Dog Food Labels

A dog food label must include several key pieces of information to comply with federal regulations and ensure that pet owners are well-informed about the product they’re purchasing. Here’s what you should include:

• • Product Name and Description: The product label should clearly state the name of the dog food, providing an accurate description of the contents without being misleading.
  • Ingredients List: The ingredients list must be presented in descending order by weight, meaning the first ingredient listed is the most abundant in the product. This helps consumers understand the primary components of the dog food.
  • Guaranteed Analysis: This section provides the minimum or maximum percentages of key nutrients such as crude protein, fat content, and water content. The guaranteed analysis typically includes:

• • • Minimum percentage of crude protein
    • Minimum percentage of crude fat
    • Maximum percentage of crude fiber
    • Maximum percentage of moisture (water content)
  • Feeding Guidelines: Feeding guidelines should be clearly stated, offering instructions on how much food to give based on the dog’s weight and sometimes age. This helps with proper nutrition and helps prevent overfeeding.
  • Caloric Content: The caloric content must be listed, usually expressed as kilocalories (kcal) per kilogram of food and often per cup or can. This information is essential for managing a dog’s daily caloric intake.
  • Labeling Regulations Compliance: The label must comply with all applicable federal regulations, including those set by the FDA and AAFCO. This includes adhering to specific guidelines for nutrient content, ingredient declarations, and any claims made about the product.
  • Artificial Preservatives and Colors: If the product contains artificial preservatives or artificial colors, these should be clearly listed. Conversely, if the product is free from these, it can be an attractive selling point for health-conscious consumers.
  • Product Information: The label should also include the name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor, along with batch codes and expiration dates to ensure product traceability and freshness.

We provide custom labels for a wide range of dog food packaging and containers, tailored to suit different types of food. Whether you’re packaging dry dog food, canned food, or specialty items, our labels are designed to adhere securely and maintain their appearance under various conditions. Here’s a breakdown of the types of dog food packaging we support:

• • Dry Dog Food Bags: Our labels are perfect for multi-layered bags used to package dry dog food, whether in small, resealable bags or large bulk bags. These labels are durable and designed to withstand handling and storage.
  • Canned Food: We offer labels for aluminum and steel cans, commonly used for wet dog food. These labels are moisture-resistant and maintain their integrity even in refrigerated or humid environments.
  • Plastic Tubs and Trays: For single-serving or semi-moist dog food, our labels are compatible with plastic tubs and trays. These labels adhere well to the curved surfaces and provide a professional finish.
  • Pouches: Our labels are ideal for flexible pouches, which are often used for wet food or treats. These labels are lightweight and designed to flex with the pouch material without peeling.
  • Boxes: We provide labels for cardboard boxes, which are frequently used for packaging dry treats or smaller quantities of dry dog food. Our labels are easy to apply and offer excellent print quality.
  • Buckets and Tubs: For bulk packaging, we offer labels that adhere to heavy-duty plastic buckets and tubs.
  • Vacuum-Sealed Packs: Our labels can be designed for vacuum-sealed packs, which are often used for freeze-dried or dehydrated dog food. These labels are compatible with the unique surface of vacuum-sealed materials.
  • Paperboard Cartons: We also provide labels for paperboard cartons used for liquid dog foods or broths, offering options that are easy to apply and maintain their appearance.

We offer shipping through several vendors like UPS, Fedex, and USPS. Ground, Next-Day, 2-Day, 3-Day, and custom freight options. 

Our preferred file formats are Adobe Illustrator or High-Resolution PDF.  You can view our complete artwork file standards checklist here.

Before printing your custom dog food labels, we will provide a digital proof via email for your approval. This allows you to review your label, confirming details like positioning, color accuracy, text legibility, and more, prior to full production. We are committed to ensuring your complete satisfaction through this streamlined proofing process.

While Blue Label Packaging does not directly offer label design services, we do have resources to help with your custom label design needs. We maintain a directory of Blue Label Approved designers who specialize in label design and understand the unique requirements and technical details involved. We also showcase a gallery of label designs for inspiration.

Our printers are capable of matching up to 97% of the full color spectrum, allowing us to achieve precise color reproduction for your beer labels. We use advanced CMYK printing to produce an extensive gamut of colors. For designs requiring an expanded range, we also print using WOVG ink sets which add white, orange, violet and green.

Our top-of-the-line color management program and processes ensure we hit the correct hues, tints and shades. We color calibrate and profile all of our presses so your unique color palettes and gradations print true to your vision.