These days, consumers gravitate towards a brand they can trust. According to Inc., the results of a study on brands in the food industry found that “73 percent of consumers say they’re willing to pay more for a product that promises total transparency.” Without that sense of transparency, your product is at risk of becoming just another replaceable commodity on the shelf.

So, how can a company build a connection with customers that goes beyond basic needs? Proper packaging gives you the chance to set the stage for your brand, which means a good product label can help you create an open, honest relationship between your product and the consumer. Here are a few ways you can promote brand transparency through product labels and other packaging.

Show Them What You’re Made Of

Everyone loves a good origin story, even when it comes to the products they buy. Use your packaging to showcase what goes into what you sell.

If you make specialty foods or drinks, transparency includes being very clear about ingredients. For products that are all-natural or organic, make sure your label and other packaging reflects this information. If you make a lip balm that sources local, natural ingredients, incorporate these details into your label design. Forbes reports that 88 percent of people like brands that help them feel more environmentally friendly and ethical.

Even if you can’t talk about all-natural ingredients or other benefits, you can still utilize your labels to give consumers an honest expectation of what’s inside. When a customer buys your product, they want that product to live up to the expectations set by your packaging. Nobody wants to feel like they were let down – or worse, lied to – because of a misleading label or uncommunicated details.

There are a variety of ways that you can be transparent about what customers should expect. The key is addressing potential miscommunications before they happen. For example, let’s say you sell CBD gummies in legally required opaque containers. Customers may have different expectations for how long they may last or the size of the gummies. To address this, consider adding a to-scale drawing or picture of your product on the box or label, along with a more prominent mention of how many gummies come in a container. Taking little steps like this on your label can help your brand feel more transparent about your products.

Be Clear with Transparent Labels and Containers

To-scale images and product descriptions can convey a lot of information to an intrigued customer, but sometimes the best way to be transparent is to simply show them what’s inside. See-through labels and packaging bring a more literal meaning to product transparency, allowing the whole world – or at least everyone nearby – to see your product in all its glory.

Take a product like kombucha as a good example of how clear packaging can promote transparency. The natural qualities of the drink play a big part in why people purchase it. As such, using a see-through container and a label that doesn’t hide the natural hues of the drink helps buyers see kombucha for what it is. There’s nothing that screams transparency like stripping away the layers and letting customers judge the look of your product for themselves.

Talk About More Than Your Products

Transparency involves more than just the product you’re trying to sell. Part of being open and honest with your potential customers is to provide information on the who and what behind the products.

A brand is more than just the product. There’s a whole story behind those products, starting with the people behind the brand and what they stand for. Whether it’s a certain value system or goals, sharing these motivations can help people grow an appreciation for your brand that goes beyond what they buy.

Your packaging can help reflect these values or put a personal spin on every product. Do you have a story of why this product came into existence? Tell it on your label. Do you pride your business on operating sustainably? Let that fact be known on recyclable packaging. Are you a small outfit with just a few passionate people? Let consumers get to know the faces behind the product. Don’t be afraid to overshare, because people love to have a reason to care more about what they purchase.

Invest in Quality Labels that Promote Your Products

Your packaging says a lot about your brand. Each design decision impacts the way you wish to present your products to the public. As such, it’s important to work with a label printing company that can capture your desired look so that your products make the right first impression.

At Blue Label, we have the experts and technology it takes to help you communicate the right message to your customers. Whether you need a clear label or some other solution, we work with you to help you get the most out of your design. Contact us today to work with us for your next label printing project.