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The Anatomy of a Wine Label: Everything You Need to Include on the Bottle

Wine labeling printing can be as complex as the contents inside their containers. In addition to looking good, these labels must provide a lot of information for both intrigued customers and government entities. There is a lot to know about a bottle of wine, and it’s the label’s job to communicate that to the consumer.

As we recently discussed, the use of “wine labels” dates all the way back to ancient Egypt, with seals and etchings put in place to improve trade. Over centuries, the practice has evolved a great deal. Now there are federal rules and regulations to obey. Some information is mandatory, and some is nice to have, but everything on your wine labels is meant to properly reflect the quality of the contents within.

From crucial details like the brand, year, and region to more fun facts like flavor notes and pairing suggestions, your label is a story with a designated hierarchy to help you tell the tale. All the while, it’s important to keep in mind that the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulates a lot of what details are required and how you list them. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to include on wine labels – and some guidance on how you should present these wine labeling requirements.

What Information is Included on Wine Labels?

What needs to be included on a wine bottle label?

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Brand Name

Who made the wine? The winery’s branding will usually appear at the top or bottom of the label (like many French wine labels).

Fanciful Name

What’s the name for this specific wine? While not mandatory, it’s not uncommon for wine labels to feature a secondary name to differentiate separate brands within the same winery.

Brengman Brothers’ “Runaway Hen” is an example of a fanciful name of one of the wine brands they have produced. Keep in mind that fanciful names do not replace the need for a class and designation type. When a fanciful name is used, the TTB requires an additional tax class on the label based on the percentage of alcohol. For example, “red table wine” or “white table wine” are required for wines under 14 percent alcohol, while “red wine” or “white wine” is required for wines above 14 percent alcohol.

Vintage (Year)

When were the grapes harvested? This wine information, while not mandatory, is common among wine labels as it speaks to the quality of the bottle’s contents, especially if you’re up on your vintage variations.

Wine or Varietal Type

As you may have guessed, what kind of wine is in your bottle? This is where the grape or varietal type is communicated, e.g., Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, etc. It’s required for wines to list a type on the label. In addition, wines that call out a specific varietal name must derive at least 75 percent of the product from the specified grape. Otherwise, the label should have a generic name like “red wine” or something similar.

Appellation (Region)

Where was the wine made? The region of origin breaks down in a few different ways, and there are rules that apply to listing geographic information on wine labels. If a state or county is named, it is federal law that at least 75 percent of the grapes used in production come from said location. If an AVA is cited (an American viticultural area, e.g., Napa Valley), the law states that at least 85 percent of the grapes must come from said area. Certain states also have their own regional laws. For example, California law mandates that 100 percent of the grapes must come from California if the state is named on the bottle.

Producer & Bottler

Where was your product made and bottled? If this location differs from the winery or vineyard, you must print both the name and address of this location on the label.

Alcohol Content

What is the percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV)? Unless it can be deduced from its class (e.g., table wine suggests an ABV of 14 percent or less), this number is required on every label.

Net Contents

How much wine is in the bottle? Whether it’s printed on the label or blown into the glass, this number (expressed in milliliters) must be present on every bottle.

Sulfite Warning

Does this wine have more than 10 parts per million of sulfur dioxide or more? If so, your label must bear a warning that says “CONTAINS SULFITES.”

Government Warning (Most often on the back label)

The Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act (November, 1988) requires that every label of an alcoholic beverage bare a specific government warning that states:

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.”

Additional Wine Label Information

Additional messaging may appear on the back label, such as pairing suggestions, flavor notes, and possibly some history on the winery or vineyard. These fun facts are not mandatory, but can serve as helpful hints for thirsty wine enthusiast. You could even include serving facts if you want, although the TTB doesn’t require them for wine labels. Extra details or information can add to the way people perceive our products, so don’t be afraid to add something if it makes sense for your brand.

A TTB compliant wine label featuring necessary legal information.

Materials Matter: Choosing the Right Material for Your Wine Bottle Label

When it comes to wine labels, there are a lot of options to consider beyond just paper. The materials used can impact the look, feel, and durability of the label. Paper is a classic choice that offers a range of appearances from smooth to textured. Textured papers give labels a nice vintage, artisanal vibe. Smooth papers convey a cleaner, more modern look.

Another key decision is the coating or finish. Glossy varnishes make the colors vibrant and eye-catching. Satin or matte finishes have a more subtle, soft aesthetic. If the wine will be stored in damp environments like a cellar, extra durable laminate coatings can be applied to protect against moisture damage. 

The right materials can enhance the wine branding and convey the desired feeling. This is a good opportunity to get sample labels with different papers and finishes to see what works best for your particular wine.

Wine label gallery

Wine Bottle Design Considerations

When designing your wine bottle labels, it’s important to think about the actual dimensions and shape of the label. Wine bottles come in standard shapes like Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne style, as well as unique custom shapes like  asymmetrical hand-blown bottles.

Wine bottle shapes

The label shape can mirror the bottle or go for something distinctive like a diamond or circle. Blue Label can print any shape you can dream up. Just be sure to consider the actual label size needed to fit that area of the bottle.

At Blue Label, our preferred label artwork file is a Adobe Illustrator file or high-resolution PDF. This allows our team to verify label dimensions. You’ll get a proof via email, and we’ll make sure your artwork translates smoothly into the printing process.

When planning your designs, each bottle type has standard label sizes and shapes for each bottle dimensions:

  • 750ml Burgundy: 3.5″ x 4.5″
  • 750ml Bordeaux: 4″ x 6″ or 4″ x 4″
  • 750ml Champagne: 4″ x 4″

With the endless variety of wine bottle shapes and sizes, custom tailored labels make a big impact.

Make Your Wine Labels Stand Out from the Crowd

Now that you’ve got the crucial wine bottle info down, it’s time to add the touches that will make it pop off the shelf. Blue Label Packaging Company offers a variety of materials and finishes to help you create a custom wine label that will do your product justice.

There are plenty of ways to help you communicate the quality and style of your wine through packaging. If you’ve got a bold and complex Cabernet, a matte material seems like a nice pairing. A light, crisp Sauvignon Blanc? A glossy finish has a nice effect! Got an organic grape? An earthy craft paper is an excellent choice.

Once you’ve chosen your material, consider special treatments for a little something extra. Spot varnishes are a great way to highlight the label information you’re particularly proud of (e.g., a private reserve; a vintner’s selection) or a special design element. Also, details like hot foil stamping and embossed textures add a level of sophistication wine lovers will appreciate.

Your custom wine labels deserve the very best. Our facility offers the highest quality, the most flexibility, and the fastest processing, printing, and shipping times— five business days from the time you approve your artwork (because not everything gets better with age). Get in touch with us today to get the barrel rolling on your next wine labeling project. 

*after artwork approval

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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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Hard Cider Label Requirements: Breaking Down TTB Meaning and FDA Regulations

There is a lot more to hard cider labels than your brand and an eye-catching design. Hard cider labeling regulations are not only complicated, but can also vary depending on the strength of your product. Let’s break down the different hard cider label requirements you need to know for your drinks.

Who Regulates Hard Cider Labeling?

It’s essential to follow regulations when labeling hard cider. The tricky part is that it’s not always clear which rules you need to follow.

While you might put hard cider on draught, it isn’t classified as a type of beer. Hard cider is traditionally defined by the TTB as “wine fermented from apples, including apple juice or apple concentrate.” However, the TTB broadened the criteria for hard cider in 2017. These changes expanded the definition to meet the following requirements.

  • Hard cider should be less than (not equal to) 8.5 percent alcohol by volume (abv), up from 7 percent.
  • Hard cider should have a maximum allowable carbonation level of 0.64 grams of carbon dioxide per hundred milliliters of wine, up from 0.392.
  • Hard cider is now allowed to use pears and pear juice concentrate and still receive the hard cider tax rate.

Of course, these changes also impact which governing body oversees different hard ciders. Ciders with an abv under 7 percent are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The remaining hard ciders at or above 7 percent are in turn regulated by the TTB.

A six pack of cans following hard cider label requirements from the TTB.

Hard Cider Label Regulations: What You Need to Include

As you may expect, both the FDA and TTB require a lot of information on their labels. While there are many overlapping regulations, there are some notable differences between hard cider label requirements from the FDA and TTB. The following elements are mandatory pieces of information that are required by the FDA, the TTB, or both organizations.

  • Brand name
  • Name and address of the bottler
  • Class, type or other designation
  • Net contents
  • Alcohol content
  • Ingredient, nutrition, and allergen listings
  • Government Health Warning
  • Various declarations

These elements also have specific requirements for how they’re presented as well. Aside from the alcohol content statement and government health warning, all mandatory information uses the following guidelines for minimum type size.

  • If the container size is 187 milliliters or less, type must be at least 1 millimeter.
  • If the container size is more than 187 milliliters, type must be at least 2 millimeters.

Brand name (FDA and TTB)

The brand name is defined as the name under which you sell your hard ciders. This element is typically the most notable detail on your label, although you may highlight other aspects of your design. If you don’t have a brand name for your products, you should display the name of the bottler or importer in its place.

Name and address of the bottler (FDA and TTB)

The exact rules for this element differ slightly. Both the FDA and TTB require an address including city and state, but has different rules for the bottler.

  • FDA – Labels must include the name and address of the premises where the cider was bottled or packed.
  • TTB – Labels must include the name and address the bottler or importer as listed on the TTB permit. This name must also be preceded by the words “Bottled/Packed by” or “Imported by,” or some qualifying optional statement.

Class, type, or other designation (TTB only)

Any hard cider that is at least 7 percent abv must include a statement of identity. By definition, hard ciders are considered “fruit wine,” but you can simply label your type as “cider” or “hard cider” if your product meets the following criteria.

  • Produced by the normal alcoholic fermentation of the juice of sound, ripe apples.
  • Derived wholly (except sugar, water, or added alcohol) from apples.

Net contents (FDA and TTB)

Simply put, hard cider labels must display how much product is in a container. The FDA allows this statement to be listed on any product label. You can also opt to etch or blow the net contents into the container itself.

The TTB is a little more particular about the exact presentation of net contents. As with FDA labeling regulations, net contents can be etched, blown, or displayed on a label. The key difference is that hard ciders of at least 7 percent abv must use the authorized metric standards of fill as listed in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (27 CFR 4.72). You also can choose to use any of the following abbreviations:

  • Milliliters – ml, ML, mL
  • Liters – L

Alcohol content (FDA and TTB)

The FDA and TTB both require specific statements for total alcohol content and acceptable tolerances. For the FDA, hard cider should state alcohol content as percent by volume and must be within 0.75 percent of what is listed on the label. Meanwhile, the TTB allows for a tolerance of 1.5 percent and mandates that you use one of the following statements to present alcohol content.

  • Alcohol __% by volume
  • Alcohol __% to __% by volume (see part 4 for rules)
  • May use “Alc.” and “Vol.” or “Alc” and “Vol”
  • May replace “by” with “/”
  • May NOT use “ABV”

Alcohol content is also one of the elements that follow different type size requirements than the majority of details. The exact rules for type size depend on the size of your container. If the container size is 5 liters or less, you must use a type of 1 millimeter at minimum and 3 millimeters maximum.

Ingredient, nutrition, and allergen listings (FDA)

As an FDA-regulated product, any hard ciders of less than 7 percent abv must include an ingredients list, nutritional facts, and any possible allergens. The FDA’s Food Labeling Guide offers guidelines for the following mandatory elements.

  • Ingredients – Every ingredient included in your hard cider in descending order of predominance.
  • Nutritional facts – A detailed breakdown about your hard cider’s nutrient content that follows the formatting requirements (21 CFR 101.9(d)).
  • Allergens – Call outs if your hard cider includes any of the major food allergens.

Government health warning (FDA and TTB)

As long as your hard cider contains at least 0.5 percent abv, your label must include a warning. This warning is the same for both the FDA and TTB and must read 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 warning can appear on any label as long it remains separate and apart from all other information. The warning should also follow the following type guidelines.

  • 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

Specific ingredient declarations (TTB only)

Any wines, hard ciders included, regulated by the TTB must call out certain ingredients if they’re present in the product. As such, you’ll need to disclose that your hard cider contains any or all of the following ingredients if they apply.

  • FD&C Yellow No. 5
  • Cochineal extract or carmine
  • Sulfites (if your cider contains 10 ppm or more sulfur dioxide)

A hard cider bottle with a quality label made with FDA label regulations.

Which Hard Ciders Require a COLA?

The label approval process is another confusing aspect of hard cider label requirements. The FDA does not require pre-approval. Meanwhile, the TTB requires beers, wines, and spirits to apply for and receive a Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) before those products ever hit the market. As such, any hard ciders regulated by the TTB must acquire a COLA before they are packaged and shipped across state lines.

The good news is that it’s fairly simple to apply for a COLA. Breweries can use the COLAs Online Customer Page to register and submit an online application. As long as the TTB finds that you’ve followed all the rules, your label will be good to go.

There is one other alternative to needing a COLA. If you don’t plan to introduce your hard ciders into interstate or foreign commerce, you can apply for a certificate of exemption through TTB Form 5100.31. This exemption will show that your hard cider is exempt from the FAA Act. You will also need to add the following statement to your label.

  • “For sale in (name of state where bottled) only”

Don’t Let Hard Cider Regulations Detract from Your Products

Let’s face it, TTB and FDA regulations aren’t the most exciting part of your label. The need for key information shouldn’t detract from the appeal of your hard ciders. That’s why Blue Label Packaging Co. works directly with you to print stunning hard cider labels that showcase the quality of your product.

Every label needs to make a great first impression. Our experts work with you to enhance your label design through special materials and eye-catching decorations. We also provide pivotal print protection to prevent premature failure. Contact us today to invest in hard cider labels that help you tell your brand’s story.

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Dos and Don’ts for Non-Alcoholic Beer Labels

Even non-alcoholic malt beverages can still get you in hot water with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).

As with standard beer, there are several labeling regulations for malt beverages that contain 0.5 percent alcohol by volume or less. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer laws have some regulatory crossover, but it’s important not to follow all the same labeling rules for your less boozy beverages. Let’s break down some key differences that will impact your non-alcoholic beer labels.

Don’t Call Your Non-Alcoholic Malt Beverage “Beer”

Some people may informally call non-alcoholic malt beverages “beer,” but federal regulators certainly do not. The TTB defines beer as a beverage that contains “one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume, brewed or produced from malt, wholly or in part, or from any substitute for malt.”

Even if your product is produced from malt and contains 0.5 percent alcohol or less, it would instead be considered a “cereal beverage.” Because of these definitions, non-alcoholic beverages cannot be legally labeled as beer. Your label also cannot reference any other class or designation types associated with beer. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Stout
  • Lager
  • Ale
  • Porter
  • Malt liquor

A bunch of non alcoholic malt beverage labels on cans.

Do Use the Correct Class Designations for Non-Alcoholic Beverages

While you can’t label your non-alcoholic drinks as beer, you still need a class designation for your labels. There are a few different terms for products containing less than 0.5 percent alcohol by volume.

  • Malt beverage
  • Cereal beverage
  • Near beer

According to the Electronic Code of Federal Regulation (27 CFR 7.24), these words must all appear on the same label panel (no splitting the words between different backgrounds). Additionally, they must be in the same size, style of type, and color of ink.

Don’t Mix up Regulations for “Non-Alcoholic” and “Alcohol Free” Statements

Even if your product is non-alcoholic by definition, you still need an alcohol content statement. This statement operates a little differently than regular beer labels that must list the exact alcohol content to the nearest 0.1 percent. However, the exact rules depend on whether your beer is non-alcoholic or alcohol free.

Non-Alcoholic

While the term non-alcoholic may sound like there’s no alcohol in your beverage, it technically applies to drinks with an ABV of less than 0.5 percent. You are allowed to include the words “Non-Alcoholic” on your label as long as that same label also states “Contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume.”

Alcohol Free

Any label that contains an alcohol content statement of 0.0 percent alcohol by volume must also state “alcohol free.” One catch here is that the TTB requires a laboratory sample analysis for formula approval per TTB G 2016-1A. As such, don’t be surprised to hear from the TTB if you submit a label making an alcohol free claim.

Do Include Specific Tax Language

Another quirk involving non-alcoholic malt beverages is that they aren’t subject the same taxes as their boozier cousins. Because of this, the TTB mandates that non-alcoholic malt beverages must add some special verbiage on their labels per 27 CFR 25.242. This statement should read “Non taxable under section 5051 I.R.C.”

Don’t Worry About the Government Warning

Typically, beer labels must include a health warning statement. Non-alcoholic beverages are not your typical beer (or by TTB definitions, not beer at all). Since the health warning statements are aimed to warn about the presence of alcohol, non-alcoholic drinks don’t need to include these statements on their labels.

Do Follow Additional FDA and TTB Regulations Beer Regulations

Non-alcoholic malt beverages have some different regulations from beer, but there are some requirements they do share. Certain details are mandatory for any type of malt beverage, whether it contains alcohol or not. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Brand names
  • Net contents
  • Name and address

The TTB is very specific when it comes to not only what you say on a label, but also how you present that information. As such, you’ll need to follow these guidelines to make sure you label is compliant with the TTB. For more information on these requirements, check out our post on TTB malt beverage label requirements.

Creative can labels for non alcoholic beers.

Don’t Skimp on Your Design

It’s no secret that there are a lot of regulatory information that dictates what you can and can’t put on your labels. However, there’s no rule against making your packaging look great.

Whether you need can wraps or bottle labels, it’s essential to make sure your products stand out from the crowd. The right splash of color or an eye-catching design is an essential part of any successful beer label, non-alcoholic or not. At Blue Label, we have the expertise and state-of-the-art equipment to enhance your designs.

Ready to invest in the quality, cost-effective labels for your non-alcoholic malt beverages. Contact us today to get the labels your products need to succeed.

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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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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.

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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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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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Hand Sanitizer Labels: Keep Your Labels FDA Compliant and Your Costs Down

With hand sanitizer at a premium, it’s important to have resources to not only follow regulatory guidelines, but also follow the best, most cost-effective way to label these products. To help, we’ve put together a breakdown of must-follow FDA guidelines and some tips to help you keep your hand sanitizer labeling costs down.

Hand Sanitizer Label and FDA OTC Drug Labeling Requirements

For such a simple product, hand sanitizer label compliance can get tricky. While not a drug in the traditional sense, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does classify hand sanitizers as an over the counter (OTC) drug product. This designation means that you’ll need to follow plenty of regulations to keep your hands clean of any label violations.

The FDA’s general labeling requirements for OTC drugs specify not only what information must be included on hand sanitizer labels, but also how that information should be presented on the principal display panel, drug facts panel, and other spaces. As such, it’s important to follow the rules laid out in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for the following aspects of your hand sanitizer labels:

  • Business information
  • Principal display panel
  • Drug facts panel

Business information

Every hand sanitizer label needs to include the name and business address of the distributor, packer, or manufacturer of your product on an information panel. While not required, it’s common for hand sanitizers to include the business name on the front panel for branding purposes.

Principal display panel

The principal display panel (PDP) is the part of a label that will typically be presented or examined when on display for sale. The CFR stipulates that the PDP should be large enough to include all the mandatory label information without obscuring any required details. Hand sanitizers with alternate principal display panels must duplicate mandatory information on each panel. In terms of the size of the principal display panel, the CFR provides varying requirements depending on the container used for the hand sanitizer.

  • PDPs must cover at least 40 percent of the product of the height of the container times the circumference for cylindrical or nearly cylindrical containers
  • PDPs must make up one entire side for rectangular containers
  • PDPs will consist of the entire top surface if the container presents an obvious “principal display panel” such as the top of a triangular or circular package
  • PDPs must cover at least 40 percent of the container for any other shapes

In addition to sizing, the CFR also provides details on which information must be included on a PDP. For hand sanitizers, that includes a statement of identification and the product’s net contents.

Statement of identification

The CFR requires the PDP to clearly state what your product is. In this case, the panel should simply include the term “hand sanitizer.”

Net contents

Another important PDP detail is the net weight of your product in milliliters (you may also include fluid ounces as well). The CFR allows the use of common or decimal fractions (although the fraction may not extend past two places). The net contents declaration must appear as a distinct item on the PDP and follow the following rules:

  • Net contents should maintain at least a space equal to the height of the lettering used in the declaration from other PDP elements above or below the declaration
  • Net contents should maintain at least a space equal to twice the width of the letter “N” of the style of type used in the quantity of contents for any elements appearing to the left or right of the declaration
  • Net contents should appear within the bottom 30 percent of the PDP in lines generally parallel to the base of the container (PDPs that are five square inches or less do not need to follow this stipulation)

Drug facts panel

While the PDP is applied to the front-facing part of your hand sanitizer container, the drug facts panel is typically attached to the back of your packaging. If your hand sanitizers are packaged within a container or a wrapper, the drug facts panel information must appear on the outside of your retail package as well. Company names or product trade names are not allowed anywhere within the drug facts panel.

While you have some wiggle room in the overall label design of your PDP and other parts of your label, the FDA is very strict about the drug facts panel layout and how the information within it is presented. According to the FDA, the drug fact panel information “must be organized according to the following headings and must be presented in the following order”:

  1. Title (i.e. “Drug Facts”)
  2. Active ingredient(s)
  3. Purpose(s)
  4. Use(s)
  5. Warning(s)
  6. Directions
  7. Other information
  8. Inactive ingredients
  9. Questions or comments? (optional)

While each of these elements have varying purposes, each of them must follow the FDA’s column format guidelines for OTC drug products:

  • Panel text should be one single color on a contrasting background (black text on white is a general go-to combination).
  • Each element of the drug facts panel must be “legible and clearly presented, shall have at least 0.5-point leading (i.e., space between two lines of text), and shall not have letters that touch.”
  • All elements should be left-justified unless otherwise noted.
  • Each section should be separated by a distinctive horizontal barline that extends to each end of the panel (except for when otherwise noted).
  • A horizontal hairline that extends within two spaces of either side of the panel should precede any heading following the title.

An FDA example of this format can be seen below.

The FDA template for drug facts panels on hand sanitizers and other OTC drugs.

Aside from the main drug facts title, all headings, subheadings, and other information in sections two through nine must be printed in a single, clear, easy-to-read type style with no more than 39 characters per inch. Titles and headings should be done in bold italic, while subheadings are just bolded. Meanwhile, type sizes should be:

  • Headings in sections 2 through 9 should be at least 8-point type and at least two point sizes greater than the text size
  • Subheadings and all other information should be no smaller than 6-point type

Title

Every drug facts panel must read “Drug Facts” at the top with the first letter of both words capitalized. If your drug fact information appears on more than one panel, every subsequent panel must display “Drug Facts (continued)” at the top of every panel containing such information. In terms of type size, the letter height or type size should be larger than the largest type size used elsewhere in the drug facts panel labeling and no smaller than 8-point type.

Active Ingredients and Purposes

While most drug facts panel sections are separate, the FDA requires you to list both active ingredients and their purposes not only in the same area, but also on the same horizontal line. This is done so that consumers can readily associate the active ingredients for an OTC drug with their intended purposes. The active ingredients are left-justified, while the aligned purposes are right justified.

While some OTC drugs would need to list discrete dosage units, hand sanitizers instead are asked to list a proportion of the active ingredient. For example, “Alcohol 80% v/v” would be an acceptable presentation for FDA guidelines, while “antiseptic” is an appropriate listed purpose for said active ingredient.

Uses

While the FDA is very specific about several elements of the drug facts panel, the requirements for the uses section is mercifully simple – just indicate what the product is used for. One FDA document shared the following as an example use for hand sanitizers: “Hand sanitizer to help reduce bacteria that potentially can cause disease. For use when soap and water are not available.”

Warnings

All OTC drug products are required to include a list of warnings, all of which are listed in detail in CFR section §201.66. Each warning should be separated by horizontal hairlines used to separate titles and subheads.

As you may expect, there are a lot of potential warnings for OTC drug products. Fortunately, you only need to include the alerts that apply to your product of choice. For hand sanitizer labels, that means adding some version of the following warnings.

  • External use warning – Necessary for drug products not intended for ingestion. Should be presented in bold lettering, such as “For external use only.”
  • Flammability warning – Labels should contain the appropriate flammability signal word(s) in bold, followed by an appropriate warning. For the purposes of hand sanitizer, the FDA suggests “Flammable. Keep away from fire or flame.”
  • “Do not use” warning – Include a list of specific situations in which consumers should not use the product (unless permitted by a doctor). Start the warning with “Do not use” and follow with bullet points for multiple disallowed situations. For hand sanitizer, the FDA cites use on “open skin wounds” and “in children less than 2 months of age” as appropriate warnings.
  • “When using this product” warning – Add guidelines for what users should avoid when using your product after the initial wording in bold type, along with some guidelines if an incident occurs. The FDA uses the following example for hand sanitizers: “When using this product keep out of eyes, ears, and mouth. In case of contact with eyes, rinse eyes thoroughly with water.”
  • “Stop use and ask a doctor” warning – Let users know when they should stop using your product following specific poor reactions or other adverse effects. As with the other warnings, the initial words of the warning should be in bold type. The FDA uses the following as an example: “Stop use and ask a doctor if irritation or rash occurs. These may be signs of a serious condition.”
  • “Keep out of reach” warning – Add a warning to keep products out of the reach of children along with guidelines on what to do during an accident. The specific guidelines change depending on the nature of your product. Since hand sanitizers are topical and not intended for ingestion, the FDA recommends the following warning with bolded text: “Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.”

Directions for use

Every OTC drug product should include instructions on when and how to use said product. The header of this section should read “Directions” followed by bullet point steps for use. The FDA uses the following steps in its hand sanitizer examples:

  • Place enough product on hands to cover all surfaces. Rub hands together until dry.
  • Supervise children under 6 years of age when using this product to avoid swallowing.

Other information

This section is reserved as a space to share any other pertinent info that isn’t already stated elsewhere on the drug facts panel. For hand sanitizers, this essentially means listing out appropriate storage details for your product. You can also include a tamper-evident statement if applicable.

Inactive ingredients

This section includes a list of all the inactive ingredients used in your product. These ingredients should be listed in alphabetical order by their established names.

FDA compliant hand sanitizer labels from Maplewood Brewery & Distillery.

Tips to Keep Hand Sanitizer Label Costs Down

Once your hand sanitizer is ready, it’s time to bottle and label it. Of course, packaging affects your bottom line, especially if you’re providing hand sanitizer at cost or giving it away to medical personnel, first responders, and people in need. Here’s what you can do to save on your hand sanitizer labels.

Opt for simple, cost-effective materials

There are a lot of label materials available for different aesthetics. However, fancy wine stocks or other options aren’t necessary if you’re looking for something simple and durable.

Since hand sanitizer is a product that’s used frequently, it’s best to choose a label material that is waterproof and oil-resistant. For cost-effective hand sanitizer labels, a white biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) material with a matte laminate will do the trick. If you don’t want a classic white, a material with the same adhesive is available in clear or silver with either gloss or matte laminates.

In addition to color, you’ll also want to figure out which material works with your specific container. While the aforementioned BOPP would work out well for a small, rigid bottle, a squeeze bottle or a larger container might create problems. For these types of hand sanitizer containers, we could use an MDO material to accommodate for size and needed durability.

Limit the size of your label

You don’t need a big product label to make a big impact. Opting for a smaller label will help cut down on the total amount of material necessary and overall costs.

You’ll want to base your label size off your container of choice – one label size might be right for a small squeeze bottle, but not for a larger glass one. As with label materials, we can work with you to identify a label size that works with your exact container without adding too much to your overall cost.

Use black ink

When you want simple, cost-effective labels, black and white is a good way to go. A simple black ink will cut out added costs associated with multiple inks or color matching, giving you more bang for your buck if you’re aiming for simplicity.

Print Custom Hand Sanitizer Labels

If you’re in need of hand sanitizer labels, we’re here to help. Our HP Indigo digital printing presses provide us with the ability to run labels in small batches and provide turnaround times of just five business days from order approval, all at cost-effective prices.

Contact us today if you have any questions about and our team can be a resource to provide answers and support your project.

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Hand Sanitizer Labels: Tips for Distilleries and Breweries

With hand sanitizer at a premium, more and more distilleries and breweries are pitching in to help fill that gap. If you’re considering doing the same, it’s important to have some resources to not only follow regulatory guidelines, but also follow the best, most cost-effective way to label these products. To help, we’ve put together a breakdown on must-follow FDA guidelines and some tips to help you keep your labeling costs down.

FDA Requirements for Hand Sanitizer Production

As you may expect with alcohol, there are some regulations to consider when manufacturing and labeling hand sanitizer. First, you’ll need to register with the FDA since hand santizer counts as an over-the-counter drug. Then you must follow the FDA’s guidelines for manufacturing and labeling your hand sanitizers. The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) lays out some guidelines you need to know if you plan to make hand sanitizer.

  • Denature the ethanol used when manufacturing hand sanitizer (no exceptions)
  • Label according to Appendices A-D of the FDA temporary policy depending on application and include:
    • A batch number
    • Your company name and contact info (the FDA does not intend to take action against manufacturers that ordered or printed labels without this information prior to their guidelines)
  • Make the ethanol that is the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) in hand sanitizer using the same fermentation and distillation processes used for consumable goods (Alcohol from synthetic processes is used only if it meets USP or FCC grade)
  • Label the ethanol API as either denatured or undenatured as shown in Appendix A and B of the applicable guidance
  • Keep a record of key steps and controls for batches
  • Verify and document the final alcohol content of sanitizer using the best methods available at the manufacturer (WHO guidance tolerance 75-85 percent abv for ethanol)
  • Create an adverse event reporting process

If you have any questions regarding denaturing, formulas, or other key details, please refer to the ACSA’s updated list of FAQs on hand sanitizer production.

Hand sanitizer bottle labels made for Maplewood Brewery & Distillery.

Image courtesy of Maplewood Brewery & Distillery. 

Tips to Keep Label Costs Down

Once your hand sanitizer is ready, it’s time to bottle and label it. Of course, packaging affects your bottom line, especially if you’re providing hand sanitizer at cost or giving it away to medical personnel, first responders, and people in need.

While we may not be experts on brewing or distilling, we do know our way around labels. Here’s what you can do to save on your hand sanitizer labels.

Opt for simple, cost-effective materials

There are a lot of label materials available for different aesthetics. However, fancy wine stocks or other options aren’t necessary if you’re looking for something simple and durable. For cost-effective hand sanitizers, a white biaxially oriented polypropelyne (BOPP) material with a matte laminate will do the trick. If you don’t want a classic white, a material with the same adhesive is available in clear or silver with either gloss or matte laminates.

In addition to color, you’ll also want to figure out which material works with your specific container. While the aforementioned bopp would work out well for a small, rigid bottle, a squeeze bottle or a larger container might create problems. For these types of containers, we could use an MDO material to accommodate for size and needed durability.

Limit the size of your label

You don’t need a big label to make a big impact. Opting for a smaller label will help cut down on the total amount of material necessary and cut down costs. You’ll want to base your label size off your container of choice – one label size might be right for a small squeeze bottle, but not for a larger glass one. As with label materials, we can work with you to identify a label size that works with your exact container without adding too much to your overall cost.

Use black ink

When you want simple, cost-effective labels, black and white is a good way to go. A simple black ink will cut out added costs associated with multiple inks or color matching, giving you more bang for your buck if you’re aiming for simplicity.

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If you’re in need of hand sanitizer labels, we’re here to help. Contact us today if you have any questions about and our team can be a resource to provide answers and support your project.

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Varietal Wine Labels: How to Follow the TTB’s Rules on Varietal Labeling

From chardonnay to pinot noir, wine types play a significant role in communicating what your bottle has to offer to shoppers, restaurant-goers, and any other form of oenophiles. However, there are some specific rules regarding how you present various varietals on your wine labels.

As with just about everything you need to include on a wine label, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is pretty particular about your varietal presentation. There are three official categories of wine – table wine, dessert wine, and sparkling wine. However, a label may list a specific varietal statement instead as long as you follow a few specific rules.

Meet Minimum Grape Percentage Requirements

If you want to use a specific varietal name, your wine needs to meet some minimum requirements. To start, any wine label with the name of a grape variety must be made from at least 75 percent of the listed type of grape. However, that percentage can change depending on which varietal you use and your region.

In addition to wine type, the TTB also requires that you list an appellation of origin on your label. This appellation is simply a statement of where the dominant grapes used in a wine were grown. This appellation can range from only stating the name of the country to a very specific viticultural area.

As you move into more specific areas, your grape usage requirements can change. For example, certain semi-generic designations like an American marsala may carry additional requirements, such as a certain alcohol range. Each level of geographic detail has its own rules and designations, but that’s a conversation for another blog post. When it comes to varietal rules, the main takeaway is that you use the right percentage of grapes so that the TTB doesn’t turn down your label.

A wine bottle label for Park Farm Winery that lists marechal foch as the varietal of grapes used in the wine.

Use an Approved Varietal

If you’re concerned that the TTB won’t recognize some lesser-known grape varieties, don’t worry. From aglianico to zweigelt, there are more than 300 approved varietal names listed in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR), all of which are approved for use as a type designation for American wines.

While you may choose to capitalize the names of your varietal or use any hyphens, accents, or any other phonetic marks when printed on your label, the TTB does not require you to do either. As long as you use one of the approved spellings of your grape, or one of the alternative names listed in the e-CFR, you’re all set, regardless of if you opt for a lowercase presentation or choose to remove the umlaut out of grüner veltliner.

If for some reason your preferred varietal is not on the approved list, you’re not completely out of luck. You’ll need to petition the TTB administrator and provide some evidence as to why your grape of choice is deserving of inclusion.

List Breakdowns of Each Varietal if You Use More Than One

There is a way around the 75 percent grape baseline – blends. The TTB allows you to list more than one wine type designation on a label as long as you meet a few different requirements.

First, your wine must be made with all the varieties you list on your label. You can’t include three types that make up 95 percent of your bottle and decide not to include the varietal that makes up the final five percent. Second, you need to include a percentage breakdown of each variety. The TTB gives you a two-percent cushion on accuracy, so you’re fine as long as each type falls within that tolerance.

These rules get a bit trickier with the inclusion of grapes from multiple areas. If your label has multiple counties or states listed as the appellation of origin, you’ll need to include the percentage of each variety by the county or state that variety comes from, which could notably increase the total percentages listed on your bottle.

Two different types of wine listing varietals on their bottle labels.

Follow General Label Guidelines

According to the e-CFR, all wine labels must be “readily legible under ordinary conditions, and all such statement shall be on a contrasting background.” Contrasting backgrounds are simple enough, but what exactly does “readily legible” mean?

Simply put, it means that your type listing, along with other mandatory wine label elements, needs to meet specific TTB rules. The requirements that impact your wine type listings are as follows:

  • Required text must be at least two millimeters in size for containers of more than 187 milliliters or at least 1 millimeter for containers of less than 187 milliliters
  • Mandatory information should be in English
  • Important details should not be obscured by the label itself or any other elements

Of course, these rules don’t mean that you can’t have some fun with how you present your wine type. As long as you meet the guidelines, you can work your varietal’s name into your design to match your style. Compliance doesn’t need to be boring.

Find the Right Packaging Company for Your Wine Labels

When your wine is on the line, it’s important that your labels are more than just fine. Once you have all the mandatory details out of the way, it’s time to find a packaging company that can help you get the most out of your wine labels.

At Blue Label, we have the equipment and expertise necessary to take your labels to the next level. Whether we’re identifying the perfect stock for your wine label or taking advantage of special printing capabilities to amp up your design, we work with you to print the perfect labels for your brand and budget.

Ready to invest in quality labels for your bottles or cans? Contact us today to have us print your next batch of wine labels.