food and beverage label Archives - T&L Graphic Systems

What Are Custom Die Cut Product Labels?

April 25, 2022 By Doug Danosky

Article originally published February 18, 2016.

Your product labeling directly reflects your product and business identity. From food labels to beer bottle labels, a great custom label gives an unmistakable identity to the consumables within.

If you want your product to stand out from the crowd, professional die-cut label printing is the way to go. You need professional, polished labels made for your product. When it comes to commercial product labeling, your labels need to be more than something you buy at the office supply store and print. [Read more…]

Entice Your Customers with 4 Delicious Elements of Good Coffee Label Design

February 18, 2022 By Doug Danosky

There’s nothing like freshly roasted coffee beans. The smell is invigorating—just begging customers to get out their grinder and brew the beans into a fresh cup. If you’re a coffee bean roaster, you probably know that coffee label design is crucial to the look and feel of your packaging.

But how can you be sure that your coffee bag labels stand out? Do your coffee packaging labels catch customers’ eyes? Are they unique? Appetizing? Will they hold up to the wear and tear of the kitchen?

There’s a lot of competition in the coffee world. So be sure that your brand stands out! Here are 4 elements of a good coffee label design that you should consider when you package up your beans.

1. Your Coffee Bag Labels Should Reflect Your Brand

Branding consistency is crucial for your product labels, whether it’s coffee, hot sauce, wine, or any other food product. You want labels that reflect the unique brand of the beans within but also stay consistent with your brand and message.

For example, if your coffee is locally roasted and marketed mainly in your community (or your city's name is in your brand), why not name the beans for surrounding neighborhoods and include a landmark on each label. If your company wants to highlight its organic product or sustainability, a vibrant but minimalist coffee label design may be in order.

When designing coffee bag labels, you’ll want to look at both elements—your brand (colors, logo, preferred fonts) and the type of coffee. The labels should be unique enough to allow customers to quickly differentiate between a blonde roast and a dark while still showcasing that these coffees are distinctly roasted and packaged by your company.

2. Your Coffee Label Design Should Fit Your Packaging

Whether you’re selling your coffee in-house at your coffee shop, marketing your beans online, or selling at retail outlets, your coffee label size is important. Most roasters choose to package their coffee in metalized or polyester laminate insulated pouches or bags. Some also feature a valve to allow the coffee to release gasses after roasting (and stay fresher longer).

There are many different sizes and options for coffee pouches. You could also use insulated paper pouches, although the coffee will not stay fresh for long. Most pouches and bags are in a standard size of 16 oz (one pound) with a foldable top and often a flat bottom.

Your coffee packaging gives you a lot of flexibility in terms of labeling. Some bags are custom printed right onto the bag, but coffee labels can be a good choice for coffee sellers who want more packaging options. Select coffee package labels that are an appropriate size for your pouches. Labels should take up almost the entire front and back of the bag, with only a small margin around the edges. This will allow you to make the most of your packaging real estate.

3. Your Coffee Labels Should Be Eye-Catching

Similar to the craft brewing industry, there is a lot of competition in the coffee industry. Since the early 90s, when coffee culture took off, the market has been tight. So not only are you putting your brand up against the big guys, but you're likely competing with artisan roasters from nearby coffee shops down the street (or at least the next town over).

When your coffee is on the shelf, it needs to stand out to customers. A simple coffee label design might work if you’re only selling at your own store. After all, customers are already walking in your door and coming to you for their beans. But if you want to market your java in more spots, you’re going to need to jazz up your coffee label design.

Look at your packaging for inspiration. If your packaging features shiny black plastic, a bold, graphic label with a gloss laminate could look fantastic. A matte laminate label with earthier tones may look appropriate on a tan, green, or brown coffee package. Don't underestimate the addition of eye-catching features like custom cuts, metallics, or embossing to help your coffee labels stand out from the crowd.

4. Your Coffee Bag Labels Should Be Durable

The core purpose of any food label is to convey important information to the consumer. Yes, labels are a way to advertise, promote your brand, and look good on the shelf, but they also need to contain essential elements like weight measurements, ingredients, storage, and brewing instructions. In addition, this critical information needs to be easy to read, clear, and durable.

Coffee lives in the kitchen, where coffee package labels are exposed to moisture, heat, and even cold temperatures. The labels need to hold up to water, spills, and frequent handling. If your packaging is recyclable, your label material should fit the same parameters (keep in mind that adhesives are not always recyclable, so you may need to choose a removable option).

A laminate finish and a durable adhesive are important for ensuring your labels stay intact and in place. Customers will be disappointed when they can’t read instructions, don’t know expiration dates, or want to remember that delicious coffee type, only to discover that the label was damaged.

Your coffee does an important job. It helps people start their day with a smile and a little caffeine boost. Your coffee bag label should work just as hard to get your brand message across to your customers. If you’re looking for assistance with unique food and beverage labeling design, we can help. Reach out today to request a quote!

Sustainable Labeling: How to Choose Greener Labels

December 8, 2021 By Doug Danosky

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.

Design a Label That Gets Noticed!

April 17, 2018 By Doug Danosky

They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, but business owners know: customers certainly judge a product by its label!

It turns out customers often buy a product simply based on the outside packaging. In fact, in a study of beer drinkers, almost none of them could identify a brew without the label. Consumers often buy simply because they like the look of a label or sticker.

Your product label needs to be eye-catching. It needs to grab your customer, convey a message, stand out, and effectively get noticed. That’s a lot of work for a simple label! Yet, we see examples of effective, beautiful labeling every day, with almost any product we handle.

So if you’re wondering how to design a label that gets noticed, there are a few basic graphic design elements to understand. Here’s what you need to know to ensure your product label conveys exactly the message you want customers to receive!

1. Shape (Including Label Size & Cut)

The shape of label helps to draw in customers’ attention. You should select a shape to complement your packaging, but you aren’t limited to shaping to fit just one product—using variable printing, you can ensure one label design will work across several different items. With a few simple changes to the product style name and UPC (for more on obtaining a UPC visit GS1US.org), a similar label design and shape will make your entire line appear cohesive.

Design your label with the product packaging in mind—how much of the product do you want to show through? Size, shape and cut play an important role in helping your product stand out.

2. Color

Bold colors grab your customer’s attention with a splash. Color graphics and photos are an important addition when you want your label to pop. Follow your company’s branding guidelines of course. Full-color (also known as process or CMYK printing) will ensure you’re able to match your brand PMS (Pantone) colors exactly on your label.

Your base label color is also important—choosing a clear, white, cream or even foil background will have a huge impact on the look and feel of your label. It will also change the way the colors appear on the final product. Basic color psychology teaches us neutral, calm colors convey peace, luxury and comfort. Bright, crisp colors on the other hand, keep your product looking modern and fresh.

3 Style

Much of what we remember about a label comes from the style and design (it’s also much of what can go wrong when you design a label). The design of a label makes appear memorable and distinctive. Of course, you’ll want to include your logo, but you also need to include important product details, measurements, instructions and other important pieces of information (including the UPC barcode).

Font plays into the style of your label as well. Serif fonts convey your brand is classic, stalwart and trust-worthy. Sanserif fonts are often used to convey a brand that’s sleek, modern and hip. Using typography parings will also catch consumers’ eyes, but limit yourself to no more than three fonts to avoid looking too busy. Striking, bold images and graphics will help you maximize your message, but don’t shy away from using whitespace as well.

4. Finish

Your label finish is the final touch to packaging a great product. Use touches like metallics, foils and embossing for extra special labels where your design will appear to leap right off the package. Matte or glossy finishes are available for almost any label.

UV curing will add a layer of protection to keep your label from smearing, fading or getting damaged. Laminations help resist moisture and stand up to harsh environments. Label protectants are available to help your label hold up anywhere your product goes—from the microwave to a garage to the outdoors.

Knowing how to design a label and choosing the right label for your product is a big job—we can help! If you have custom printing label needs, T&L offers great label solutions for any product.

What’s Color Got To Do With It?

December 5, 2017 By Doug Danosky

There is no denying that color is an important influencer in the products we buy, the opinions we form and the choices we make. Up to 90 percent of people base their buying decisions on color... so businesses feel the pressure to get their label colors right. If you're not sure where to start when it comes to selecting the perfect colors, we can give you a hand.

Colors Have Meaning

People exposed to particular colors have physiological reactions that can imply certain perceptions, moods and feelings. We'll review a few common color associations to get you started in understanding the proper use of color. Here are a few common color associations:

Red: Raises people’s blood pressure and heart rate, and is often associated with movement, excitement, passion and danger.
Orange: Stimulates areas of the brain that trigger feelings like enthusiasm or anxiety, and is considered a confident, warm and cheerful color.
Yellow: Increases mental activity, is often used to highlight important points for memory, and is associated with happiness, caution and energy.
Green: Promotes harmony and balance in the brain, and is synonymous with health, nature, peacefulness and envy.
Blue: Associated with security, logic, and a calm mind, but can feel uninviting.

Don’t Rely on Color Stereotypes Alone

While it’s helpful for you to understand typical associations people have with colors, you also must consider the context of your audience. Before selecting a label color, think about the industry, cultural, competitive or gender perceptions that could impact the effectiveness of your marketing or communications. Take yellow, the “happiness color,” for example. While this may seem like the perfect uplifting hue for hospitals, there are industry-specific use cases for yellow, such as prevention protocol, care instructions, and fall-risk notifications, that might deter its use within a medical setting.

Eye-Pleasing Color Combinations

Color Wheel Businesses today have access a whole spectrum of color choices and combinations for their labels. When harnessed properly, color combinations can quickly become your most powerful design element. Consider these basic techniques when combining colors:

Complementary: Colors located on opposite sides of the color spectrum, like blue and orange, are defined as complementary colors. They are effective at highlighting contrast or making a bold statement, but can be overwhelming in large doses.
Analogous: Neighbors on the color wheel, analogous color combos coexist nicely and evoke feelings of harmony and serenity, making them ideal for grouping related components, text, or visuals.
Triad: This color scheme uses any combination of three evenly spaced colors from around the color wheel, such as shades of green, violet, and orange. To ensure your information stands out, leverage one dominant color against two supporting accent colors.

Let’s talk about color for your project

Just because your color choices work well with one medium, doesn’t mean they will translate to your custom label. We are well-versed in the psychology of color, design, and label best practices, let’s chat about your project.

800-367-1149