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How to Choose the Right Packaging for Alcohol Shipping: Safety, Compliance, and Branding

Whether you’re a small business looking to send out your craft spirits or a large brand aiming to distribute widely, making sure your products reach their destination safely and legally is crucial. Shipping alcohol can be a complex process filled with numerous regulations and requirements that vary significantly from state to state.

This guide will break down the essentials of alcohol shipping regulations, including the necessary permits, packaging for shipping alcohol techniques, and state-specific guidelines that you need to follow.

Regulatory Compliance

Before arranging any shipment of alcohol, you should be aware of each state’s transportation regulations.

Shippers should also obtain the necessary licenses and establish agreements with carriers such as FedEx and UPS. Each state may have its own specific regulations regarding the shipment of alcohol. However, some states completely prohibit it.

Some licenses that are required include:

Federal Basic Permit: Issued by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), this permit is necessary for any business engaging in the production, importation, or wholesale distribution of alcohol.
State Alcohol Shipping Permit: Each state requires shippers to obtain an alcohol shipping permit. The necessary type of permit varies by state, and some states may require multiple permits depending on the nature of the shipment.
Carrier Agreements: Agreements with carriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL that outline the terms and conditions for shipping alcohol.
Sales Tax Permit: Required by most states to legally collect sales tax on shipped alcohol.
Shipping Carrier Compliance Bond: A bond that some carriers require to ensure compliance with their alcohol shipping guidelines and regulations.

Adult Signature Verification

All alcohol shipments require an adult signature (21+ years) upon delivery. Alcohol Signature Verification ensures that alcohol is not delivered to minors and typically incurs an additional fee. Carriers have specific procedures to verify the recipient’s age and identity at the time of delivery.

These procedures often include checking a valid government-issued identification and obtaining a signature to confirm that someone of legal drinking age received the package.

Safety and Durability

After checking with federal and state laws, your next priority is to get your customer a safe and intact product. Proper packaging helps your products withstand transit shocks, vibrations, and potential impacts.

These are a few best practices for getting your alcoholic beverage delivered in mint condition:

Use the right materials: Choose a durable box with inner packaging made of polystyrene, molded pulp, or die-cut corrugated.
Protection: Inside the box, each bottle should be individually cushioned with padded dividers or foam inserts to prevent movement and breakage. To protect bottles, you can also use bubble wrap or wine bottle sleeves.
Pack tightly: Fill any empty space with filler material like foam peanuts, air pillows, or crumpled paper. Wrap each bottle individually to prevent them from breaking. Pack the box so that it doesn’t move when shaken.
Secure the package: Use strong tape to seal the box along all edges and corners. You can also reinforce the bottom with extra tape or a corrugated pad.
Label instructions: Mark the box as “Fragile” or “Handle with Care”.
Seasonal considerations: Temperature control is another consideration—using insulated packaging or gel packs can help maintain the beverage’s quality, especially during extreme weather conditions.

Packaging and Branding Materials

Picture this: your beautifully crafted product travels thousands of miles, enduring various handling stages and environmental conditions, only to arrive with a worn-out, unreadable label.

Using the proper packaging materials will help your alcohol shipments reach your customers in their best condition. Below are a few important considerations to keep in mind when shipping alcohol.

Materials

Using acceptable materials like molded polystyrene, pulp dividers, and sturdy corrugated cartons ensures your product and its packaging remain intact. When it comes to a safety net, reinforced bottoms are your best friend.

Most major carriers, like FedEx and UPS, include detailed guidelines on what materials can be used for packaging on their websites.

Strong adhesives

Whether braving downpours or UV rays from the sun, a label with strong adhesive should stay put. The right adhesive helps your label stay put and in compliance no matter what wild adventures it may encounter.

Label laminates

Laminates act as barriers against environmental factors, protecting labels from moisture, temperature changes, and abrasion. High-quality laminates keep crucial information like legal disclaimers, barcodes, and brand details intact and readable during transit.

UV coatings

UV coatings provide a layer of protection against harmful ultraviolet light, which can degrade both the label material and the printed information over time. By applying UV coatings, labels are protected against fading, discoloration, and other forms of deterioration caused by UV exposure, particularly during extended periods in transit or storage.

Alcohol Label Requirements

Preparing your label before it gets picked up by your carrier helps avoid issues during shipping. Here is what you need to know:

Electronic shipping solutions: Shippers must use carrier-approved electronic shipping solutions to create and manage shipping labels. This allows shipments to be properly documented and traceable.
Active alcohol shipping account: Carriers like FedEx and UPS have specific systems for processing alcohol shipments. For instance, FedEx requires shippers to have an active alcohol shipping account and a signed agreement.
Special labels: A special alcohol label and an adult signature requirement sticker. Similarly, UPS mandates that shippers have a UPS Agreement for Approved Beer or Wine Shippers.
Declaration: You’ll need to provide details about the contents of the package with clear identification. Alcohol shipments must be clearly labeled as containing alcohol.
Adult signature: Labels should indicate that an adult signature is required upon delivery.
Compliance with origin and destination regulations: Special labels can be obtained from the shipping carrier, and packages must comply with both origin and destination state labeling requirements.

Direct-to-Consumer Alcohol Packaging vs. Distribution Packaging

As an alcohol manufacturer, you might be wondering about the differences between direct-to-consumer alcohol packaging and packaging designed for distribution and shipping on a larger scale.

When shipping directly to consumers, packaging needs to cater to a more personal experience—think appealing designs that embody your brand and provide an unboxing experience. Consider how your packaging can spark joy, but be tough enough to handle.

On the other hand, B2B or distribution packaging focuses more on efficiency and durability; your primary goal is to ensure products arrive intact and ready for resale. This often means using more robust supplemental materials and prioritizing functionality over aesthetics.

Both packaging types have one thing in common—they require a focus on product protection. If you choose the right packaging partner, both can look good and maintain the integrity of your product.

Let Blue Label Help You Choose the Right Packaging

Blue Label Packaging Co. has dedicated experts who can guide you through the ins and outs of packaging regulations. We offer customized solutions like alcohol-compliant labels with no minimum order, second-skin shrink sleeves, and hang tags with luxe finishes.

At Blue Label Packaging, we put our expertise to work. Explore our product labels or talk to an expert about your next packaging product.

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A Guide to Water Bottle Labels: Material, Application, and Print Quality

Selecting the right custom labels for water bottles is about finding the right mix of looks, durability, and functionality. The right label can turn a simple bottle of water into a brand that consumers buy again and again.

Don’t think branding and packaging matters for a product as simple as water? Well just ask Fiji, LifeWtr, or Liquid Death, whose products rise above the expectations for just a bottle of water.

In this guide, we’ll walk through three areas to consider when choosing your custom labels: materials, adhesion and application, and print quality. These elements form the foundation of successful water bottle labeling strategies.

Material Choices for Bottled Water Labels

Choosing a material for your water bottles isn’t as simple as other products. Water bottles endure a wide variety of environments, from the hot temperatures of shipping trucks to cold refrigerators and buckets of half-melted ice.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular material options.

Vinyl

Known for its robustness, vinyl stands up to moisture and wear-and-tear like a champ. Ideal for bottles that will see outdoor use or frequent handling, it combines longevity with vibrant print quality. Here are some of the characteristics that make vinyl an ideal label material for water bottles:

Durability: Vinyl is highly durable and resistant to damage like tears, scratches, and abrasions.
Water Resistance: Vinyl is water-resistant, so the label won’t deteriorate or peel off when the bottle gets wet.
Flexibility: Vinyl is flexible, which allows it to conform easily to different sizes and shapes of water bottles.
UV Resistance: Vinyl labels can be treated to withstand exposure to sunlight without fading or discoloration.
Print Quality: Vinyl provides a smooth and clear surface for printing, allowing for high-quality, vibrant, and precise graphics in your labels.
Adhesive Quality: Vinyl labels can be coated with various types of adhesives (we’ll touch on this later).

BOPP (Biaxially-Oriented Polypropylene)

A powerhouse in resisting water and oil, BOPP (sometimes known as “waterproof film labels”) is perfect for water bottles that need to maintain their look under wet conditions. Its flexibility makes it suitable for various shapes and sizes of bottles.

BOPP has many of the same characteristics that vinyl, including moisture resistance, durability, print quality, and cost-effectiveness, though there are a few differences:

Chemical Resistance: BOPP is resistant to a wide range of chemicals, which can be helpful if your water bottles may come in contact with oils, greases, or other substances.
Temperature Resistance: BOPP performs well in different temperature ranges—for water bottles that might be stored in extreme temperatures, from freezers to hot cars, this can be an added benefit.
Clarity and Gloss: BOPP films can be manufactured to be crystal clear or with a high-gloss finish.
Recyclability: BOPP is a type of polypropylene, which is recyclable. This makes BOPP labels a more environmentally friendly option compared to some other plastics.
Cost-Effectiveness: Vinyl is a cost-effective option for producing labels, making it a popular choice when balancing looks with budget considerations.

PET (Polyester)

For those seeking strength plus clarity, PET materials offer superior resistance against water and UV rays—ensuring your label stays sharp and doesn’t fade over time. Once again, you’ll see similarities between PET and both vinyl and BOPP, but there are some key differentiators:

Dimensional Stability: PET maintains its dimensions and does not shrink or stretch once applied, helping maintain the quality and appearance of the label over time.
Sustainability: PET is also recyclable, which can appeal to eco-conscious consumers.

Finishing Options

While the label material is one part of the equation in protecting against the elements, label finishing can add not only protection, but extra visual appeal. Here are some of the options:

Lamination: A clear plastic film is applied over the label, providing a protective layer and shielding the label from water, dirt, and UV rays. Lamination can come in gloss, matte, or satin finishes.
UV Varnish: A UV varnish is another way to protect the printed area of the label or sticker from fading and wear. It also adds glossiness to the label, bringing out the vibrancy of colors. UV varnish can also be applied to selected areas (spot UV) for adding emphasis and texture contrast on specific parts of the label.
Foil Stamping: This finishing process applies a metallic foil to the label to create a shiny effect. Foil stamping can be used for logos, brand names, or any elements where you want to catch the light and draw attention.
Embossing and Debossing: These techniques create raised (embossed) or recessed (debossed) images on the label. They add texture and physical feel to the label.
Thermal Coating: For labels that might be exposed to wide temperature ranges, a thermal protective coating can be applied to help resist the effects of high heat or freezing.

Water bottle label options

Application and Adhesion

Stickiness is not just about glue—it’s about labels staying put under various conditions. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your labels stay put under varying conditions:

Types of Adhesives

There are numerous adhesive choices for labels, but for water bottles, it boils down to finding an option that sticks well to plastic, metal, or glass surfaces. Each material interacts differently with adhesives:

For Plastic: Look for adhesives designed specifically for synthetic surfaces which can bond firmly without peeling.
For Metal: Opt for stronger glues capable of handling smooth, non-porous surfaces.
For Glass: Choose water-resistant label adhesives since condensation can be a common issue.

Facing the Elements

Temperature fluctuations and moisture exposure are two big challenges in maintaining adhesive effectiveness:

High heat can weaken some adhesives causing them to lose their grip. Acrylic adhesives are generally more resistant to temperature extremes, making them a better choice than rubber-based adhesives.
Constant exposure to water demands waterproof or at least highly water-resistant glue formulations. Once again, acrylic adhesives make for a better choice for moist environments compared to rubber-based adhesives.

Water bottle label

Permanent Adhesives vs. Removable Adhesives

When choosing between permanent and removable adhesives, it’s important to think about the intended use of the water bottles.

Permanent adhesives offer a strong, lasting bond that is ideal for most water bottles intended for long-term use or exposure to wide temperature ranges, frequent handling, moisture, and temperature variations.

On the other hand, removable adhesives provide the flexibility to peel off labels without leaving residue, which may be better for promotional items, temporary labeling, or for consumers who prefer a label-free bottle after purchase. Removable adhesives are also ideal where the label needs to be removed cleanly, such as in reusable water bottles that might be repurposed or recycled.

Print Quality

Not everyone gets as excited about the details of printing as we do, so here are some tips to evaluate a label printer based on print capabilities and quality:

Resolution: The resolution of a printer, measured in dots per inch (DPI), will determine how sharp and clear images and text appear. Higher DPI values produce finer detail, which is essential for labels with intricate designs or small text.
Color Accuracy: The printer’s ability to accurately reproduce colors is important for maintaining brand consistency. At Blue Label, our HP presses can achieve accurate PANTONE emulations up to 97% using additional HP Indigo Electroinks (orange, violet, and green).
Print Speed: While not directly affecting label appearance, faster printers can handle larger batches of labels more efficiently.
Ink Type: The type of ink used by the printer can impact both the quality and durability of the print. For water bottles, it’s important to use inks that are water-resistant and fade-resistant. UV inks and solvent inks are commonly used for their durability and color quality.
Label Material Compatibility: The printer must be compatible with the specific materials used for your labels, such as vinyl, BOPP, or PET. Different materials may require different types of inks or printing technologies to achieve the best results.
Finishing Capabilities: At Blue Label, we offer built-in finishing options like lamination, die-cutting for different label shapes, and foil stamping.
Printer Technology: The type of technology used by the printer affects print quality and suitability for different label types. Blue Label uses digital printing, which offers the highest image quality, a wide range of colors, and the ability to print even small runs at a cost-effective price.
Software and Integration: The software that accompanies the printer should offer color management tools that allow for precise control over the color of the labels.

Sustainability Considerations

Let’s face it, plastic water bottles are a significant contributor to global waste and pollution. A study in Science Advances reported that only 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled, with the rest accumulating in landfills or even the natural environment (including bodies of water).

While you can’t control what consumers ultimately do with your bottle water, you do have options for more eco-friendly and sustainable label options.

Sustainable Materials: Materials like BOPP or PET are known for their durability but also their recyclability. Beyond these options, there are label materials made from recycled content or even biodegradable.
Eco-Friendly Inks: Certain water-based and soy-based inks can be eco-friendly choices as they emit fewer VOCs compared to traditional inks.
Printing Technology: Digital printing technology is generally more eco-friendly than traditional printing methods because it requires less energy, wastes less ink, and eliminates the need for plates and chemicals common in conventional printing methods.
Removable Labels: Adhesives that allow for easy label removal make the recycling process much easier.

The Cost of Water Bottle Labels

Depending on your product, you may be looking at high-end labels with premium materials and advanced finishing techniques, or you may be considering cost-efficient materials that showcase your brand without fading or peeling.

Here are some factors to consider when evaluating the cost of custom water bottle labels:

Material Selection: Opting for materials that offer a mix of durability and visual appeal at a reasonable price point can help reduce costs.
Print Methods: Digital printing eliminates the need for expensive plates and setup costs, making it ideal for both short runs and larger production runs.
Forecast Needs: Estimate your label requirements accurately to leverage quantity discounts without overstocking.

Get Started

Explore Blue Label Packaging’s label printing options and finishing techniques. Our experts will guide you in selecting the right label face stock, adhesive, and printing method to withstand moisture, temperature changes, and sun exposure. From durable vinyl to flexible film labels, we’ll guide you to the perfect label or sticker for the job.

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A Guide to Label Durability: Materials, Environments, and Best Practices

Label durability is one of the most important aspects of product packaging. It can influence the label’s functionality and your brand’s overall perception. A weak and flimsy label can make the product look weak and flimsy, too.

Durable labels do more than just resist wear and tear. Choosing the wrong material, adhesive, finish, or even application technique can lead to one of the many stories we’ve heard of labels peeling, tearing, fading, and falling off (like the product below).

But don’t worry, we’ll guide you through making the right choices so your product shows up and stays looking its best.

4 Environmental Factors Impacting Label Durability

It can be rough for a product going in and out of production lines, packing, stocking, and, eventually, your customer’s home. It’s important to consider that you not only want your product to show up gleaming on a shelf or your customer’s doorstep, but you also want a resilient label that lasts.

Understanding how environmental factors affect durability will help you create an ideal label. Let’s start by looking at the four big environmental considerations: moisture and humidity, temperature, UV exposure, and abrasion resistance.

Can labels being exposed to moisture

1. Moisture and Humidity

The Challenge

Moisture can be the end of a perfectly good label design, whether from the product itself or surrounding environments that your products might find themselves in, like bathrooms, kitchens, or outdoor settings.

Moist conditions can lead to adhesives failing, ‘label swelling,’ or degradation of the print on the label. The worst case scenario: compromised product integrity and brand reputation. But moisture-resistant labels can help.

Recommended Materials

BOPP (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene) is highly resistant to moisture, making it ideal for products exposed to moist environments.
Vinyl is water-resistant and durable. It’s best suited for products that are frequently exposed to water or stored in humid conditions.
Polyester labels are moisture-resistant and excellent for indoor and outdoor use.

Additional Printing and Finishing Techniques

Lamination adds a clear laminate over a label that creates a barrier. This adds a step to protect the printed design and ensure the label remains intact even in wet environments.
UV coating, while primarily used for protection from UV light, adds a layer of resistance, helping to seal the label’s surface.

Adhesives

If you’re worried about peeling, water-resistant adhesives are the way to go. These types of adhesives are specifically designed to maintain their bond even in the highest moisture environments. This prevents the label from peeling or losing “stick” when exposed to water or humidity.

Beer cans with labels

2. Temperature Fluctuations

The Challenge

Extreme heat, cold, and even rapid temperature changes can compromise your label’s integrity. Conditions like this can lead to adhesive breakdown, label deformation, or fading of printed information. All of this can ultimately affect product presentation and degrade consumer trust.

Shipping through the summer? Heat-resistant labels can be a good solution.

Recommended Materials

Polyester (PET) labels are exceptional for both high- and low-temperature environments. This makes them suitable for products that are stored across environments — refrigerated, frozen, or stored in warm places.
Polypropylene (PP) labels are highly resistant to temperature variations. They are commonly used for products that move between cold storage and ambient shelves, like certain beverages.
Vinyl tolerates temperature extremes well. It’s a solid choice for outdoor products or SKUs that undergo pasteurization.

Additional Printing and Finishing Techniques

Heat-resistant inks are designed to withstand high temperatures without fading or altering. This ensures the label remains legible and intact. Cold-resistant adhesives perform well in low temperatures and can prevent labels from peeling or becoming brittle when exposed to cooler environments.

Adhesives

Sometimes, you have to be prepared for all situations, from extreme freeze to hot and humid. Fortunately, there is an adhesive solution that lends itself to both ends of the temperature spectrum. Temperature-resistant adhesives are designed to remain consistent across temperature ranges, ensuring that the label stays adhered to, hot or cold.

Freezer-grade adhesives are also an option for products that may spend extended amounts of time in below-freezing environments.

Kombucha glass bottle and in can with custom labels

3. UV Exposure

The Challenge

Ultraviolet (UV) exposure can pose a number of risks to your label. It can cause fading, material degradation, loss of print legibility, and make bar codes unreadable. Products displayed on bright or sunny shelves or those exposed to sunlight in any part of the supply chain are particularly vulnerable.

Recommended Materials

UV-coated paper will go a long way in protecting your label. It is a specially treated paper, treated with a glossy coat and cured using special equipment to add a layer of protection.
Polyester (PET) is naturally resistant to UV light. It’s a great choice for outdoor products.
BOPP with UV Inhibitors, also known as BOPP UV Resistant, has a film that protects against solar exposure.

Additional Printing and Finishing Techniques

UV varnishes applied to a label’s surface add protection against fading and discoloration.
Fade-resistant inks are designed to keep colors vibrant over time, regardless of UV exposure.
Overlamination with UV Protection includes UV inhibitors using a solvent acrylic adhesive.

Adhesives

There’s an adhesive for every environmental problem! UV-resistant adhesives don’t yellow under UV exposure and have no surface tack at room temperatures.

The other option is acrylic-based adhesives — one of the only options that is inherently UV resistant. Acrylic adhesives are known to keep their bond strength even under UV light exposure.

Cans that are packaged together in cardboard

4. Abrasion

The Challenge

Whether we like it or not, products may see some wear and tear in the supply chain and under regular consumer use. Wear or abrasion during shipping and handling can affect the appearance and functionality of products before they even get to a shelf.

Worn-off instructions or barcodes can cause significant problems. Fortunately, these issues can be mitigated with the strategic use of durable materials and consideration toward finishes.

Recommended Materials

Vinyl is a tough material that gives excellent resistance to tearing and abrasion.
Polyester (PET) is durable, resistant to wear, and offers great abrasion resistance.
Polyethylene (PE) is flexible and resistant to impact. This makes it ideal for products that might be squeezed during handling, like cosmetics, kitchen, and bathroom products.

Additional Printing and Finishing Techniques

Scratch-resistant coating gives an extra layer of protection against scuffs from rubbing or abrasion.
Durable laminates with added thickness, like polypropylene (PP), can add an extra layer of protection against physical damage.

Adhesives

Pressure-sensitive adhesives with abrasive grit provide a strong initial tack that will hold and not shift under the rigors of transportation. This will ensure that labels stay on, even under stress.

Label Varnishes

Like different kinds of lamination, there are a few varieties of label varnishes also available to protect your label and even enhance your design. Varnishes are a great finishing technique that helps defend against scuffs, scratches, water damage, and fading while giving better overall longevity.

Common options include:

Gloss varnish
Matte varnish
Soft-touch or textured finishes

Label Application Considerations

Curing Time

Give it time—it’s important to allow sufficient time for your label’s adhesive to fully bond before exposing the product to extreme environmental conditions — especially extreme heat. Following the recommended curing times will result in maximum adhesion strength.

Typically, manufacturers recommend a curing period ranging from 24 to 72 hours, depending on the type of adhesive used and the environmental factors involved.

Apply in a Controlled Environment

Applying labels in a controlled environment where temperature and humidity are kept within recommended ranges can significantly aid the curing process. This ensures that labels perform reliably throughout their intended lifespan.

Get Durable Labels for your Products

Ready to invest in eye-catching, durable product labels? Contact us today to check out our materials, get a sample pack, or request a quote.

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Finding the Perfect Match: Beer Container Types and Beer Labels

Think beer labels are only good for traditional beer bottles or cans? Think again. From growlers and bombers to different sized beer cans, beer labels make the perfect addition. Here at Blue Label Packaging Company, we have experience designing and creating bottle labels for a variety of shapes and sizes.

It’s not just the label that can set a beverage apart from others. It’s the container type, too. Take a look at some of our favorite beer storage containers below:

1. Beer Cans

Why do brewers love cans of beer so much? They’re lightweight, cost-effective, and easy to transport, plus the metal blocks out light better than glass, helping protect beer flavor. Cans are also highly recyclable, which can be an appealing sustainability factor for both brewers and consumers.

The coolest thing about types of beer cans are the size variations – you don’t have to stick with the standard 12-ounce can.

Common Can Sizes

The following are some of the most common beer can types:

8.4 oz (often used for specialty releases or high-ABV beers)
12 oz (the classic “standard” can)
12 oz slim (same volume, narrower profile)
12-ounce “Sam Can”, produced by the well-known Boston Beer Company
16 oz (“tallboy” or “pint” can)
19.2 oz (“stovepipe,” often sold as single-serve)
32 oz crowler (an aluminum growler used by taprooms)

Beer Can Label & Shrink Sleeve Dimensions

For 12 oz cans, you’ll typically see pressure-sensitive labels around 3.75”–4” tall by 8”–8.5” wide.

16 oz cans often use labels around 5” tall by 8”–8.5” wide.

If you’re using shrink sleeves, the label height can cover the entire can from top to bottom—often 5”–6” for a 12 oz can, or 6”–7” for a 16 oz can—depending on how much real estate you want for your design.

2. Beer Bottles

Beer bottles

Beer bottles remain a staple in the industry—despite cans dominating much of the craft market, bottles of beer still have a loyal following.

A significant portion of craft beer sales continues to come from glass beer bottle formats, especially for specialty releases. They’re popular for their traditional look and the perception that glass can enhance a beer’s taste and presentation.

Some brewers also prefer bottles for high-gravity or barrel-aged brews, believing they allow for more nuanced aging and flavor development.

Why Choose Beer Bottles?

Brewers often opt for bottles because:

Brand Image: Glass can evoke a premium or nostalgic feel.
Flavor Preservation: Dark glass helps shield beer from harmful light.
Tradition: Many craft consumers still associate bottles of beer with authenticity and craftsmanship.

Common Bottle Sizes

12 oz – The classic standard for many craft and mainstream beers
22 oz (“Beer Bomber”) – Frequently used for limited-edition or specialty brews
16.9 oz (500 mL) – Popular among breweries with European roots
750 mL – Often used for high-end or Belgian-style releases

Beer Bottle Label Dimensions

Beer bottles typically use a front label and a back label, though some breweries choose a single wrap label that goes all the way around.

A common front label might be around 3 x 3 inches, while the back can vary between 2.5 x 2.5 inches and 3 x 4 inches depending on the bottle shape and how much legal info you need.

3. Beer Growlers

Often used for transporting craft beer from breweries, amber glass growlers have an iconic jug-like shape with a convenient handle.

Why do brewers turn to growlers? They’re refillable, reusable, and give customers a chance to take home fresh beer straight from the tap.

Common Growler Sizes

Most growlers hold 64 oz or 32 oz, though gallon sizes (128 oz) are also available for those who want more volume.

Common Label Dimensions

Labels for growlers generally fall in the 4–5 inch (height) by 4–6 inch (width) range, depending on the curved surface and branding needs.

Some brewers opt for larger, wrap-around labels—like 4 x 14 inches—for maximum coverage.

4. Beer Kegs

Beer kegs have always played a huge role in draft beer consumption—particularly in bars, restaurants, and taprooms. A lot of craft beer sales happen “on-premise,” and aluminum beer kegs are the go-to container for delivering fresh drafts.

The choice to use kegs often comes down to cost-effectiveness (they’re refillable and reusable), minimized packaging waste, and straightforward shipping logistics.

Why Choose Beer Kegs?

Bulk Distribution: Ideal for high-volume, on-premise service.
Quality Control: Minimizes oxygen exposure, keeping beer fresh for longer.
Sustainability: Reusable containers reduce packaging waste.
Cost Efficiency: Fewer materials compared to individual cans or bottles.

Common Keg Sizes

Half Barrel (1/2 bbl): 15.5 gallons—standard for bars and large events.
Quarter Barrel (1/4 bbl): 7.75 gallons—often referred to as a “pony keg.”
Sixth Barrel (1/6 bbl): 5.16 gallons—popular for smaller tap rotations or limited releases.
Cornelius Keg (“Corny Keg”): 5 gallons—often used by homebrewers and smaller-scale operations.

Common Label Sizes for Kegs

Beer keg collars sit around the top of the keg and usually measure 6–7 inches in diameter, depending on the collar’s design. They’re important for compliance (listing style, ABV, and brewery info) and branding.

Some brewers also use keg wraps—long, narrow labels that can wrap around the keg’s body. These typically run 4–6 inches tall and up to 30 inches wide, though dimensions vary based on the keg’s circumference.

If you’re looking to add color and branding, a well-designed wrap can stand out in a crowded cellar or cooler.

5. Beer Barrels and Casks

Beer casks

Barrels and casks are commonly used by craft beer breweries for aging or secondary fermentation, typically after the initial brewing process. They can infuse unique flavors (like oak, bourbon, or wine notes) into the product, resulting in more complexity.

Brewers often choose a beer barrel when they want to create limited-edition or specialty batches that stand out in the market. It’s all about achieving deeper, layered profiles that can’t be replicated in stainless steel tanks.

Why Use Barrels or Casks?

Flavor Enhancement: Wood barrels or casks previously used for spirits or wine can add distinct characteristics—vanilla, caramel, tannins, or even residual whiskey notes.
Extended Aging: Slower oxygen exchange creates subtler, more nuanced flavors over time.
Brand Differentiation: Barrel-aged beers can command premium prices and generate buzz among craft enthusiasts.

Common Barrel and Cask Sizes

Standard Barrels (53 gallons): Often repurposed from bourbon distilleries, the most common size in the U.S.
Wine Barrels (59 gallons): Popular for sour or wild ales, imparting vinous qualities.
Hogsheads (66 gallons): Larger barrels sometimes used for extended aging.
Firkins (9 gallons): A smaller, traditional British cask used for real ale or specialty releases.
Pins (4.5 gallons): Half the size of a firkin, ideal for small-batch cask ales.

Choosing the right size depends on your goals: smaller casks let you try new recipes without a big commitment, while larger barrels hold more product for extended aging and complex flavor development.

Your type of beer container doesn’t have to be the only packaging feature that sets your beer a part. Likewise, your beer labels don’t have to be the only unique part of your beer bottles or cans. Beer containers and labels can – and should – work together to bring the product to life. Use them both to your advantage, and contact us today to find out how.

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How to Choose a Craft Beer Label Printing Company in 2024

Finding the perfect labels for your craft beer can be challenging. With so many printing companies to choose from, it can be difficult to identify one that truly understands your unique durability, design, and customization needs. We’ve worked with thousands of breweries and craft beer makers in your position.

Don’t sweat it. This guide is packed with tips to help you identify a printing partner who gets your brand and makes your beer stand out.

We’re covering the essentials: understanding materials and techniques, how to weigh costs, figuring out order sizes, and making sure your labels stay compliant. Plus, you’ll get a cheat sheet of questions to ask printers, making your decision-making process a whole lot smoother.

Cans with custom labels

Understanding Your Custom Beer Label Needs

Successfully choosing a printing partner starts with identifying your goals. Consider the following:

Identifying Your Goals

Start with the end in mind—your goals will likely include brand recognition, cost efficiency, durability, legal compliance, and customer engagement. These will help potential partners understand how to strategically design custom labels aligning to your specific needs. Here are some tips:

Brand Recognition: Share style inspirations or designs to collect feedback.
Cost Efficiency: Provide expected order volumes for advice on printing options that match your budget.
Durability: List product varieties like beers, seltzers, and ciders that require durable wet labels. Communicate the different environments that your product might have to endure.
Legal Compliance: Specify label content needs like government warnings supporting industry compliance (tip: we can help with this).
Customer Engagement: Discuss target demographics and labeling ideas to captivate them.

Decide What’s Most Important

Like any major business decision, it’s important to determine what matters most, whether it’s exceptional customer service, competitive pricing, the ability to create standout labels, conveying your brand story, eco-conscious materials, or a combination of those.

Standout Label Designs: Will custom shapes, special effects like foils or specialty printing techniques be featured? Determine must-have aesthetics.
Storytelling Through Labels: What brand narratives do your labels need to convey? Share themes inspiring designs.
Eco-conscious Practices: Do you require sustainable printing methods and materials? Ask about green production options.
Customer Service: How important is an expert team available for technical support? Assess level of involvement expected.
Printing Cost Factors: Will you print high volumes for cost efficiency or need flexibility for small batch prototyping? Request rate breakdowns.

Comparing capabilities in key areas helps identify ideal printing partners matching must-haves. Weigh whether you will compromise on certain preferences if strengths align well in other dimensions.

Custom bottle label with metallic foil and embossing

Key Considerations in Choosing a Craft Beer Label Printing Company

Choosing the Right Materials

When assessing the quality and materials capabilities of a printing partner, breweries should evaluate factors like durability, material options, and print quality.

The choice of material for your craft beer labels plays a significant role in their overall look, feel, and durability. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:

Water-Resistant Materials: Given the conditions that craft beer bottles and cans are often subjected to, from ice buckets to refrigerators, selecting water-resistant materials is crucial. Options like BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene) and vinyl offer excellent moisture resistance, ensuring your labels remain intact and visually appealing, no matter the environment.
Durability Against Moisture and Cold: It’s not just about water resistance; the material should also withstand cold temperatures without losing its integrity. Materials that can endure these conditions without peeling off or getting damaged are vital for maintaining a pristine look from the brewery to the consumer’s hand.
Aesthetic and Texture Options: Beyond durability, the material of your label affects its aesthetic appeal. Matte, gloss, and satin finishes can dramatically alter the look and feel of your labels. Each finish has its own way of interacting with light and can complement the design of your label to make colors pop or provide a sophisticated understated look.
Eco-friendly Options: With a growing emphasis on sustainability in the craft beer industry, considering eco-friendly label materials can resonate with your target audience’s values. Materials like recycled paper or biodegradable films can significantly reduce your brand’s environmental footprint while maintaining high-quality aesthetics.

Label Sizes and Shapes

Standard label sizes and shapes have evolved, largely influenced by the industry’s most common container types and sizes. For example, a typical beer bottle label might measure around 3.5 inches wide by 4 inches high, offering ample space for branding, artwork, and necessary information without overwhelming the container. Similarly, can labels often wrap entirely around the vessel, providing a 360-degree canvas for design creativity and brand messaging.

However, the “standard” is not one-size-fits-all. Different bottle and can dimensions, such as slim cans or larger bomber bottles, require tailored label sizes to ensure a perfect fit. The key is understanding the dimensions of your specific containers and how much of that space you want your label to cover.

Going Beyond Standard Options: The Case for Customization

While standard labels serve many brands well, the craft beer industry thrives on uniqueness and personality. Custom labels—those that break the mold in terms of size, shape, and application—are becoming increasingly popular for craft brewers looking to differentiate their offerings.

Embracing Unique Shapes: Custom-shaped labels can mirror the contours of unusual bottle or can designs, create visual interest, and enhance shelf appeal. From sleek, minimalist labels that hint at the contents to intricate, die-cut shapes that tell a story, the possibilities are limited only by imagination.
Considering Wraparound Labels: For cans, a full wraparound label maximizes the available design space, allowing for bold, engaging visuals that attract attention from every angle. This approach (often called shrink sleeves) can be particularly effective for limited edition releases or flagship brews that deserve extra emphasis.
Size Matters for Compliance and Clarity: When considering custom sizes and shapes, it’s essential to remember regulatory requirements for labeling alcoholic beverages. Every label must have space for mandatory information, including alcohol content, volume, and manufacturer details, without compromising readability. Balancing creative aspirations with these requirements is key to a successful label design.

Tips for Choosing the Right Label Size and Shape

Start with Your Container: Measure your bottles or cans carefully, considering curves, necks, and any other features that might influence label adhesion and appearance.
Reflect on Your Brand’s Personality: Let your label shape and size be an extension of your brand story. Are you bold and avant-garde, or classic and traditional? Your label can reflect this.
Consult with Design and Printing Experts: Professionals in label design and printing can offer valuable insights into what works well for different types of beers and containers. They can also provide templates or guidelines to help visualize your ideas.
Experiment with Mockups: Before finalizing your design, use digital or paper mock-ups to see how your label will look on the actual container. This step can help identify potential issues with size, shape, or legibility before you commit to printing.

Cost and Scalability

For breweries and craft beer makers, understanding the costs and scalability options of label printing is critical for both startup ventures and established brands. You’ll want to take into account factors such as minimum order quantities, volume discounts, the flexibility of printing across multiple SKUs, and the efficiency of re-ordering processes.

Understanding Pricing Models

Label printing costs can vary widely depending on several factors, including material choices, print techniques, label size and shape, and the complexity of the design.

Most providers use a pricing model that decreases the unit cost as the order quantity increases, rewarding larger orders with better per-label pricing. However, the starting point and scale of these price breaks can differ between providers, making it important to get detailed quotes for various order sizes.

Minimum Order Quantities and Volume Price Breaks

Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs): Many label printing companies set MOQs to ensure profitability. For craft breweries, especially those in the startup phase or with a rotating selection of small-batch brews, finding a provider with low MOQs can be crucial. Understanding a provider’s MOQs will help you determine if they’re a good fit for your production scale.
Volume Price Breaks: Volume discounts are a key consideration when planning your label orders. Providers typically offer price breaks at certain thresholds, which can significantly impact your cost per label. When comparing providers, ask for a detailed breakdown of pricing tiers to understand where these breaks occur and how they align with your anticipated order volumes.

Scalability and Flexibility for Multiple SKUs

Craft breweries often produce a wide range of beers, each requiring its own label design. Some key considerations include:

Flexibility Across SKUs: Look for providers that offer flexibility in aggregating different label designs to qualify for volume discounts. This can be particularly beneficial for breweries that want to print similar designs for multiple SKUs without the need to place large individual orders for each.
Digital Printing Advantages: Digital printing technology offers significant advantages in terms of scalability and flexibility. It allows for cost-effective short runs and easy updates to designs without the need for new plates or setup fees, making it an excellent option for breweries with a wide variety of labels.

Ease of Re-Ordering

The ability to quickly and easily reorder labels as needed is essential for maintaining inventory levels and responding to demand fluctuations. Consider providers that offer streamlined re-ordering processes, possibly through online platforms, which can save time and reduce the time to re-order.

Comparing Prices and Making Informed Decisions

When comparing label printing providers, consider the following steps to ensure you’re making an informed decision:

Request Detailed Quotes: Obtain quotes for various order sizes, including the costs for different materials and print techniques. This information will help you understand the full scope of potential expenses.
Evaluate Total Cost: Look beyond the sticker price to consider other factors like setup fees, design services, shipping costs, and lead times, which can all affect the total cost.
Consider Long-Term Needs: Choose a provider that can scale with your brewery. A company that offers competitive pricing for small orders but also has the capacity to handle larger volumes efficiently can be a valuable partner as your business grows.

Turnaround Time and Reliability

For breweries and craft beer makers, timing can be everything. Whether you’re gearing up for a seasonal release, restocking a bestseller, or launching a new brew, the turnaround time for getting your labels can significantly impact your operations. You’ll want to consider everything from artwork approval to set up, printing, and shipping to help you plan effectively and avoid unexpected delays.

The Components of Turnaround Time

Turnaround time in label printing is influenced by several key stages, each contributing to the total time from placing your order to receiving your labels.

Artwork Approval: The process begins with your design. Once you submit your artwork, the printing company will review it to ensure it meets technical requirements for printing. This stage includes checking the resolution, color specifications, and any potential issues that could affect print quality. Delays can occur if revisions are needed, so submitting artwork that already adheres to the provider’s guidelines can speed up this phase.
Pre-Production and Setup: After artwork approval, the project moves into the pre-production stage. For traditional printing methods, this may involve creating plates or screens, which can slow down the process. Digital printing, on the other hand, typically requires less setup time, making it a faster option for smaller or more time-sensitive orders.
Printing: The actual printing time varies depending on the complexity of your labels, the quantity ordered, and the printing technology used. Digital presses can produce labels relatively quickly, while traditional methods may take longer, especially for large volumes or intricate designs.
Finishing and Quality Checks: Post-printing, labels undergo finishing processes such as cutting, laminating, and possibly applying adhesive. Quality assurance checks are also conducted to ensure the labels meet the brewery’s and the printer’s standards. This stage is crucial for delivering a high-quality product but can add time to the overall process.
Shipping and Delivery: Finally, the completed labels are packed and shipped to your brewery. Shipping time depends on the distance between the printer and your location and the shipping method chosen. While expedited shipping options can reduce wait times, planning for standard shipping times in your overall timeline is wise.

Tips for Optimizing Turnaround Time

Provide Ready-to-Print Artwork: Ensuring your designs meet the printer’s specifications from the start can significantly reduce delays during the artwork approval stage.
Communicate Your Timeline: Be upfront with your printing provider about your schedule. Some companies can accommodate rush orders, but clear communication is key to aligning expectations.
Consider Shipping Logistics: Factor in shipping time when planning your label order timeline, especially if you’re located far from the printer or if the labels are being shipped during busy seasons.

Questions to Ask Potential Beer Label Printing Providers

To ensure you partner with a label printer that meets your needs, here are some questions to guide your selection process, informed by insights from our own label experts.

1. What is your experience with craft beer labels?

Understanding the printer’s experience in the craft beer industry can give you insight into their familiarity with common challenges and specific requirements, such as resistance to moisture and cold, adherence to regulatory labeling standards, and the ability to produce high-quality, eye-catching labels.

2. Can you provide samples of your previous work?

Asking for samples allows you to assess the quality of the printer’s work firsthand. Look for clarity, color accuracy, material quality, and the overall finish. Samples can also inspire your own label designs and help you gauge the printer’s capabilities in delivering the visual impact you aim for.

3. What printing technologies do you use?

Inquire about the printing technologies available, such as digital, offset, or flexographic printing. Digital printing offers more flexibility, producing vibrant colors, detailed designs, and cost-effective short runs without the need for expensive setup fees, making it an ideal choice for breweries.

4. How do you ensure label durability and compliance?

Given the conditions beer bottles and cans must endure, from refrigeration to moisture exposure, it’s crucial to ask about the materials and finishes used to ensure label durability. Additionally, confirm that the printer is knowledgeable about the regulatory requirements for beer labeling to ensure compliance with legal standards.

5. What are your minimum order quantities and volume discounts?

This question is vital for budgeting and planning purposes. Understanding the minimum order requirements and how volume discounts are structured can help you optimize your orders for cost efficiency, especially important for smaller breweries or those with a wide variety of products.

6. How do you handle design and artwork preparation?

Some printers offer in-house design services or assistance in preparing your artwork for printing. Asking about these services can be particularly beneficial if you don’t have a dedicated designer on your team or if you need help ensuring your designs are optimized for printing.

7. What is your turnaround time, and how do you handle rush orders?

Knowing the expected turnaround time helps you plan your label ordering process in sync with your production schedule. It’s also wise to ask about the process for rush orders, should you need labels more quickly than anticipated.

8. Can you accommodate special requests or unique label features?

If you’re interested in unique label features, such as foil stamping, embossing, or using eco-friendly materials, ask if the printer can accommodate these requests. Special features can make your labels stand out but may require additional planning and cost.

Finding the Perfect Beer Label Printing Company

Finding the right custom label printing company for your craft beer involves more than just comparing prices and reviewing samples; it requires a deep dive into understanding each provider’s capabilities, technologies, and commitment to meeting your specific needs.

The right partner will offer the flexibility, expertise, and scalability your brewery needs. Make sure you carefully consider the factors we’ve discussed in this article—material options, cost and scalability, turnaround times, and asking the right questions—and you’ll be equipped to make an informed decision.

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Making Waterproof Labels for Bottles: Factors for Water Resistance

After investing time and money to create great labels for your products, it would be a shame for them to peel off your container. Certain products are destined to encounter moisture, whether they sit in a cooler, sweat after being refrigerated, or encounter water during the application process.

While the majority of product labels don’t play well with water, there are measures that companies can take to protect their designs from a sad, soggy ending. Let’s break down a variety of factors that can help your labels stay strong and look great even after they’ve been exposed to moisture.

The Truth About “Waterproof” Labels for Bottles

Before we get too far, it’s important to address the proverbial elephant in the room—there is no such thing as a truly waterproof bottle label. Water and other fluids will impact even the most water-resistant bottle labels at some point. As such, you can’t guarantee complete protection with a simple label material.

As you research packaging for your product, you’ll likely come across both waterproof labels and water-resistant labels. So what’s the difference?

Waterproof labels offer near complete protection against water, making them suitable for products that are submerged or exposed to water continuously, while water-resistant labels can withstand moisture to a certain degree but will eventually succumb to prolonged exposure.

While complete water resistance isn’t attainable, that doesn’t mean there aren’t means to protect your packaging as much as possible. There are several ways to make your labels as water and oil-resistant as possible, including the following considerations:

Label material
Label adhesive
Environmental considerations

Waterproof Label Considerations

Choose a Label Material

There are a wide range of label materials available, but the majority of them fall under one of two categories: paper or film. Both groups offer various benefits, but one type typically fares much better against water and other fluids than the other.

Paper is a great choice for companies looking for a versatile, cost-effective material, but there’s one big problem—paper has a tendency to disintegrate in water. There are specific styles of paper with a higher wet strength that can slow water penetration. However, there is no waterproof label paper and even the most water resistant paper substrates will become fully saturated over time.

Best Materials for Water Resistance: Film Stocks

If you need water resistance, we strongly suggest sticking with film stocks. Unlike paper, film stocks won’t absorb water, making them as waterproof as you can get for a bottle label. From shrink sleeves to roll labels, there are a few different film materials that are much better fits for products dealing with moisture.

Polypropylenes (BOPP): A rigid film that features high tear resistance and is a great fit for beverages and other products that will encounter moisture.
Polyester (PET): A film designed for maximum durability that is great for products used outdoors.
Polyolefin: An extremely soft and flexible film perfect for squeeze applications, such as bottles that will end up in the shower or other wet environments.
Waterproof vinyl: Vinyl boasts a number of benefits, including water resistance, durability, flexibility, and temperature resistance. Vinyl labels can even leverage a matte finish while maintaining the protection needed to resist moisture.

Regardless of your choice, the simple logic is that film is much better at resisting water than paper. As such, a film label is a great start for any bottles that will encounter moisture either before, during, or after application.

Label Finishes for Increased Durability

Several label finishing techniques can enhance the waterproofing and durability of a product label.

Applying a gloss finish, for example, adds a protective layer that repels water while giving the label a shiny appearance that catches the eye.

For an even more pronounced effect, ultra-gloss finishes increase this protection, creating a nearly impermeable barrier against moisture and wear.

Consider Label Stock Thickness

The effectiveness of a label’s waterproof or water-resistant properties is also influenced by its material thickness. Thicker labels can provide a more substantial barrier against moisture (though their resistance to moisture also depends on how porous the material is, its structural integrity upon wetting, and the ability to achieve secure edge sealing when applying the label).

As you’ll see in the next section, the choice of adhesive plays an important role in maintaining label adherence under moist conditions, with thicker labels necessitating stronger adhesives to counteract potential separation challenges.

Find an Appropriate Label Adhesive

Water, oil, and other wet substances can put you in a bind when you choose an adhesive for your labels. Even if your label itself is water resistant, a label adhesive needs to be able to withstand those substances. Everything from regular moisture to complete submersion can pose problems. With the wrong adhesive, you’ll be stuck with a label that’s falling off the bottle.

One drawback is that the presence of water may eliminate certain types of adhesives from your selection. For example, humidity and wet environments can pose problems for removable labels, so you may want to avoid them if you want a truly waterproof label.

Fortunately, there are moisture-resistant permanent adhesives designed to specifically combat this issue. There are a variety of factors that will impact exactly which adhesive works best—the amount of exposure, how often exposure is expected to happen, which types of fluids will pose problems, etc. Once that information is identified, a label printing expert can help you pair the right adhesive with your product.

Beer can in ice with custom label

Plan Around Your Environment

When there’s water and other fluids, there are other potential environmental issues that can create problems for your label. There are a few main considerations that you’ll want to make when it comes to you where your products will go.

Your application environment
Shipping and storage environments
Where and how your bottles are used
The product itself

Application Environment

Your application process makes a major impact on your choice of adhesive, label material, liner, and more. That is especially true if your product will be wet going into the application process.

A wet-apply adhesive is a must in these scenarios. You also may need to factor in your product as well. For example, acidic or oily products can wreak havoc if you don’t account for them in the planning process.

Shipping and Storage

Proper shipping and storage is another factor that can be easily overlooked. All waterproof product labels should be stored in a temperature-controlled environment. Exact temperature and humidity levels vary based on your exact label, but too much humidity in a shipping truck or a warehouse will pose problems.

Shrink sleeves are especially sensitive to humidity and other environmental factors, so make sure to keep them safe before application.

Product Usage and Application

Finally, you need to factor in just where your bottles will go once consumers get a hold of them. If your products are going to encounter ice buckets, coolers, or other cold storage places, you’ll need something stronger than a standard adhesive. A more aggressive, freezer-grade label adhesive will be able to withstand these conditions.

Other products may have very different issues, such as a bottle of conditioner. Certain health and beauty labels will sit in the shower and encounter other cleaning chemicals. These products need to withstand a hot, steamy environment along with oils and other substances.

Sunscreen bottles need waterproof capabilities at the beach or pool, but they also should have some form of UV resistance.

Product Contents

You should also consider whether the product itself may impact the label. For example, the oil found in products like sunscreen can affect the application and integrity of a label. Water-resistant capabilities are key, but you should always consider what will happen if some of your own product will leak out and interact with your label.

A whiskey bottle using a waterproof bottle label paper.

Why Waterproof Labels?

Whether your product is going to encounter light condensation or be fully submerged in water, waterproof labels will seem like an obvious choice for certain products. But the benefits go beyond simple resistance to moisture:

Environmental conditions: The journey of a product from production to shelf can include a wide range of temperatures from hot and humid trucks to cool, damp freezers. The right labels help ensure product packaging integrity during this process.
Durability: Without the right, durable materials for your product, packaging can smudge, peel, fade, and even grow mold over time.
Legibility: When water meets the wrong materials, it can smudge or blur essential information on a package, including instructions, ingredients, or disclaimers.

Industries That Use Waterproof Labels

When you think waterproof, you might immediately think of beverage items that can be spilled, chilled in ice, stored in freezers, and generally submitted to a wide range of environmental conditions. But many industries and product types can benefit from waterproof labels, including:

Beauty and cosmetic products: From beauty product labels to shampoo and soap labels, durability and legibility in wet environments is important.
Household and cleaning products: Cleaning labels need to be able to withstand spills, drips, and frequent handling, and the safety information needs to remain visible and intact.
Food products: Waterproof food grade labels help maintain important details in damp environments.
Outdoor products: From rugged water bottles to camping equipment, product labels need to be able to withstand varying weather conditions.

Find the Right Label Printing Company

Whether you need custom waterproof labels for bottles, jars, or any other container, it’s essential that your packaging showcases the quality of your products and brand. At Blue Label Packaging, we have the equipment and expertise it takes to not only make your labels as water-resistant as possible, but also enhance your design to make lasting impressions on customers.

Ready to invest in the perfect bottle labels for your business? Contact us today to talk to one of our experts about high-quality, water-resistant labels.

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The Anatomy of a Wine Label: Everything You Need to Include on the Bottle

Wine labeling printing can be as complex as the contents inside their containers. In addition to looking good, these labels must provide a lot of information for both intrigued customers and government entities. There is a lot to know about a bottle of wine, and it’s the label’s job to communicate that to the consumer.

As we recently discussed, the use of “wine labels” dates all the way back to ancient Egypt, with seals and etchings put in place to improve trade. Over centuries, the practice has evolved a great deal. Now there are federal rules and regulations to obey. Some information is mandatory, and some is nice to have, but everything on your wine labels is meant to properly reflect the quality of the contents within.

From crucial details like the brand, year, and region to more fun facts like flavor notes and pairing suggestions, your label is a story with a designated hierarchy to help you tell the tale. All the while, it’s important to keep in mind that the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulates a lot of what details are required and how you list them. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to include on wine labels – and some guidance on how you should present these wine labeling requirements.

What Information is Included on Wine Labels?

What needs to be included on a wine bottle label?

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Brand Name

Who made the wine? The winery’s branding will usually appear at the top or bottom of the label (like many French wine labels).

Fanciful Name

What’s the name for this specific wine? While not mandatory, it’s not uncommon for wine labels to feature a secondary name to differentiate separate brands within the same winery.

Brengman Brothers’ “Runaway Hen” is an example of a fanciful name of one of the wine brands they have produced. Keep in mind that fanciful names do not replace the need for a class and designation type. When a fanciful name is used, the TTB requires an additional tax class on the label based on the percentage of alcohol. For example, “red table wine” or “white table wine” are required for wines under 14 percent alcohol, while “red wine” or “white wine” is required for wines above 14 percent alcohol.

Vintage (Year)

When were the grapes harvested? This wine information, while not mandatory, is common among wine labels as it speaks to the quality of the bottle’s contents, especially if you’re up on your vintage variations.

Wine or Varietal Type

As you may have guessed, what kind of wine is in your bottle? This is where the grape or varietal type is communicated, e.g., Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, etc. It’s required for wines to list a type on the label. In addition, wines that call out a specific varietal name must derive at least 75 percent of the product from the specified grape. Otherwise, the label should have a generic name like “red wine” or something similar.

Appellation (Region)

Where was the wine made? The region of origin breaks down in a few different ways, and there are rules that apply to listing geographic information on wine labels. If a state or county is named, it is federal law that at least 75 percent of the grapes used in production come from said location. If an AVA is cited (an American viticultural area, e.g., Napa Valley), the law states that at least 85 percent of the grapes must come from said area. Certain states also have their own regional laws. For example, California law mandates that 100 percent of the grapes must come from California if the state is named on the bottle.

Producer & Bottler

Where was your product made and bottled? If this location differs from the winery or vineyard, you must print both the name and address of this location on the label.

Alcohol Content

What is the percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV)? Unless it can be deduced from its class (e.g., table wine suggests an ABV of 14 percent or less), this number is required on every label.

Net Contents

How much wine is in the bottle? Whether it’s printed on the label or blown into the glass, this number (expressed in milliliters) must be present on every bottle.

Sulfite Warning

Does this wine have more than 10 parts per million of sulfur dioxide or more? If so, your label must bear a warning that says “CONTAINS SULFITES.”

Government Warning (Most often on the back label)

The Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act (November, 1988) requires that every label of an alcoholic beverage bare a specific government warning that states:

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.”

Additional Wine Label Information

Additional messaging may appear on the back label, such as pairing suggestions, flavor notes, and possibly some history on the winery or vineyard. These fun facts are not mandatory, but can serve as helpful hints for thirsty wine enthusiast. You could even include serving facts if you want, although the TTB doesn’t require them for wine labels. Extra details or information can add to the way people perceive our products, so don’t be afraid to add something if it makes sense for your brand.

A TTB compliant wine label featuring necessary legal information.

Materials Matter: Choosing the Right Material for Your Wine Bottle Label

When it comes to wine labels, there are a lot of options to consider beyond just paper. The materials used can impact the look, feel, and durability of the label. Paper is a classic choice that offers a range of appearances from smooth to textured. Textured papers give labels a nice vintage, artisanal vibe. Smooth papers convey a cleaner, more modern look.

Another key decision is the coating or finish. Glossy varnishes make the colors vibrant and eye-catching. Satin or matte finishes have a more subtle, soft aesthetic. If the wine will be stored in damp environments like a cellar, extra durable laminate coatings can be applied to protect against moisture damage.

The right materials can enhance the wine branding and convey the desired feeling. This is a good opportunity to get sample labels with different papers and finishes to see what works best for your particular wine.

Wine label gallery

Wine Bottle Design Considerations

When designing your wine bottle labels, it’s important to think about the actual dimensions and shape of the label. Wine bottles come in standard shapes like Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne style, as well as unique custom shapes like asymmetrical hand-blown bottles.

Wine bottle shapes

The label shape can mirror the bottle or go for something distinctive like a diamond or circle. Blue Label can print any shape you can dream up. Just be sure to consider the actual label size needed to fit that area of the bottle.

At Blue Label, our preferred label artwork file is a Adobe Illustrator file or high-resolution PDF. This allows our team to verify label dimensions. You’ll get a proof via email, and we’ll make sure your artwork translates smoothly into the printing process.

With the endless variety of wine bottle shapes and sizes, custom tailored labels make a big impact.

Make Your Wine Labels Stand Out from the Crowd

Now that you’ve got the crucial wine bottle info down, it’s time to add the touches that will make it pop off the shelf. Blue Label Packaging Company offers a variety of materials and finishes to help you create a custom wine label that will do your product justice.

There are plenty of ways to help you communicate the quality and style of your wine through packaging. If you’ve got a bold and complex Cabernet, a matte material seems like a nice pairing. A light, crisp Sauvignon Blanc? A glossy finish has a nice effect! Got an organic grape? An earthy craft paper is an excellent choice.

Once you’ve chosen your material, consider special treatments for a little something extra. Spot varnishes are a great way to highlight the label information you’re particularly proud of (e.g., a private reserve; a vintner’s selection) or a special design element. Also, details like hot foil stamping and embossed textures add a level of sophistication wine lovers will appreciate.

Your custom wine labels deserve the very best. Our facility offers the highest quality, the most flexibility, and the fastest processing, printing, and shipping times— five business days from the time you approve your artwork (because not everything gets better with age). Get in touch with us today to get the barrel rolling on your next wine labeling project.

*after artwork approval

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Varietal Wine Labels: How to Follow the TTB’s Rules on Varietal Labeling

From chardonnay to pinot noir, wine types play a significant role in communicating what your bottle has to offer to shoppers, restaurant-goers, and any other form of oenophiles. However, there are some specific rules regarding how you present various varietals on your wine labels.

As with just about everything you need to include on a wine label, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is pretty particular about your varietal presentation. There are three official categories of wine – table wine, dessert wine, and sparkling wine. However, a label may list a specific varietal statement instead as long as you follow a few specific rules.

Meet Minimum Grape Percentage Requirements

If you want to use a specific varietal name, your wine needs to meet some minimum requirements. To start, any wine label with the name of a grape variety must be made from at least 75 percent of the listed type of grape. However, that percentage can change depending on which varietal you use and your region.

In addition to wine type, the TTB also requires that you list an appellation of origin on your label. This appellation is simply a statement of where the dominant grapes used in a wine were grown. This appellation can range from only stating the name of the country to a very specific viticultural area.

As you move into more specific areas, your grape usage requirements can change. For example, certain semi-generic designations like an American marsala may carry additional requirements, such as a certain alcohol range. Each level of geographic detail has its own rules and designations, but that’s a conversation for another blog post. When it comes to varietal rules, the main takeaway is that you use the right percentage of grapes so that the TTB doesn’t turn down your label.

A wine bottle label for Park Farm Winery that lists marechal foch as the varietal of grapes used in the wine.

Use an Approved Varietal

If you’re concerned that the TTB won’t recognize some lesser-known grape varieties, don’t worry. From aglianico to zweigelt, there are more than 300 approved varietal names listed in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR), all of which are approved for use as a type designation for American wines.

While you may choose to capitalize the names of your varietal or use any hyphens, accents, or any other phonetic marks when printed on your label, the TTB does not require you to do either. As long as you use one of the approved spellings of your grape, or one of the alternative names listed in the e-CFR, you’re all set, regardless of if you opt for a lowercase presentation or choose to remove the umlaut out of grüner veltliner.

If for some reason your preferred varietal is not on the approved list, you’re not completely out of luck. You’ll need to petition the TTB administrator and provide some evidence as to why your grape of choice is deserving of inclusion.

List Breakdowns of Each Varietal if You Use More Than One

There is a way around the 75 percent grape baseline – blends. The TTB allows you to list more than one wine type designation on a label as long as you meet a few different requirements.

First, your wine must be made with all the varieties you list on your label. You can’t include three types that make up 95 percent of your bottle and decide not to include the varietal that makes up the final five percent. Second, you need to include a percentage breakdown of each variety. The TTB gives you a two-percent cushion on accuracy, so you’re fine as long as each type falls within that tolerance.

These rules get a bit trickier with the inclusion of grapes from multiple areas. If your label has multiple counties or states listed as the appellation of origin, you’ll need to include the percentage of each variety by the county or state that variety comes from, which could notably increase the total percentages listed on your bottle.

Two different types of wine listing varietals on their bottle labels.

Follow General Label Guidelines

According to the e-CFR, all wine labels must be “readily legible under ordinary conditions, and all such statement shall be on a contrasting background.” Contrasting backgrounds are simple enough, but what exactly does “readily legible” mean?

Simply put, it means that your type listing, along with other mandatory wine label elements, needs to meet specific TTB rules. The requirements that impact your wine type listings are as follows:

Required text must be at least two millimeters in size for containers of more than 187 milliliters or at least 1 millimeter for containers of less than 187 milliliters
Mandatory information should be in English
Important details should not be obscured by the label itself or any other elements

Of course, these rules don’t mean that you can’t have some fun with how you present your wine type. As long as you meet the guidelines, you can work your varietal’s name into your design to match your style. Compliance doesn’t need to be boring.

Find the Right Packaging Company for Your Wine Labels

When your wine is on the line, it’s important that your labels are more than just fine. Once you have all the mandatory details out of the way, it’s time to find a packaging company that can help you get the most out of your wine labels.

At Blue Label, we have the equipment and expertise necessary to take your labels to the next level. Whether we’re identifying the perfect stock for your wine label or taking advantage of special printing capabilities to amp up your design, we work with you to print the perfect labels for your brand and budget.

Ready to invest in quality labels for your bottles or cans? Contact us today to have us print your next batch of wine labels.

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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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The Different Wine Label Stocks You Can Use to Showcase Your Bottles

⚞ The Highlights:

Common wine label stocks include textured papers for a premium look, uncoated or coated papers for versatility, and synthetic or film materials for added durability and moisture resistance.
Paper stocks, including estate paper, are popular for wine labels because they provide a premium, textured appearance, absorb ink well for a rich look, and give an artisanal touch.
Other label materials, such as synthetic or film options, offer greater durability and moisture resistance, while metallic foils or clear films can provide a premium sheen or transparent look.

When it comes to investing in wine labels, it’s good to have options. There are a variety of label materials to choose from, but it’s up to you, your designer, and your label printing company to decide which one makes the most sense for your bottles. When it comes to wine labels, the three most popular types of materials you can use are:

Estate
Ever-opaque
Specialty

Each category offers various advantages depending on your desired look, feel, and price point. Here’s a quick breakdown of the different types of wine stocks so you can figure out what’s right for your packaging needs.

Estate Wine Labels

When you think of a classic paper wine label, you’ll likely envision something made with an estate material. Estate materials are a popular choice for the wine industry, and for good reason – they have a classic look and are generally a more cost-effective option.

Another advantage of paper labels is that they are incredibly versatile. While paper typically exudes a very natural appearance, there are various types of paper materials that can either enhance that look or provide a new type of aesthetic. For example, linen-style or uncoated eggshell bottle label papers both have different textures in the paper fibers that can help you match the look you want for your wine labels.

Of course, there is a downside to using an estate material. Unlike film, wine label paper absorbs water, which can cause those labels to disintegrate over time. While there are some paper stocks that have a higher wet strength, even those options aren’t completely waterproof. As such, estate may not be the best option if your wine labels will encounter water.

A paper wine label that has been embossed and stamped with hot foil.

Ever-Opaque Wine Labels

If you really love the look of estate but are concerned about water damage, you should consider investing in an ever-opaque material.

Ever opaque wine labels have a layer of BOPP film woven between paper to help shield your labels from moisture. This material option allows you to still give your bottles an estate feel without the downsides of soggy paper wine labels. This can make ever opaque materials a go-to option for white wines that are typically chilled before use or any other bottles that may encounter moisture throughout its journey from your facility to your consumers’ tables.

As can be expected, the downside of ever-opaque stocks is that the presence of a BOPP film can drive up costs. However, that increase may be well worth the investment if it protects your labels from future damage.

Specialty Wine Labels

While both estate and ever-opaque wine labels have a more traditional look and feel, specialty label stocks can help you take your bottles to a whole new level. These can be made of paper or film and vary greatly in terms of overall aesthetic. Some specialty options include:

Felt/velvet materials
Cobblestone patterns
Shrink sleeves
Holographic or glitter films
Gloss, matte, satin, and soft-touch varnishes or laminates

As you can see, there are plenty of possibilities to break out of the classic wine label mold with specialty labels. The various materials available will each have their own distinct advantages, but when used properly, they can make sure that your bottles stand out when placed next to your competition.

A black vellum wine label make with a duplex hot foil and white ink.

Work with a Label Printing Company that Makes Your Wine Labels Shine

No matter which wine material you like best, it’s important that you partner with a printing company that can turn your design into stunning, eye-catching labels. At Blue Label Packaging Company, we have the expertise and state-of-the-art printing equipment necessary to print stunning labels at competitive prices. We work with you to identify the right label material for your needs, and we can provide special label printing and finishing capabilities to add an extra dimension to your label design.

Are you in need of top-quality wine labels? Contact Blue Label today to talk to our experts about your next label printing project.