Posts Tagged ‘custom label printing’
Die-Cutting Custom Labels
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
If you have ever peeled a label off a roll in a clean and easy manner, the label was probably die cut. The labels you purchase at an office supply store on sheets that neatly peel off are die cut. In fact, most custom labels are die cut. Die cutting is one of the most important, and often overlooked, aspect to custom label printing.
A die is essentially a sharp metal tool built to a customer’s specification based on the label size and shape. Additionally, dies can be built for efficiency, making it possible to run more labels across a roll at one time, resulting in faster production and reduced cost. The key to any label printing die is to make sure there is enough force to cut through the face of the label stock, but not too much so it cuts the liner, making it almost impossible to easily removed the labels from the roll.
In addition to ensure the cut through the label is correct, we also have to be extra careful that the die doesn’t shift too much during production. Generally, there is very little room to move, and most small shifts will go unnoticed, but if there is a border around the label or part of the design bleeds, even the slightest shift could be noticeable.
In terms of making dies, most label printing companies have a large library of available dies, in a variety of shapes and sizes. In some cases, a job may require a new die because the custom requires a specific shape or size. In these cases, the label printer will need to build a new die, which often requires a one-time die charge. Once a die is made, the customer will enjoy having their labels printed to their exact specifications.
There is much more to label printing then creating artwork and turning on the press. The whole process has various steps which must be executed near perfection. If done right, the end result will be beautiful!
Machine Label Application
Thursday, August 26th, 2010
Whether you are a small business with a few products or a large company moving millions of units, the issue of machine application for your custom labels can become a crucial part of your manufacturing and packaging operation. When a product is entering the marketplace, the quantities are generally low, making applying the labels by hand the most cost effective option. While this can sometimes be time consuming, it quickly becomes unbearable if you are regularly packaging and shipping product in quantities over 1,000. The easiest fix is machine applying the labels to the product or packaging.
If you are thinking about incorporating machine label application into your manufacturing, there are a few questions to ask yourself:
- How much time will be saved by using machine application for your labels?
- Is hand label application currently accounting for more than 20% of your time and utilizing more than two employees?
- Will you purchase label application equipment or will you hire a packinghouse with machine applicaticator abilities?
- Is your product packaged in a warehouse that has label application capabilities?
- Does your warehouse/packinghouse have the space for a machine labeling equipment?
- Will your packaging require a customized application system due to the unique shape or contours of the packaging?
Examining your answers to the questions above will help you to determine if having your labels machine applied as opposed to hand-applied will make sense for your business. Chances are, if you are thinking about machine application for your labels, then you probably need to do it.
Once you have determine that machine label application will be a smart move, there are some important label printing factors you must know:
- What is the required spacing for the labels? Typically, most machine applicators require 1/8″ space between each label. This gives enough time for the label to be applied to one product, and then the next product to move down the line for application. If there is no space between the labels, or if the spacing is incorrect for your applicator, it could result in disaster.
- What unwind is need for the applicator? The unwind (see chart above) referrers to the direction the label comes off the roll. Does the copy need to come from the left or right? Does the bottom or the top of the copy come first? Knowing the correct unwind will ensure the labels are placed in the correct position and direction. There is nothing worse than an upside down label! Most printers use the same unwind chart, so providing the unwind number is the easiest way to communicate the correct direction.
Machine application for your custom labels can save time and increase productivity. For many new or growing businesses, machine application will become a reality at some point, so it is important to start considering your plan for creating a label that can be easily machine applied.
Setting Dielines for Custom Labels
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
A dieline around a label tells the printer where the label should be cut, indicating the label size and shape. Setting the correct dielines will ensure your labels are printed correctly and no important information is accidentally trimmed.
There are a few general guidelines to remember when setting dielines:
- Set any text or graphics at least 0.125″ from the edge – this is a good safety zone to protect the artwork during the die cutting process.
- If the label bleeds (the color extends beyond the edge), set the dieline and increase the bleed at least 0.125″ beyond the dieline. This will ensure the bleed is trimmed correctly, without any white space around the edges.
- If you have a border around the edge of the label, thicken the border to extend past the dieline. If you have an inset border, be sure it is at least 0.125″ in from the edge.
- Use a bright color to mark the dieline. Printers can easily confuse a black outline with a border, as opposed to a dieline, so opt for a bright color that is clearly not part of the artwork.
- If you artwork file is in layers, create the dieline on a new layer and name it “dieline”. This will eliminate any questions about where the dieline is set.
Setting and indicating the correct dieline will make your custom label printing experience much easier. Additionally, it will ensure the finished product is the correct size and shape for your product or application. Setting a dieline only takes a few moments, but is well worth the time.
Color Screens for Your Labels
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010You may have seen custom labels that fade from one color to another, or use various shades of one color to create the appearance of multiple colors. This look is accomplished by using a screen of the color. A single screen is essentially a lower opacity of the ink color, like 50% of the full ink power. This will create a lighter version of the original color. Some screens are gradient screens, which is when the color fades to white or a different ink color.
A single percentage color screen can be used to:
- Create the appearance of two colors for the cost of only one ink color
- Provide a subtle background color to the base of a label design
A gradient screen can be used to:
- Create shadows or depth
- Give a 3D feeling to the label artwork
- Transition from one color to another
- Focus attention to the brightest color area, as the edges fade
Using a screen, whether single percentage or gradient is a great tool to give a little depth to your design. Much like a drop shadow, there are only certain situations where a screen is appropriate. If your one color design looks great as one color, then there is no sense in adding a single percentage screen simply because you want a two color appearance. Like with many special effects, we recommend completing the label’s design before adding a screen or a gradient. This will ensure the effect works within the design, instead of molding the design around the effect.
Single Percentage Screen
Gradient Screen
FDA Regulating Food Labels
Monday, July 19th, 2010
We have all walked through a grocery aisle and seen words like, “Supports Immunity”, “Helps Memory”, or “Metabolism Booster” pop out from product labels ranging from the produce department to the ice cream freezers. When terms like these are used on a product, it is obviously to catch your attention and create an impulse to buy. Unfortunately, many of these claims are misleading. While a product may help your memory or assist in losing weight, unless there is scientific evidence to back up the words, the label in violation of the FDA.
You are probably thinking, “I see labels like these all the time?” Well, you are right, food labels with marketing claims like these run rampant, and the FDA is setting out to fix it. The major issue at hand is the FDA doesn’t have enough resources to go after every incorrect or misleading food label. For the most part, the FDA does not need to approve a label before a product is introduced to the public, especially if there are under 100,000 units (small producers). Now, the FDA is working to improve their requirements, while also making it easier for compliance.
Michael Taylor, the Deputy Commissioner for Foods at the FDA states, “The FDA must pick its battles – and set its priorities – in a way that will benefit the public health. To that end, we have launched a major campaign to improve nutrition labeling – a campaign whose goal is to ensure that consumers can rely on food labels to make informed choices, build healthy diets, and reduce their risk of obesity and chronic disease.”
To that end, we at InTouch Labels are also going to work harder to help ensure our customer’s are in compliance with the new regulations and style changes for their food labels. We aren’t here to police every label that passes through our presses, but it is our job to help guide labelers through the printing process, and in the world of food labels, the printing process does involve the FDA. If you are using a claim that cannot be proven, it is in your best interest to update the label design with indisputable information. This won’t only ensure you are following the FDA’s guidelines, but it will also show your customers that you believe in your product based on factual merits.
Don’t worry if you feel there isn’t a good way to market your product without these catchy statements. There are plenty of words and design choices you can make that will make your product stand out and get sold. If you need help coming up with some good designs for your food label, contact our design department. We offer all our expertise at no charge, so don’t hesitate to at least see what we can come up with!
Custom Labels – Proof or no proof?
Thursday, July 15th, 2010
When printing custom labels for the first time, or even when reprinting a label with changes, we are often asked about the proofing process. Many people desire to see a printed proof of the actual label. In some cases, this is smart, and in others, it isn’t necessary. So, when should you ask for a printed proof, and when can a PDF suffice?
First, let’s go over the different types of proofs available. The most commonly used proofing process is a PDF. This is an electronic proof which will represent how the finished label will look. PDF’s are typically produced at no charge. This type of proof is ideal for checking the label’s size, shape (die outline), art placement, and text. Since a PDF is electronic and will be viewed on a computer monitor, it is not a great way to verify color matches or other color issues. Different computer monitors can represent colors very differently. It is almost impossible to match a color from a digital file to a printed piece. In fact, if you were to ever view a Pantone color on a computer screen and hold up the actual chip from the Pantone book, I bet they won’t match.
So, what is your next option? If you need to check a color, we would recommend a printed proof. The label is generally not cut to shape, but is printed using the same press the labels will run on. This will ensure the color you want is perfectly printed. Usually customers who request a printed proof have something to compare the proof against, either previous labels or other printed collateral. If you get a printed proof, you need to hold the proof up against the comparison material. We have had customers try to match colors from memory, and it rarely works out.
The last option is the most complex and of course, the most expensive. In cases where you must see the actual label, we offer press proofs. A press proof will be the actual label, cut to shape, with an adhesive backing. A press proof is ideal if the label must fit into a specific area or you are producing a large volume of labels and need to be sure they are exactly right before producing the large run.
If you are having trouble determining what proof is best for you, ask yourself these questions…
Do you need to match a specific color?
Are you printing a large quantity?
Will you need to see the actual printed label prior to printing in order to satisfy quality or printing concerns?
If you answered no to all these questions, a PDF proof will work. If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then you should consider either a printed proof or a press proof. Based on your custom label, you will know which of these two options will be better. If you have any questions about proofing, please feel free to contact us!
Package Design for Labels
Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
I recently came across an interesting article about package design trends in the “new” economy. When times get tough, many brands opt to update or change their packaging in an attempt to re-engage with consumers. There is always risk in redesign. We all can remember what happened last year when Tropicana tried to modernize their orange juice containers. In fact, a study by Perception Research Services showed, “10 percent of package redesigns spike sales and 20 percent spur declines.” While the risks of redesign are big, the payoffs, if done right, can be much bigger.
So, you have decided a redesign is right, but where do you start. The article gives 10 great questions to ask yourself before you start:
- How does the consumer view the brand?
- Does it meet their expectations?
- Does it fulfill their needs on a functional level and/or an emotional level?
- How do customers interact with and “experience” the brand?
- Do they feel the brand promise is consistently fulfilled?
- What does the package – which makes brand and product tangible to the consumer – communicate to the customer?
- Does the packaging augment the brand experience or detract from it?
- Does it successfully differentiate the brand from its competitors?
- Does the brand communicate relevance to the consumer?
- How should the brand be positioned to be relevant and meaningful to the end user?
This might seem like a daunting task, but asking and answering these questions will give a great start to a label or package redesign. This is especially true from older brands that have lasting relationships with consumers. The key to any redesign is to keep the core values or the brand, while making the imagery and content modern and relevant.
The latest trend in label design is simplicity. The less is more approach is very popular among many brands. Lots of companies are opting to eliminate the clutter by using one descriptive image and highlighting a few key points about the product. The reduced clutter forces consumers to focus only on the product’s best benefits which are most likely to lead to a sale.
Redesigning a product’s label for an older or recognizable brand is a difficult balance between what consumers love about the packaging to what modern design trends demand. As they say, don’t thrown the baby out with the bathwater. Hold on to the most important brand values and update the imagery and content to match consumer behavior.
Food Label Design – A Study in Innovation
Thursday, May 6th, 2010
Do you remember when you were little, sitting down at the dinner table and drinking a big glass of pomegranate juice? No? Are you sure? You are sure? Ok, well you if you are over five years old, then you are probably right, there was no such thing as pomegranate juice. Five years ago, Pom Wonderful came on the scene with pomegranate juice and forever changed the landscape of fruit juices.
Their innovative bottle and creative label design quickly captured consumers from around the globe, turning an obscure fruit into a universal phenomenon. A lot of their success is due to smart product placement in produce sections, as opposed to juice aisles, and their packaging and food label design. Their use of a heart shape in place of the letter “o” quickly gave consumers a sense of healthiness. The heart is a great image for the label because consumers associated it with something they would love and would be good for their “heart”, which has been a primary focus for many food and beverage producers over the last few years.
We wrote recently about the concept of clean and modern label designs, and Pom Wonderful certainly captured this concept beautifully. Many health food product labels are crowded with health claims and facts. Their simple design speaks to the consumer without saying anything. We know their strategy has worked because they have become one of the fastest growing beverage company in the United States.
Promotional Stickers – Do They Work?
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
You are probably wondering where I have been over the past few weeks since our posts have been limited. I was in the final stages of training for the Boston Marathon and neglected my blogging responsibilities. Now that the marathon is over and I survived the race and still have a job, I wanted to talk about promotional labels. Besides the race, the Boston Athletic Association hosts a huge athlete’s expo that lasts three days. The expo is full of sports/athletic companies looking to attract new customers. One thing that was constant, were promotional stickers.
Companies hand out these stickers to random browsers and devoted customers as they pass by their booths. So, the question has to be asked, do promotional stickers work? My immediate answer is yes, but there is a catch. First, even if someone takes the sticker and throws it in their shopping bag, they will have to come in contact with your brand again when they empty out their purchases. A big part of being successful is brand recognition, which can come from repetitive sightings. Next, it gives a company a reason to reach out to a potential customer. Even if you are only giving them a sticker, it still presents an opportunity to connect with a prospect. Simply handing them a sticker might catch enough interest in your product to at the least give it some consideration. So yes, promotional stickers do work. Now, the catch.
Promotional stickers really work if someone sticks them on their car, bag or other place with high visibility. In order for people to promote your brand and stick the stickers somewhere, they have to be cool. I got a pretty nice sticker from Lulu Lemon that I will probably put on my stainless steel water bottle. It was only their logo, but it was designed well and had a good feel. If you want someone to use your stickers, then you have to take time to make them cool. This is the perfect time to be edgy and take a design chance.
Promotional stickers do work, but you have to make them work. Putting in the creative time to design a sticker that will have some real value to a potential customer is key. If you can get one person to “stick” your label onto their car and that label can be seen by hundreds or even thousands of other people, you can quickly build your brand with a simple promotional sticker.
iLabelWine – App for Wine Labels
Monday, April 12th, 2010
Another day means another iphone app has entered the marketplace. ILabelWine is a free app that allows users to create custom wine labels for personal use. The creators suggest using the app to make personalized labels for host/hostess gifts, congratulatory gifts, thank you gifts, etc.
There is a short YouTube video available showing how easy the app is to use. Basically, you pick a photo from your phone, select a template, add your text to the designated areas, and you are done. Within minutes you have a personalized wine label, which is then paid for via PayPal and printed in 7 – 10 days. This is a simple app to operate because the customization of the label is fairly limited to choosing a photo and adding text. The label sizes and stocks seem predetermined.
In general, the app is pretty cool and I can see it being useful. I still feel like “printing” apps seem strange since there is so much focus in this industry on the quality of the artwork. I have an iphone and I know it takes great pictures, but I don’t know if I would trust a photo or file created on my phone. Something about it just doesn’t feel right. This is probably my own phobia as I’m used to creating and editing label artwork in Illustrator or Photoshop.
I’d be curious to find out how many people actually order labels through their iphone and how many may use it to gather information and then order via more traditional methods, like directly from a website. We have talked about an iphone app, but found since all our labels are truly customized, there are just too many parameters to consider, making any app or online pricing system cumbersome and complicated.
What do you think of this type of app? Would you use it or prefer to just go to the company’s website?
