed labels to convey information clearly and accurately. Easy-to-read, smudge-proof labels are crucial for patient care. But bar-coded labels also play an essential part in patient protection.

With thermal printing, a scannable barcode protects patient privacy and ensures that personal information is never exposed. Not only does label barcoding help clinicians track samples throughout the testing process, but labels ensure patient information is kept private.

Labels may not seem vital, but in a medical emergency, conveying accurate information is a matter of life and death. When you need information that you can rely on, printed labels deliver.

T&L applauds the many frontline workers who are battling to keep us safe and protected during times of medical crisis. We’re proud to assist workers with reliable printed labels to help them do their critical jobs. Contact us for all your printed label needs, including labels that will keep patients safe and withstand the harshest conditions.

Going Above and Beyond to Keep You Happy

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Label converter company

Does your label converter company go above and beyond to keep you happy?

At T&L Graphic Systems, we’ve built a strong reputation as the label converter company that exceeds customer expectations. The fact is most of our business comes from referrals and word-of-mouth from our happy customers.

Why do customers trust T&L? Because we go the extra mile to keep our clients satisfied. New clients often come to us with one or two product lines, only to find they’re so pleased they eventually bring over all their label needs. One of our customers started with one SKU and we now print over 400 SKUs for their business.

At the end of the day, it's because we're easy to deal with. There's no hassle, excellent quality, and unparalleled service. Does your label converter offer all that?

5 Questions you should ask before you choose a label printing company.

1. Does Your Label Converter Give You the Run-Around?

One aspect our customers love about us is that there's no red tape to deal with. When customers call, they speak with Doug or Steve. We're the decision-makers, and we've been in the industry for over 30 years. Our customers know they have constant access to the top brass.

If there's a problem with a label order, customers talk directly to us. There's no bureaucracy. You aren't passed around to various salespeople who over-promise and under-deliver. We'll tell you exactly what you can expect, and we’ll make sure the job is completed to your satisfaction. You’ll get an accurate quote on price, time, and product.

2. Does Your Label Converter Adjust Artwork if Needed?

At T&L Graphic Systems, we employ our own in-house art department dedicated to making adjustments to your labels. Our art department doesn't create logos, design flyers, or build layouts. They're there to make sure your label prints out precisely to your specifications.

Often clients come to us with beautiful artwork, but there are adjustments needed. In food labeling, for example, there are often small changes—adding ingredients, changing instructions. Our design department expertly modifies and tweaks the artwork you provide us to ensure your label has the right text.

3. Does Your Label Converter Company Make their Own Plates?

One of our specialties is creating our own plates for our Mark Andy Performance Series P5 press. In fact, we recently upgraded our plate-making equipment, allowing us to create some of the best plates in the industry. When our in-house art department receives your files, they create proofs. Once you approve the proofs, our art department makes them into plates.

This ability to create our own custom-made, state-of-the-art plates is unique in our industry. The quality is excellent, and your waiting time is significantly reduced. We're able to offer quick turn-around and fulfillment with beautiful labels.

4. Does Your Label Converter Offer Warehousing?

Some label converter companies require all your inventory paid upfront. Others refuse to warehouse your projects because they don't have space or capacity. We offer warehousing storage and we don’t charge when the bill is released, as most label converters do.

When you bring us a project, we can flow it out slowly over time. This allows for a bigger print run and cuts the overall cost of your printing project. Best of all, there are no hidden charges and add-ons. Warehousing is one of the regular services we offer.

5. Is Your Label Converter an Expert?

The main difference that sets T&L Graphic Systems apart is our expertise. Because we work in a very specific industry niche, we know our product backward and forward. We understand the label substrate and adhesives required for different applications. We know which finishes will protect your label and which cuts will look great on your product.

Because we got our start in the medical industry, we also uniquely understand the demands of medical labeling and the needs of hospitals and physicians. We know what works and what doesn’t, and we’ll use our knowledge to help guide you.

When you work with us, you will work with people who go above and beyond for our customers. Should anything go awry, we own our mistakes and take care of the problem. We know what's most important is that you get the labels you need to continue your daily operations.

Can your label converter company do all that? And if not, shouldn’t you expect more?

Contact us today to learn how T&L Graphics will meet the needs and demands of your business with our unparalleled performance and unmatched approach to customer satisfaction.