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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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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 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.

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Label Application Issues: How to Prevent Common Label Defects

A good label makes an important statement to potential customers. Unfortunately, improper application can turn a promising opportunity into a bad look for your product. Label defects come in a variety of forms ranging from minor errors to complete failure. Typical issues include:

Wrinkles
Darting
Air bubbles
Cupping
Edge lift
Tearing during application
Adhesive not sticking

Whether it’s due to improper adhesives, applicator issues, or a harsh environment, one thing is certain: defects detract from your product labels. Each fault will negatively impact the appearance of your brand (and that’s if the labels are able to stick to your container in the first place). As such, it’s important to identify the source behind these issues and take steps to solve the situation.

A man examining printed labels for defects.

Potential Causes of Label Application Issues

There are several different reasons why a label would wrinkle, cup, or fall off entirely. Of course, each situation can depend on multiple factors, to name a couple: the type of product you sell or the material and adhesive combination chosen for your label. Once the issue is identified, your label manufacturer and applicator can make the appropriate adjustments to help ensure optimal label performance. To identify the source of your label failure, you’ll want to consider the following potential reasons for label defects.

The container

One of the early steps in identifying potential issues involves knowing your container. It’s important to know the dimensions of your container so that you can base your design around them. The downfall of not knowing your container’s dimensions is that your label could wrinkle or trap in air bubbles upon application. For example, a square label won’t properly apply to a tapered bottle without issue. By tapering your label to fit your dimensions, you can help prevent darting or wrinkles early on in the process.

If you need these dimensions, you should contact the manufacturer of your container for this information. If you use glass bottles, you may have already received something called a “mechanical,” which is essentially a spec sheet for your containers.

It’s also important to recognize that the surface of your container can impact label application. For example, lower quality glass may be pitted or more rigid than smooth. These little peaks and valleys on the surface of your container will trap air under your label upon application, which will result in a higher likelihood of visible bubbles.

The applicating environment and process

In addition to considering the container itself, it’s also important to weigh the condition of the container and the environment surrounding it during application. Environmental factors make a massive impact on which materials and adhesives are right for your labels. Factors like temperature, the presence of moisture, and potential contamination will directly cause peeling or label failure if you don’t plan for them.

Beer labels are a common example of this issue. If a brewery prefills the can and applies a lid, there’s a rinse in the process that makes the cans wet. This situation would call for some type of wet apply adhesive. These options aren’t bulletproof given the nature of water and adhesive, but it will be much more successful than a standard adhesive. If existing moisture is still an issue, you can add what’s called an air knife to blow condensation off the can and lessen the chances of label defects.

Of course, these issues can’t be addressed until you examine your applicating environment and share these details with your label manufacturer. Even small details may help you avoid lengthy troubleshooting. For example, you may need a different adhesive or material solution for a sour beer compare to a standard lager because the acidity from the fruit in the sour beer can cause oxidation between aluminum can and a metallic BOPP material.

Belt problems

Another area of potential concern involves the wrap belt on an applicator. In certain instances, the belt can create a static charge as it moves the cans forward. That static charge can tug on the label and make the label crooked or completely pull it off in the belt area. As this happens, whoever is at the end of the applicator will need to fix affected containers – and that’s if you have an adhesive that you can remove after application.

This static charge can be caused by a few factors. In some cases, there may be too much pressure on the belt. In other, there may not be enough pressure on the belt. Certain circumstances may also call for some form of anti-skid tape to limit the amount of friction and static on the belt. This process is especially helpful for labels with matte or soft touch laminations. These laminations are very hydrophilic, which can cause the wipe down pads to accidentally suck labels off containers. Adding anti-skid tape or even sandpaper will give the backing pad lower surface energy than the lamination, which in turn lowers the odds of accidental label removal.

Liner issues

In some situations, your liner label can be the source of application issues. Labels have either paper or clear plastic liners, but some applicators can’t use one type of liner and vice versa.

Your choice of liner doesn’t cause a lot of issues, but it does impact the die cut. When you cut out the shape of the label, you’re basically pushing down on that liner. You can push down harder on the clear liner because it’s plastic. If you push too hard on the paper, it can make a small hairpin split that’s hard to see. However, if that slightly split paper line is hooked up to an applicator, the pressure and tension used in that applicator can rip the liner and force you to stop production and splice the roll back together.

In this situation, the solution would be to opt for a clear liner as long as your applicator can handle a change. Each applicator has a sensor, but some aren’t set up to work correctly with clear liner. Imagine if you’re trying to scan something that’s clear – it doesn’t always register. In this case, you may need to get a special sensor to avoid potential tearing.

Improper storage

Another potential source of label defects stems from the way labels a stored before application. Certain environmental factors can impact the success of your labels, such as keeping them in a place that’s too hot, cold, dry, or wet. Typically, you want labels stores in a temperature controlled environment – the exact temperature and humidity varies based on your specific label, so make sure to get these details from your label printer if you plan on storing them before use.

While environmental factors can impact all labels during storage, shrink sleeve labels are particularly tricky. Shrink sleeves are made with special materials that make them more susceptible to potential damage prior to application. Excess heat, cold, or other uncontrolled environmental factors can cause shrink sleeves to warp or even melt, leading to distortion or complete failure. As such, these labels require refrigerated trailers for shipping and have particular storage needs to prevent avoidable waste.

Shelf life is another key consideration for potential defects. Typically there’s a one-year warranty on labels, so you don’t want to wait past that time because the adhesive can lose effectiveness if you let it sit that long.

A run of labels made with a collaborative digital label printer.

Work with a Collaborative Label Printing Company

The best tool for preventing label defects is communication. From air bubbles to wrinkles, Blue Label works with you to identify potential hazards and deliver solutions for your label problems. Our experts develop a collaborative relationship with our customers to understand the ins and outs of their label process to avoid issues ahead of time or troubleshoot defects over time.

Ready to work with a collaborative label printing company for your product labels? Contact us today to request label samples or talk to one of our experts about your needs.

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Four Reasons Why You Should Consider Shrink Sleeve Labels

More businesses are turning to shrink sleeves for their products. According to a 2018 study, sleeve labels claimed 18 percent of the label market, the vast majority of which comprised of heat shrink labels that conform sleeves to the shape of your container. As a result, sleeve labels are now the third-largest labeling technology behind pressure-sensitive and traditional glue-applied labels – and this growth isn’t expected to slow down.

So why are more businesses utilizing shrink sleeves? These labels provide a variety of design and performance benefits depending on your product. Here are four big reasons why you may want to use shrink sleeve labels for your business.

360 Degree Design Capabilities

One of the most notable benefits of shrink sleeves is that they can provide where other labels are limited: complete container coverage.

While a pressure-sensitive label can be custom-shaped to your container, it can’t compete with a label that’s very nature is to conform to the entire container. This process allows you to brand your goods from neck finish to base, allowing you to adorn your product with a design that covers pretty much every square inch of your container instead of being limited to the main surface area.

A shrink sleeve label on a beer can.

Form Fitting Sleeves Highlight Custom Shapes

Containers come in all shapes and sizes. From squeeze bottles shaped for comfort and performance to custom packaging designed to intrigue consumers, shrink sleeves are a natural fit for products that don’t subscribe to standard shapes.

Since shrink sleeves conform to your container, they provide tremendous opportunity to accentuate certain features of your packaging, whether it’s an ergonomic grip, an extended neck, or some other eye-catching shape.

Extra Design Protection

If you’re concerned about scuffed or scratched labels, you’ll be a fan of shrink sleeves. Pressure-sensitive labels have ink printed on the outside of the label, which means that people may accidentally rub that ink off if you don’t use a laminate or some other form of protection. Shrink sleeves turn this process inside out to eliminate the need for a special shield.

Unlike other types of labels, shrink sleeves have your design printed on the inside of the sleeve. By doing this, you shield your design with a built-in coat of film that is resistant to abrasion and other potential damage. This process can help protect your design from potential damage caused by everyday use.

Potential for Built-in Security

Tamper seals are necessary for specialty foods and other products that require tamper-evident packaging. Shrink sleeves allow you to invest in quality labels and tamper seals at the same time.

While you can design and order separate labels that serve as product seals, you can extend your sleeve over your closure and add a perforation to create a built-in, tearable seal. Perforations will allow your users to tear away only the top over your shrink sleeve, helping you cut down on your application process. In addition, you can extend your label design so that it covers your closure if you don’t want a basic, clear seal.

An assortment of shrink sleeves before they're placed on containers.

Find the Right Labels for Your Products

Whether you need a label for bottles, cans, or a specialty container, shrink sleeves can be an attractive, effective solution for your brand. At Blue Label, we have the expertise and equipment necessary to provide you with quality shrink sleeves designed for your specific design and performance needs.

If you’re ready to invest in shrink sleeves or stick with tried and true pressure sensitive labels, Blue Label can help. Contact us today to have us print the perfect labels for your products.

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The Benefits of Variable Data Printing for Cannabis and CBD Labels

When you operate in a thriving industry, sometimes you need an edge to help your products stand out from the crowd. As more cannabis and CBD products make their way online and in stores, it’s critical that people notice your products. Fortunately, digital label printing technology can play a key part in showcasing your goods.

Variable label printing is a powerful promotional tool that utilizes data to revamp the way you approach your labels. By utilizing spreadsheets and other file formats, this technology allows you to be creative in brand new ways to personalize your products and keep track of important information. These new capabilities can open your cannabis and CBD labels up to a whole new range of possibilities.

Flexible Label Design Modification

One of the wonderful advantages of variable data printing is that it can help you diversify your label design without recreating that design every single time. Essentially, variable data printing allows you to modify various elements for different labels. These elements can include features like:

Illustrations and images
Product names, quotes, and other text
Batch numbers
QR codes

Thanks to your data spreadsheet or other file format, you can create rules that allow you to customize these elements to add variety to your labels. For example, if you make CBD gummies and have a wide variety of flavors, you can utilize the same label design template and modify the color and text on those labels to match each flavor. This process allows you to turn a single design into personalized pieces for multiple SKUs with a little creativity and some beneficial technology.

Multiple product labels with different colors made using variable data printing.

Adjustability for Required Product Information

No matter whether you make something edible or topical, there’s a good chance that you’ll need to include certain product information on your label. Between the FDA, TTB, and any other regulatory acronym, different types of product labels need to include certain details to remain compliant with governmental standards. The existence of cannabis, CBD, and THC can add even more required information. Depending on your product, that can include the following:

The amount of active CBD and/or THC per serving
A supplement fact panel that includes all ingredients
Net weight
Manufacturer or distributor names
Whether the CBD used is full spectrum, broad spectrum, or an isolate
Batch or date codes

While necessary, these bits of info are a pain when they can change depending on your product. If your trying to consolidate your order or use the same base template, variable data printing allows you to customize each of these elements as you see fit. Does one hand cream contain more active CBD than another? Digital printing can help you modify that and other information as necessary to save you some time and frustration.

The Freedom to Be Unique

While variable data printing is great for modifying individual elements to customize base designs, it can also help you go a bit wild with your design. If you don’t want to limit your options to a few set choices, full variable printing can help you create a unique look for every single label.

Want to use a psychedelic, tie-dye background that’s different every time? Variable data printing can do that. Have a ton of photos, quotes, or other design elements available and want to randomly assign them for each label? That’s definitely doable. When you want to embrace being different, variable data printing gives you the means to do it without manually creating every single label.

Product Tracking

While a bit of chaos is fun, there are some aspects of your label that demand careful organization. Variable data printing can help you serialize barcodes to help you track products. It also can number labels systematically so you don’t need to tally everything by hand, which will save you plenty of time and hand cramps.

Three versions of cannabis product labels printed in the same order.

Multiple Designs in One Order

Another big advantage of variable data printing is order flexibility. Whether you can’t justify hitting certain minimum label requirements for a dozen different SKUs or you prefer smaller orders to stay ahead of any regulatory changes, digital technology gives you the ability to combine multiple label designs in a single order. This way you don’t need to sacrifice quality in order to reach certain quantities.

Not only does variable data printing allow you to churn out several label variations in one batch, it doesn’t slow down the process either. Once you have the data and design files ready, digital printing can get your labels ready right away so you can get your labels within three to five days, even if you utilized variable printing for multiple designs.

With the right equipment, technology, and experts in place, Blue Label can help you create the best possible labels for your cannabis and CBD products. Contact us today to talk to us about your label needs.

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4 Common Mistakes for CBD Labels

According to Forbes, the CBD market could reach $20 billion by 2024, which is great news for people in the cannabis market. However, that rise also invites more competition.

As the CBD market grows, more products will flood the market. This growth means that your CBD your products need to stand out from the rest of your competitors. That’s where a good CBD label can help. Proper packaging can be the difference from your product being just another item on the shelf or a big success. However, it’s easy to make a few notable label mistakes during the process. Here are four issues you should avoid for your CBD labels.

Some CBD Labels Don’t Include Legally Required Information

What’s tricky for CBD labels is that the federal government isn’t quite clear about the exact guidelines for these types of products. However, it’s a good idea to list out the following details to provide your audience with the right information.

The amount of active CBD per serving
A supplement fact panel that includes all ingredients
Net weight
The manufacturer or distributor name
Whether the CBD used is full spectrum, broad spectrum, or an isolate
A batch or date code
The suggested product use

Of course, there may be more to your labeling requirements than just that. CBD products may require some other information depending on how you classify the product. For example, a food product needs to follow the the regulations found in the FDA Food Labeling Guide. However, a healthy and beauty product needs to adhere to the FDA’s rules on cosmetic labeling. Once you take note of how your product is classified, you can then apply those labeling guidelines to your product in addition to including general compliance information for CBD.

Certain CBD Labels Deal with Font Issues

It’s hard to get your product’s message across when there’s something wrong with the type on your CBD labels. Text and font issues can prove problematic for any product. For CBD labels, a wrong font can not only muddle the look of your label, it can also land you into some compliance trouble.

When you deal with labeling requirements set by the FDA or some other administration, there are occasions where you need to use a certain font size or style. These rules are in place to ensure that certain details are easily read, so it’s best to abide by them. However, they may not be as simple as following a set font size.

For example, the FDA requires labels to use “a print or type size that is prominent, conspicuous and easy to read” for information panels. Seems simple right? Just wait, there’s more! The labeling guide also states that labels should “use letters that are at least one sixteenth (1/16) inch in height based on the lower case letter ‘o,’” except in the case of “very small food packages as discussed in 21 CFR 101.2(c) & (f).” Finding the exact type rules for your exact product may require some digging, but it’s still preferable to having a federal organization confiscate your products and fine you for improper labeling.

There are also occasions when the type used isn’t necessarily a legal issue, but does pose some design issues. This problem is especially true for CBD products sold in small containers that only provide a few inches of labeling space. At this point, you’ll need to balance both compliance and design to find a typography compromise [link to new typography tips post when it’s live] that showcases your brand without coming off as busy or boring. Take the label from Limitless CBD pictured below as an example. Despite not having much space to work with, Limitless’ design establishes a clear identity with legible text, all while meeting regulations.

Two Limitless CBD labels for premium CBD hemp packaging.

Other CBD Labels Get Caught Making Health Claims

There may be a lot of studies that suggest that CBD has significant health benefits, but there isn’t enough existing information to convince the FDA of them. The amount of documented information required makes it tricky to legally make a health claim on a label for any product. For CBD products, it’s nearly impossible.

As of now, the FDA’s stance is that “there are many unanswered questions about the science, safety, and quality of products containing CBD.” This position means that federal law does not recognize CBD as a dietary supplement or as a substance that can help prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure serious diseases. The only exception to this is a single prescription CBD product that has been approved to treat rare forms of epilepsy.

Aside from that very specific breakthrough, the FDA will crack down on CBD labels that make health claims about cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, or any other conditions. As such, it’s best to avoid these claims altogether on your packaging if you want to avoid potential legal intervention.

However, the potential dangers of health claims doesn’t mean that you can’t highlight other beneficial features. For example, it’s completely fine to state that your product is organic, GMO free, or something similar as long as your product meets the legal guidelines for such terms, such as the label for Ritual’s Nighttime Tincture pictured below.

Ritual CBD tincture featuring a label with an organic claim.

They Showcase CBD Too Much

As we mentioned eariler, the CBD market is booming at the moment. This has led to scores of new consumers trying to find the appropriate CBD product for them. That increase in potential customers is great if your product meets their needs. However, you have to be careful that your consumers see you as more than just another CBD product.

While a big ol’ “CBD” on the front of your product may attract the random customer, there’s something to be said for subtlety. If a consumer only knows you as “that CBD product I use,” what’s to prevent them from seeing you as interchangeable if a bigger, shinier CBD product emerges? Instead, it’s important to focus on designing your CBD label to focus on your brand and developing a relationship with your intended audience. This way you become a name to them, and it’s easier to create brand loyalty if they remember you as “ABC CBD” than “that green bottle that says CBD on it.”

CBD Social is a great example of establishing an identity that goes beyond the use of CBD. The label pictured below places the emphasis on why the product matter to consumers – extreme relief is awful enticing for someone dealing with pain – and uses CBD to supplement that message in an eye-catching design.

Invest in Professional CBD Labels for Your Products

In a fight for CBD supremacy, the products with the best labels have a massive edge. This is why investing in professionally made, custom product labels can help give your product the boost it needs to tell your story and build a loyal customer base.

At Blue Label, we have the digital printing technology and expertise necessary to create stunning CBD labels for your products. We work with you to determine the best materials and printing capabilities required to meet your performance and budgetary needs without sacrificing on style. If you need one, we can even refer you to our designer directory to find a professional who can balance the creative and legal aspects of your label design.

In a booming market, your CBD products deserve to look as good as they possibly can. Contact us today to talk to us about printing custom CBD labels for your products.

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Bottle Labels for Essential Oils: What You Need to Know

The essential oil business is a multi-billion-dollar industry in the U.S. While that means there’s plenty of opportunity, it also means that there’s quite a bit of competition. That’s why it’s important to make sure your essential oil packaging makes a good first impression.

Of course, not just any essential oil labels will do. Not only do you need to make sure your labels look great, you also need to consider a few potential issues. From selecting waterproof labels that can stand up to the oil-based ingredients inside to making sure all labeling requirements are met to creating an eye-catching design, we break down a few considerations for investing in new bottle labels for your essential oils.

Fit Your Label to Your Bottle Size

Bottles come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Whether you distribute 5 ml roller bottles, 8 oz. bottles, or any size in between, you want to make sure that your label fits well on your container.

When it comes to proper label sizing, you should consider more than just how much your container can hold. You also need to plan for the specific dimensions of your bottles. Tall, thin bottles and short, wide bottles are going to require different label shapes, regardless of if they contain the same net quantity of essential oils.

The same label size won’t work for every container, but there’s an easy trick to give you a good idea of the right label measurements for your essential oil bottles. Cut a rectangular piece of paper and wrap it around your bottle. If it’s too big in either direction, trim it down until it fits, then measure your piece of paper. This will give you an approximation of the right dimensions when it comes time to ordering labels for your products.

Another important note about label sizing is that essential oil bottles can be rather small compared to packaging for other products. This means you’ll need to plan your design in a way that both fits the space allowed on your label and differentiates your products from your competition.

You will also need to use an aggressive adhesive. The small circumference of the container makes the label want to ‘pop off’ the bottle. This is because the natural rigidity of the material makes it want to return to its original shape. Be sure to ask about adhesive aggressiveness when you select materials.

A professional examining labels for essential oils.

Don’t Forget About FDA Regulations for Essential Oil Labels

There was a period when essential oils were largely ignored by the FDA. That came to an end in 2014 when the FDA sent warning letters to dōTERRA and Young Living, two notable essential oil companies, that their products were in violation of certain labeling regulations. As a result, you should consider whether your products fall under FDA guidelines and what that may mean for your labels.

Whether you consider essential oils to be a household item, cosmetic, food ingredient, or drug, the FDA regulates essential oil products based on the intended use. The FDA weighs a couple of factors to determine a seller’s intentions, including “claims made in the labeling, on websites, and in advertising, as well as what consumers expect it to do.” This means the FDA can have different expectations for label compliance.

Drugs

If your label makes some form of health claim, the FDA is going to consider your product as a drug even though oils are derived from plants. These claims include indicating your essential oils are meant “for a therapeutic use, such as treating or preventing disease, or to affect the structure or function of the body.” If you make these claims, you’ll need to get FDA approval through the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) before you can legally put them on the market.

Cosmetics

Essential oils can also fall under the guidelines for cosmetic products. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) defines cosmetics as a product that is somehow applied to the body for the purpose of “cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance.” That means even something that’s only meant to make you smell nice can be considered a cosmetic.

Essential oil products classified as cosmetics aren’t subjected to the same rigorous reviews as drugs. As a result, you don’t need to clear your products and labels with the FDA before you sell them. However, the FDA does provide a step-by-step labeling guide for cosmetics compliance and can act if a product’s labeling is false or misleading, or doesn’t include the following:

The name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor
Net quantity of contents
A prominent statement of required information in terms that it is easily read and understood by consumers under customary conditions of purchase and use

A Combination of Both or Something Else Entirely

Depending on your scenario, you might have a combination of compliance concerns. For example, if you claim that your essential oils can both cleanse the skin and relax muscles, you’ll need to follow labeling guidelines for both cosmetics and drugs. However, the FDA shouldn’t have reason to classify your essential oils under the same guidelines if you don’t make any such claims.
In addition, the specific plants you use shouldn’t matter too much to the FDA aside from establishing a direct connection between an ingredient and a claim. Despite that, it’s always good to include an ingredients list along with the name and total contents of your product, even if you don’t make any claims.

There’s also one notable ingredient that will require some additional compliance consideration: cannabis. Any essential oils using cannabis extracts will also need to comply with additional regulations, which are documented in our post on cannabis label compliance.

Customize Your Essential Oil Labels to Stand Out in a Crowded Marketplace

Whether you sell your essential oils online or offline, the quality of your packaging makes a difference. Your packaging should make your essential oils stand out in a crowd, not blend in with everyone else.

Just because your label is tight on space or you don’t have a big budget doesn’t mean that you should skimp on style. Different label materials and special printing techniques can help your products appeal more to your audience, whether you want to add an eye-catching metallic shine through hot foil stamping or use a matte black stamp to emphasize certain aspects of your design.

Professionals checking a new run of essential oil bottle labels.

Protect Your Label Design Against Oily Contents

A great label is a perfect way to make a good impression on consumers. However, it’s important to take some measures to make sure your label stays great.

A damaged label is a serious issue for your products. One survey found that “58 percent of consumers stated that packaging damage would deter them from buying a product” and can even harm your brand’s reputation. This means that even small scratches pose big problems for businesses.

One potential threat for your essential oil labels is exactly what you’re trying to sell. Oil, along with water and other damaging substances, can wreak havoc on your label. Fortunately, label lamination and materials like waterproof synthetics will help your labels withstand interaction with everyday substances. Lamination also provides scratch resistance, so your designs don’t get scratched off over time. This will help ensure that your packaging looks great long after you apply your labels.

Order the Perfect Labels for Your Essential Oil Bottles

Good packaging is practically essential for making your products stand out from the competition. However, it’s important to work with a good label printing company to make sure your packaging brings out the best in your essential oil labels.

When it’s time to commit to custom essential oil bottle labels, Blue Label Packaging Company is here to help. Our digital printing technology and expertise allows you to invest in high-quality labels with a fast turnaround time of three-to-five days. While creating your essential oil labels, we know you won’t limit yourself to just one scent, so we can print different SKUs of the same product on the same order with variable data printing to avoid costly setups and delays.

Ready to invest in essential oil labels? Contact us today to talk to one of our experts about your labeling needs.

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Shrink Sleeves: Storage and Shipping

Shrink sleeves are an increasingly popular labeling option for a variety of businesses that want 360-degree coverage for their products. However, shrink sleeves are more delicate than other types of labels, which can pose some problems during shipping and storage.

The special materials used for shrink sleeves makes these labels more susceptible to potential damage, especially when they’re being transported or saved for future use. Fortunately, a little preparation can help you protect your shrink sleeve labels ahead of application, especially when it comes to environmental concerns and handling.

Maintain Temperature Control

One of the challenges involved with shipping and storing shrink sleeves is that these labels are very sensitive to environmental changes. If the shrink sleeves get too hot, cold, wet, dry, or anything else, it can cause the material to react and distort the labels or worse, make them completely unusable. It’s important to make your shipping and storage areas as climate controlled as possible to keep your investment safe.

A warehouse with shrink sleeves and other product labels.

These environmental factors can be a major concern when it comes to shipping. If it’s a hot month, it can get be sweltering in an unprotected truck bed. In the winter, the opposite can happen. In some cases, companies will even used temperature-controlled shipping to transport shrink sleeves to protect against any damage that can happen during transit. Some applicators will also require temperature gauge labels that will display if a shipment got too hot or cold. This way they’ll know that a shipment was compromised right away and won’t waste production time trying to apply warped shrink sleeves on containers.

Storage can also be an issue without some planning. Warehouses or other storage facilities can undergo fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels. Both of these can affect the ink on the shrink sleeves or warp the label material over time. As such, its encouraged that you or your applicator have climate-controlled storage area if you plan to have any extra shrink sleeves on standby or if there will be a delay between delivery and application.

Handle Shrink Sleeves with Care

Environmental factors aren’t the only potential danger to shrink sleeves. Improper handling can also cause scrapes, scuffs, and other unsightly damage.

One advantage of shrink sleeves is that the ink is printed on the inside of the label. This process protects the ink from scratches after the sleeve is applied to a can or some other container. However, the ink isn’t protected until after application – remember, heat will make the sleeves warp prematurely – which means there’s not a lot protecting that ink until that step. As a result, it’s important to delicately handle sleeves before application.

Of course, shrink sleeves can require a lot of handling after they’re printed. Depending on your vendors, your printer may need to send the rolls to a converter to seam them into sleeves. After that, the sleeves are shipped to an applicator, also known as a decorator, that apply them to your containers.

Since shrink sleeves need a little extra protection before application, it’s important to take steps to help limit the potential of damages caused by improper handling. Some label printing companies have converting equipment in house, which will cut down on the number of times your labels are shipped and handled. Your printer can also put labels on boxes containing shrink sleeves so that everyone knows the contents are delicate.

A woman carefully handling shrink sleeves for new products.

Work with a Printing Company that Takes Care of Your Shrink Sleeves

Shrinks sleeves can help you achieve a special look for your products, but it’s important to work with a label printing company that gives you the labels you need to succeed. At Blue Label, we’ve invested in both state-of-the-art digital printing presses and shrink sleeve converting equipment. That means we can not only print quality shrink sleeves, we can also help you cut down on the number of vendors you’ll need, the amount of times your shrink sleeves are handled, and the length of production time.

Ready to invest in quality shrink sleeves for your products? Contact Blue Label today to talk to our experts about your next label project.