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Hard Seltzer Labels: Breaking Down Potential Labeling Regulations

Following alcohol labeling regulations is already a tricky process. It gets even more complicated when you’re unsure which organization oversees the packaging requirements for your product.

Hard seltzers are an increasingly popular beverage for people across North America, but there are some potential problems when it comes to packaging these products. Namely, some hard seltzers fall under different regulatory guidelines than others. Let’s break down exactly why hard seltzers can follow different regulations and what those regulations are.

A collection of cans with hard seltzer labels that follow TTB label requirements.

Does Hard Seltzer Follow TTB or FDA Label Regulations?

The key to identifying which labeling guidelines apply to your hard seltzer depends on how the product is made. While the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) largely oversees labeling requirements for alcoholic beverages, there are some exceptions that fall within FDA jurisdiction: wines that contain less than seven percent alcohol by volume and beers that aren’t made from malted barley and hops.

What that means for hard seltzer labels is that the base of the beverages will dictate what specific regulations are followed. According to the TTB, hard seltzers made with either malt or sugar bases are considered “beer” products. This means that hard seltzers must follow federal beer laws and should display the following:

The name or trade name of the brewer
The net contents of the bottle
The nature of the product (ex. “beer” or “hard seltzer”)
The place of production
A health warning statement

However, those are not the only labeling requirements for hard seltzers. Malt-based hard seltzers are defined as “malt beverages.” As such, all hard seltzers must follow federal beer rules and additional TTB labeling laws. Meanwhile, sugar-based hard seltzers must instead follow certain FDA labeling rules.

The Differences Between TTB and FDA Regulations for Hard Seltzer Labels

In addition to the federal beer labeling rules, there are other rules that both malt and sugar-based hard seltzers must follow. Both types of hard seltzers must submit a Brewer’s Notice application with the TTB to qualify for production. Furthermore, the TTB must approve the product formula. However, there are some specific TTB and FDA regulations that apply to the different types of hard seltzers.

TTB label requirements for hard seltzers

There are several key elements that the TTB requires for any malt beverage label. Some of these elements are already required by federal beer laws, but the TTB adds on some additional items such as additional rules for class and type designations and disclosures for specific ingredients. The TTB also has specific rules for how each element should be displayed on malt beverage labels. For a detailed breakdown of these requirements, check out our post on TTB label requirements.

Another major difference for malt beverages is the need for a Certificate of Label Approval/Exemption (COLA). The TTB reviews every COLA whether it’s for a new product or if you make changes to your label. Malt-based hard seltzers will need the TTB to approve this COLA before you can sell your products.

FDA label requirements for hard seltzers

Typically, alcohol labels don’t have to disclose ingredients or nutritional information (although it is optional to do so). However, the FDA generally requires food and beverage products to include a nutrition facts panel and ingredients statement on labels. This mandate holds true for alcoholic products that happen to fall under FDA jurisdiction. As such, sugar-based hard seltzers must follow proper nutrition facts panel and ingredients statement protocol as found the FDA’s Food Labeling Guide.

Another big difference between the FDA and TTB is that the FDA doesn’t have a pre-market approval process. While this may sound like a more attractive scenario than submitting a COLA, no pre-approval can open hard seltzer labels up for potential penalties. The FDA will still review and pursue agency action if they discover any labeling issues, so you’ll need to make sure that your packaging is completely compliant before you go to market.

Don’t Skimp on Style for Your Hard Seltzer Labels

Whether your hard seltzers fall under TTB or FDA alcohol regulations, it’s important to make sure your packaging is compliant with existing standards. It’s also critical that your labels do all they can to impress potential customers.

When you need show-stopping hard seltzer labels, Blue Label Packaging can help. Our experts can help you bring your stunning designs to life, find cost-effective solutions that showcase the quality of your products. Contact us today to invest in the perfect labels for your hard seltzers.

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The Cost of Beer Labels: How Does Commercial Pricing Work for Professional Beer Labels?

When it comes time to invest in beer labels, there are a lot of questions you may want to ask your label printing company. Of these, there’s one particular question that every one wants to know: how much will professionally printed beer labels cost?

The immediate answer to that question is, it depends. There simply is no quick answer to how much beer labels cost because every project is so different. Instead, it’s important to have a general understanding of how commercial beer label pricing works and all the factors that can impact the cost of your project.

How Craft Beer Labels are Priced

The main reason why it’s tough to provide a quick custom beer label estimate is that each project is a custom process. Each order is manufactured from scratch, so there are no pre-made products to ‘save’ cost with. Every beer label features an original design and uses different materials per your specifications. At Blue Label, we rarely see a project cost less than $150 total (simply due to the costs associated with setting up equipment) and will scale up depending on your specifications.

Once you do get a beer label estimate, it’s also important to evaluate your investment in understandable numbers. While some people may want to break down cost on a price per unit basis, we find that it’s generally better in print to evaluate your label cost per thousand pieces. This perspective allows you to avoid the fractional cents in per unit costs and helps provide a clearer visual of the sliding scale in total cost. For instance:

A chart that break down beer label costs on a price per unit basis.

**Note: This chart does not reflect any pricing at Blue Label. For demonstration of pricing breakdown only**

So between 1,000 and 2,000, you can get twice the amount of labels for $61.40 more. The ‘Price per Thousand’ (sometimes notated as ‘Price per M’) category is intended to give a more clear ‘apples to apples’ comparison on items that have a small unit price.

The Factors That Impact Beer Label Costs for Craft Brewers

As a digital label printing company, we gather a lot of information to estimate the overall cost for your beer label project. There are multiple factors that can impact your costs. These factors include:

Product type
Material
Size
Quantity
Multiple versions
Lamination / varnish
Tooling
Decoration
Application
Variable content

Product type

The very first step in the pricing process is to determine what you want to accomplish with your beer labels. Depending on your product, design, and environment, you may be in the market for pressure sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, double sided labels, or hang tags.

For example, shrink sleeves have a special production process and may require certain quantities to help maximize your invest in them. Meanwhile, pressure sensitive labels have a multitude of material options and decorating capabilities that can be applied to them. Our experts can offer advice on which label type is ideal for your brewery.

Material

Your label material of choice is going to be a notable contributor to your overall label costs. Each label is made with multiple layers that include a top layer (face stock) , an adhesive, and a liner. Some label materials will cost more per linear foot than others, so a more expensive material will lead to overall higher project costs.

When it comes to beer labels, there are two main types of material options: film and stock paper. Films for pressure sensitive labels are a natural choice as they’re more resistant to fluids.

Paper materials can provide a distinct look for beer containers, but can be two to five times more expensive than standard semigloss or white BOPP films. Given that materials make up a significant percentage of your total beer label costs, that distinctive paper material could lead to a cost increase of up to 40 percent overall.

An assortment of materials used for professional beer labels.

Size

The overall size of your label is another major factor for beer label costs. Label size dictates how much material is required. Simply put, the more material we use, the more expensive your label project will be. As such, larger labels can cost more than smaller labels from a raw materials standpoint.

Print layout is also another major factor that can influence label sizing costs. Label materials come in long rolls that are fed through a machine that prints your design onto the face stock of the roll. Depending on the size of your design, you may be able to fit multiple labels across the width of the roll.

By fitting more labels on a roll, you can improve printing efficiency and limit label material waste. This amount of material waste isn’t too noticeable in smaller orders, but a 20 percent difference in material costs is a noticeable change for larger quantities of labels.

Fortunately, there are measures you can take to help maximize space and minimize waste. Work with your designer and printing company to adjust the size of your label, especially if a fraction of an inch is the difference between a 15 to 30 percent bump in material costs. Our Beer Sizing and Dimensions Guide also includes optimal measurements for the most cost-effective sizing for printing your beer labels.

Quantity

The total number of labels printed in a project has a massive impact on your final project price. As expected, projects with higher label quantities will have a higher total cost simply because they consume more material. However, there is a potential for savings that isn’t as straightforward as you may expect.

While digital label printing allows breweries the flexibility to invest in lower quantities of beer labels, higher quantity runs can help you drive down your cost per thousand. Every project includes initial costs to set up the printer, calibrate colors, set up die cutting, and complete other tasks to start the manufacturing process.

Regardless of whether you need 200 or 200,000 labels, we have to go through those same processes. However, that setup time can be amortized much more efficiently over a long print run of labels, which means that higher quantities of labels actually drive down label costs.

While larger quantities can drive costs down, there are some potential cost advantages of buying lower numbers of beer labels. Digital label printing allows you to avoid the hidden costs of labels of obsolescence – regulation changes, brand updates, and other events that can make your beer labels outdated. That flexibility can be very valuable when you’re dealing with future events that could lead to unnecessary label waste.

Multiple versions

One notable cost factor is the ability to group multiple label versions together in a single project. While plate-based printing will require added fees for each label version, digital label printing can group these different labels together as long as there are 500 copies of each.

Maybe you don’t can 50,000 of one flagship… but maybe you do can 10,000 of your top five beers and have some seasonal releases to add in as well. Instead of placing five separate orders of 10,000 labels, digital technology allows you to place one order of 50,000 labels to take advantage of the lower ‘per thousand’ unit cost. Since everything is done digitally, we have the ability to mix and match your various versions into one production run, which helps save on setup and minimize waste.

Lamination / varnish

Every beer label needs some form of print protection. The average beer label is going to face several potential issues. Fluids like water and beer can wreak havoc with paper labels. Shipping and handling can rub off ink without a laminate or varnish layer.

Standard laminates and varnishes aren’t an additional cost, as much as they are something that’s baked into your starting project price. Every film label project is made with some form of laminate, while wine stock papers will require a basic varnish. There are also decorative laminates and varnishes available as well for an additional cost. Finishes such as soft-touch or textured laminates can serve a dual role of protecting your beer labels while adding to the overall look and feel of your packaging.

Tooling costs

Beer label costs may also include tooling fees, but these can vary depending on your label design and how they’re printed. Older printing methods, like offset or flexographic printing, use unique sets of plates to create your beer labels. As such, you’ll need to pay for a new set of plates for every piece of artwork. Digital printing doesn’t require plates, which cuts out those costs and any additional lead time required to manufacture plates.

Custom label shapes can also add tooling costs. Specialized pieces of metal called dies are used to cut specific shapes out of label materials. While digital label printing companies often have a wide range of existing dies, specialty shapes may require a newly manufactured part.

Depending on the size and shape, a new die can cost around $200. Of course, that die will then be freely available for any future label runs. At Blue Label, we have dies for most standard beer sizes in-house and can provide them for no extra cost to our customers. Our Beer Sizing and Dimensions Guide can walk you through the options and provides visual aids.

Decoration

While your choice of material, label size, and total quantity are the three biggest factors for project price, label decoration can add some additional costs depending on your needs. These added features can enhance the look and feel of your beer labels, which can add to your overall price per thousand and lead times based on your desired decoration.

Digital finishing equipment can apply many different decorative elements to beer labels. Foil stamping presses special foils into your material to create a raised image that stands out from other labels. Embossing imprints a special pattern or image into the label material, creating a pattern that consumers can see and feel. Spot varnishes allow you to coat specific parts of your design to make those elements pop. Each of these finishes can help capture consumers’ attention for an added cost.

Application

Your application process can also impact the beer label pricing as well. Your exact application process determines a few different factors:

Roll size
Unwind
Liner

Applicators can require a specific roll size or “Max OD” (Maximum Outer-Diameter). Your application process can determine how big the roll is, which can require more rewinding. Smaller rolls will also require your printing company to break your labels down into more manageable quantities for your machinery. These efforts won’t make for large changes in price for most customers, but they’re another potential reason why you might see an uptick in beer label pricing.

The required unwind can also affect potential cost efficiencies. The unwind determines which edge of the label first comes off the roll. This unwind can change how your printer needs to position your labels during printing. Depending on the dimensions of your label, that new positioning can yield a more or less efficient print layout.

Certain applicating equipment may also require a specific type of label backing. The backing, also called a liner, is the bottom layer of a pressure sensitive label. Applicators have sensors that read the label gaps during application, but certain sensors may only be able to read paper or film liners. As such, you may need to invest in a film liner which could slightly increase your project price if your applicator requires it.

Variable content

Variable data printing is another way that digital label printing allows you to change certain elements in a design without having to create entire new art files. Essentially, variable data printing utilizes a spreadsheet or some other file format to modify a variety of design elements, such as a headline, image, name, or color. Variable data printing can also incorporate variable images and patterns, allowing you to alternate or serialize label designs.

Variable data is a very useful tool for batch numbering, product tracking, or creating individualized items. It does require a good deal of setup and administration, so adding variable data printing to a label can increase costs.

Beer can labels made with a film material, print protection, and other factors that impact beer label costs.

Added Value Opportunities for Beer Labels

While there are several factors that can add to your overall project price, it’s important to also identify potential value opportunities as well. There are a lot of services that won’t show up on your bill, but can make a massive difference for your company. Each of the following factors can not only help your business save time and money, but also spare you from avoidable headaches when it’s time to invest in beer labels.

Artwork prep and readiness

Every beer label starts off as an art file before it’s printed. Unfortunately, there are a litany of artwork issues that can pose problems for your labels. Common concerns like incorrect file formats, low-res images, and improperly built bleeds will lead to problems with printed products without prior attention.

The level of artwork assistance depends on the label printing company. A lot of printers will charge you for that time to make sure your art is ready. Others will provide artwork prep for free and guide you through the printing process from start to finish.

Label printers can also provide press proofs for a small fee so that you have a physical example of your product before investing in the full run. Artwork can translate very differently from a computer screen to printed product. Though they might add a little time and money in the short term, artwork prep and press proofs can help avoid costly errors or artwork issues on a full production run.

Shipping and turnaround times

While shipping isn’t a part of the label production process, it’s important to keep it in mind for your overall label costs. You’ll want to examine the turnaround times and whether or not there will be any additional charges if you need your beer labels sooner than the standard turn-time and standard shipping propose. Blue Label commits to five-business day turnarounds, but others may tack on rush fees that range from $100 to $350 depending on how quickly you need your beer labels.

Customer service and satisfaction guarantees

We don’t live in a perfect world. At some point you will inevitably run into an issue, be it a misspelling in the artwork or color not translating properly. If these issues occur, it’s important to find a label printing partner that won’t leave you stranded with faulty packaging.

A good quality department won’t change your beer label bill, but it’s priceless when you do run into any issues. Evaluate potential printing companies to see if they have any warranties and satisfaction guarantees to make sure you’re not stuck with an improper print job. You’ll want to talk to a live, friendly label expert whenever you call with any questions or concerns. If a potential label printer limits access to real people, they might not be there when you do have any issues.

Internal resources

Customer service representatives aren’t the only resources that can help you out with your beer label project. Some label printing companies offer additional internal resources that can help add value without increasing the costs of your beer label.

For example, Blue Label has several helpful blog posts, resources, and guides available online to help you prepare your labels for success. In addition, our designer directory can help you find a designer who understands the intricacies of the beer market and can create the perfect custom beer label design for your products.

A custom label design made with commercial beer label pricing.

What Breweries Can Do to Help Control Beer Label Costs

Proper packaging is an important investment for any brewery. Unfortunately, there are scenarios where you may end up paying more for your labels than necessary. Situations such as last-minute orders or unforeseen problems can lead to extra charges or delayed shipments.

The best way to avoid these issues and control your beer label costs is to prepare early. The sooner you start talking with a label printing company about your needs, the better. This head start will allow you and the printing company to identify any potential issues, avoid expedited shipping, and have everything ready to go for when you actually need your beer labels. You can also ask for test rolls to ensure that your labels work with your applicating equipment ahead of time instead of troubleshooting problems at the last minute.

Order your labels ahead of time. As long as they are properly stored, label adhesives won’t lose effectiveness for several months. Because of this, you can have your labels shipped to you a week ahead of when your applicator arrives and stil be good to go. This will give you plenty of leeway and a lot less stress when it’s time to label your beer bottles or cans.

Finally, the best way to help you invest in the perfect beer labels for your products is to work with the right label printing company. At Blue Label, we promise to deliver unmatched quality and service to help you create the best, most cost-effective beer labels for your exact needs. Contact us today to talk about your next beer label project.

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TTB Beer Label Requirements: 8 Elements You Need on Craft Beer Labels

The process of putting together a craft beer label can be as complex as brewing the beverage itself. Your beer labels need to not only capture the quality and personality of your products, but also meet any mandatory Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) label requirements. These requirements play a pivotal role in TTB labeling approval before your product can be sold to consumers. Let’s break down what your beers need to maintain TTB label compliance.

The 8 TTB Requirements for Beer Labels

There are eight key elements that must be included on any beer label. Some of these elements are mandatory for every malt beverage, while others may apply to only certain situations. These label elements are:

Brand name
Class and type designation
Name and address
Net contents
Alcohol content
Disclosures for specific ingredients
Health warning statement
Country of origin

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Each of these elements has their own specific labeling guidelines. One typical labeling regulation is to meet specific placement and legibility rules. Each element should meet the following beer label requirements unless specifically noted below.

Appear on the front of your container.
Use a minimum type size of 2 mm for containers larger than ½ pint or 1 mm for containers of ½ pint or less.
Appear on a contrasting background.
Appear separate and apart from or be substantially more conspicuous than descriptive or explanatory information.

In addition to placement and legibility, there are several other standards you need to follow for each label element. Let’s break down each of these elements and what you need to know about their TTB label requirements.

A trio of beer bottle labels with net contents and other TTB label requirements.

Brand name

The first piece of information that any beer label should have is a brand name. This piece of information is typically the most prominent piece of information on your label and should reflect the name that you use to market your beer. If your beer doesn’t happen to be sold under a brand name, the name of the bottler or packer, importer is used as a de facto brand name instead.

In addition, your brand name must not be misleading. By TTB standards, that means that your brand name should describe “the age, origin, identity, or other characteristics of the malt beverage.” There are a few exceptions to this rule:

The brand name accurately describes the malt beverage and doesn’t create an erroneous impression about your malt beverage.
Your label includes a statement that dispels any erroneous impression created by the brand name.
Your brand name is qualified with the word “BRAND.”

Class and type designation

Every beer label needs to clearly display the specific identity of what’s contained in the can or bottle. Simply put, it needs to tell consumers what type of malt beverage you made.

These designations are based on characteristics generally attributed to the particular class or type of malt beverage. These designations can range from something as general as “malt beverage” to a very specific type of beer like “imperial stout.” For definitions and general descriptions of different classes and types of malt beverages, please refer to Chapter 4 of the TTB’s Beverage Alcohol Manual.

Name and address of producer/bottler or packer

The TTB mandates that every malt beverage label includes both the name and address of the entity that produces, bottles, packs, or imports your products. Domestic malt beverages may include an appropriate explanatory phrase before the name, while imported products must add some more detail). These can include the following:

For domestic brewers (optional)
- “BREWED AND BOTTLED/PACKED BY”
- “BREWED BY”
- “BOTTLED/PACKED BY”
• For importers (mandatory)
- “IMPORTED BY”
- “SOLE AGENT”
- “SOLE U.S. AGENT”

For the name, you may use your company name, corporate name, or trade name. The key here is that your name must be identical to what is displayed on either your brewer’s notice for domestic malt beverages or basic permit for imported malt beverages.

As for the address, domestic products should include either the city and state where your malt beverage is bottled or packed or a principal place of business. Imported products are limited to their principal place of business. If you choose to use a principal place of business as a domestic malt beverage, that location must meet the following requirements.

The principal place of business address must be a location where production/bottling or packing operations occur.
The actual location (address) where the malt beverage is produced/bottled or packed must be indicated by printing, coding, or other markings on the label or container.
Prior to use, the brewer must file a notice explaining the coding system with the TTB’s National Revenue Center.

As with many other label elements, the name and address should be included on the front of your container. However, you also have the option to burn or brand these details somewhere visible on your containers for domestic malt beverages.

Net contents

While there are no standards of fill for malt beverages, the TTB does have requirements for the way you list net contents. Every container must list net contents in American measurements, but you may also include metric measurements as well. The TTB also has specific standards for how these measurements are presented.

Containers with less than 1 pint – the net contents must be shown in fluid ounces or fractions of a pint.
Containers with an exact number of net contents (ex. 1 pint, 1 quart, or 1 gallon) – the net contents must be shown exactly that way.
Containers with more than 1 pint but less than 1 quart – the net contents must be shown in pints and fluid ounces or fractions of a quart.
Containers with more than 1 quart but less than 1 gallon – the net contents must be shown in quarts, pints, and fluid ounces or fractions of a gallon.
Containers with more than 1 gallon – the net contents must be shown in gallons and fractions thereof.

As with names and addresses, you also have the option to burn or brand net contents into the container itself. If not, they must be placed on the front of the container’s label.

Alcohol content

Unlike many of the other elements, statements of alcohol content are optional unless your state’s law either mandates or prohibits this action. Whether these statements are required label elements or added optionally, the TTB does set specific standards for how alcohol content is presented.

Unless your state’s laws set a different standard, statement of alcohol should be expressed in percent by volume. The exact alcohol content must be listed to the nearest 0.1 percent for any malt beverages with 0.5 percent alcohol by volume or more (with a tolerance of plus or minus 0.3 percent). If your product has less than .05 percent alcohol by volume, your statement should be accurate to the nearest 0.01 percent. These statements should also be presented in one of the following formats.

“ALCOHOL (ALC) __% BY VOLUME (VOL)”
“ALCOHOL (ALC) BY VOLUME (VOL) __%”
“ __% ALCOHOL (ALC) BY VOLUME (VOL)”
“ __% ALCOHOL (ALC)/VOLUME (VOL)”

In terms of legibility and placement, the alcohol statement has a few additional standards to note. Unlike other label elements, the alcohol statement can be placed on the front, back, or side of your container. The entirety of your alcohol statement should be in prominent coloring and use the same kind and size of lettering. The type size also depends on the net contents of your container.

Minimum 2 mm type for containers larger than ½ pint
Minimum 1 mm type for containers of ½ pint or less
Maximum 3 mm type for containers of 40 fl. oz. or less
Maximum 4 mm type for containers larger than 40 fl. oz.

Disclosures for specific ingredients

Beer labels can require disclosures for certain ingredients if they appear in your malt beverage. Each ingredient requires a separate statement to make its presence clear to any consumers. These are the four different ingredients and their required statements:

FD&C Yellow No. 5 – “Contains FD&C Yellow #5”
Saccharin – “Use of this product may be hazardous to your health. This product contains saccharin which has been determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals.”
Sulfite (if 10 or more parts per million sulfur dioxide) – “Contains sulfites” or “Contains (a) sulfiting agent(s)”
Aspartame – “PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE.” (note: this disclosure must be in all capital letters)

A beer can with a prominent government warning.

Health warning statement

Every beer label should include a health warning statement if the malt beverage in question contains at least 0.5 percent alcohol by volume. The statement in question must appear as a continuous paragraph and start with the words “GOVERNMENT WARNING” in bold, capital letters. The statement in full should appear as follows.

GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.

This statement may appear on the front, side, or back of the container. The statement’s type size and maximum number of characters per inch depends on the net contents of the container.

Minimum 3 mm for containers larger than 3 liters (101 fl. oz.)
- No more than 12 characters per inch
Minimum 2 mm for containers larger than 237 ml (8 fl. oz.) to 3 liters (101 fl. oz.)
- No more than 25 characters per inch
Minimum 1 mm for containers of 237 ml (8 fl. oz.) or less
- No more than 40 characters per inch

Country of origin

If your malt beverage is imported, your label must include some form of statement indicating its country of origin. There are four formats you can use for this statement:

“PRODUCT/PRODUCE OF [name of country]”
“PRODUCED/BREWED IN” or “PRODUCED/BREWED AND BOTTLED OR PACKED IN [name of country]”
“PRODUCED/BREWED BY” or “PRODUCED/BREWED AND BOTTLED OR PACKED BY [name of brewer and/or both brewer and bottler/packer along with either the country or both city and country]”
“___________ ALE” (Fill in blank with name of country in which ale was produced/brewed), i.e., name of country with class and/or class and type designation

Unlike other beer label elements, the country of origin does not need to follow any specific legibility and type size requirements. Your statement may also appear anywhere on the front, side, or back of your container.

Invest in TTB Compliant Craft Beer Labels that Don’t Skimp on Style

There’s a whole lot of information that the TTB requires for beer labels, but that doesn’t mean that these elements need to hold back your design. Fortunately, the right label printing company can turn your initial design into a stunning final product.

When you need stunning beer labels that fit your budget, Blue Label Packaging can help provide pristine packaging for your products. Our team has the expertise and state-of-the-art equipment to enhance your label designs and capture attention. Contact us today to talk about your next beer label project.

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Breaking Down the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act

Back in 2017, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) changed the way it approached federal excise taxes on alcohol. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 included a Craft Beverage Modernization (CBMA) provision as part of an effort to update the alcohol specifications administered by TTB, offering new savings for brewers, distillers, and vintners in the U.S.

While the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was initially a two-year deal set to expire in 2019, the craft beverage modernization and tax reform provisions of the act were extended through Dec. 31, 2020. These new rules were a boon to producers of beer, distilled spirits , and wine across the country, but those changes are running out of time. As such, proponents of these CBMA’s changes are pushing Congress to pass the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA).

A collection of beer cans made during the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act’s lower federal excise taxes.

What is the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act?

The short answer is that the CBMTRA would permanently modify the tax treatment of certain alcoholic beverages in accordance with the CBMA specifications found in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

There are a variety of provisions included in the CBMTRA. These propositions include the move to permanently lower federal excise tax rates on alcohol to those listed in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The bill also seeks to keep several other provisions that apply to beer, distilled spirits, wine, and more.

Beer

One of the main goals of the CBMTRA is the continuation reduced federal excise tax rates on any beer that is imported or removed from a brewery. The CBMTRA proposes to keep the following tax rates for breweries.

$3.50 per barrel on the first 60,000 barrels for domestic brewers producing fewer than 2 million barrels annually (previously $7 per barrel)
$16 per barrel on the first 6 million barrels for all other brewers and all beer importers (previously $18)
$18 per barrel rate for barrels not subject to the $16 rate (same rate as in the past)

These rate changes mark a notable savings for domestic brewers. Another potential savings is that the CBMTRA would allow bonded facilities to transfer beer without an additional tax payment.

Distilled spirits

As with beer, the CBMTRA seeks to maintain reduced tax rates for spirits that are distilled or processed and removed. In the past, the federal excise tax was set at $13.50 per proof gallon with adjustments depending on the percentage of alcohol of the product. The new rates not only lower these rates, but also break them into different groups depending on number of barrels removed or imported.

$2.70 per proof gallon on the first 100,000 proof gallons
$13.34 per proof gallon on the next 22.23 million proof gallons
$13.50 per proof gallon for anything past 22.23 million proof gallons

The CBMTRA also includes a note regarding the transfer in bond of distilled spirits between distilled spirits plants. The Act seeks to permanently allow such transfer whether or not the distilled spirits in question are transported in bulk or non-bulk containers.

Wine

Unlike beer and distilled spirits, the CBMTRA would not institute a new tax rate for wine produced domestically or imported into the country. However, the Act does allow for different tax credits depending on wine production and the tax class of the wine in question. These credits include:

$1 per wine gallon on the first 30,000 wine gallons of wine removed or imported
90 cents on the next 100,000 wine gallons removed or imported
53.5 cents on the next 620,000 wine gallons removed or imported

The CBMTRA also adjusted the existing tax classes and expanded the categories of producers covered by such credit. Previously, wines with 14 percent or less alcohol received the lowest tax rate ($1.07 per wine gallon). Under the CBMTRA, that rate now applies to still wines with 16 percent of fewer, along with any applicable tax credit.

In addition, both meads and low alcohol by volume wines are considered still wines by the CMTRA. These join artificially carbonated wines, sparkling wines, and hard cider as other tax classes included under the wine tax breakdown. To make things even trickier, hard cider is the only one of these products that does not utilize the aforementioned tax credits. Instead, they have a separate adjustment to producer credits. Check out the chart below for a detailed breakdown of all the federal excise taxes on various still wines (with applicable tax credits included).

A chart for the new wine tax rates listed in the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act.

What’s Next for Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act?

While the CBMA provisions are still in effect through the end of the year, those new tax rates will reset in 2021 without Congressional action. Several beverage alcohol trade associations have banded together to urge Congress to pass the CBMTRA in time to prevent the significant increase in federal excise tax rates, especially while the industry is still feeling the impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. For those interested in joining the call to pass the CBMTRA, you can join the call here.

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White File Best Practices: The Importance of White Ink for Labels

Every great product label starts as an art file. These files play a key role in helping your label printing company take your design and turn it into a stunning label. In addition to your design, art files contain important details to create a specific look and avoid potential printing issues. One of the most important elements of this process is the white file.

Why White Files are Important

A white file is a specific layer included in your art file. This layer instructs the printing press to lay down white ink on a metallic, clear, holographic, or dark substrates to create opacity. This process is important because label printing companies use the CMYK color format for physically printed items like product labels.

White files play a key role in supporting the CMYK color format because it can help you capture the correct color for metallic, clear, and other types of substrates. A full coat of white ink allows you to mask the substrate – it’s like printing on white paper at that point.. You can also do a partial coat of white to allow some portion of the substrate to show through, such as a slight metallic sheen. Either way, the white file allows you to capture the color you want instead of the color or effect of the material over powering your design.

Different Methods for White Files

There are a couple of different ways to use white ink for your labels. These approaches differ largely based on what you want to achieve with your design. These methods are:

Flood coats
Spot applications

A flood coat is used when you need to cover an entire surface with white ink. Since a flood coat covers the entire surface of a substrate, you don’t need any additional file preparation. In some instances, it is good to note that a white material might be a more economical choice if you are needing to flood coat.

Spot applications are used to apply specific patterns of white ink to substrates. The white file is used to indicate to a printing company’s prepress team exactly where the white ink should be applied for your design. For example, you may want a clear product label to showcase your container (or even the products within that container. A spot application notes exactly where a base coat of white ink should go to support the individual elements of your design.

White File Creation Best Practices

You’ll need to prepare an appropriate layer to call out spot applications of white ink in your art file. Our white file creation guide can give you need a step-by-step breakdown on how to prepare your art file for white ink. In addition, it’s important to remember the following best practices to make sure your white file is set up for success.

Use vector images if possible

While you can create art files for labels with both Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, Illustrator can lead to a smoother process. Photoshop uses pixel-based raster images, while Illustrator works using layered vector files. These layers allow you to make your desired white file clear, whereas a label prepress team would need to make some design decisions with raster images.

For example, a prepress expert may need to make pixel-by-pixel judgments for where your white file ends in a flat raster image. That judgment call could leave a white fringe around a certain element of your design, which you may or may not want. By using a vector image in Illustrator, you can make your design preferences clear.

Mark white files as a layer above your label art

While the white ink is printed onto the substrate before the CMYK ink, white files should be added above the label art in your art file. This process makes it very clear on label proofs where white ink should be added during the printing process. When white files are placed below the CMYK layer, it can hide key information that’s important for your design.

This process can be tricky, especially if you have certain design elements within other elements. Let’s say you want a label with a matte background, but you have an information box that you want to be metallic. That information box should be in a layer above the label background. The white file for the lettering within that information box should then be in another layer above that information box layer. If the white file were tucked below, it could get lost in translation. As such, keeping white files above their respective art layers can make sure white ink is applied exactly where it’s needed.

A white ink layers setup for a label.

Clear, consistent terminology

It’s important to be as clear and consistent as possible when naming art file layers. In general, it’s good to name your layers as “white ink” or with a description of how you’d like the layer to look.

For example, you may need a white file that still allows some amount of the metallic substrate to show through the ink. In this case, naming the layer “50 percent metallic” will clearly show how much white ink is needed under the CMYK ink. By using clear, consistent layer names, you can reduce the amount of back-and-forth discussions necessary to achieve your ideal label.

Simplify barcodes

While you may be tempted to do a metallic barcode or some other interesting design, it’s best to use a simple color scheme for your barcodes. You want to have enough contrast between the bars and the background to ensure that scanners can read your barcode.

Black bars on a white background is typically the safest route. A solid base of white ink to support your barcode in this scenario is a great way to support the barcode.

A label with a metallic substrate made with white file best practices.

Set Up Your Product Labels for Success

A little preparation can make a massive difference for your product labels. However, certain art file and design issues aren’t always obvious. At Blue Label, our prepress team works with you to eliminate potential problems and identify opportunities to enhance your finished product labels.

Ready to invest in stunning labels for your products? Contact us today about your labeling needs.

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How to Use Color Effectively in Beer Label Design: 5 Key Factors

When you only have a few seconds to catch a consumer’s eye, it’s imperative that your beer label is on point. Creative, compelling color choices can make your beers stand out among the competition. However, those same colors can pose problems if you’re not careful. Here are five ways that you can use colors to get the most out of your beer labels.

Create the Right Impression

Your color choices play a vital role in beer label design. The colors you use not only allow you to create a recognizable brand for all your different brews, but also influence consumers’ emotions through positive association.

You’ll want to identify what type of feeling you want to convey with each product label. For example, you may utilize soothing blues for a smooth lager that’s perfect for a nice, relaxing time on the porch. Meanwhile a dark grey or black can create an air of elegance and class for a high-end imperial stout. Your label is an opportunity to show your beer’s character, and a good color scheme will do just that.

A trio of cans with colorful beer labels.

Don’t Drown Out Your Brand

Whether you want to establish your products as playful, classy, or something else, it’s important to make sure that your color scheme works with your brand. Exciting color combinations are fun, but consumers should be able to identify your brand with each container. Because of this, you’ll want to practice some caution when designing labels for each product.

A big part of beer branding is your logo. You’ll need to decide whether you want your logo to stay the same for every product or modify it to match different color choices. If you choose the former, it’s good practice to make sure your beer can branding and logo won’t clash with your preferred product pigments. If it’s the latter, you’ll just want to ensure that people can still instantly recognize your brand, even if your logo changes colors or versions. Remember, you want your product to stand out, but you don’t want to hide who you are.

Mix and Match Colors Appropriately

Identifying the right colors is a delicate balancing act. Picking and choosing an array of colors that make sense for your various beers without having them clash, create legibility concerns, or cause other brand issues are just a few of the balls you juggle..

There are a couple of different routes you can go with color selection. One method is to focus on contrasts to help emphasize various label elements. This can help make your label visually “pop” to consumers, especially if you use it to highlight a certain aspect of your label. A color wheel can help you identify opposite colors that still work with each other. A second option is to stick with analogous colors that easily flow together. These colors line up next to each other in the color wheel and create a more relaxed feel for your label.

Regardless of which route you choose – or if you opt for a hybrid of the two – it’s important to make sure that people can read your labels. Certain colors may look great together, but dark-on-dark or light-on-light combinations can cause legibility concerns. Try and use some form of contrasting colors for backgrounds and text to make sure the words on your label don’t go to waste.

Beer can label designs using contrasting colors.

Consider the Container

Your beer label plays a critical role in product packaging, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Your container can have a major impact in the overall look of your product. For example, one label design may work wonderfully on a clear glass bottle, but could clash with a brown one.

Certain colors schemes may work better for some containers than others, so make sure you consider how your design plays with your cans or bottles. Depending on your container, you may simply opt for a shrink sleeve for complete coverage or a clear label that uses splashes of colors to accentuate your packaging. When done well, your container can even complement your label colors, making your beers look more appealing than before.

Maximize Your Materials

Ink isn’t the only way to create colorful combinations. There are a variety of paper and film label materials that can add a new dimension to your desired color scheme. A black vellum label would be a stunning way to create an elegant background for a high-end beer. Clear labels can help you emphasize your container (or even what’s inside your container). Meanwhile, a holographic film can create a fun contrast to add some glitz and glam to a beer can.

A beer bottle label with a colorful design.

Color Your Customers Impressed with Stunning Beer Labels

In such a competitive market, pristine packaging can put your products on a pedestal. Stunning beer labels start with a stellar design, but it takes the right printing company to turn your vision into a reality.

When you need quality, cost-effective beer labels, Blue Label Packaging can help. Our team has the expertise and state-of-the-art equipment to help you enhance your designs. Contact us today to talk about your beer labels.

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Beer Can Shortage: Why It Happened and Potential Options for Breweries

Breweries across the country are feeling the effects of a tightening can supply. The can shortage is a product of several intertwining factors, and breweries nationwide are scrambling for new packaging solutions. Let’s break down why this shortage happened and potential options for breweries looking to maximize their limited supplies.

Why is There a Beer Can Shortage?

To start, aluminum cans are now the preferred form of packaging for brewers. In the first 11 weeks of 2020, cans contained 60 percent of all beer sold. Both consumers and producers show a strong preference to aluminum cans – and not just for beer. Soft drinks, seltzers, and other drinks have shifted to the same cylindrical metal containers, which thinned out the availability of certain cans.

Of course, that strain of can production was only intensified thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Once consumers were forced from bars and back into their homes, breweries needed to find new containers that were once meant for kegs. Can usage jumped to 67 percent from week 12 through 20 as a result. In addition, secondary can sources like Anheuser-Busch InBev subsidiary Metal Container Corporation stopped supplying smaller beer producers to focus on its parent company’s canning needs.

Unfortunately for breweries, there is no simple workaround to address the shortage. While major can manufacturers like Ball have added new production lines, the can shortage will likely persist throughout at least the rest of 2020.

16 oz. aluminum beer cans used by breweries as a different sizing option during the can shortage.

3 Potential Solutions to Maximize Supplies During the Can Shortage

Unless you have the means to switch to bottles in the short term, you’ll need to find a way to better utilize the aluminum cans you can access. Long story short, you may need to find some creative solutions for your situation. Fortunately, the following options may help you alleviate some stress create by the can shortage.

Be flexible to different aluminum can sizes

While 12 oz. and 32 oz. cans may be your ideal sizes for beer cans, you may need to be more flexible during a shortage. Don’t be afraid to temporarily try out 25.4 oz. or 16 oz. cans for crowlers or other to-go beers. It may not be your ideal can sizes, but it’s better to be flexible with what you can get so that you can ensure your beers are available for sale.

Of course, you’ll need to check out your local laws to see how much flexibility they allow. Some states limit can sizes for beverages higher than a certain ABV. For example, some local laws may limit crowler sizes to 25.4 oz. and below, whereas others may require a single standard size. Alcohol regulations have changed drastically during the pandemic, so it’s best to reach out to your local guild for the latest updates in your state’s local laws.

Utilize unused screen-printed cans

An empty screen-printed can is an opportunity when you’re in a tight spot. While you may have planned to use those cans for one type of beer, relabeling them can allow you to address canning needs for your other offerings as well. This route can give you some freedom to pick and choose how to use screen-printed cans until you’re able to obtain additional packaging.

When relabeling screen-printed cans, it’s important to make sure that you cover up the proper parts of the screen printing. A half wrap label may leave a bar code, an outdated ABV, or some other detail exposed. A full beer can label or shrink sleeve will help you hide the old screen printing and showcase your desired branding and information.

Do what you can to prevent can waste

When supplies are limited, it’s crucial to try to get the most out of what you have. Label application issues can put a dent in your available supply if you’re not careful, so it’s best to take steps to limit potential problems in the future.

For example, certain applicating environments can lead to label failure. If you’re trying to sell a new sour beer, the acidity from the fruit in that beer can cause oxidation between aluminum can and certain label materials. You’ll want to work with your label printing company to identify any potential problem areas that can lead to avoidable waste, especially when supplies and funds are at a premium. This will not only help prevent potential issues for your can, but also save unnecessary label waste.

Three can wraps used to cover screen printed cans.

Stay Flexible with Digital Label Printing

As we mentioned before, there is no simple workaround to address the shortage. What you can do is be creative with the supplies you have and minimize potential waste. Fortunately, the right label printing company can help you stay flexible and maximize your available supply.

At Blue Label, we have the technology, equipment, and experts to help you properly adapt to your exact situation. Thanks to digital printing technology, we can quickly provide beer labels for various size cans when you need them. Our experts can also work with you to identify potential application issues and provide feedback to limit potential waste.

When situations change, our team is flexible enough to help you determine the best, most cost-effective labeling solution for your exact needs. Contact us today to talk about your next label order.

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TTB Final Rule Breakdown: The New TTB Label Requirements for Alcohol Labels

Over time, alcohol regulations are bound to change. That’s why it’s critical to keep up to date with new changes to alcohol labeling laws, such as the latest final rule from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).

After more than a year of deliberation, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) published its changes to alcohol labeling requirements and advertising regulations in April of 2020. The TTB weighed several ideas from the 2018 Proposal, accepting several recommendations after reviewing comments from industry members and the public.

TTB Final Rule: What Changed?

In general, the new TTB label requirements and alcohol regulations aim to modernize labeling and advertising regulations. These changes are designed to streamline processes and provide extra flexibility for alcoholic products. The resulting final rule documents several regulatory changes and even discusses proposals that weren’t adopted.

In short, it’s a long read. The changes range from notable updates to minor tweaks that may not affect the majority of alcohol labels. To help, we broke down some of the changes for alcohol label requirements that can have a direct impact on the way you label alcoholic products.

A six-pack of beer with holographic labels.

Mandatory label information placement for distilled spirits

Before the final rule went into effect, distilled spirits were required to list mandatory information on a “brand label,” also known as the principal display panel. This term applied to the label that is “most likely to be displayed, presented, shown, or examined under normal retail display conditions” per TTB guidelines. This mandatory information includes:

Brand name
Class and type of distilled spirit
Alcohol content
Net contents (for containers that do not meet a standard of fill)

In the new final rule, the TTB gave distillers more freedom in terms of mandatory information placement. You can now include mandatory information anywhere on a distilled spirit container. The only catch is that all the mandatory information must be placed in the same field of vision, which can differ depending on bottle shape:

A single side of a container for containers with flat sides
40 percent of the circumference for cylindrical containers

Standard of identity for vodka

Congratulations, vodka makers. The TTB no longer requires vodka to be “without distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color.” As such, you may now feel comfortable classifying your products as vodka even if your product features some different base ingredients, flavors, or flavor profiles that previously landed you in trouble with the TTB.

Recognition of mezcal and addition of agave spirits class

In the past, the TTB only provided a standard for tequila. The final rule institutes a brand-new class called “agave spirits.” This new class contains two different types of spirits: the aforementioned “Tequila” and the addition of “mezcal.” By definition, the fermented mash for agave spirits should meet the following criteria:

At least 51 percent of the mash is derived from plant species in the genus Agave.
Up to 49 percent of the mash is derived from sugar.
The spirit is distilled at less than 95 percent alcohol by volume and bottled at or above 40 percent alcohol by volume.

The exciting part of this rule is that the TTB now lists mezcal as an official type of alcohol. Accordingly, agave spirits are an official class that includes mezcal and tequila. These changes now allow distilleries to label their products appropriately. The TTB also notes that labels previously approved as “spirits distilled from agave” can designate their products as “agave spirits” if they choose.

Country of origin labeling

The TTB took steps to defer to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for rules on country of origin labeling. In the past, the TTB required a country of origin statement on distilled spirits labels, but not for imported wine or malt beverages. The final rule followed CBP regulations that all imported alcoholic beverages should display their country of origin. As such, make sure to add those statements for any imported wines or malt beverages in the future.

A closeup of a spirits label complying with changes from the latest TTB final rule.

New definition and approval process for personalized labels

With the final rule, there is now an approval process for any importers or bottlers who wish to customize existing labels in order to personalize them. The final rule defines personalized labels as “an alcohol beverage label that meets the minimum mandatory label requirements and is customized for customers.” Essentially, that’s any alcoholic product that’s specific to a consumer purchasing that product.

This new allowance provides breweries, wineries, and distilleries with an official process to produce personalized products for weddings, birthdays, or other commemorative events. Interested parties can submit a personalized label template during COLA approval. This template should note any elements eligible for customization. This can include:

Personalized messages
Pictures or artwork
Salutations
Names
Congratulatory dates
Event dates

As long as the application meets other TTB regulations, the organization will issue you a COLA and a special qualification for personalization. This qualification allows you to add or change items for personalized versions of that label without applying for a new COLA. You can also opt to obtain a COLA for each individual personalization if you prefer – just make sure to avoid common COLA issues.

Clarification on alcoholic beverages not subject to the FAA Act

The TTB made efforts to list certain alcoholic beverages that are not subject to TTB labeling regulation. These efforts include clarifying certain beverages that don’t qualify as wine or malt beverages under the Federal Alcohol Administration (FAA) Act. These beverages include:

Wine that is under 7 percent alcohol by volume
- Wine under this category now subject the FDA labeling regulations
Beer made without any malted barley
- Beer under this category now subject to either FDA or IRC regulations depending on alcohol content

The TTB also stressed that there are no distilled spirits that are subject to FDA labeling regulations instead of TTB rules. However, the TTB amended the definition of “distilled spirits” in a separate portion of the final rule. This change continues longstanding TTB policy that any products with less than 0.5 percent alcohol by volume aren’t regulated as “distilled spirits” under the FAA Act.

A collection of wine bottles with labels that meet TTB requirements.

Added tolerance for distilled spirits alcohol statements

The TTB gave distilleries a bit more wiggle room in terms of alcohol content statements. The final rule increased to tolerance up to plus or minus 0.3 percentage points for alcohol contents on distilled spirits labels.

Removal of age statement prohibition for distilled spirits

While the TTB initially proposed that only time spent in the initial oak barrel should count toward the “age” of a distilled spirit, the organization changed course after receiving industry feedback. The TTB now agrees that all the time spent in all oak containers should count towards a label’s age statement.

In addition, the final rule expanded the classes and types of distilled spirits that can make age statements of labels. The TTB acknowledged that other alcoholic products may benefit from such a statement. All distilled spirits may include prohibition of age statements, except for neutral spirits that aren’t deemed grain spirits.

Removal of prohibition of strength terms for malt beverages

In the past, the TTB prohibited malt beverages from making claims of drink strength. That meant any of the following terms were off-limits for labeling purposes unless expressly allowed by state law:

Strong
Full strength
Extra strength
High test
High proof
Pre-war strength
Full oldtime alcoholic strength
Usage of numerals, letters, characters, or figures that can be construed as alcohol statements

The final rule effectively ends the prohibition of these terms. Language like “strong” and “full strength” are now allowable as indications of alcohol strength on malt beverage labels. However, the TTB can still block labels that make any false or misleading claims in the future.

Removal of citrus wine class

While the TTB initially created the citrus wine class to streamline regulations, the opposite was true. The standards of identity for both citrus wine the overall fruit wine class are largely the same. The TTB accordingly found the separation of the classes unnecessary and removed the citrus wine class in the final rule. This change means that if you were using citrus wine as a statement of identity, it’s time to switch to fruit wine for your labels.

Allowance for vintage dates on wine imported in bulk

In the past, The TTB only allowed imported wine to bear a vintage date if it’s imported in containers of five liters or less. The final rule offers added labeling flexibility for these situations. As long as the bottler provides appropriate documentation to substantiate a vintage date, it does not matter if the bulk container used to import the wine does not bear a date.

New Rules, Same Dedication to Stunning Alcohol Labels

As alcohol label laws inevitably change, so too must the labels themselves. Bottle labels and can labels play a critical part in attracting new and repeat customers. As such, it’s essential to find the right label printing company to ensure that your beer, wine, and spirits labels are perfect for your products.

At Blue Label, we have the digital printing technology and expertise one hand to help you get the most out of your alcohol labels. We work with you to enhance your design and address potential issues ahead of time to maximize your investment. In the end, we can deliver stunning, eye-catching labels that are perfect for your products and your budget. Contact us today to have Blue Label provide the right labels for your products.

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Label Decoration Breakdown: What’s Available and How They Enhance Your Design

Even a good label design can use some extra flair. Label decoration is a great way to enhance your design in cool, creative ways so that your products stand out to consumers. Spot varnishes, hot foil stamping, and embossing can all amplify your label design in different ways and can even combine to turn your product into a visual spectacle. Let’s break down three decorative capabilities and how they can enrich your label’s design.

Spot Varnish

How spot varnishes work

Label varnishes are a protective liquid coating that can help protect the surface of your label and highlight certain features of your design. Varnishing liquids are rolled onto your labels and cured or dried. This process causes the varnish to fill in any nooks and crannies of your label’s surface material, which is especially good for paper materials. While varnishes can coat to the entire label, spot varnishes are applied to specific parts of your design.

How spot varnishes enhance your label

As we just mentioned, spot varnishes are a tremendous way to highlight aspects of your design, such as your logo, an illustration, or some other detail. Spot varnishes come in different forms, such as gloss, satin, and soft-touch. Each option can add a different look – or even feel – to individual parts of your design, which can help attract the attention of discerning consumers.

A custom label with a spot varnish highlighting the worm.

Hot Foil Stamping

How hot foil stamping works

Hot foil stamping is the process of pressing a foil, often metallic, into your label material. During this process, an engraved plate is heated up and used to stamp a metalized foil or film into your facestock of choice. The combination of pressure and heat allows the foil or film to stick to your label material with the dry ink in between them. As a result, the engraved design of the plate is left on the label to add a special decorative effect.

How foil stamping enhances your label

Hot foil stamping is an extremely versatile method for label decoration. By pressing engraved foil or film patterns into your label, you can create outstanding, multifaceted compositions that look expensive without drastically driving up printing costs. While hot foil stamping is commonly associated with gold and silver sheens, there are hundreds of different types of foils and films available:

Metallic (gold, silver, etc.)
Gloss
Matte
Holographic

These various foils and films give a plethora of design options for your labels. Trying to market your product as a high-quality good that’s worth a higher price point? Gold and silver borders and accents can help your packaging look as high-class as your product. Simply want to make your label look really cool. Holographic films can pack a visual punch that can make sure your label gets noticed. Between different foils and engraving possibilities, hot foil stamping offers plenty of potential for your packaging.

An Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey bottle with a hot foil label decoration.

Embossing

How embossing works

The embossing process involves pressing an image into the label material. Custom dies are made with a specific pattern – common embossing patterns highlight individual lettering, borders, and specific decorations. The embossing die is physically pressed into your labels as your label is finished. This process creates an imprint that rises above the rest of the label. Embossing can also be combined with hot foil stamping to create a three-dimensional image that users can both see and feel.

How embossing enhances your label

To start, embossing allows your labels to literally stick out more than before. Embossing adds texture that makes products look more sophisticated than the usual flat surface. Combining the raised surface with hot foil stamping adds some complexity to your design. This look can in turn add some intrigue or help improve the perceived value of your products.

Another major benefit is that embossing changes the tactile experience of your products. Research shows that “packaging that encourage[s] people to touch the product may increase the likelihood that consumers will make a purchase.” By embossing a pattern onto your label, consumers can feel the difference between your packaging and less impressive products.

Upgrade Your Packaging Through Label Decoration

A well-decorated label is an impressive sight for potential customers. The right digital printing company can open your packaging up to new design possibilities. At Blue Label, our experts work with you to uncover new label decoration options like spot varnishes, hot foil stamping, and embossing to enhance your design so that you can wow your consumers.

Ready to improve your packaging through cost-effective label decoration? Contact us today to talk to our team about your next label project.

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What are Can Wraps?

Simply put, a can wrap is a form of covering for beer cans and other similar containers. However, the exact meaning of can wrap can differ depending on the intended use.

For some people, a can wrap is an extra covering used to personalize a can or change the exterior of the can from its original appearance. For others, a can wrap is the main label used for a can. In this case, you have a few different options for your can wraps and tin can labels.

Types of Can Wrap Labels

If you’re looking to brand your products with custom can wraps, there are two main routes you can go: Pressure sensitive labels or shrink sleeves.

Pressure sensitive can wraps

Pressure sensitive labels are comprised of multiple layers that are married together prior to application. These layers include:

Liner – A backing material typically made of paper or plastic film. This liner is the base of the can wrap and is removed to expose the adhesive during application.
Release coat – A special coating applied to the top surface of the liner. This release coat allows the liner to easily peel away from the adhesive layer during application.
Adhesive – The adhesive used to hold the label to your can. There are multiple types of adhesives available for pressure sensitive can wraps.
Face stock – The label material used for the construction of the can wrap that consumers will see. There are many different types of can wrap materials available, including various films and papers.
Top coat – The top layer of your can wrap. This top coat is typically a laminate, a special coating, or some other solution to give the can wrap a finished look and protect it from damage.

Pressure sensitive can wraps are printed and delivered in roll form. These wraps are then applied to your cans when the liner is removed and pressure is applied to form a bond between the label and your container.

Beer cans with a pressure sensitive can wrap.

Shrink sleeve can wraps

Unlike pressure sensitive can wraps, shrink sleeves utilize a special film sleeve to adhere to your cans. These sleeves are shrunk with steam or heat to conform to the shape of your can. The beer can sleeving process offers a few advantages:

360-degree designs
Form fitting sleeves that highlight custom shapes
Extra design protection

A key difference with shrink sleeves is that, as the name implies, they come in sleeves where the ink is printed on the inside of the label instead of on the face stock. This method adds an extra layer of protection for your label design. However, shrink sleeves will need to be pre-distorted to accommodate the shape of your container when your sleeves are shrunk. Shrink sleeves are also more delicate than pressure sensitive can wraps. Both improper handling and excess temperature and humidity can cause distortion.

Beer cans with a shrink sleeve can wrap going through a filling line.

Identify the Right Can Wraps for Your Containers

Whether you want pressure sensitive labels or shrink sleeves, a good can wrap will make a world of difference for your brand. Of course, there are still plenty of steps required to figure out the right solution for your cans. At Blue Label, our experts work directly with your business to identify the right materials, adhesives, and design considerations to protect your containers and beer can wraps and maximize the appeal of your product.

Ready to invest in quality, cost-effective custom beer can wraps for your business? Contact us today to talk about your labeling and label printing needs.