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What Is Variable Data Printing And When Is It Used for Product Labels

Is your company considering launching a customized marketing campaign to attract a unique audience? Or are you looking to diversify your product varieties with new flavors, scents, or seasonal editions?

Using variable data printing for product labels is a cost effective solution that helps you do this at a large scale. Here’s what to know about the kind of data it can print and when you can use it for product labels.

Cans with custom labels

Understanding Variable Data Printing

In variable data printing, you can change elements of your label, like graphics and text, without changing the equipment. One well known implementation of variable data printing is Coca Cola’s Share-a-Coke campaign with personalized bottles and cans.

The process requires all variations in text and imagery ahead of time. This data is compiled into a database and spreadsheet, and is fed to the label printing software. The digital press pulls text and graphics from the data and prints variations in sequences.

While you can change the text and graphics, all labels in a run should be the same dimensions to be able to use variable label printing.

Take a wellness brand selling essential oils, for example. Each bottle may need a different label based on whether it’s lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, or peppermint essential oil. With variable data printing, you can print labels with different colors, graphics, and names for each type of essential oil without changing the equipment in a printing press.

Now, take this concept and apply it to other product lines. From craft beer and skincare to artisanal coffee and CBD, the applications are endless.

Types of Variable Data Options

With variable data printing, you can print different types of data.

Barcodes: With variable data printing, each product can have a unique code, improving inventory accuracy and enhancing supply chain efficiency
Serial Numbers: Using this technology for serial numbers allows companies to track products easily, making warranty management and theft prevention more effective
Batch And Lot Numbers: Unique batch and lot numbers improve traceability so companies can ensure swift recalls and quality control in case of safety issues or contamination.
Manufacturing and Expiration Dates: Printing variable manufacturing and expiration dates on the label helps your brand comply with food safety regulations.
Regional Pricing Information: You can customize pricing by region using variable data printing, ensuring that you comply with pricing laws.
Promotional Codes: Printing unique promotional codes help your business track marketing campaigns, boost customer engagement, and plan personalized promotions.
Product Variation: Using variable data printing for product variations streamlines label customization. You can ensure accurate information for each version and reduce errors.
Regulatory Information: You can print regulatory information on products to meet local compliance standards and reduce the risk of penalties and fines.

Applications For Variable Data Printing

Here are some of the most applications for variable data printing across different industries and business models:

Limited Edition Products

If your brand plans on creating limited-edition designs for an upcoming event or season, variable design printing helps you do this quickly. While traditional printing requires large batches to keep costs down, variable data printing allows you to print smaller batches of limited-edition product labels without eating up a big chunk of your budget.

Meeting Regional Regulatory Requirements

For companies operating in the food, pharmaceutical, and electronics industries, regulatory requirements can differ between regions. Because traditional printing creates identical labels in bulk, you can’t accommodate dynamic changes based on different geographical locations. Meanwhile, variable data printing allows you to include different safety and warranty labels based on where the product is going.

Selling In International Markets

Speaking of different regions, expanding to different markets means dealing with language barriers, too. This means printing labels with instructions, food allergy details, and other information in different languages, too. Though English is commonly understood, many regions have a preference for their local language. And customizing labels with each region’s native language is a great way to ensure that your product is well-received by the local public.

SKU Management

If your brand offers different product lines like flavors or scents, variable data printing makes it easier to create multiple variations. That way, you can print labels for multiple variations in smaller orders instead of one large batch.

Promotional Codes

During special promotions where your brand hosts competitions with prizes or offers discounts on complementary products, unique codes or images are printed on the label. With variable data printing, you can implement changes quickly without dealing with the expenses of equipment changeover fees. You’ll be able to track consumer preference and response to your initial batches before deciding to print more.

Spreadsheet with data

Types Of File(s) A Label Printer Needs To Perform Variable Data Printing

Because the variable data printing process differs from traditional printing in more than one way, you can expect to need different file types.

CSV or Database Files: Label printers need CSV or Excel files that contain variable information. This could include the name of a product variety, ingredient information, food safety information, and more.
PDF Files: You can set up PDF files with dynamic fields for variable data printing. The file will have interactive fields that pull data from external sources, like a spreadsheet.
.AI Files: When using label design software like Adobe Illustrator, templates are saved in its proprietary format containing placeholders for different data. Then, the variable data can be derived from a database or spreadsheet to fill in placeholders.

Choose Variable Data Printing For Cost-Effective And Efficient Label Solutions

To sum it up, variable data printing gives brands a seamless way to integrate dynamic data into labels without changing the equipment. From labeling products in different languages to creating new varieties, there are various applications for variable data printing.

If you want to start printing your product labels with variable data printing, contact our team at Blue Label Packaging to get a free quote.

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The Benefits of Variable Data Printing for Cannabis and CBD Labels

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

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

Flexible Label Design Modification

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

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

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

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

Adjustability for Required Product Information

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

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

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

The Freedom to Be Unique

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

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

Product Tracking

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

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

Multiple Designs in One Order

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

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

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

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Identifying the Best Design Approach for Your Seltzer Labels

With the burgeoning success of the hard seltzer market, it’s a good time to be in the carbonated water business. Of course, this increase in seltzer sales doesn’t mean your seltzers are guaranteed to make money without proper packaging.

There are many routes you can take when it comes to seltzer labels. Each labeling approach has its benefits, so it’s important to identify what method makes sense for your product labels.

What Do Your Seltzer Labels Need to Do?

Before you can identify the right approach to your seltzer label designs, it’s important to take a step back and consider what you’re trying to accomplish with your labels. There are some objectives that are largely the same for every company – tell people who made your seltzer and include any information required by the TTB or FDA – but there are some other important goals you should consider as well.

A good product label is more than a place to provide basic information. A good label can help you establish a specific brand voice and make your product more than just another can or bottle of seltzer. Your design choices also make a huge different in increasing your visibility on shelves, advertising, and anywhere else consumers will see your goods. With those goals in mind, it’s time for you and your team to figure out the best way to make your brand known.

Different Approaches Toward Creating a Standout Seltzer Label

There is no perfect answer for every brand, but there are are different approaches that may makes sense for your brand. Here are a variety of approaches you can take to make sure your seltzer labels do their job.

Create an instantly recognizable identity through a templated design

Do you have several different flavors and want to create a series of labels that differentiate all your SKUs without creating too much additional design work? A templated approach can help you create a system that allows you to adapt specific details while maintaining a very specific look for your brand.

Iowa Legendary Rye bottles showing off product labels made with a templated design.

Take the the Iowa Legendary Rye labels pictured above for example. The design uses consistent shapes and hot foil stamped borders to create a specific look for their overall brand while changing colors, product names, and descriptions to differentiate individual products. This approach allows them to dominate their specific spot on a store shelf with a cohesive identity that people can remember the next time they look for the Iowa Legendary brand. This approach also means you can utilize variable data printing to use a single design version to print labels for multiple SKUs in a single run.

Promote personality for each product

Depending on your business and customers, you may want to avoid a neat templated style in favor of being big, bold, and different. Each label is a canvas and there are no rules saying you can’t create distinct designs for each product. Whether you want to play up different personalities for each flavor or utilize different imagery for your various SKUs, you can make each one of your products grab attention by being a bit different.

A group of 18th Street Brewery beer cans with custom-designed can labels.

18th Street Brewery embraced this approach for their labels. Each can has its own special design that’s completely original and visually irresistible. They can’t help but grab people’s attention. Not only can this approach give each product it’s own personality, it can lead your consumers to look out for new products to see what else your labels have in store for them.

Focus on an angle

Sometimes you need to focus on what makes your products special. In a growing seltzer market, what makes your seltzers worth trying? This approach can take many forms, whether you’re trying to appeal to someone’s health, wallet, or adventurous flavor palate. Once you identify that angle, you can use your labels to promote your seltzer to everyone within eyesight and help people understand the why behind your brand.

A Me Care body butter with a professional product label.

For example, Me Care used its product labels to highlight its own specific angle: Quality body products that create an authentic Kentucky bourbon experience. Not too many people would think to connect products like handcrafted body scrubs and moisturizers with booze. That specific angle gives Me Care’s labels an edge to help to sell its products to an intrigued audience while still telling a story about their brand.

Choose an Approach That Suits Your Seltzer Labels

There are a variety of approaches you can take in terms of label design, but the right answer depends on you and your product. A templatized approach may make sense for a company with a simple and stated brand of seltzers. Others may prefer turning each product’s label into its own piece of art for a more unique aesthetic. In fact, you can always combine a few approaches to find a blend that suits your product’s style. Who says you can’t have a custom illustration for each seltzer flavor on a partially templated label?

No matter which route you go, it’s important to make sure that you work with a label printing company that can do your designs justice. At Blue Label, we can work with you to balance both your label’s performance and design needs. Need the right material and adhesive for coolers? We got you. Want to add some extra flair to your design. We have the label printing capabilities to help you turn heads.

We’re here to help you get the most out of your seltzer labels. Contact us today about your next labeling project.

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E-Juice Label Compliance: 4 Tips to Keep Your Labels in Line with the FDA

It’s important for e-juice labels to look good for your customers, but they’re not the only people you need to consider when it comes to packaging. No matter what you do with your e-juice label design, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only cares about one thing: the law. Here are four ways that you can help make sure your e-juice labels stay compliant with the FDA.

Include the Right Warnings

Your product must include the following warning to comply with FDA guidelines:

“WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.”

Please note that the warning you place on your labels should completely match the FDA’s message, down to the capitalization and punctuation. That’s not the only stipulation, either. There are several requirements for this warning.

The warning must be located in a “conspicuous and prominent” place on both principal display panels on your package
Make up at least 30 percent of the space on each panel
Be printed in at least 12-point font size in either Helvetica or Arial bold type or another similar sans serif font
Use either black text on a white background or white text on a black background so the warning contrasts with the other printed material on the package

Another potential issue is that some e-juice containers are quite small. If your package is too small to include the warning statement, the FDA will require you to find a way to do so, even if it means adding an outer container like a box or a wrapper that can feature the warning.

An e-juice bottle featuring custom e-juice packaging.

Add Key Product Details

A warning isn’t the only text required on e-juice labels. Like labels for food, the FDA also stipulates that e-juice labels must include other important information as well. These include the following:

The name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor
The weight, measure, or numerical count of the contents of a container
The percentage of both domestically and foreign-grown tobacco used in the product
The following statement: “Sale only allowed in the United States”

Don’t Appeal to Children

The FDA isn’t kidding around when it comes to protecting children from nicotine and tobacco products. The FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent out official warning letters to e-juice and e-cigarette companies back in 2018 about “labeling and/or advertising that cause [products] to resemble kid-friendly food products, such as juice boxes, candy or cookies, some of them with cartoon-like imagery.”

What the FDA considers as “marketing to children” can vary. Labels made to appear to like beverages or candies for children are considered misleading, with some examples of children even drinking e-juice because of the practice. Product names drawn from recognizable brands or treats are also in danger of drawing the FDA’s attention. Some examples of past offending products include:

“One Mad Hit Juice Box”
“Vape Heads Sour Smurf Sauce”
“V’Nilla Cookies & Milk”
“Whip’d Strawberry”
“Twirly Pop”

Labels featuring a warning for e-juice label compliance.

Stay Flexible

Even if your labels are currently compliant, it only takes one change to cause future packaging problems. Outdated labels do nothing but hurt your wallet and put you at risk for non-compliance. Fortunately, digital label printing can help you be ready for any necessary label changes.

If you ever need to update your warnings, ingredients, or other information, variable data printing allows you to use technology to manage your various SKUs. This means a single design layout and a variable data spreadsheet allows you to update sections of your labels when FDA regulations change instead of updating every single label design. Digital label printing also allows you to order smaller quantities so you don’t have to commit to a massive order that may burn you in the future when label regulations change.

Stay Compliant with the Right Label Printing Company

Compliance is only one part of the packaging puzzle. The look and performance of your labels play critical roles in the success of your product. For those, you’ll need the right label printing partner to help bring your e-juice labels to life.

At Blue Label, we have the experience and equipment to print the perfect labels for your products. We work directly with you to make sure your e-juice labels are right for your needs and compliance requirements. Contact Blue Label today to talk to us about printing e-juice labels for your products.

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6 Questions You Should Ask a Digital Label Printer

It takes a lot of hard work to put out a great product, so you shouldn’t damage your brand’s image with a subpar label. Great packaging plays a critical role in promoting your products, so it can be very advantageous for small businesses to invest in digital label printing.

However, you shouldn’t settle for just any digital label printing company. Some research and pointed questions can help you find the right label printing company for your business. To help your search, here are six key questions to ask a potential printing partner to gauge if they have the right blend of capabilities and customer service for your company.
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Advantages and Uses of Variable Printing for Labels

You don’t need to personally meet your customers to give them a personalized product experience. Thanks to digital printing technology, your product label can do that for you.

Variable data printing allows businesses to customize and personalize their labels through digital printing. Back in 2013, Coca-Cola started a personalized brand campaign in which it printed “nearly 800 million personalized bottle labels for the campaign, using more than 10,000 names, in more than 10 languages and five alphabets.” In 2016, Diet Coke launched the “It’s Mine” campaign, in which every single 12-ounce glass bottle label featured a different design.

While Coca-Cola had a lot of success with their campaigns, you don’t need to be a massive company to leverage the benefits of variable data printing. All it takes are a few ideas and a digital printing company with the technology to make it happen.

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