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Red Labels That Inspire: A Gallery of Designs for Red Product Labels

Red is the color of passion, power, and unshakable confidence—and when it’s used on a label, it has the ability to make products pop off the shelves. The color red can make a product feel bold and fiery or rich and refined. In this post, we’re diving into some inspiring examples of red labels that demand attention, connect with customers, and leave a lasting impression.

Cocoa Santé Hot Cocoa

The deep red on the Cocoa Santé Parisien label grabs your attention instantly—it’s bold, luxurious, and exudes warmth and indulgence. It’s the kind of color that makes you feel like you’re about to unwrap something truly special, setting the perfect tone for a Parisian-inspired cocoa experience.

Bake Me Happy Baked Goods

The bright, cheerful red of the Bake Me Happy label is impossible to miss—it’s fun, welcoming, and gives off a sense of homemade joy. Paired with the playful scalloped edge and friendly typography, it’s like the packaging is saying, “Yes, it’s gluten-free, but it’s also packed with pure happiness!”

Baked cookies with custom labels

Iowa Legendary Rye Whiskey

The deep, rich red of the Iowa Legendary Rye label is sophisticated, and gives nod to its storied 100-year history, drawing you into the bootlegger’s era. With its bold typography and intricate golden accents, the design evokes craftsmanship and legacy.

Rye Whiskey Label

Mosinee Brewing Company’s Flashover Imperial Irish Red

The fiery red design of Mosinee Brewing Company’s Flashover Imperial Irish Red cans gives off intensity and energy, echoing the bold, full-bodied flavor inside. The subtle textured pattern adds depth and character, making this can unforgettable.

Roaring Table Brewing’s Inessential Houses IPA

The playful pink palette and charming illustrations on Roaring Table Brewing’s Inessential Houses can make it feel like you’re strolling through a vibrant, whimsical neighborhood. The design is as refreshing and unexpected as the Sour IPA inside.

Land Grant’s Splendid Berry Brut

The bright, playful red and intricate patterns on Land Grant’s Jeni’s Splendid cans mirrors the creativity and sweetness of its collaboration with Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. The design feels like a joyful celebration in a can—inviting, fun, and as delightful as the treat-inspired beer inside.

Watershed Distillery Bourbon

The bold red label on Watershed Distillery’s bourbon strikes the perfect balance between modern simplicity and timeless warmth, drawing attention to its refined craftsmanship. It’s a design that feels right at home at any gathering—inviting, approachable, and as smooth as the bourbon it represents.

North Country Charcuterie

The fiery red labels for North Country Charcuterie’s El Diablo Chorizo demand attention with their bold and spicy energy, channeling the heat-packed flavor inside. The clean typography and rustic packaging create an artisanal charm.

Custom food label for North Country

Stadium Pizza Write Shot Red

The bold red labels for Stadium Pizza’s Wrist Shot Red amber ale hit the mark with their energetic hockey-inspired design. The striking colors and dynamic illustration make this brew feel like a power play for your taste buds, perfect for game day or any day.

Cà Phê Sữa Đá Sang Vietnamese Coffee

The vibrant red label on Sang Vietnamese Coffee’s plant-based can is bold, modern, and full of energy. Paired with the minty green/blue typography, it’s a fresh twist on tradition that grabs your attention and promises a creamy, plant-powered coffee experience.

Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon

The rich, earthy tones of the Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon label evoke elegance and timeless sophistication, capturing the essence of Napa Valley’s craftsmanship. With its delicate script and balanced design, the label feels as refined and complex as the wine itself.

Wine bottle with red label

Big Mountain Ciderworks Cherry Blossom Cider

The Big Mountain Ciderworks Cherry Blossom label features a rich cherry-red background adorned with delicate floral accents that evoke freshness and sophistication. The interplay of bold typography and soft blossom imagery creates a perfect harmony, much like the semi-sweet cider inside.

bottle with custom cider labels

Krayasart Thai snack bites

The vibrant red packaging of Krayasart Thai Snack Bites demands attention with its intricate, mandala-inspired design that radiates energy and cultural authenticity. Perfectly complementing the bold chili-lime peanut flavor, this packaging promises a snack experience that’s as dynamic and exciting as its appearance suggests.

Specialty food packages with custom labels

Nomad Snack Company’s Raw Dark Chocolate Bars

The Nomad Snack Company raw dark chocolate bar packaging is a perfect blend of rustic charm and modern flair. With its kraft paper base and vibrant pink accent, it feels natural and handcrafted, while the copper foil logo adds a luxurious touch.

chocolate box with custom label

Asheville Spice Company All Y’All Spice

The bold orange/red label for Asheville Spice Company’s All Y’All Spice is as vibrant and flavorful as the blend itself, capturing the warmth of southern charm and the zest of its mountain-roasted ingredients. With its playful skillet graphic and hand-drawn typography, this packaging promises an authentic and lively seasoning experience.

Spice Seasoning Jars with Labels

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How to Choose a Craft Beer Label Printing Company in 2024

Finding the perfect labels for your craft beer can be challenging. With so many printing companies to choose from, it can be difficult to identify one that truly understands your unique durability, design, and customization needs. We’ve worked with thousands of breweries and craft beer makers in your position.

Don’t sweat it. This guide is packed with tips to help you identify a printing partner who gets your brand and makes your beer stand out.

We’re covering the essentials: understanding materials and techniques, how to weigh costs, figuring out order sizes, and making sure your labels stay compliant. Plus, you’ll get a cheat sheet of questions to ask printers, making your decision-making process a whole lot smoother.

Cans with custom labels

Understanding Your Custom Beer Label Needs

Successfully choosing a printing partner starts with identifying your goals. Consider the following:

Identifying Your Goals

Start with the end in mind—your goals will likely include brand recognition, cost efficiency, durability, legal compliance, and customer engagement. These will help potential partners understand how to strategically design custom labels aligning to your specific needs. Here are some tips:

Brand Recognition: Share style inspirations or designs to collect feedback.
Cost Efficiency: Provide expected order volumes for advice on printing options that match your budget.
Durability: List product varieties like beers, seltzers, and ciders that require durable wet labels. Communicate the different environments that your product might have to endure.
Legal Compliance: Specify label content needs like government warnings supporting industry compliance (tip: we can help with this).
Customer Engagement: Discuss target demographics and labeling ideas to captivate them.

Decide What’s Most Important

Like any major business decision, it’s important to determine what matters most, whether it’s exceptional customer service, competitive pricing, the ability to create standout labels, conveying your brand story, eco-conscious materials, or a combination of those.

Standout Label Designs: Will custom shapes, special effects like foils or specialty printing techniques be featured? Determine must-have aesthetics.
Storytelling Through Labels: What brand narratives do your labels need to convey? Share themes inspiring designs.
Eco-conscious Practices: Do you require sustainable printing methods and materials? Ask about green production options.
Customer Service: How important is an expert team available for technical support? Assess level of involvement expected.
Printing Cost Factors: Will you print high volumes for cost efficiency or need flexibility for small batch prototyping? Request rate breakdowns.

Comparing capabilities in key areas helps identify ideal printing partners matching must-haves. Weigh whether you will compromise on certain preferences if strengths align well in other dimensions.

Custom bottle label with metallic foil and embossing

Key Considerations in Choosing a Craft Beer Label Printing Company

Choosing the Right Materials

When assessing the quality and materials capabilities of a printing partner, breweries should evaluate factors like durability, material options, and print quality.

The choice of material for your craft beer labels plays a significant role in their overall look, feel, and durability. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:

Water-Resistant Materials: Given the conditions that craft beer bottles and cans are often subjected to, from ice buckets to refrigerators, selecting water-resistant materials is crucial. Options like BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene) and vinyl offer excellent moisture resistance, ensuring your labels remain intact and visually appealing, no matter the environment.
Durability Against Moisture and Cold: It’s not just about water resistance; the material should also withstand cold temperatures without losing its integrity. Materials that can endure these conditions without peeling off or getting damaged are vital for maintaining a pristine look from the brewery to the consumer’s hand.
Aesthetic and Texture Options: Beyond durability, the material of your label affects its aesthetic appeal. Matte, gloss, and satin finishes can dramatically alter the look and feel of your labels. Each finish has its own way of interacting with light and can complement the design of your label to make colors pop or provide a sophisticated understated look.
Eco-friendly Options: With a growing emphasis on sustainability in the craft beer industry, considering eco-friendly label materials can resonate with your target audience’s values. Materials like recycled paper or biodegradable films can significantly reduce your brand’s environmental footprint while maintaining high-quality aesthetics.

Label Sizes and Shapes

Standard label sizes and shapes have evolved, largely influenced by the industry’s most common container types and sizes. For example, a typical beer bottle label might measure around 3.5 inches wide by 4 inches high, offering ample space for branding, artwork, and necessary information without overwhelming the container. Similarly, can labels often wrap entirely around the vessel, providing a 360-degree canvas for design creativity and brand messaging.

However, the “standard” is not one-size-fits-all. Different bottle and can dimensions, such as slim cans or larger bomber bottles, require tailored label sizes to ensure a perfect fit. The key is understanding the dimensions of your specific containers and how much of that space you want your label to cover.

Going Beyond Standard Options: The Case for Customization

While standard labels serve many brands well, the craft beer industry thrives on uniqueness and personality. Custom labels—those that break the mold in terms of size, shape, and application—are becoming increasingly popular for craft brewers looking to differentiate their offerings.

Embracing Unique Shapes: Custom-shaped labels can mirror the contours of unusual bottle or can designs, create visual interest, and enhance shelf appeal. From sleek, minimalist labels that hint at the contents to intricate, die-cut shapes that tell a story, the possibilities are limited only by imagination.
Considering Wraparound Labels: For cans, a full wraparound label maximizes the available design space, allowing for bold, engaging visuals that attract attention from every angle. This approach (often called shrink sleeves) can be particularly effective for limited edition releases or flagship brews that deserve extra emphasis.
Size Matters for Compliance and Clarity: When considering custom sizes and shapes, it’s essential to remember regulatory requirements for labeling alcoholic beverages. Every label must have space for mandatory information, including alcohol content, volume, and manufacturer details, without compromising readability. Balancing creative aspirations with these requirements is key to a successful label design.

Tips for Choosing the Right Label Size and Shape

Start with Your Container: Measure your bottles or cans carefully, considering curves, necks, and any other features that might influence label adhesion and appearance.
Reflect on Your Brand’s Personality: Let your label shape and size be an extension of your brand story. Are you bold and avant-garde, or classic and traditional? Your label can reflect this.
Consult with Design and Printing Experts: Professionals in label design and printing can offer valuable insights into what works well for different types of beers and containers. They can also provide templates or guidelines to help visualize your ideas.
Experiment with Mockups: Before finalizing your design, use digital or paper mock-ups to see how your label will look on the actual container. This step can help identify potential issues with size, shape, or legibility before you commit to printing.

Cost and Scalability

For breweries and craft beer makers, understanding the costs and scalability options of label printing is critical for both startup ventures and established brands. You’ll want to take into account factors such as minimum order quantities, volume discounts, the flexibility of printing across multiple SKUs, and the efficiency of re-ordering processes.

Understanding Pricing Models

Label printing costs can vary widely depending on several factors, including material choices, print techniques, label size and shape, and the complexity of the design.

Most providers use a pricing model that decreases the unit cost as the order quantity increases, rewarding larger orders with better per-label pricing. However, the starting point and scale of these price breaks can differ between providers, making it important to get detailed quotes for various order sizes.

Minimum Order Quantities and Volume Price Breaks

Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs): Many label printing companies set MOQs to ensure profitability. For craft breweries, especially those in the startup phase or with a rotating selection of small-batch brews, finding a provider with low MOQs can be crucial. Understanding a provider’s MOQs will help you determine if they’re a good fit for your production scale.
Volume Price Breaks: Volume discounts are a key consideration when planning your label orders. Providers typically offer price breaks at certain thresholds, which can significantly impact your cost per label. When comparing providers, ask for a detailed breakdown of pricing tiers to understand where these breaks occur and how they align with your anticipated order volumes.

Scalability and Flexibility for Multiple SKUs

Craft breweries often produce a wide range of beers, each requiring its own label design. Some key considerations include:

Flexibility Across SKUs: Look for providers that offer flexibility in aggregating different label designs to qualify for volume discounts. This can be particularly beneficial for breweries that want to print similar designs for multiple SKUs without the need to place large individual orders for each.
Digital Printing Advantages: Digital printing technology offers significant advantages in terms of scalability and flexibility. It allows for cost-effective short runs and easy updates to designs without the need for new plates or setup fees, making it an excellent option for breweries with a wide variety of labels.

Ease of Re-Ordering

The ability to quickly and easily reorder labels as needed is essential for maintaining inventory levels and responding to demand fluctuations. Consider providers that offer streamlined re-ordering processes, possibly through online platforms, which can save time and reduce the time to re-order.

Comparing Prices and Making Informed Decisions

When comparing label printing providers, consider the following steps to ensure you’re making an informed decision:

Request Detailed Quotes: Obtain quotes for various order sizes, including the costs for different materials and print techniques. This information will help you understand the full scope of potential expenses.
Evaluate Total Cost: Look beyond the sticker price to consider other factors like setup fees, design services, shipping costs, and lead times, which can all affect the total cost.
Consider Long-Term Needs: Choose a provider that can scale with your brewery. A company that offers competitive pricing for small orders but also has the capacity to handle larger volumes efficiently can be a valuable partner as your business grows.

Turnaround Time and Reliability

For breweries and craft beer makers, timing can be everything. Whether you’re gearing up for a seasonal release, restocking a bestseller, or launching a new brew, the turnaround time for getting your labels can significantly impact your operations. You’ll want to consider everything from artwork approval to set up, printing, and shipping to help you plan effectively and avoid unexpected delays.

The Components of Turnaround Time

Turnaround time in label printing is influenced by several key stages, each contributing to the total time from placing your order to receiving your labels.

Artwork Approval: The process begins with your design. Once you submit your artwork, the printing company will review it to ensure it meets technical requirements for printing. This stage includes checking the resolution, color specifications, and any potential issues that could affect print quality. Delays can occur if revisions are needed, so submitting artwork that already adheres to the provider’s guidelines can speed up this phase.
Pre-Production and Setup: After artwork approval, the project moves into the pre-production stage. For traditional printing methods, this may involve creating plates or screens, which can slow down the process. Digital printing, on the other hand, typically requires less setup time, making it a faster option for smaller or more time-sensitive orders.
Printing: The actual printing time varies depending on the complexity of your labels, the quantity ordered, and the printing technology used. Digital presses can produce labels relatively quickly, while traditional methods may take longer, especially for large volumes or intricate designs.
Finishing and Quality Checks: Post-printing, labels undergo finishing processes such as cutting, laminating, and possibly applying adhesive. Quality assurance checks are also conducted to ensure the labels meet the brewery’s and the printer’s standards. This stage is crucial for delivering a high-quality product but can add time to the overall process.
Shipping and Delivery: Finally, the completed labels are packed and shipped to your brewery. Shipping time depends on the distance between the printer and your location and the shipping method chosen. While expedited shipping options can reduce wait times, planning for standard shipping times in your overall timeline is wise.

Tips for Optimizing Turnaround Time

Provide Ready-to-Print Artwork: Ensuring your designs meet the printer’s specifications from the start can significantly reduce delays during the artwork approval stage.
Communicate Your Timeline: Be upfront with your printing provider about your schedule. Some companies can accommodate rush orders, but clear communication is key to aligning expectations.
Consider Shipping Logistics: Factor in shipping time when planning your label order timeline, especially if you’re located far from the printer or if the labels are being shipped during busy seasons.

Questions to Ask Potential Beer Label Printing Providers

To ensure you partner with a label printer that meets your needs, here are some questions to guide your selection process, informed by insights from our own label experts.

1. What is your experience with craft beer labels?

Understanding the printer’s experience in the craft beer industry can give you insight into their familiarity with common challenges and specific requirements, such as resistance to moisture and cold, adherence to regulatory labeling standards, and the ability to produce high-quality, eye-catching labels.

2. Can you provide samples of your previous work?

Asking for samples allows you to assess the quality of the printer’s work firsthand. Look for clarity, color accuracy, material quality, and the overall finish. Samples can also inspire your own label designs and help you gauge the printer’s capabilities in delivering the visual impact you aim for.

3. What printing technologies do you use?

Inquire about the printing technologies available, such as digital, offset, or flexographic printing. Digital printing offers more flexibility, producing vibrant colors, detailed designs, and cost-effective short runs without the need for expensive setup fees, making it an ideal choice for breweries.

4. How do you ensure label durability and compliance?

Given the conditions beer bottles and cans must endure, from refrigeration to moisture exposure, it’s crucial to ask about the materials and finishes used to ensure label durability. Additionally, confirm that the printer is knowledgeable about the regulatory requirements for beer labeling to ensure compliance with legal standards.

5. What are your minimum order quantities and volume discounts?

This question is vital for budgeting and planning purposes. Understanding the minimum order requirements and how volume discounts are structured can help you optimize your orders for cost efficiency, especially important for smaller breweries or those with a wide variety of products.

6. How do you handle design and artwork preparation?

Some printers offer in-house design services or assistance in preparing your artwork for printing. Asking about these services can be particularly beneficial if you don’t have a dedicated designer on your team or if you need help ensuring your designs are optimized for printing.

7. What is your turnaround time, and how do you handle rush orders?

Knowing the expected turnaround time helps you plan your label ordering process in sync with your production schedule. It’s also wise to ask about the process for rush orders, should you need labels more quickly than anticipated.

8. Can you accommodate special requests or unique label features?

If you’re interested in unique label features, such as foil stamping, embossing, or using eco-friendly materials, ask if the printer can accommodate these requests. Special features can make your labels stand out but may require additional planning and cost.

Finding the Perfect Beer Label Printing Company

Finding the right custom label printing company for your craft beer involves more than just comparing prices and reviewing samples; it requires a deep dive into understanding each provider’s capabilities, technologies, and commitment to meeting your specific needs.

The right partner will offer the flexibility, expertise, and scalability your brewery needs. Make sure you carefully consider the factors we’ve discussed in this article—material options, cost and scalability, turnaround times, and asking the right questions—and you’ll be equipped to make an informed decision.

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The Ultimate Guide to Clear Barcode Labels for Product Packaging

Lately, there’s been a noticeable shift towards clear barcode labels across various industries. And no, it’s not just about looking good—though they certainly do that. It’s about understanding that many consumers today crave transparency and minimalism in packaging. Clear labels give your product a sleek, modern look that can enhance packaging design rather than overwhelm.

We’re seeing this trend catching on in the food, beverage, and consumer goods industries. Businesses are realizing that clear barcode labels don’t just meet functional needs; they also fit well with modern branding strategies. These labels merge usefulness with sophisticated design, making them a hit with consumers.

Clear barcode labels

Why Choose Clear Barcode Labels?

Clear barcode labels offer a range of benefits, making them an excellent choice for product makers looking for both functionality and visual appeal. Here are some of the key advantages of using clear barcode labels:

Water/Moisture Resistance: Clear barcode labels, particularly those made from polyester or polypropylene, are highly resistant to water and moisture, helping them remain intact and legible even in damp conditions.
Abrasion Resistance: These labels feature abrasion-resistant coatings that protect the printed information from physical wear and tear, making them suitable for environments where they may be subject to scratching or rubbing.
Durability: Using high-quality materials, clear barcode labels can withstand harsh environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures and UV exposure.
Enhanced Product Appearance: Clear barcode labels blend seamlessly with product packaging, maintaining the visual appeal of the product while providing the necessary functionality of a barcode.
Versatility: These labels can be applied to various surfaces and materials, making them suitable for a wide range of products and applications.

Applications and Use Cases

Clear barcode labels are versatile and commonly used across a number of industries and product types. Here are some of the most common use cases:

Food and Beverage: These labels are used on food and beverage products to ensure that packaging remains tamper-evident and safe for consumers.
Retail: Clear barcode labels allow product design to show through, enhancing the overall look while ensuring that barcodes are easily scannable for inventory and sales purposes.
Manufacturing and Industrial Applications: Clear barcode labels are used on equipment and machinery where durability is essential. These labels can withstand harsh environmental conditions, including exposure to chemicals, oil, and extreme temperatures.
Healthcare and Laboratories: In medical and laboratory settings, clear barcode labels are used for labeling vials, test tubes, and other equipment. These labels need to withstand extreme conditions such as cryogenic temperatures and exposure to chemicals.
Warehouse and Logistics: In warehouses, clear barcode labels are used for labeling racks, shelves, and bins. They facilitate easy identification and tracking of products, and their durability ensures they remain intact in high-traffic environments.

Clear Barcode Materials

From bottles to vials, the right material can make all the difference between a barcode that lasts and one that fades faster than a summer tan. Here’s a quick rundown of the best materials for clear barcode labels and why they stand out.

Polypropylene: This synthetic material offers moderate durability with oils, water, and tear resistance, making it ideal for use on products where maintaining packaging aesthetics and protection against abrasion is important.
Polyester: Known for its high durability, polyester is resistant to extreme temperatures, chemicals, water, oil, and abrasion. It is ideal for outdoor applications and industrial equipment.
Vinyl: Durable and weather-resistant, vinyl labels have strong adhesive properties that make them tamper-resistant. They are often used for security tags and products exposed to fluctuating environmental conditions.
Polyethylene: Flexible and resistant to water and chemicals, polyethylene labels are ideal for curved surfaces like bottles or vials in laboratories and healthcare settings, offering durability without compromising flexibility.

Getting Started with Clear Barcode Labels

Thinking about using clear barcodes for your products? Here’s what you need to consider.

Step 1: Research and Needs Assessment

First, determine the specific requirements for your product labels, such as durability, resistance to environmental factors (water, chemicals, abrasion), and the need for tamper evidence. Make sure the features of clear barcode labels align with your needs.

It’s also important to consider industry-specific standards and regulations. This isn’t exclusive to clear labels, but it’s important nonetheless. For example, food, pharmaceutical, and healthcare products will often have more stringent labeling requirements.

Consider the different materials used for clear barcode labels, such as polypropylene, polyester, vinyl, and polyethylene. Each material offers distinct advantages, like durability and resistance to various environmental factors. Read above for more information.

Step 2: Label Design

Use design software like Adobe Illustrator or specialized labeling software to create your label design. Ensure the design includes all necessary elements like barcodes, branding, and regulatory information.

Test different materials to see how they perform with your design. Consider factors like print quality, durability, and readability.

Step 3: Choosing a Label Printing Provider

Look for print partners with experience in producing clear barcode labels. Check their capabilities in handling different materials and printing techniques (e.g., thermal transfer, digital printing).

As with any other partner, request quotes and samples, check references and reviews, and inquire about turnaround times and prices.

Step 4: Production and Implementation

Once you have final approval on the label design and material choice from all stakeholders, you can place your order, making sure to check all specifications and quantities.

Implement a quality assurance process to check the consistency and accuracy of the labels. This may include random sampling and testing for durability, readability, and adhesion.

Wrapping Up

So, there you have it. Clear barcode labels offer versatility, durability, and cost-effectiveness, all while integrating into your packaging and label design.

By using clear barcode labels, you’re not just keeping up with industry standards; you’re positioning your brand as modern, transparent, and committed to quality. Let’s make your products shine with high-quality, clear barcode labels from Blue Label Packaging.

Request samples or a talk to us today to discover the perfect clear label solutions for your product packaging needs.

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4 Tips to Elevate Your Whiskey Bottle Label Design

People aren’t supposed to judge a book by it’s cover, but that doesn’t stop them from judging a whiskey by it’s label. According to a Harris Poll study, a whopping 85 percent of shoppers said that product packaging impacted their purchase decisions. That visual edge is why intriguing packaging is crucial whether you sell your craft spirits in liquor stores, online retailers, and anywhere else people can procure your whiskies.

Simply put, an eye-catching whiskey bottle label is essential for everything from bourbons to wheaters. Let’s break down a few ways that you can elevate your custom whiskey label design so that your spirit catches consumers’ attention.

A bottle of Uncle Nearest with a hot foil stamped whiskey bottle label design.

Material Selection

Paper is a classic choice for a reason. Paper is incredibly versatile and allows you to play with a variety of textures to capture your desired aesthetic. These options include:

Linen
Eggshell
Felt/velvet
Estate
Metalized
Cobblestone
Ever-opaque

No matter the option, paper gives you a base to help you tell your product’s story. Want to position your whiskey as a premium, high-class spirit? A matte-coated paper stock simply oozes with sophistication. Different textures can also give customers a more enjoyable tactile experience – and that’s especially important when touch can help influence buying decisions.

While paper is a traditional choice, there are plenty of films that can help you enhance your label’s look. Clear, metallic, and other specialty films allow you to incorporate the material into your design, whether you want to show off more of your product or add a more modern, flashy element to your packaging. Films also have the added benefit of water resistance, whereas paper will eventually break down.

Font Selection

The words on a whiskey label do a lot more than provide information. The fonts you choose say a lot about how you want customers to perceive that product, so make sure to pick a personality that suits your spirit.

Distilleries are opting to break the mold with more modern fonts like sans serifs or slab serifs. Traditionally, a script font is typically very elegant and sophisticated, whereas a serif font in more traditional and reliable. Those two routes are normal choices for whiskey labels, and for good reason – people naturally equate them as a trusted font for a premium product.

As long as your whiskey is positioned appropriately, this bold approach can give your product a unique aesthetic that let consumers know what type of experience to expect – just make sure that you keep your text legible regardless of your choices.

Color Considerations

Just like fonts, your choice of colors play a pivotal part in showcasing your product’s personality. According to research, 85 percent of shoppers name color as a primary reason for why they buy a particular product. That level of impact makes your color choices extremely important.

Using color psychology can help you influence consumers through your unique whiskey bottles and whiskey label design. For example, the following hues are associated with the following feelings and can help you convey a certain attitude for your target audience.

Red – Bold and passionate
Orange – Energetic and invigorating
Yellow – Joyful and optimistic
Green – Safe and nurturing
Blue – Serious and trustworthy
Purple – Successful and creative
Pink – Youthful and feminine
Brown – Reliable and rugged
White – Clean and pure
Grey – Versatile and mature
Black – Luxurious and elegant

A whiskey label design for Nathan Green 1870.

Label Decoration

When it’s time to take your label to the next level, decoration is your best friend. Some strategic decorations not only turn your whiskey bottles into a visual spectacle, but also add to the perceived value of your product. That extra decorative flair comes in many forms, all of which can enhance your labels in different ways.

Embossing – Create a three-dimensional image by pressing a custom pattern into your label material. The resulting raised surface creates an intriguing design that customers can both see and feel.
Hot foil stamping – Stamp a special design into your label with a specialty foil. This process allows you to create multifaceted compositions through metallic, holographic, matte, and other decorative imprints.
Spot varnish – Coat your entire label or highlight specific parts of your design with a protective liquid coating that cures and dries in a variety of different forms, including matte, gloss, or soft touch.
High-build silk screen – Finish your design with a special ink layer that adds a stunning glossy pattern that raises above the rest of your design.

Communicate Quality Through Your Whiskey Bottle Label Design

Let’s face it – whiskey drinkers aren’t lacking for options. That’s why it’s absolutely essential that your whiskey label design not only attracts attention, but looks as good as what’s in your bottles. That need for premium packaging is why Blue Label works with craft distilleries to print professional-quality eye-catching labels that elevate your branding and communicate the quality and character of your whiskey.

Ready to make your custom whiskey label design a reality? Contact us today to get the stunning labels and unmatched customer service your distillery deserves.

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4 Ways Labels Improve Consumer Perception of Product Quality

It’s no surprise that the typical consumer is looking to high quality products. The problem is that you don’t have a lot of time to make an impression. Customers take an average of 13 seconds to make a purchase decision, so it’s essential to make sure your goods stand out compared to competing products.

Fortunately, a good product label makes a direct impact on how potential customers view your products. Here are four ways that your labels can improve the perceived quality of your products.

Mind the Materials

Think of your label material as your product’s coat – an attractive topcoat is going to exude more class and luxury than a basic windbreaker. Your choice of label material makes a direct impact in how consumers perceive your product. If you’re aiming to convey the quality of your product, you’ll want to match your product with the right material.

Of course, the right type of “quality” material depends greatly on your product. Some product need to look expensive to present themselves as quality goods, which is why textured and matte-coated paper stocks are excellent choices for wine labels and other products that need to radiate elegance. Meanwhile, a shrink sleeve can create a very professional, 360-degree look that appears very official and clean.

Simply put, your material needs to both look good and match the vibe of your product. By combining those factors, your labels will be set up for a great introduction for customers seeking quality products.

A slection of Me Care products with quality labels.

Color Them Impressed

The right color can help sway consumers to your side. More than 90% of buying decisions are impacted by visual factors. What’s more is that different color choices impact how people perceive your products. By utilizing certain colors in your label design, you can present your product in the right light.

Of course, there are always exceptions based on your particular product and your intended audience. Different genders have varying color preferences, so purple packaging tends to be more effective for women, while men gravitate toward striking black labels. You’ll want to tailor your color choices to your brand, market, and audience, but the right combinations can help you communicate quality before people ever touch your product.

Elevate Your Packaging Through Decoration

A little decoration goes a long way toward people’s perception of product quality. Remember that coat analogy earlier? Decorations are the little touches that enhance your look – tailoring, embroidering, etc. Decorative additions can completely overhaul how people view your product, which is why the following capabilities can help showcase product quality.

Each of these processes allow you to add new, intriguing elements to the look and feel of your label. An embossed pattern or soft touch varnish give customers a different tactile experience. Stamping metallic, holographic, and other foils add a new dimension that takes your packaging to a new level. Adding these extra details takes your packaging beyond that of a simple, boring label. That extra attention to detail isn’t lost on customers.

Eliminate Label Damage and Application Issues

Even the best labels can be derailed by a simple defect. It’s hard to convey quality you’re your label is damaged or has visible application issues. It’s like that proverbial coat we keep mentioning – a visible tear is going to overshadow even the snazziest jacket.

There are a few measures that companies can take to prevent label damage and defects. Print protection plays a pivotal part in proactively protecting product labels. No matter what type of product you sell, any form of friction could damage your design. Add in potential threats like water, oil, and other substances make print protection essential for defending your product labels.

As for application issues like air bubbles, wrinkles, and more, it’s important to work with your label printing and applicating partners to identify potential issues ahead of time. There are plenty of potential reasons for label application defects, so you’ll want to address the following factors.

The container – Your container’s dimensions and surface can lead to issues. For example, you may need to properly taper your label or use a specific adhesive for different types of containers.
The applicating environment – Factors like temperature, moisture, and potential contamination can all dictate which materials and adhesives will best help you avoid application issues.
Liner issues – Different applicators are built for paper or clear liners, so you’ll need to identify which is best suited for your process.
Improper storage – It’s best to store labels in a temperature controlled environment based on your specific label. This is especially true for shrink sleeves, as they are more susceptible to potential damage prior to application.

A trio of stunning bottle labels that convery the perception of product quality.

Showcase the Quality of Your Products with Stunning Labels

The right label makes a direct impact on driving consumer behavior, but it takes a good printing partner to turn your designs into a reality. Blue Label combines state-of-the-art digital printing technology with unmatched customer service to enhance your labels and showcase the quality customers want to see in their products.

Want to elevate your product packaging? Contact us today to get the stunning labels and unmatched customer service your products deserve.

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Anatomy of a Cannabis Label: Cannabis Labeling Requirements

Cannabis regulation is a complex, so it’s no surprise that navigating cannabis labeling requirements is a tricky process. Noncompliance can lead to penalties ranging from fines and recalls to losing licenses or even your entire business, so proper labeling is a must for any growing cannabis company.

The cannabis industry is subject to a variety of packaging requirements, not to mention the ongoing challenge of creating designs that attract customers. Let’s break down the different parts of a cannabis label and how they impact your packaging and labeling.

Four e-juice bottles that follow proper cannabis labeling requirements.

What is Required on Cannabis Product Labels?

There are a variety of elements that are required on a cannabis label. In general, these elements must be displayed on one of the following parts of your label.

Primary label/primary display panel – The product label that is placed in a prominent position on the front or top of a product.
Information panel/secondary label – A supplementary label located on the back or sides of a container. This label can either be a separate label or connected to the primary label.

Brand name

What is it? – The name of who made the product. This brand name is typically paired with a brand logo.

Where should it go? – Brand elements are typically located on the primary panel.

Statement of identity

What is it? – A generic indicator of the product, such as gummies, oils, or creams. The statement should clearly identify exactly what your product is for consumers.

Where should it go? – The primary panel.

Net contents

What is it? – A measurement of the net weight of your product. Net contents should be expressed in terms of weight, numerical count, or a combination of the two. Weight should use both metric and U.S. Customary System units and be listed with the words “Net Weight.”

Where should it go? – Net contents should be listed on the bottom 30% of the primary panel and be parallel to the base of the container.

Supplement and nutrition facts

What is it? – Any product intended for consumption requires a facts panel detailing pertinent information. These details include serving sizes, daily value percentages, nutrients, and calories.

Where should it go? – Nutrition facts should be placed on the primary panel. However, it is acceptable to place nutrition facts on any visible alternate label for packages with insufficient area on the primary panel.

Ingredients list or panel

What is it? – Any edible or topical cannabis products should include a list of ingredients used in the product. The ingredient list should name each ingredient in descending order of predominance.

Where should it go? – Ingredients information can be placed on either the primary display panel or the information panel. The FDA also stipulates that the type size for ingredients listings be at least 1/16 inch in height based on the lower case “o,” as well as prominent, conspicuous, and easy to read.

Applicable warnings

What are they? – Cannabis products are generally required to include different visible warnings for consumers. The exact warnings vary by state, but can include the following.

Habit forming
Impaired abilities
Age restrictions
Health risks
Resale and transfer restrictions
Medical use only
Not for children
Schedule I controlled substance

Where should they go? – The exact placement and type requirements can vary, so check your local laws for specifics.

Manufacturer information

What is it? – The name and contact information of the manufacturer of the product.

Where should it go? – The information panel or any supplemental label.

Amount, strain, and batch or lot number

What are they? – Information detailing how much cannabis is in the product, what strain was used, and the batch or lot number used for testing and tracking cannabis.

Where should they go? – This information should typically be included on the informational label and not on any other form of supplementary label, depending on the state.

Applicable dates

What are they? – The various dates associated with cultivation, manufacturing, sell by, and expiration/best.

Where should they go? – Dates can go on any part of the label not preoccupied with other elements.

“Cannabis infused” statement

What is it? – A description attached to labels for edible products.

Where should it go? – On the primary panel for any products meant to be ingested.

An e-liquid product with an attractive cannabis package design.

Are There Restrictions to Cannabis Package Designs?

In addition to all the various required and optional label elements, cannabis product packaging has to abide by some other rules. The exact rules vary by state, but the following requirements are common for cannabis packaging.

Child-resistant packaging – Containers must be difficult for children to open (exact age can vary).
Tamper-evident seals – It should be clearly visible if package has been opened prior to sale.
Resealing – Packaging with more than one serving should be able to reseal after use.
Opaque packaging – Any edible cannabis products must be in an opaque package that doesn’t allow consumers to see the contained product.

There are also special design restrictions that impact the look of your label and overall package. The FDA and other organizations don’t want certain types of businesses marketing products to children. For example, the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent letters to e-juice and e-cigarette companies back in 2018 warning them against using packaging that “cause[s] [products] to resemble kid-friendly food products, such as juice boxes, candy or cookies, some of them with cartoon-like imagery.”

Those same rules apply to cannabis products, although “marketing to children” is unfortunately vague and subjective at times. To start, cannabis labels and containers should resemble any commercially available snack, drinks, or other products – the word “candy” and other versions of that word are completely disallowed. Cannabis packaging also shouldn’t include any cartoons or other imagery that typically appeal to children.

Dress Your Cannabis Products for Success

Between branding and cannabis labeling requirements, investing in quality packaging is both complicated and essential. That’s why Blue Label Packaging Co. strives to simplify your search for the perfect eye-catching labels.

Compliance requirements don’t mean you need to limit your label design possibilities. Our experts work directly with you to identify the perfect label materials, decorations, and other opportunities to enhance your designs and showcase your brand. Contact us today to invest in the perfect labels for you cannabis products.

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5 Product Label Design Tips to Elevate Your Packaging

Coming up with the perfect label design is a challenge in itself. When it comes to designing a product label, there are things to consider that, perhaps, not just any designer can do. Let’s break down a five notable design tips that can help you take your packaging to the next level.

Product Label Design Should Be Honest

A colorful product label design for Hotel Tango vodka.

Any designer might default to trying to depict a product in its most desirable and flawless state, but an experienced product label designer knows that it’s essential to honestly represent a product. Your design is supposed to tell your product’s story, not fabricate a misleading fable.

The imagery and messaging on your label should be, to the best of your ability, an accurate representation of what consumers will find inside of the packaging. This need for honesty is especially true when design food labels or any other products people will consume or use for their body. You know your product best, so make sure your design properly represents what you sell and how it should make customers feel.

If you still think this a little deception is fine, just consider what can happen. Even if your label gets someone to buy your product once, that individual will quickly snuff out that your packaging design wasn’t quite so honest about its contents. That one-and-done customer won’t be giving you any more money. What’s worse is that a slighted consumer may tell others that your product is misleading.

That scenario represents quite an unfortunate spiral thanks to a misleading packaging label design. That’s why we suggest being as transparent with your packaging design – and we’re talking about more than just clear labels. You make a good product, so make sure your packaging properly represents your work.

Product Label Design Must Take Legalities into Account

It’s okay to push boundaries with your design, but your label must follow any applicable federal or state regulations. Several products are regulated by various government entities, so there’s a good chance some organization will have a say in what you include in your design.

For example, the Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act requires that alcoholic beverages carry a government warning, among other things, telling pregnant women of the effects of drinking, and regular consumers of the health risks. The penalties for violating this act can be a fine in the tens of thousands of dollars. As such, you’ll want you brush up on your Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulations to make sure your design is up to date with legal standards.

Beer is far from the only product that needs to incorporate legal guidelines into its packaging label design. Wine labels, spirit labels, food labels, health and beauty labels, and so many more all carry some sort of legal requirement to communicate ingredients, warnings, or risks with consumers.

Your Product’s Design Has to Fly Off Shelves

There’s always competition. Regardless of which product is being designed for, it must exist on a shelf, in an online store, or somewhere else with all of its rivals. That’s no small task while still staying true to the product, the brand, and labeling regulations. Still there are ways that your design can keep a unique quality that differentiates it from its shelf-neighbors.

Use different font types to evoke specific emotions and quickly portray your product and brand’s personality.
90 percent of information transmitted to the brain is visual, so incorporate imagery to your product label design can help it get noticed.
Utilize color psychology and contrasts to develop a striking color palette that evokes certain moods and feelings and competitively positions your product in a visual market.
Enhance your design in cool, creative ways with embossing, hot foil stamping, and other label decorations that turn your product into a visual spectacle.
Build in white space to embrace minimalism or space out certain aspects of your design to make them more legible.

Those are just some of the ways that you can amp up your label design, and there are so many opportunities to outshine your competitors. Need some inspiration? Check out some of our favorite examples of outstanding labels here.

Product Packaging Should be Extensible

A good product label design shouldn’t focus on the present alone. It’s important to keep your label design open to variation for future product extensions as well. No matter your industry, your design should be flexible enough to accommodate expansion into several subsets if that’s a possibility in the future.

One way to prepare for multiple SKUs is to create a templated design. This approach will help you maintain an instantly recognizable identity while giving you to adapt specific details for individual products. You’ll also need to account for one of the least flashy elements of a label – the barcode. Barcodes and UPCs are important for any product, but you’ll need to keep track of each UPC to avoid duplication of numbers for different SKUs.

Product Label Design Must Speak to Digital Printing Machinery

Digital label printing equipment for printing product label designs.

A great custom label design is just the first step toward stellar packaging. Somebody needs to take that design and turn it into a real, eye-catching product label. That’s where the right label printing company comes into play.

At Blue Label, we use state-of-the-art digital printing technology to make the most out of your design. We can combine the quality, scalability, and cost-savings of digital printing with flexographic finishing capabilities to help you enhance your product label design so that you can attract attention. Our experts work directly with you to identify new opportunities and address potential issues throughout the process so that you invest in the best, most cost-effective labels for your company.

Ready for a design and printing process that can’t be beat? No matter the size or budget of your project, we can make the process work for you. Browse our directory of Blue Label Approved Label Designers to find the perfect professional designer for you. Already have a design ready? Contact us when it’s time to work on your next label project.

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How to Get a Barcode, UPC, and QR Code for a Product Label

⚞ The Highlights:

A UPC is the unique number that identifies your product. The barcode is the scannable image of that number. A QR code is a separate 2D code, usually for marketing.
The official way to get a UPC is to license a company prefix from GS1, the global standards body that issues them. Major retailers and Amazon Brand Registry expect GS1 barcodes.
Reseller barcodes are cheaper and have no annual fee, but they aren’t registered to your brand and can be rejected by big retailers. They fit some situations and not others.
QR codes are free to generate. Static ones are fixed forever; dynamic ones can be edited and tracked, but need a service to host them.
Getting the number is the easy part. The detail that trips brands up is printing a barcode that actually scans, which comes down to size, quiet zones, color, and finish.

Getting a barcode for your product comes down to three separate things: a UPC (the unique number that identifies your product), the barcode (the scannable image of that number), and, if you want one, a QR code for marketing. You get the UPC by licensing a company prefix from GS1, the barcode image comes with it, and QR codes you can generate for free. The part most brands underestimate is the last step, making sure the printed barcode actually scans.

We print labels with barcodes and QR codes on them every day, so we see both ends of this: getting the codes, and getting them to scan on a real label. Here’s how to do both. One note: barcode pricing and platform rules change, so treat the numbers below as a starting point and confirm current details with GS1 or the retailer you’re selling into.

UPC, barcode, QR code: what’s the difference?

These three terms get used interchangeably, but they’re different things. Sorting them out first makes the rest of the process a lot clearer.

	UPC	Barcode	QR code
What it is	A unique 12-digit product number	The scannable image of a number like a UPC	A 2D square code that holds more data
Format	Numbers only	1D lines and spaces	2D grid of squares
Main use	Identifying a product at retail	Checkout and inventory scanning	Linking to a website, promo, or info
Where you get it	GS1 (or a reseller)	Comes with your UPC license	Free online generator

What is a UPC?

A UPC (Universal Product Code) is the 12-digit number that uniquely identifies a specific product. Every version of a product, each size, flavor, or color, gets its own UPC. It’s what a retailer’s system reads to pull up the right item and price at checkout.

What is a barcode?

A barcode is the machine-readable image, the pattern of black bars and white spaces, that encodes a number like a UPC. When people say they “need a barcode,” they usually mean they need both the UPC number and the printed image of it. The most common retail barcode in the U.S. is UPC-A.

What is a QR code?

A QR code is a two-dimensional code, a grid of small squares, that can hold much more information than a barcode, up to thousands of characters. Instead of identifying a product at checkout, QR codes usually send a shopper somewhere: a website, a promotion, a how-to video, or product details. They’re a marketing tool, not a retail requirement.

Product labels with UPC barcodes.

How do you get a UPC barcode?

The official route is GS1, but it isn’t the only route, and which one is right depends on where you’re selling. Here’s how to decide.

Get it from GS1 (the official route)

GS1 is the global nonprofit that manages the UPC system. You license a GS1 Company Prefix, which becomes the front portion of every UPC you create. You then assign the rest of the digits to your individual products, and the system calculates a final check digit to complete each 12-digit code. Because the prefix is registered to your business in the GS1 database, retailers can verify that the code genuinely belongs to you. You can get started at GS1 US.

How much does a GS1 barcode cost?

GS1 pricing depends on how many barcodes you need. A single GTIN (one barcode) is a one-time $30 with no annual renewal. A GS1 Company Prefix, which makes sense once you need several codes, starts at $250 up front plus a $50 annual renewal for up to 10 products, and scales from there (100 products runs $750 up front plus $150 a year). GS1 updates its pricing periodically, so check their site for the current numbers before you budget.

GS1 vs. reseller barcodes: which should you use?

You’ll also find companies selling individual barcodes for a few dollars with no annual fee. These are usually numbers from older GS1 prefixes issued before 2002, resold to many buyers. They can work, but there are real trade-offs.

	GS1 barcode	Reseller barcode
Cost	Higher, with an annual fee	Low, usually one-time
Registered to your brand	Yes, in the GS1 database	No, shows the original prefix owner
Major retailer acceptance	Widely accepted	Often rejected by large chains
Amazon Brand Registry	Required	Not accepted
Best for	Brands headed to retail or Amazon at scale	Small runs, internal use, some online marketplaces

Do you even need a barcode?

Maybe not yet. If you’re selling direct from your own website or at a market, you can hold off on a barcode for now. You need one once you sell through retailers or distributors that scan products, and most major chains (and Amazon Brand Registry) specifically want GS1-registered codes. If retail is the plan, going straight to GS1 saves you from re-labeling later.

A breakdown of UPC numbers and how to get a barcode.

Ready to put a barcode on your label?

We print product labels with barcodes and QR codes that scan the first time. Send us your code and artwork, and we’ll make sure it’s sized, spaced, and printed to scan cleanly.
Request a Quote Get a Sample Pack

How do you get the barcode image?

Once you have your UPC number, you need the printable barcode image to put on your label.

From the GS1 Data Hub

When you license a prefix and create your product codes, GS1 provides tools (the GS1 US Data Hub) to generate the barcode images that match your numbers. You can download those images and hand them to your designer or printer. If you bought a reseller code, the seller typically provides the barcode image file too.

Barcode types you might run into

UPC-A. The standard 12-digit retail barcode in the U.S. and Canada. This is what most products use.
EAN-13. The 13-digit international equivalent, common outside North America.
UPC-E. A compressed 8-digit version for very small packages where a full UPC-A won’t fit.
Code 128. A denser barcode used more for shipping, cases, and internal tracking than for retail checkout.

How do you get a QR code?

QR codes are the easy one. You don’t register them with anyone. A free online QR code generator turns a link or text into a downloadable QR image in seconds. The choice worth thinking about is static versus dynamic.

Static vs. dynamic QR codes

A static QR code is fixed. The link is baked in and can’t be changed once it’s printed, and it’s free forever. A dynamic QR code points to a short redirect you control, so you can change the destination later and track scans, but it usually requires a paid service to host and manage. If the QR code sends people to a page you might update, or you want scan data, dynamic is worth it. For a link that will never change, static is fine.

What to put behind a QR code

The best QR codes give the shopper a reason to scan: a how-to video, your brand story, a recipe, loyalty signup, lab results, or a promotion. A QR code that just opens your homepage rarely gets used. Give it a clear payoff and a short label telling people what they’ll get.

How to prepare barcodes and QR codes for your label

This is the step that gets skipped, and it’s the one we spend the most time on with customers. A barcode that looks fine on screen can still fail at the register if it’s printed too small, too tight to other elements, in the wrong colors, or on the wrong finish. Here’s how to avoid a code that won’t scan.

Why do barcodes fail to scan?

A barcode fails when the scanner can’t cleanly read the contrast between bars and spaces. That usually comes from one of four things: the code is too small, there isn’t enough blank space around it, the colors don’t contrast enough, or a shiny finish or curve is bouncing the scanner’s light. Each one is preventable if you catch it before the run.

Size and quiet zones

A UPC-A barcode has a nominal size (roughly 1.5 inches wide by 1 inch tall) and can be scaled within a range, commonly about 80% to 200% of nominal. Go too small and the bars blur together. Just as important is the quiet zone, the blank margin on each side of the barcode. UPC barcodes need a clear margin (a rough rule of thumb is at least an eighth of an inch, or the width of about ten bars, on each end). Crowd the barcode with other artwork and the scanner loses the edges.

Color and contrast rules

Dark bars, light background. Black bars on a white background is the safest choice. High contrast is what the scanner reads.
Avoid red and warm tones for the bars. Many scanners use red light, which can’t “see” red, orange, or similar warm-colored bars. They can read as blank.
Skip busy or dark backgrounds behind the code. A patterned or dark background kills the contrast the scanner needs.

Material and finish gotchas

The label itself can defeat a good barcode. Highly reflective finishes, like a glossy laminate or a metallic or foil material directly under the code, can bounce a scanner’s light and cause misreads. Clear labels can leave a barcode without the light background it needs. And on tightly curved containers or across a shrink-sleeve seam, a barcode can distort enough to fail. The safe move is to give the barcode a flat, matte, light area to live on.

Always verify before the full run

Before you print thousands of labels, confirm the barcode scans on the actual material and finish, not just on screen. A quick scan test (or a formal barcode verification) on a proof catches problems while they’re cheap to fix. This is exactly the kind of thing we check on a proof so a scanning issue never reaches your full run.

Pro tip: Give your printer the vector barcode file (or the exact number and barcode type, like UPC-A), not a low-resolution screenshot. A barcode pulled from a fuzzy image or resized as a photo can lose the crisp edges scanners depend on. Clean vector art scales and prints reliably.

Getting your codes onto a label that scans

The path is straightforward: license a UPC from GS1 (or decide a reseller code fits your situation), download the barcode image, generate a QR code if you want one, then, most importantly, print them so they scan. That last step is where a printer who knows barcodes earns their keep.

That’s the part we handle for brands every day. Send us your barcode and QR files with your artwork and we’ll size, space, and print them to scan cleanly on your material. Request a sample pack to see our materials and finishes, or get in touch and we’ll help you get your labels print-ready.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a UPC, a barcode, and a QR code?

A UPC is the unique 12-digit number that identifies a product. A barcode is the scannable image of that number, the pattern of bars and spaces read at checkout. A QR code is a separate two-dimensional code that holds much more data and is usually used for marketing, like linking to a website or promotion, rather than retail checkout.

How do you get a UPC barcode for a product?

The official way is to license a GS1 Company Prefix from GS1, the global body that manages the UPC system. The prefix becomes the front of every UPC you create, you assign the remaining digits to each product, and GS1 provides the matching barcode images through its Data Hub. Because the prefix is registered to your business, retailers can verify the code belongs to you.

How much does a barcode cost?

Through GS1, a single barcode (GTIN) is a one-time $30 with no annual renewal. A GS1 Company Prefix covering up to 10 products is $250 up front plus a $50 annual renewal, and larger tiers scale from there (100 products is $750 plus $150 a year). Reseller barcodes cost only a few dollars with no annual fee, but they aren’t registered to your brand. GS1 pricing changes, so confirm current rates on their site.

Should I buy a GS1 barcode or a reseller barcode?

Use GS1 if you’re selling through major retailers or Amazon Brand Registry, which require GS1-registered codes. Reseller barcodes are cheaper and have no annual fee, but they aren’t registered to your brand and are often rejected by large chains. They can work for small runs, internal use, or some online marketplaces.

How do you get a QR code for a product?

QR codes are free to generate. A QR code generator turns a link or text into a downloadable image, with no registration needed. A static QR code is fixed and free forever; a dynamic QR code can be edited and tracked later but usually requires a paid service. Give the code a clear payoff, like a video or promotion, so people have a reason to scan.

Why does my barcode fail to scan?

Barcodes usually fail because they’re printed too small, lack enough blank quiet-zone space around them, use low-contrast colors (dark bars on a light background scan best, and red bars often fail), or sit on a reflective or curved surface. Keeping the barcode at an adequate size with clear margins, high contrast, and a flat matte light area fixes most scanning problems.

What size does a UPC barcode need to be?

A UPC-A barcode has a nominal size of roughly 1.5 inches wide by 1 inch tall and can typically be scaled between about 80% and 200% of nominal. It also needs a quiet zone, a clear margin on each side, of roughly an eighth of an inch. Shrinking it below the minimum or crowding it with artwork can cause scan failures.

Ready to print a label that scans?

Once you have your UPC, barcode image, and any QR code, we’ll get them onto a label that scans cleanly the first time. Request a sample pack to see our materials, or get in touch and send us your files.

More on barcodes, QR codes, and print-ready labels:

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Holographic Labels: 4 Design Tips for Stunning Product Labels

When you have seconds to command consumers’ attention, holographic labels give you the means to keep all eyes on your products.

Holographic label materials are an increasingly popular packaging choice for good reason – these shimmering substrates add a whole new dimension for craft beer, specialty foods, and any other products in need of a visual spark. Let’s break down what goes into a holographic label and what you can do to get the most out of your packaging.

What are Holographic Labels?

The name “holographic label” comes from the iridescent effect these labels have on your packaging. The iridescent labels are made with a special film that creates a rainbow-like effect that allows your design to shimmer. Ink is printed on this holographic label material and protected with a laminate to protect your design. This helps protect your labels from scuffs, water, and any other potential hazards.

It’s also important to note that there’s a difference between holographic labels and hologram stickers. A security hologram is a sticker made with serial numbers or logos. Hologram labels are hard to counterfeit, so brands can use them to show authenticity and ensure original product protection. Holographic labels simply refers to the holographic effect of the material that the artwork is printed onto.

A six pack made with holographic labels.

Holographic Label Design Tips

A good holographic label is a great way to attract attention. However, these materials can pose some potential design challenges that can impact the overall look of your label. Here are some key considerations to help you make your holographic labels captivate your customers.

Give the holographic label material room to shine

When you have something as stunning as a holographic label material, it’s important to think about empty space. Empty spaces on your label design allow the holographic effect to shine through without any obstruction from ink or other printed elements.

That empty space could be the entirety of your label that’s not covered in printed details like your logo and text – that’s certainly one way to create a stunning effect from all sides of your container. Empty spaces within design elements can also allow certain aspects of your design to pop out to customers. Both routes will certainly attract attention, so just make sure you give the label material the space it needs to show its magic.

Avoid additional gradients

While color transitions are visually appealing, there can be too much of a good thing. Holographic label materials already add that color-shifting rainbow effect to your packaging. Adding a gradient will only jumble up the color transitions of your label even further.

Use white ink to block out the holographic effect where needed

While that holographic sheen is certainly stunning, there are some elements that need to stand out on their own. Certain label inks are translucent enough that the holographic effect can show through details like text or logos if you’re not careful. As such, you’ll need to take measures to block out that effect for any areas that should be opaque.

If you need to block out the holographic effects, have your printer lay down white ink to create opacity on holographic substrates. You’ll need to include a specific layer called a white file in the art file to lay out exactly where this white ink should go. If you need more information on how to go about this process, check out our post on white file best practices.

Pair holographic label materials with the right laminates and varnishes

The last thing you want to do after investing in gorgeous holographic labels is to cover up what makes them special. Laminates and varnishes play an important role in both print protection and the overall aesthetic appeal of your product labels. However, certain laminates and varnishes are better suited for holographic labels than others.

Glossy laminates and varnishes are generally the best options for holographic label materials. The reason for this is simple – matte finishes will end up dulling the holographic effect. A glossy laminate or varnish will not only allow the holographic material to completely shine through, but also protect your ink from scratches, scuffs, and other hazards.

A trio of beer cans with holographic labels.

Invest in the Best Holographic Labels for Your Products

Holographic labels can add plenty of glitz and glam to your packaging whether you need a stunning can wrap or some other product label. Of course, you’ll need to work with the right label printing company to make sure you get the best, most cost-effective labels for your exact needs.

At Blue Label, we strive to do more than simply print labels. We work with you from start to finish to guide you through the printing process. From assisting with identifying the perfect holographic material to double checking your art files, we put in the time to understand your needs and add value along the way. Contact us today to talk to one of our experts about holographic, eye-catching labels for your products.

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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.