labels Archives | T&L Graphic Systems

‘Tis the Season for Variably Imaged Labels

December 3, 2019 By Doug Danosky

As the end of the year approaches, your thoughts likely turn to end-of-year planning, holiday vacations, New Year goals, resolutions…and variably imaged labels?

It's true. The end of the year (and the start of the next) is often a busy time for ordering labels across many industries. Here at T&L Graphic Systems, we often see an increase in orders for our variable data labels. If you haven’t started to think about your labeling needs for next year, now is the time.

Here are several of the industries we serve, where variable data labels are a must-have.

Variably Imaged Labels in the Medical Industry

We started by serving the healthcare industry, and this is still the heart of our printing business. There are few other industries where accuracy and tracking are quite literally a matter of life and death.

Variable bar-coded labels ensure that patient information is seamless. One of the primary uses for variable bar-coded labels is in specimen tracking and medical slides. When a patient under your care has any lab work run, the labels are critical to tracking and accuracy.

The medical industry requires the highest quality labels that hold up to the strain of Xylene baths and other chemical solutions in the sterilization process. Lamination and specialized adhesive ensure the variable bar-coded labels stay put, no matter what.

Most medical practices are setting up supplies for the new year, so it's a great time to order labels and ensure you've stocked up. We print labels with any data, QR, and barcoding that you may need to fit your current system.

Tracking Inventory in Retail, Trucking, and Shipping

This really is the season for retail, and we print variably imaged labels for many distributors who serve major retailers and manufacturers. Tote labels in backstock, shipping, and conveying ensure orders never get lost or misplaced. Shipping and tracking systems require a unique code to track orders through miles of conveyors, and each unique code specifies the critical order information. Trucking companies use PRO number labels to ensure every shipment has a unique tracking code.

We print consecutive barcodes to align with any warehouse tracking and shipping system. Work-in-progress systems offer real-time tracking to tell you exactly where any order is within your process. We can populate codes according to your needs and ensure each label is sturdy, reliable, accurate, and stays in place. Warehouse shipping and tracking labels are something most people rarely think of, but it’s so critical to client satisfaction, inventory, and order accuracy.

Something as seemingly minor as a low-grade label may cost your business dearly in terms of shrink and loss. Our variable data labels are accurate and of the highest grade quality. Labels are graded on an ANSI scale of A-F (like a student’s report card), and we will never sell a label that scores below a B. When you need quality you can count on, don't cut corners.

Ensuring Safety and Security with Serial Numbers and Void Labels

Many manufacturing and repair plants implement consecutive number labels. These property tags are printed with serial numbers on durable material. Not only do these unique numbers help keep track of equipment, but it's a valuable security step as well.

Similarly, void labels add another level of security across almost any industry. Typically used in the pharmaceutical, medical, and retail industries, these void labels tell users if the product has been tampered with at all.

When it comes to variably imaged labels, a lot is riding on those little black lines of a barcode. At T&L, we know how vital your labels are to the accuracy of your business and the safety of your clientele. In addition to adhering to the highest grading system, to ensure no chance of failure, we do a rigorous quality check.

During our quality check, we ensure there are no missing labels in the run. If anything is out of place, we stop the press and correct the issue. Believe it or not, many printers will just include a note letting you know there are a few missing barcodes.

Our high-speed printers ensure jobs are completed astonishingly fast. At T&L, we have the experience and implement the right quality controls to ensure your order is completed on-time and with the highest level of accuracy.

So, this season, as you're looking ahead and making your resolutions, be sure you’ve ordered your labels for the new year. T&L will help you set up for success with labels you can depend on.

Does Your Label Capture Your Brand Story?

September 9, 2019 By Doug Danosky

When a customer scans the aisle, looks in the cupboard, or seeks a solution, does your label catch their eye? Does your label capture your brand story?

Many marketers consider packaging and labeling critical to solidifying customer-brand connections. Your packaging and labels are vehicles for brand-driven storytelling. Sometimes, a label is your sole method for communicating with a customer. It's your one shot to reel them in and tell them who you are (and how you'll fulfill their needs).

In short, a good label needs to say, "Pick me! Here's why!"

1. Labels Create A Narrative

Consider labels as the cover to the book of your brand-story—they craft a narrative about your product. Labels tell consumers the story of what’s behind and inside the package. For an interesting example of the label-as-a-story concept, consider wine labels.

Many products feature narrative labels, but the wine industry stands out as having mastered the art of brand-driven storytelling on a label. The wine aisle tells more stories than a library shelf; each label has a tale. Some feature illustrations of a chateau or vineyard (capturing authenticity and brand authority). Others may feature artwork that feels carefree, joyous, and even a bit naughty…and really, is there any better way to sum up the story of wine?

Packaging as brand-driven storytelling isn’t limited to wine labels, however. Any brand can apply this idea to their label and achieve the same effect. In one study, researchers found consumers who connected to a story were willing to pay up to 64% more for a product.

2. Labels Convey Critical Information

Now, taking a departure from the beverage department, let’s consider labels used in the medical industry. In this case, the labels’ story isn’t a fairytale. For medical labels, the story is informational, precise, and vital.

We may often overlook the informative nature of labels when we think of brand-driven storytelling, but these components are crucial. They may convey all kinds of critical information: the manufacturer branding (evoking reliability, reputation, and accountability), the quantity, instructions for use, expiration date, cautionary information, and much more.

The language used in instructional labels is straightforward and easy-to-follow. It's telling consumers exactly how to use the product and what problem it will solve—non-fiction when you need it the most.

3. Labels Evoke a Feeling

When you see a professionally labeled product, you associate professionalism with the brand. Labels capture a brand’s personality using logos, colors, fonts, pictures, and design elements to craft a myriad of messages.

A brand may convey warmth, trust, nostalgia, value, prestige, whimsy, environmental awareness, health-consciousness, or many other messages. Symbolism in labeling and packaging is a powerful tool for three-dimensional communication to customers.

The feelings evoked by your labeling reinforce customer recognition and confidence. Think of your label from the customer’s perspective. What feelings does it evoke? What is the message? Is the message consistent with your brand, yet unique enough to differentiate each product? Does the customer know and trust you will solve their problem?

4. Labels Please the Eye

Storytelling is traditionally a language art, but a visual method like labeling transcends language to convey a message. Using the right material, colors that catch the eye, graphics, shapes, and finishes will play up your message and convey meaning without words.

Think of the richness of a foil or embossed label. Unique label elements showcase an attention to detail and care. Certain finishes appear handcrafted and rustic, or modern and sleek. Each component of the label captures the eye and reinforces your message.

Envision your label without words. What do the visual components—shapes, colors, lines, and fonts—say to your customer? Is this the message you want your brand to send? Does it capture your story?

Brand-driven storytelling is both an art and a science. When wielded properly, it will catch the eye and help you send a powerful message in an instant. If you’re ready for labels you feel proud of, contact us today!

Craft Brewers: Avoid These Common Label Problems

May 28, 2019 By Doug Danosky

Imagine this scenario: a consumer is enjoying a summer picnic on a beautiful afternoon. It’s time for a beer. He walks over to the cooler, opens the top and peers at an assortment of ice-cold bottles. Only he doesn’t pick yours because the label fell off. It’s now a “mystery beer.”

As a craft brewer, your company lives and dies based on your brand image. Your beer must win the battle for attention against dozens of competing brews. Labels and packaging play a critical role in communicating your brand’s personality – and getting the consumer to make a purchase.

For your frothy concoctions to gain fans, your labels must hold up from bottling and cold storage to the “beer cave” at the store all the way to the cooler, baking on a sun-drenched patio. This isn’t a place to cut corners.

What can go wrong?

Labels on beer bottles can fall victim to several unpleasant fates:

Moisture can cause them to flag or fall off completely.
Moisture can also penetrate the pigments of the ink on the label, causing it to smudge, smear or fade.
Abrasion is also a concern. As bottles move from the bottling line and packaging to the refrigerator to cooler, labels can become ripped, diminishing the bottle’s appeal.

To prevent these types of problems, keep these factors in mind when designing your labels and selecting a converter to print them:

Label substrate selection:

Select label substrates and inks that are resistant to damage by moisture and abrasion.
Avoid self-adhesive paper-based labels. Although they’re inexpensive, they don’t cope well with changing temperature and moist environments.
Synthetic clear-on-clear labels provide improved durability under all conditions. They blend in nicely with the glass bottle but require an opaque white background to make the colors of the label pop.
Durable label materials – such as vinyl or polyester films – also work well, especially if you need tear-resistant labels.
Select a label stock that is wet strength, so it can hold up even when it’s submerged in a cooler full of melting ice. Welded papers are one type of wet strength material. They have a layer of plastic sandwiched between the adhesive and the label paper. It acts as a vapor barrier between the glass and the paper for improved durability in wet conditions.

The bottling environment

Make sure your printer talks to the bottling line manager to coordinate guidelines and specifications for label application. This will save you many hours of potential headaches later.
Always apply your labels in a dry, room-temperature environment. Cold bottling can cause problems with the label adhesive, which may not set up properly.
Clean, dry bottles are a must to ensure proper label adhesion. For best results, the containers, labels and ingredients should be brought to approximately the same temperature before label application.
The label material and adhesive need to be carefully selected so it can be accurately and consistently applied on a high-speed bottling line. A label that chews up extra time on the bottling line can be quite costly to your bottom line.
Bottles are jostled vigorously on the bottling line, especially when they bunch up on conveyor belts prior to packaging. Labels and the adhesives used to affix them to the bottles must be able to withstand this pressure and friction.
To avoid peeling, allow enough time for the label adhesive to properly set up before refrigerating the bottles. For best results, allow 24 hours.

Choosing the right label material, ink and adhesive for your craft beer label requires a delicate balance of properties. Don’t leave this job to chance. Contact T&L today to discuss your craft beer labeling needs.

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