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5 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Keg Collar Design

Boring packaging is a missed opportunity for your brewery. Anything attached to your beer should make a statement about the quality of your product (and the amazing people who made it). That’s why it’s so essential that you make your keg collars pop.

A stellar keg collar is a tremendous sales tool for breweries of all sizes. Let’s break down what you can do to make your collars stand out in bars, at cookouts, and anywhere else your kegs may travel.

Showcase Your Brand (Without Losing Track of Key Info)

Keg collars play a few different roles for your brewery. The most basic function of these labels is to share key information with your customers. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau requires breweries to include the following details on every collar.

Brewery and brewery address
Class of beer
Net contents
Alcoholic content (ABV)
Production date
Health warning statement
Keg pressure warning

While these details are essential for keg collar compliance, they don’t need to be the star of the show. Compliance info isn’t going to sell your beer, but a notable logo or some appropriate visual elements can help your brand burrow into the brains of buyers.

As long as you follow the TTB’s rules for the font size and presentation for warning statements and other details, you have free reign to make sure your brewery is what people remember. A prominent logo is a great start, but you can also build consumer trust by sharing your local pride or highlighting your brewery’s personality in your design.

A collection of keg collar designs and other beer labels.

Color Them Impressed

A little color can make a world of difference for your keg collars. While gray-scale keg collars are simple, inexpensive options, you want your packaging to go beyond basic black and white.

Combining full-color printing with your branding is a surefire way to capture attention. Blasts of red, green, or any other color make for a stark contrast against metallic kegs, so don’t be afraid to go big and bold with your design choices. Different color combinations and label materials can also make key design elements “pop” for soon-to-be diehard fans, so play around with your brand colors and other showy hues to make your keg collar’s presence known.

Build Your Design Around Your Production Needs

As you may expect, one brewery can have vastly different needs than another. Those exact requirements have a direct impact on your keg collar design, especially when it comes to listing what beer is in a keg. There are a few different approaches you can take with your design.

Add a blank space where you can write the beer name and date.
Include a list of multiple options with check boxes for flagship beers.
Make multiple keg collar designs with dedicated beers printed directly on them.

If you know that you’ll have enough volume to order dedicated keg collars for a flagship beer, that extra bit of branding certainly looks professional. Meanwhile, a blank space is the easiest option if flexibility is your biggest concern. Each approach makes a lot of sense, so make sure your keg collar design is based around your needs.

Follow Keg Collar Specs

Not all design tips are about fun ideas like bold colors and custom shapes. You’ll want to build some safeguards into your keg collar design to make sure they come out they way they should. That’s why every good keg collar template should typically incorporate the following elements into its art file.

Dieline – A line indicating where the actual cut is made on the final design of a label.
Safe zone – A buffer between the dieline and main portion of the collar design.
Bleed – A line that indicates where the collar art should extend past the die cut into the matrix.

Each of these elements are designed to create a little bit of wiggle room to make sure key elements don’t get cut off or that you don’t have any unintended white space. In general, you should allow for at least 1/8” of bleed and 1/16” of space between the dieline and any elements. The keg collar template below can serve as a good example of a dieline, safe zone, and bleed.

A keg collar template showing an example dieline, safe zone, and bleed.

Maximize the Value of Your Keg Collars

No matter your design, your brewery deserves top-notch keg collars. Blue Label has the capabilities necessary to deliver industry-best print quality and unmatched customer service that help you maximize your branding opportunities.

Our team is here to help you get the most out of your design and uncover a solution that works with your budget. We also help breweries maximize their investment through our Keg Collar Cooperative, a program to allow brewers to group your keg collar order with other orders. This process spreads out setup costs so that we can offer quality, high-performance keg collars for as little as 15 cents per collar. Learn more about our Keg Collar Cooperative today.

Whether you utilize our Keg Collar Cooperative or need a completely custom design, Blue Label is here to deliver stunning labels with industry-best turnaround times. Contact us today to make the most of your keg collars.

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Professional vs. DIY Label Applicators: Which is Best for Your Business?

Stunning product labels come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. Of course, they all need to go through the application process at some point.

There are a multitude of options for label application. Some businesses opt to handle application themselves through means that range from sophisticated machinery to the most manual tools of all – your hands. Other business turn to professional applicators, such as a mobile canner.

Simply put, it’s essential to identify the best applicator for your business. However, the most effective option depends on your exact needs. Let’s break down the different types of applicators that are available and which route makes the most sense for your needs.

Product labels being placed on a roll for future application.

The Different Types of Label Applicators

When you’re tired of applying labels by hand, there are two main routes your company can take – handling application internally and hiring an outside vendor.

There are plenty options available if you want to handle label application internally. DIY applicators range from tabletop devices to fully-automated machines. There are also applicators made for specific types of labels and containers. For example, a shrink sleeve applicator is vastly different from a machine made for wraparound bottle labels.

As you may expect, the more automated machines are typically more expensive. Those extra costs typically translate in added efficiency, with some automated machines applying more than a thousand labels per hour. However, even tabletop devices will speed up your process compared to hand application. That investment in applicating equipment will also produce more consistent results, effectively limiting application issues like bubbling and wrinkles.

If you aren’t interested in handling the label application process internally, an outside vendor can take on that work for you. Companies like mobile canners and bottlers will come to your brewery, distillery, or other type of business and set up temporary application lines. Other professional applicators have internal systems where you can have them label your packaging in their own facility.

How to Choose Between Different Label Applicators

Both DIY and professional label application are viable options. However, each route offers certain advantages and disadvantages. A big brewery or a small specialty foods company will have different pain points that may make one option more attractive than the other. As such, it’s important to weigh what matters most for your business.

Advantages of DIY Label Applicators

Long-term financial viability.

Your budget is arguably the biggest factor when it comes to choosing the right label applicator for your business. It’s no secret that investing in labeling equipment is a notable investment, especially if you opt for automated machines. Manual machines are more affordable, but less efficient and consistent. Your financial flexibility can dictate exactly what you can get or if you’d prefer to pay as you go for professional application.

Of course, that initial investment is a big reason why in-house label application is best for long-term savings. You invest that capital up front on equipment, training, and space, but you’ll make that money back over time.

Flexibility in terms of timing.

One of the biggest benefits of investing in your own applicators is that you don’t need to rely on outside schedules. Using a mobile canning company or some other professional label applicator means that you need to work around their timelines. If you have a filler-applicator in house, you dictate when it’s time to fill your containers and apply your labels.

Advantages of Professional Label Applicators

Capital and space.

While taking a DIY label application approach can save you long-term, they do require an initial investment. Professional applicators can help businesses that either aren’t in a position to make that investment or want to keep their cashflow flexible for the near future.

Professional label applicators also help businesses that struggle with space. It’s not uncommon that businesses simply don’t have room for permanent canning or bottling lines and other sizable equipment. Mobile canners and bottlers make it so that you only need to clear space for a day before it’s returned to a normal work area.

No extra labor.

Sometimes your business doesn’t have the staff to accommodate label application in house. It takes a lot of time to make your product, clean, work the floor, handle accounting, and complete every other essential job. With professional label applicators, you don’t have to worry about training people and dedicating their and your valuable time to yet another task.

Less responsibility.

There’s a lot of value in not having to incur the cost when something goes wrong. Professional vendors are responsible for any issues or other problems that occur with their equipment. Those issues can range from fixing application issues to cleaning up messes and maintaining machinery. If you don’t own the equipment, you won’t need to spend your valuable time addressing those issues.

A decorated spirits label applied with a DIY label applicator.

Make Sure Your Labels Match Your Applicator’s Requirements

Whether your invest in DIY equipment or hire an outside company, your labels will likely need to meet certain specifications.

As such, you’ll need to ensure that your equipment of professional applicator can accommodate certain label specifications. Details like roll sizes, container shape, and unwind requirements should all align with your choice of applicator. If they don’t, your labels will end up with visible issues – and that’s if they can even be applied in the first place.

No matter your choice of applicator, a good label printing company can help you quickly match your label specifications and set you up for success. Blue Label works directly with you to identify these criteria and quickly produce durable, eye-catching labels for your products. Your labels need to tell your story. Our team can make sure your story isn’t derailed by application issues and other problems.

Ready to invest in labels tailored for your exact needs? Contact us today to talk to one of our experts about 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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Waterproof Beer Labels: How to Protect Your Labels

Beer labels and moisture just simply don’t mix. Of course, that’s a major problem for an industry where cans and bottles get wet all the time. From fill lines to beer coolers, moisture is an ever-present menace for beer packaging. That constant threat of label failure is exactly why the idea of waterproof beer labels is so attractive.

There’s just one problem with that concept – there is no such thing as a completely waterproof beer label. As much as we’d all love for a beer label to be completely waterproof, there’s no way to completely safeguard your labels from water and other forms of moisture.

While a 100 percent waterproof label isn’t attainable, all hope is not lost. There are several ways that you can make your beer label as resistant to moisture as possible. Let’s break down what you can do to protect your beer labels from water and other threats.

A waterproof beer bottle label for Jackie O’s Brewery. A six pack of waterproof beer labels for Land Grant Brewing Company.

Key Factors for Water-Resistant Beer Labels

When you need a “waterproof” beer can label or beer bottle label, every part of your label needs to built for success. Every label is made up of multiple layers, and each of these elements play a key role in how water resistant they are. As such, it’s important to weigh a few considerations when investing in custom beer labels.

Material selection

There are generally two types of label materials: paper and film. As you may expect, paper and moisture don’t work well together. Paper labels are great in many situations, but they can and will break down when wet. That’s a major problem when beer cans and bottles get soaking wet before application or sit in a cold, wet environment.

While paper definitely isn’t going to make for a waterproof beer label, films are much more resistant to moisture. Films like biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) don’t absorb water, so they aren’t at nearly as much risk of failing when they encounter water, oil, or other wet substances.

Adhesives

Adhesive selection is a major sticking point for beer labels. It doesn’t matter how water resistant your material is if your beer label won’t bind to your container. That’s why it’s vital to identify a moisture-resistant label adhesive that’s tailored to your exact needs.

The application process is one major hurdle for your adhesive. If your container will be wet going into the applicator, you’ll want to use some form of wet-apply adhesive to prepare for those conditions. These adhesives won’t completely eliminate beer label application failure, but it will drastically increase your success rate.

Of course, your adhesives need to work long after application. The best way to plan for long-term success is to use an adhesive that best accommodates how your products will be stored in the future. For beer, that means your adhesive will need to withstand high humidity, moisture, and cold temperatures. A water-resistant acrylic label is one option that can hold up better in coolers, refrigerators, and other damp environments.

It’s also important to remember that water isn’t the only form of moisture that can create problems. Contaminants like dirt and oil can wreak havoc with your adhesives. Even the beer itself can pose an unexpected problem If there’s leftover residue from the prefill process.

For example, the acidity in a radler, sour, or any other beer with fruit can create oxidation that can impact your materials, containers, and adhesive. As such, you’ll want to work out every detail with your Blue Label account representative to narrow down your search for the perfect label.

Release liners

It’s important not to forget about how your beer label gets to your container. The release liner is a thin sheet that is designed to carry your labels until they’re ready for application. While the release liner is removed before application, it still needs enough water resistance to make sure your label gets to its destination.

Simply put, wet applicating conditions will pose problems for certain release liners. A wet beer can or bottle can cause paper release liners to tear as they run through the machine. As with your label material, a film release liner will offer added water resistance to help enable a seamless applicating process.

Print protection

Every label can use a little extra protection. Finishing processes like lamination and varnishes are designed to shield your beer label from a variety of issues, including water.

While varnishes and laminates are both designed to protect your label, they’re applied in different ways. Varnishes are liquids that dry onto a label’s surface, making it a natural solution for a porous material like paper. Lamination is a layer of protective film that covers the top of your beer label, giving it another layer of defense against water, scratches, and other hazards.

The exact type of print protection you need depends on multiple factors, such as your choice of material or if you want these finishes to amplify your beer label design at all. Regardless of your choice, print protection is an essential part for just about any beer label.

Protect Your Image with Water-Resistant Beer Labels

Your craft beer labels play a critical role in marketing your product. Unfortunately, label failure can have an adverse affect on how people view your beer.

That’s why Blue Label works closely with companies to help them protect their brands with high-quality, water-resistant beer labels. Our experts can help you identify water-resistant solutions for every element of your beer label so that your beer cans and bottles will look amazing for your consumers.

Ready to waterproof your beer labels as much as possible? Contact Blue Label today to have us print quality, durable beer labels for your company.

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5 Ways to Elevate Your RTD Beverage Packaging

Simply put, ready-to-drink beverages are a big deal. Sales for RTD beverages have grown notably year over year as people crave quality mixed drinks in cans and other convenient containers. Of course, that popularity makes it essential that your RTD packaging stands out from the crowd.

Eye-catching packaging can be the difference between your products flying off shelves or collecting dust. It’s critical that your hard seltzers, canned cocktails, or any other RTD beverages make a notable first impression on consumers. Here are five ways that your RTD packaging can promise an elevated beverage experience.

Three hard seltzer cans with attractive RTD beverage packaging.

Go Simple to Make a Big Statement

While craft cocktails can be complex creations, RTD beverages are meant to be just that – ready to drink. People want a quick, convenient way to enjoy a nice adult beverage. Your packaging should do its best to convey that type of message.

A minimalist design approach is a great way to make an impression. When people are looking to kick back with a quality drink, they don’t want or need an information overload on their cans. Using white space or opting for more modern fonts like sans serif will help you quickly and directly communicate everything people need to know, including the flavor, your brand, and more.

That sense of directness also gives your product a sense of transparency and authority. Every small detail is amplified, so you can really highlight key selling points like all-natural flavors or high-quality spirits. Simplicity also pairs well with any RTD beverages positioned as a health-conscious way to enjoy a few adult drinks.

Don’t Slack on Personality

Simple doesn’t mean boring. In fact, RTD packaging shouldn’t be afraid to be loud, proud, and fun.

Big brash colors are a great match for hard seltzers or canned cocktails meant for a day or night on the patio. Bright oranges, yellows, and greens are a perfect complement for any tequila seltzers or other drinks ready to make people appreciate a cold beverage on a warm day. Full color printing can help translate your aesthetic with bright, summery colors to capture your ideal brand look no matter the size of your company.

Stunning colors aren’t the only way to showcase your product’s personality. Different decorations can make a massive impact for the design of your containers. Finishes like matte or glossy laminates will add both elegance and durability to your RTD container. Meanwhile, a soft touch laminate will even make your label feel different, giving your drinks an added edge for intrigued consumers.

A peach bellini breeze from Figleaf Brewing Co with attractive RTD can packaging.

Maximize Your Materials

It’s important not to overlook just how much your materials impact the look of your RTD cans. When it comes to RTD labels, you’re mainly dealing with a film material that will work well in coolers, fridges, and fill lines. Of course, that still means you have plenty of options to optimize your design.

Shrink sleeves are one such eye-catching option. These labels allow you to add a “second skin” that conforms to the shape of the container. The effect gives your label an extremely professional 360-degree look akin to the Whiteclaws and Trulys of the world that’s extra impressive to consumers.

Sometimes your materials can help support your design in different ways as well. For example, you can utilize metallic labels to create a faux foil stamping that will not only look impressive, but also cost you less than the actual decorative effects. Holographic labels are another stunning material that can add a ton of pop to attract your consumers’ eyes.

Show Off All Your Different Products

People love options. Fortunately, you can leverage your packaging to showcase all your different products.

Whether you has an assortment of flavors or styles of RTD beverages, it’s important to give each product a distinctive, yet cohesive look. For example, you can use the same base design and give each flavor a distinct color – a bright green for a lime-flavored tequila seltzer just makes too much sense. These variations will not only give each product its own look, it’ll make for an eye-catching sight for the ever-popular mix packs.

Of course, you also need to balance variety with budget. Different products call for different labels, which can lead to added fees and minimum order requirements with traditional printing means. Fortunately, digital technology allows you to mix and match multiple orders into a single order to order exactly the amount of labels you need for each flavor and take advantage of the lower ‘per thousand’ unit cost.

A six-pack of with purple RTD packaging.

Work With the Right RTD Packaging Experts

It’s important to find partners who can bridge the gap balance quality, durability, and quick turnarounds for your business. That level of expertise and customer service is why companies turn to Blue Label Packaging for their product labels.

Our experts have worked with more than 1,000 breweries and distilleries and know what it takes to print refined, cost-effective RTD labels whether you’re expanding your current product line or transitioning to a new container. Better yet, we can promise turnaround times of five business days so that you get your labels when you need them.

Ready to invest in the perfect RTD labels? Contact us today to make sure your RTD beverages stand out from the competition.

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What is a Release Liner and How Does It Impact Your Label?

⚞ The Highlights:

A release liner is the backing that protects your label’s adhesive until you’re ready to apply it
The material and silicone coating of the liner affect how smoothly the label releases and adheres to a surface
Choosing the right release liner for your adhesive can help prevent issues like residue and misalignment during application

There’s more to your labels than what your customers see. Every label is made up of multiple components that play a specific role. While most consumers will see your label material or decorative elements, there’s one key component that makes sure your labels get to where they need to go: the release liner.

What is a Label Release Liner?

To get to the bottom of a release liner’s meaning and role, it’s important to understand how a label is constructed. These are the four main layers of a label from top to bottom.
A breakdown of the different layers of a label, including the release liner.

As you can see, the release liner serves as the base layer for any roll of pressure sensitive labels. This release liner is a thin sheet with a silicone layer that allows adhesive to release the roll so that it can be applied to another surface. If it weren’t for the release liner, also known as a carrier, your labels would simply stick to each other or something else before you could transport it to the next application.

The Different Types of Release Liners

Like label materials, there are different types of release liners available for use. Each of these carriers have different advantages depending on your applicator and other product factors. While there are a variety of options, there are three types of release liners that are common for product labels.

PET (polyester)
Calendered Kraft paper
Polykraft paper

PET release liners

A PET release liner is made with polyester film to create a carrier that’s extremely smooth. A major advantage of PET release liners is that they don’t break as easily as a paper liner. That strength makes PET release liners a great choice for high-speed applicators.

Another benefit of PET release liners is that they’re great for wet applications. For example, beer cans are typically soaking wet by the time they reach the labeling line, so that added durability is a major positive for any adverse applicating environments. PET is also thinner than the usual release liner papers. As such, a standard 1.2 mm PET release liner will allow you to get more labels on a roll and take up less space during shipping and storage.

Calendered kraft paper release liners

While film release liners have their advantages, paper carries are still extremely common for labels in multiple industries. Super calendered kraft (SCK) papers are typically bleached white and are commonplace in the U.S. as many applicators are made to accommodate papers.

The reason why businesses commonly turn to SCK release liners extends beyond paper being an old standby for label carriers. A paper being “calendered” means that it’s polished, so an SCK is smoother than regular paper liners. That smoothness and the ability to work with the majority of applicators makes SCK a go-to option for product labels.

Polykraft release liners

A polykraft release liner is essentially a mid-point between PET and paper label carriers. Polykraft is a brown, unbleached paper that’s a little thicker and heavier than standard kraft papers. This extra heft and thickness is because polykraft has a very thin layer of polypropylene married to the paper.

The advantage of Polykraft is that the layer of polypropylene makes the material more stable and sturdy. These qualities help with moisture barriers while still allowing companies to invest in paper liners. As such, Polykraft is typically used in wine labeling and other industries that are used to paper release liners, but still need that added stability to deal with moisture.

Rolls of labels with different release liners.

How to Identify the Right Label Release Liner

While there are multiple label release liners available, there are a few different factors that can impact which one is best for your needs. To identify the right carrier for your labels, you’ll want to weigh the following considerations.

Your label applicator

The biggest factor in which release liner you should use depends on how you’re going to apply those labels. An applicator reads the gap between labels to know when the applicator should dispense a label. Once the sensor reads a gap, it will dispense a label so that it catches a can, bottle, or any other container. However, the wrong release liner can lead to label application issues.

Simply put, some applicators aren’t made to read clear liners. New applicators are built to accept clear release liners, which means PET carriers shouldn’t pose problems. However, you would need to opt for SCK, Polykraft, or some other opaque release liner if your application process isn’t made to handle clear carriers.

Environmental factors

The applicator isn’t the only potential challenge during the application process. You also need to make sure your release liner works with your applicating conditions.

Different application environments pose certain problems for your release liners. Wet conditions are the biggest issue, especially for paper carriers. If a beer can or some other container is soaking wet, that can cause carriers without enough moisture resistance to tear. As such, you’ll need to invest in a PET release liner or another solution that can hold up to your applicating environment.

Clear labels

Some liner issues are less obvious than others. While the carrier is removed before your labels are applied, it can still have a visual impact on clear labels if you’re not careful.

If you want to use clear labels, its best to use some form of film release liner. The reason for this is that running a clear label on a paper liner can make the label look cloudy. This cloudiness occurs because the label adhesive takes the shape of the carrier. Even a super calendered paper has small fibers that can impact the adhesive. Because of this, it’s best to use a PET release liner that has no imperfections and will enable true clarity.

Invest in the Perfect Labels from Top to Bottom

While they don’t end up on your products, different types of release liners play a pivotal part for your labels. That’s why Blue Label strives to provide the perfect labeling solution for your products. Our experts work with you to uncover any opportunities and potential issues to make sure every layer of your label is perfect for your needs.

Ready to invest in the right labels for your products? Contact us today to talk about your next label project.

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How to Get a Barcode, UPC, and QR Code for a Product Label

⚞ The Highlights:

You need a GS1-issued prefix to create official UPC codes that retailers will accept at checkout
Once you have your GS1 prefix, you can register each product and usually receive your barcodes within a few days
For QR codes, you can generate them online as soon as you have a link or data ready, just make sure the final code size and resolution fit your label design

A good product label performs many jobs, including making a great first impression on potential customers. These labels also need to provide important information to both consumers and retailers alike.

UPC barcodes and QR codes aren’t always the most attractive part of your labels, but they serve essential roles for your products. Let’s break down how to create a barcode for a product and what it takes to get UPC barcodes and QR codes for your product labels (and what it takes to make sure they work).

The Differences Between a UPC, Barcode, and QR Code

What is a UPC code? While a UPC and barcode are inherently connected, they are two different things. The UPC is the Universal Product Code, which is a unique identifier for every single product. The barcode is the machine-readable version of that same code. Those two features are then combined into one visual element so that people and machines can read them.

A QR code is a type of two-dimensional barcode, also known as a matrix barcode. Like UPC barcodes, the design contains patterns that represent certain information. However, this information is typically something larger than a product identifier.

These codes are designed to be scanned by a smartphone or some other device with a QR code reader. The scan would then direct users to different websites, videos, or other content that may interest them – QR codes can store up to 4296 characters in total. In short, UPC barcodes are designed to identify a product’s identity, while a QR code is a useful tool for branding and marketing purposes. Keep reading to learn how to make a barcode for a product label.

Product labels with UPC barcodes.

How to Get a UPC Code

The first step toward getting a 12-digit UPC barcode is to join GS1. GS1 is an international group that created UPCs to help standardize the way that vendors track products both online and in stores. The group has different divisions across the country, and GS1 U.S. covers the United States.

GS1 does charge membership fees based on the total number of unique product variations, but it’s a small price to pay for the ability to sell your products throughout the country. GS1 also provides a barcode estimator to help you identify how many UPCs you’ll need.

Once your company joins GS1, it will be assigned a company prefix. This prefix is a six to 10 digit that serves as the manufacturer identification number for all your products. You can then assign each unique product a global trade item number (GTIN). Then, you may license these GTINs from GS1 to allow retailers to identify the various products in your supply chain.

The exact number of digits you get for the item numbers depends on the length of your prefix. The prefix and item numbers must combine to be 11 characters, so a six-digit prefix would require a five-digit item number.

The final number of a UPC is called the check digit. The check digit is a single number that’s used as a redundancy check to check for any potential errors. You can use GS1’s check digit calculator to determine the right number to finish off your UPC. That should give you something like the UPC listed below.

A breakdown of UPC numbers and how to get a barcode.

How to Get a Barcode

Now that you have a UPC, it’s time to get a barcode that matches your 12-digit codes. Every barcode must match the UPC in question. The good news is that GS1 includes machine readable barcodes along with the UPCs you license from them. Members can use the GS1 U.S. Data Hub to create high-resolution artwork to include on their product labels.

How to Get a QR Code

Unlike UPC barcodes, getting QR codes for your business isn’t nearly as official of a process. In fact, anyone with access to the internet can make them.

The first step toward getting a QR code is to choose a QR code generator. There are a wide variety of options available, many of which include completely free QR codes. There are also more comprehensive generators that allow you to customize the look of QR codes and track performance. Others allow you to make dynamic QR codes that can be updated in real time. No matter your choice, some form of generator will allow you to create a scannable design.

Once you’ve chosen a generator, you can enter your information into the field it provides. For something like QR Code Generator, that’s as simple as copying and pasting a website, text, or something else into a field and having a QR code generated automatically. You can then download those files and add them to your product labels so that people can scan your QR code with a mobile device.

How to Prepare UPC Barcodes and QR Codes for Labels

Getting UPC barcodes and QR codes is the first step, making sure they work on your product labels is the next. A code won’t help at all if it doesn’t work. That’s why it’s important to take some steps to make sure your barcodes and QR codes are properly set up for your labels. Use these practices to improve your label’s barcodes and QR codes.

Use proper colors. Warm colors can lead to scanning issues. Stick with dark colors on light backgrounds to play it safe.
Keep a “quiet zone.” You need to have enough white space around the codes so that the scanner doesn’t try to read other elements. The quiet zone should be at least an eighth of an inch wide around all sides.
Maintain proper sizing. Bigger codes are easier to scan, especially for barcodes. A typical barcode measures 1.469 inches wide by 1.02 inches high.
Send barcodes and QR codes in the right files. The appropriate art files will help ensure your codes translate well to your labels. Make sure to deliver the image files you’ve received from the code providers, as well as an Excel document with a list of UPC numbers.

Make Sure Your Product Packaging is Ready for Success

Barcodes and QR codes aren’t the flashiest part of your labels, but it’s imperative that they work. Fortunately, a good printing company can work with you to ensure that your UPC, barcode, and QR code are set up for success.

From barcodes to label materials, there are several factors that go into a successful product label. Blue Label works with you to identify the best, most cost-effective label printing solution for your products. That includes not only testing out barcodes and QR codes to make sure they work, but also working with you to uncover ways to enhance and protect your label design to wow your customers.

Ready to invest in quality, eye-catching labels for your products? Contact us today to talk about your next label project.

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Craft Brewery Branding: 6 Ways to Build Trust Through Beer Labels

In a crowded market, beer drinkers want to feel confident that they’ve made the right choice. The problem is that without any nearby samples, the average consumer has to judge a book by its cover.

Fortunately, that cover can do a lot to build confidence in your craft brewery’s brand. There are multiple factors that play a role in beer selection. Your beer label is the perfect tool to make a first impression and tell interested consumers what your product is all about. Here are six ways that your beer labels can help you build trust with your customers.

A craft beer bottle with custom craft brewery branding.

Brewed on and Best By Dates

No craft beer lover wants to drink something that’s past its prime. While you can print date codes on the neck of your bottle, adding more details on your label is one way to engender trust with consumers. Including a brewed by date or a best by date will help potential buyers feel confident that your beers are still fresh.

Serving Facts and Ingredient Information

While beer labels are exempt from listing ingredients and nutritional information that doesn’t mean you can’t add them anyway. There’s a reason why massive beer industry brands like Bud Light chose to add serving facts labels in 2019 – it makes them look good.

Simply put, consumers like having as much information as possible. Including your ingredients, serving facts, or other nutritional information is just another way to add transparency about what’s in your beer. Even something as simple as tasting notes will give customers more details to digest before deciding if your beer is right for them.

Local Pride

A little local pride can go a long way toward attracting new customers. Brewery location is one of the top factors consumers consider when choosing craft beer according to Craft Brewing Business – and your labels are a perfect opportunity to play up that local connection.

Just how much does amplifying your local roots boost confidence for regional buyers? Craft Brewing Business learned that “locally brewed” was the most attractive claim to Americans in a survey of craft beer drinkers. Fortunately, your label is the perfect place to proclaim your local pride. There are multiple ways to do this – emblazon your labels with “brewed in [blank],” adjust your design to highlight local ties, etc. – and each can be the extra edge you need to attract new customers.

Craft Beer Sustainability

One major purchasing trend in recent years is the push to support green businesses. That trend is no stranger to craft beer branding. According to a Purdue University study, roughly “75 percent of beer consumers are willing to pay premiums for beer brewed using environmentally sustainable practices.” These practices include:

Water conservation
Energy use reduction
Landfill diversion

Your label is the perfect place to showcase your sustainability initiatives and create consumer confidence in your products. There are a few ways that you can communicate your sustainability efforts. The Environmental Protection Agency allows businesses to add ecolabel seals to their packaging if they meet certain environmental performance criteria.

You could also take sustainability to the next level with certain label materials. Utilizing paper materials made with post-consumer waste, including those certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). By marking your products with an FSC label, you can show your consumers that your labels came from responsibly managed forests and that your company is doing its part to take care of the world’s forests.

Your Craft Brewery’s Personality

Remember when we said that brewery location was one of the top factors people consider when buying craft beer? It turns out that the brewery itself is another major consideration for potential patrons.

People naturally like to have a connection with the brands they support. Using your label to tell your brewery’s story is one way to get people to grow closer to your brand. Don’t be afraid to showcase your personality through your label – that identity is a big part of what makes your brewery different than the competition. In turn, people can feel confident that they’re supporting a one-of-a-kind business instead of just another brewery.

Multiple cans with custom craft beer branding.

Consistent Quality

According to a survey from C+R Research, 76 percent of people who enjoy alcohol say that price doesn’t influence their decision to buy craft beer. Instead, the top two factors driving people toward craft beer are taste and quality. Simply put, craft beer drinkers don’t want to waste their time on a substandard product – they simply want a great beer.

Fortunately, your beer labels play a pivotal role in conveying the quality of your product. A quality, eye-catching label sends a clear message to consumers that you take your products seriously. Of course, your design is just one part of an attractive beer label. It takes a good label printing company to help your beers dress for success.

At Blue Label, we have the experts and technology to help you get the most out of your beer labels. Our team works with you throughout the printing process to not only enhance your design, but also protect your packaging from unsightly scratches and water damage. We also offer a variety of resources like our designer directory to help you find the right graphic designer to help you capture your brewery’s brand identity.

Ready to make the best first impression? Contact us today about quality, cost-effective beer labels for your brewery.

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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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How to Determine Your Label Unwind Position

⚞ The Highlights:

The unwind position is the label’s orientation on the roll that makes sure the front design shows up correctly during application
You can determine the proper unwind by matching your artwork’s designated front with the way the labels naturally unroll off the core
Always verify the unwind position with a sample before production to avoid issues like upside-down or misaligned labels

The last thing you want is an upside-down label. It’s extremely frustrating to invest time and creativity in stunning labels only to have an improper unwind lead to application issues. Let’s break down how to figure out the proper roll direction and make sure your labels are correctly applied to your containers.

What is Unwind?

Unwind, also known as label roll direction, is the dimension or edge of the label that comes off the roll first. Labels come in long rolls that are fed through an applicator. As the roll runs through the machine, the labels will come off the roll in a specific direction.

If you hand apply your labels, the roll direction isn’t all too important – you’ll simply peel off the labels and place them appropriately on your container. The machine application process isn’t so simple.

Different applicators place labels onto containers in different ways – left to right, top to bottom, etc. Your unwind needs to accommodate your applicator so that the roll feeds your labels into the machine in the appropriate label wind direction every single time. If it doesn’t, you could end up with labels that are upside down or sideways.

A selection of label rolls with different unwinds.

How to Choose Which Unwind is Best for You

Improper label orientation is a major issue for any business. Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to address the problem and determine your proper label roll direction.

When you don’t know which unwind is right for your business, it’s best to go straight to the source. Each label application machine will have specific instructions on the correct label roll direction. If you apply the label in house, you can refer to the label applicator’s instruction manual or contact the manufacturer. If you have a third-party applicator, they should be able to tell you which unwind is needed for your label rolls.

The Different Label Unwind Positions

There are a variety of unwind directions for labels. These unwinds are named after the edge of your label that will come off the roll first. You can use this handy label unwind chart to visualize the different roll directions.

A label unwind chart with the four different label roll directions.

The unwind direction for labels on the underside of a label roll.

It’s also important to remember that the labels can be placed on the inside or the outside of the roll depending on the applicator. Labels printed on the outside of the roll are considered “wound out” while labels printed on the inside of the roll are “wound in.” Because of this, there are eight possible label unwind directions for your setup. As always, you’ll want to double-check your applicator’s instructions before assuming that the labels should be printed and die cut on the outside of the roll.

Maximize Your Label Costs Associated to Unwind

The unwind isn’t the only way your applicator impacts your product labels. Applicators can require a specific roll size, also known as “Max OD” (Maximum Outer-Diameter). The roll size and unwind position have a direct impact on the efficiency of your label printing process.

The dimensions and positioning of your custom label can lead to unused roll space that will add to your total label costs if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s important to partner with a label printing company that help you maximize label space and mitigate any application issues ahead of time.

At Blue Label, we work directly with you to identify potential issues and provide cost-effective solutions to ensure you get the best possible eye-catching labels for your products. Contact us today to get your next product label project underway.