How to Design a Custom Label for Your Food Brand: A Step-by-Step Guide
3/27/2024
In essence, custom labels can be done in any way you like. But their mass-appeal and attention effect will be dependent on the elements that you choose to introduce for the design.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about custom label design. So that you can get your marketing process booted up with a clear vision for what to do.
Whenever you're ready to get your custom label knowledge to the next level, keep reading.
On Custom Labels
Your product can be beneficial to the customer, but that's not really enough to sell it nowadays. You have to go above and beyond the function to lure customers in.
While planning your marketing strategy for your food brand, the first thing to think about is how your custom product label will look like. There are many reasons why product labels matter.
For instance, an outstanding custom label can help you stand out from the competition. Such differentiation is critical to creating a prominent brand identity. Another reason to get a custom label is that it will help the customer make a decision when considering buying your product.
There are many products on the shelf and it's the label's job to draw attention from the glance. Even undecided customers will be able to change their minds by providing information and aesthetics with the label.
It's been noted that the importance of product labels is insurmountable. According to some research, consumers will make their purchase decisions while in the store, not elsewhere.
This means that customers must be engaged by brands while shopping, and it's not uncommon for customers to switch brands while shopping. This means your success depends on how you present the product in-store.
Now let's get into the process behind designing a custom food label.
Legibility & Readability
A product label holds the necessary information about the product, such as the logo, units of quantity, name, and much more. But sometimes it can simply hold a tagline or short description.
Any other information can be included on the flip side, which has the ingredients, instructions, how to use protocols, etc.
When creating your label, ensure that your text is legible. The size of the font should allow customers to read it from a good distance. The text should be more than 6 points at least. For other information, you can use fonts of 10 points and more.
To better improve readability, the colour of the font should contrast the colour of the background. Just try to avoid a maverick combination. Choose a colour that has intensity contrast and value.
Going by psychology, bright colours are better as it encourages customers to be confident. The colour shades must sync up with the overall brand visual style. Your website can be a good guideline for the label.
Typography Importance
Since labels have limited space for content and imagery, designers have to use juxtaposition with typography. Viewers should be able to easily differentiate information by their size, shape, and contract.
If you need information continuity, use the same font. The primary objective of typography pairing is to show the relation between the type choice and the information. Make your design impactful, use fonts that portray the message and use of the product.
For example, a label for a hot sauce can use a foundation that portrays longevity and toughness. Thus, you would avoid a typeface that is not accessible cursive and illegible.
Another thing to consider is the overall brand style. Customers can easily learn about your brand by visiting your social media, websites, etc. By doing so, they will come across your logo, typography, colours.
So you need to choose a typeface that is already familiar to the overall client base for your product, make it consistent.
White Space
Labels often make use of white space to make parts of the label stand out. The white space is often referred to as the background, even if it's not white.
White space plays a very important role in custom labels. Besides the visual distinction, it helps customers read details without strain. Regular white space will provide a minimalist aesthetic to your packaging.
Minimalism in food is sophistication. It denotes the professional calmness of the item. This is why white space is often the most important element in cosmetics, baby products, etc.
Having clear content and simple designs alongside your white space will help your customers become attracted to your brand. It will reflect the simplicity and user-friendliness of your brand.
Colour Attracts
Selecting the appropriate colours is one of the most important parts of the product label design. The colours that you choose will vary on many factors, including the product type, the competing brand colours, and the target audience.
Quite often, the colours used will help inform and guide the overall packaging design. For instance, if you are using a label with lots of energetic imagery and playful text, it will make sense to use bold and bright colours.
The colours of the product must help you stand out from competing brands, but also catch their eye.
In some cases, you can use similar colours as your competition if they are well-established, which will help customers get acquainted with your product based on familiarity with the bigger brands.
Illustration & Graphic Design
Some product labels cannot do without elements of graphic design. In most cases, illustration is used to speak about the product in visual terms.
For example, a product label for fruit juice or jelly will have its own colour combination that works with the illustrations, which are primarily associated with fruity flavours.
Simple designs might not work for these brands. Abstract and visually-appealing designs are a good selection for these kinds of labels.
Memorability & Uniqueness
Ensure that your label design is memorable and original. You need to research your competition and see why they are popular, but don't copy them.
You need to stand out. A copied or boring design will often lead to unsubstantial results, not to mention legal problems. Do not make use of anything in the design that is not related to the product.
Your product has to make sense. The barcode is also an essential part of this design. It will help you gain authenticity while dealing with quick audits or legal decisions.
Make sure to provide contact information that encourages communication with your customers, whether it's for complaints or positive feedback. Integrity and transparency matter.
Label Sizing
Your label design will often rely on the size of the product. You can get a single-sided label, or get one with both backs and from labels.
Most of the time when several labels are needed, the front face is to attract the customers with your brand. And the back face is to educate your customers on the product and what you can do for them.
Nonetheless, many designers believe in the wrap-around style, especially in terms of cost-effectiveness. In some cases, it can provide a more professional and appealing panel design that builds identity.
Print Quality
The last but not least point of consideration in custom brand labels is to get a high-quality print. You need to enhance the visual presence of the product with sharp, colourful, and smooth labels.
First impressions matter in the retail business. Whether you want a matte surface, slick gloss, or coated labels, you need to test them all out to see which is best.
When thinking about your product label, consider these important tips. Keep in mind you don't have to hire expensive designers to help you either.
Your startup or small business can always make use of crowdsourcing for design elements. Go through several renditions and test them with unbiased users.
That's it for our custom label design tips for now, but this is only the beginning for you. Design is a continual process that is built on trial and error, so don't hesitate to try new things.
Packaging/Label Solutions for Your Brand
Now that you know what needs to be considered in making a custom label, you are that much closer to actually creating your prototype. But there might still be some obstacles in your way, that's where we come in.
What colour do we choose? What typography will fit our overall message?
How to ensure that the elements work together? How does one even put together a digital file for print labels?
If you have no idea where to start, don't have a graphic designer in-house, and don't know what would work for your brand, get in touch with us and we will happily help you get started.
