When talking about label design, the hot question in any designer’s mind is always “Will it stick out on the shelves?”. If you imagine a place on a crowded supermarket shelf in your product’s future, it is important that you have a product label that customers will notice and remember. When the branding sticks in their minds, the products will always be sold. But how do you make a product label design REALLY shine, especially when paired up against its competitors?

Tip 1: Talk to your clientele.

The first step in any design process is the conversation with future customers. The target consumers of your products can tell you a lot of things about how they want your product to look. After all, they know what they want, and they know what other products have drawn them in in the past. Provide them several templates of your product label and make them choose from there. They might have several ideas on how you can further improve the designs you already have, like any pieces of information that should be highlighted or de-emphasized.

Tip 2: Study the anatomy of your label design.

Much like any printable layout, the product label must have three essential components – the trim line, safety line and bleed line. Remember to put all the content of your label within the safety line, and to use the space within the safety line effectively. The trim line is where the printer will cut the design. Anything outside the trim line is called a “bleed”. The bleed is used to extend your artwork beyond the edge of the label to avoid any blank gaps on the edges after they’re cut. Take a look at your competitor’s designs. Do they all have backgrounds that “bleed” past the trim line? Maybe it’s a good idea to think about using a thick border or creating a vignette look around the edge of your label so your product stands out a little more.

Tip 3: Include all necessary information in the label.

Company details, nutritional facts (for food and beverage products), company logo, and the product name — those are the absolute basics. When choosing how to lay out the information on your label, keep in mind the product image as well as the barcode straight from the beginning. These two items can not be resized easily and can completely change the look of your label.

Your industry may have standards that will change the look of your label, so be sure to research regulations and be cautious of diminishing the practicality of your label before going “way” outside the box. Some manufacturers may require additional information to be provided on the product label while others might require less. If you aren’t sure what to include, talk to our team at Jet Label and our experienced professionals will be glad to help.

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