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How to Design a Label: 8 Unique Tips for Novices

Author: Evelyn

Aug. 19, 2024

23 0 0

Tags: Packaging & Printing

How to Design a Label: 8 Unique Tips for Novices

Sometimes, the quality of a product&#;s label will be enough to sell that product.

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On a label, the combination of impressive graphic design and useful information is often irresistible to a customer.

In other words, a product&#;s label can be its own kind of advertising.

It speaks to your business, your product, and the high quality of both. Taking the time to choose the right kind of label and putting thought and care into its design, is therefore essential.

If your business is small and you don&#;t have the budget for a designer, or if you need to save money, you can design and order your own labels.

So, how do you design a label to make sure you get an amazing finished label or sticker?

First, figure out the type of label you need. Then, follow our easy design tips to make it look professional.

Types of Labels: What Are Your Options?

Before you start figuring out how to design a label, you should first figure out what type you need:

  • Address Labels

  • Call-to-Action Labels

  • Product Labels

  • Packaging Stickers

  • Name Labels

1. Address Labels

Designing your own address labels for your brand makes sending out company-related correspondence easier. Include your logo on the label so when you stick it on an envelope or package, it&#;s instantly branded for a professional look.

2. Call-to-Action Labels

Call-to-action labels are simple stickers you can place on a product to call your customer to action. These can be simple or elaborate, but most often will have an action phrase. For example, call-to-action labels that say &#;Touch me!&#; &#;Smell me!&#; or &#;Look closer!&#; invite your customer to examine your product and experience the benefits firsthand.

3. Product Labels

Product labels are perhaps the most common type of labels with which you&#;re familiar. These labels are on almost every product you can buy and describe that product, its benefits, or its ingredients, and include branding.

The right product labeling can help demystify a product, clearly communicate its benefits to the customer, and make it look enticing or appealing.

4. Packaging Stickers

For shipping your products, packaging stickers for boxes and envelopes can take the customer experience one step further. Add a sticker with your logo on it to a box, or add one as an envelope seal, and it instantly elevates the entire package.

5. Name Labels

Whether your team is attending an event or you just need name tags for your front-facing employees, customizing name labels is another great way to make a good impression and stay on-brand.

8 Tips for Designing a Professional-Looking Label

Designing labels for product packaging is a big deal. The label will directly affect how your product is perceived and will influence buying decisions. However, as you&#;ll soon see, it&#;s not a good idea to get too critical when you&#;re trying to figure out how to design a label.

Instead, follow these basic tips, have a little fun with it, and you&#;ll get a handle on the winning formula for professional, snazzy-looking labels.

1. Use the Best Possible Tools

Before you can design a beautiful logo or online label, you need to have the right tools for the job. Luckily, there are a few different options that will yield great results, whether you&#;re working in a small business setting or out of your home office. 

Consider using one of these design tools:

  • Adobe Suite: This software includes a variety of design programs (including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) that allow you to create and edit complex graphic design products, like product labels.  

  • Microsoft Word: This software has easy-to-use label formatting templates, so designers can configure and print many labels on one single page. 

  • Canava: This online software has a wide range of free templates you can use and edit to create your perfect label, making it a great option for entry-level designers.

2. Include the Most Important Information

When designing your label, you have to make sure key information is included without overwhelming the label with text.

With too much text, your label starts to look cluttered and confusing. This is why you should outline exactly what you need to include to help the customer make sense of the product and desire it &#; no more, no less.

For instance, on the coffee label above, the designer has made sure to include important buying information (the coffee bean origins and the type of roast) but has left plenty of space on the label. This gives the brand name and logo a chance to stand out.

3. Think About the Product Packaging & Containers

The size, shape, and type of packaging/container for your product will definitely determine your label design, too.

For instance, a small spice jar needs a much smaller label. It has to look good and stand out on that tiny surface, yet you can&#;t put too much information on it or it will be hard to read.

Every product has its own unique packaging (a jar of ketchup will require a very different label than a package of cookies or a pair of headphones). So, when you are designing a product label, it is critically important to keep the product packaging at the top of your mind. 

After all, if the label is too big or too small for the container, it won&#;t catch the customer&#;s eye! 

Consider the product&#;s shape and size, as well as the label&#;s location on the packaging, before you begin to work with any other design elements. This will give you clear parameters in which you have to work, which will determine the font and image sizes you need to use.

4. Use a Consistent Brand Logo

When designing your label, don&#;t forget to add your logo or branding.

Your product label needs to accomplish two main tasks: it must tell your customer what is inside the packaging, and it must advertise your company. Accomplishing the former is simple enough (just use clear, effective copy on your label) but the latter requires you to use very consistent branding. 

How can you make sure your label reflects your brand? By incorporating your logo! Every one of your company printables should bear your logo somewhere, and your product labels are no exception. 

Make sure your logo (or a simplified version, if your logo is too detailed for a small label) is prominently placed in your design.

In the above example from Ucreative, the packaging and product may change, but the brand name remains a consistent design element. It looks the same on every package, but it still complements each one.

5. Make It Clear and Readable

Even the most beautiful label in the world won&#;t be effective if your customers can&#;t read it. Readability is arguably the most important element of any graphic design project, from product labels and name tags to company flyers and banners.

Of course, it&#;s fine if some aspects of your label (the fine print, for example) are only truly legible up close, but your company name and product name must be seen even from across the room. Remember to take a few steps back throughout the design process and see how your label looks from afar.

This tip is important if you need your product to stand out on store shelves. A label that&#;s readable from far away will shout at customers and draw them in.

6. Use a Smart Combination of Fonts

Every label designer knows how important it is to use contrast in your graphic design projects. Contrasting colors or fonts adds dimension to your overall design, which grabs the viewer&#;s attention and entices them to pick up the product.

Throughout the design process, play around with different font pairings (stick to two or three fonts, no more). Consider fonts of different thickness, or even different styles; for example, ornate script-style fonts always look great alongside bold, modern, sans serif options.

For a similar look, try using two main fonts on your product label. Pick one that&#;s more elegant and one that&#;s more modern. Or, pair a cursive font with a bold, all-caps font. Use the difference in fonts to make your label easy to read and understand.

For instance, in the gin label example, the all-caps font is used for the brand name, batch number, and other practical information. The cursive font, meanwhile, is used exclusively to describe the flavors of the wine and the ingredients.

7. Leave Enough White Space

The term &#;white space&#; refers to the empty space between different elements on a page, business card, or label. This is particularly important in graphic design, as it keeps your design from becoming too cluttered for the eye to focus on any one element. 

Make sure your label has sufficient white space around each design element: your logo, product name, images, and any copy should all have enough space around them that your customers can focus on one aspect at a time.

According to Notes on Design, this helps separate important information and creates visual interest.

In the above example, the white space is used in a particularly clever way to create the face of a panda.

8. Add at Least One Decorative Element

Labels should first and foremost communicate information about the products they are on. However, that doesn&#;t mean they shouldn&#;t be attractive &#; in fact, they absolutely should be! 

Every product label should have at least one decorative design element to give it some artistic flair. This can be a photo of the product in use, an illustration or decorative pattern, or even copy in an attractive color.

For example, choose an accent color that matches your branding, or add an illustrative element that speaks to what the product does. For a good example, look at the above example of the bottle of limoncello from Crema de Limoncello &#; the bright, lemon yellow color is the main accent and speaks to the product ingredients.

9. Be Playful

It&#;s easy to take the question of how to design a label too seriously. Instead, try to have fun with it. Inject some playfulness or personality into your label and you might just come up with something that sells itself.

Think back to the products you remember most fondly from your youth. What did their labels look like? Most likely, they involved drawings of cute characters and playful illustrations that grabbed your eye from across the store aisle. 

There&#;s a reason little you was drawn to these product labels: they&#;re fun! 

Customers are often drawn to products and packaging that have a little personality, so don&#;t take the process of designing a label too seriously. Sometimes, a cute illustration or clever pun in your copy can be the thing that earns you a purchase.

How to Design a Label: Use Your Creativity

You don&#;t need a team of professional designers to create the perfect product label. With the right tools, a few graphic design principles, and a lot of personality and creativity, even amateur designers can create labels that are just as awesome as the pros!

If you&#;re ready to start designing, consider checking out the label templates available at Banana Print one short paragraph for the conclusion. These design templates make it easier than ever to create and print something truly great for your business.

Label - What Is a Label? Definition, Types, Uses

Labels

Labels, along with the packaging, carry the identity of a brand or information about an item. It is also a marketing tool to attract prospects and customers and ensure they buy the right product for their needs.

Label Definition & Meaning

A label is a piece of paper, clothing, plastic, or metal containing essential information about a brand or item.

Additional resources:
Difference Between Hot and Cold Lamination Film

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Businesses attach this material to the packaging or container of the product to specify functions and detail accurate features.

What Is a Label?

Labels contain the name of a brand, instructions, ingredients, and other details necessary for recognition. It helps clients understand the contents and determine the best way to use, store, and clean products. Depending on the nature of the product, it may also contain restrictions and warnings.

10 Types of Label

Gift Labels

Gift labels, also known as gift tags, usually come in varying colors and sizes. The sender of the gift uses these labels or cards to write birthday greetings and express their wishes in a private way. It contains the name of the sender and the destination of the gift.

Wedding Labels

You can customize your wedding labels to fit the theme and fashion of your wedding. Wedding organizers attach this label to wedding CD DVDs, champagne bottles, handmade pieces, and other wedding giveaway items. It comes in blue, gold, and other fancy colors and elegant designs.

Shipping Labels

The purpose of shipping labels is to streamline the process of determining the content of the package. It has the necessary details for weight, address, barcode, names, and crucial contact information. Each package for shipping should have a unique shipping label for transparency throughout sorting and delivery practices.

Christmas Labels

In the season of gift-giving, people use ribbons and Christmas labels to express their wishes for others during Christmas and New Year. It has a &#;to&#; and &#;from&#; section that you can fill out for details regarding the sender and receiver of the Christmas gifts and cards. You can choose from multiple color schemes and styles for your label.

Address Labels

When sending envelopes or small packages to your desired destination, you should use address labels to write necessary delivery information. Although the information you can write is not only limited to that. You can also write personalized marketing messages and greetings.

Book Labels

Book labels are used for the identification of the book owner. Individuals, organizations, and donors use this material to ensure people recognize the owner or the benefactor of the specific book. You can attach distinctive label designs to the front cover of the book.

Food Labels

In most food products, you can find food labels that contain details regarding their nutritional composition and ingredients. With this material attached, written, printed, or embossed in the container and packaging of the product, customers can make more informed decisions when making their purchases. It includes calories per serving, food-grade, and other educational information.

Product Labels

Makers of product labels give consumers the features and descriptions they need to recognize products and make smarter decisions. It contains printed messages for product capabilities, graphics, disposal information, and hazardous chemicals. With this, you can ensure clients use products appropriately and safely.

Wine Labels

Wine labels provide the information necessary to help consumers recognize the variety of grapes and the flavor they should expect. Aside from the brand name, a wine label should include vintage/non-vintage, region of origin, alcohol level, and sulfites. When minimizing risks and ensuring compliance, there are regulations in generating your label for your wine products.

Bottle Labels

With bottle labels, consumers can get the information necessary regarding the manufacturers of the water, beer, soap, jars, and other bottled products. It will help them make comparisons and decide on which one is best for them. Businesses use a thin piece of plastic or a paper sheet for their bottle labels to promote and spread awareness for their brand.

Label Uses, Purpose, Importance

When customers scrutinize the products they are interested in, they pay plenty of attention to their labeling. Its design and content are crucial factors during their decision-making processes. That said, stay competitive in the industry by providing your customer base with these benefits:

Prioritize Safety

For individuals with allergies, who have diet restrictions, and those who want to watch what they eat, labels provide them with the necessary information regarding the ingredients. Also, food, drink, and product labels are essential for highlighting shelf life and other instructions.

Aids in Making Smarter Decisions

Providing consumers with descriptive information on the product ensures clients can make the purchase that aligns with their needs. Also, it helps for better and faster identification.

Improve Brand Management Practices

You can use your label to communicate the identity and positioning of your brand. Incorporating appropriate design elements and graphics to make it attractive for clients, improve awareness, and establish a positive impression.

Builds Better Client Relationships

Ideally, emotional and long-lasting client relationships should start by building trust. That said, be transparent while communicating and resonating with interested buyers and helping them familiarize your brand using your labeling.

Ensure Compliance

When creating labels for your products, there is the necessary information you should include to comply with regulations and industry standards. Following these requirements help mitigate risks and minimize complications.

What&#;s in a Label? Parts?

Brand Name

Your brand name plus your logo is a crucial part of your label. Also, to amplify its marketing impact, you should include a campaign message or a tagline.

Product Information

In the product information, you get to specify and describe the content to help customers determine the product and understand its uses. You should display the weight, storage and usage instructions, and ingredients.

Barcode

You can see barcodes or UPCs displayed on the packaging and labels of products. This part of the label helps streamline billing and identification processes.

Company Information

Aside from the brand name and product description, you should make essential information regarding your company visible to the customers. Include important contact information and location.

Graphics

Your chosen vector artworks, symbols, and designs are responsible for piquing the interest and retaining the consumer&#;s attention. It should align with your strategies and give insights into how you operate.

Legal Description

Based on regulatory requirements and guidelines, there is information your label must have. It involves writing or printing allergy information, nutrition facts, certifications, warnings, and other data depending on the nature of the product.

How to Design a Label?

1. Choose a label size.

2. Determine the purpose of your label.

3. Select a label template.

4. Choose your preferred label material.

5. Generate a design that fits product characteristics.

6. Finalize content and download.

These articles will guide you through the process of making labels in other file formats:

Label vs. Tag

Labels are materials that detail needed information regarding the product and are often glued or attached to the product using a permanent method.

Tags, attached using strings or ties, provide details regarding the product price and are usually smaller in size than labels and thus easier to remove and change.

What&#;s the Difference Between a Label, Logo, and Sticker?

Labels are branding tools generated and stuck to a product for informing customers and improving promotional campaigns.

Logos contain the company name and logo for visual identification and to maintain consistency in the brand.

Stickers, considering their capability to withstand multiple elements, are handed out to customers for free or affixed on product packaging to improve brand visibility and exposure.

Label Sizes

Businesses in the US recognize 8.5&#; by 11&#; as the standard sheet size for printing labels, and the other countries follow the A-series, with 8.3&#; by 11.7&#; being the most popular. Although, the list does not end there. With the wide variety of types, shapes, and surfaces, the following is a list of printable sizes you can choose when deciding label sizes.

Label Ideas & Examples

If you find yourself stuck during the process of brainstorming for the design and theme for your labels, you can start off your gears again by browsing through these label ideas and examples. Incorporate these designs and start customizing yours.

  • Label Ideas and Examples

  • Wine Bottle Label Ideas and Examples

  • Ideas and Examples for Beautiful Beer Bottle Label

  • Product Label Ideas and Examples

  • Water Bottle Label Ideas and Examples
  • Food Label Design Ideas and Examples

  • Ideas for School Label with Examples

  • Business Label Ideas and Examples

  • Minimalist Label Creating Ideas and Examples
  • Shipping Label Ideas and Examples

FAQs

How to label an envelope?

To label an envelope, you should write the essential information regarding the recipient, such as the name and address, and do not forget to include the sender&#;s name and address for the return process in case the delivery fails.

How to print a shipping label?

When printing a shipping label, ensure to choose custom dimensions for its size, record accurate package information, include an electronic tracking number, and then send it to your printer.

What are the four major parts of a food label?

The four major parts of a food label include the serving size, amount of calories, nutrients, and percent daily value.

How to add labels in Gmail?

To create a label, you need to click the More icon, find Create New Label, come up with a name, and the last step is to click create.

What is required on a medication label?

Medication labels should contain the name of the patient, medicine name, dosage, warnings, and instructions on the intervals of taking the medicine.

How to make a shipping label on Microsoft Word?

Select the letters and mailings from the tools menu, create a new and blank document, input content, customize the format, insert or resize images, and then save.

How to make a label in Excel?

The steps you need to take are to set up your worksheet, undergo data entry, confirm file format, open Microsoft Word to set up labels, connect them, and then you can proceed to add the mail merge fields and then merge and print.

What is a smart label?

Smart labels usually come in the forms of a QR code, NFC, and RFID tag, and interacting with them using mobile devices gives you access to needed information.

What determines the order of ingredients on a food label?

The order of ingredients that you can find on a food label is determined by their weight.

What is a paid partnership label on Instagram?

Paid partnership label on Instagram is a feature that creators can use to tag their brand partners on their posts.

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