How to design a product label that looks good

Here’s the axiom of shopping: those who may be enticed to grab your product off the shelves are curious to learn more about it. Depending on what they see on the packaging, they’ll either buy or leave it. A killer label can turn their curiosity into a purchase, so knowing how to design labels for your items is vital. Nail it, and you’ll have customers lining up.

If your current labels fall flat and don’t speak to your audience, they do not cut it. Read this guide to learn about crafting labels that look good and work like a charm.

What is a label design and why is it important?

Put yourself in your customers’ shoes and think about what makes you pick one item over another. Nine times out of ten, it’s a label that catches your eye and encourages you to find out more about the product.

That’s what label design revolves around. It refers to the creation of signage and decorative elements that accompany it on product packaging.

A well-designed label isn’t just about looking adorable (though that definitely helps). It should also perform its informational function and reveal the item’s essential details, including:

• Brand logo that shows who’s made the product
• Ingredients or raw materials
• Weight or volume, so customers know what they’re getting
• Safety warnings (especially for edibles and cosmetics)
• Tips for product usage and disposal

Long story short, a sophisticated label is your brand’s small yet effective elevator pitch. Without it, even the best product may be doomed to gather dust because of the lack of informational guidance and persuasive power at the retail level.

But how to design labels with all that information while keeping them sleek and small? Let us explain.

How to design a label that covers all the bases

Now that you know what belongs on your labels, let’s figure out how to make every visual and word pull its weight for your item’s retail appeal.

Plunge into design

At the design stage, you can use the most common solutions like Adobe Photoshop to digitally put the information related to your product on a piece of paper that fits your packaging. Items for sale come in all shapes, so you may need to experiment with positions and angles.

A label should be an extension of your brand’s vibe. Your design team should distinguish the best fonts, images, and other details to be put together like a jigsaw puzzle.

Put readability first

Sure, your labels should turn heads. But if customers can’t read them, it doesn’t matter how good-looking they are.

How do you design a label that’s both easy to read and easy on the eyes? Choose appropriate fonts and make sure the text pops against the background. Place major details, like your product name, in front and center. The rest of the information should also be visible without a magnifying glass.

Complement the general style of your product

People love a good story. You can’t go wrong by adopting a storytelling format to let your label introduce your product, explain why it’s cool, and emphasize your brand’s philosophy. A strong narrative makes your item more relatable and impossible to ignore.

Think about colors and styles that highlight your product’s personality. Do your best to keep the design in sync with your brand’s overall vibe so that it feels like an inherent part of everything you produce.

Think durability

Finally, your labels should be resistant. You don’t want to suddenly realize your sales are taking a nosedive just because your labels always get damaged during shipping and ruin the entire packaging before they are even on the shelves.

Wondering how to create a product label design that lasts? Go beyond paper and use plastic, fabric, or the most popular option: polypropylene labels. These are resistant to everything a typical product may be subject to.

Other tips

Sticking to the design principles described above will help draw the crowd to your brand. But if you want your signage to be more than just eye-catching and informative, it needs something extra to preserve attention. Here’s how to design a product label that distinguishes your items from lookalike stuff:

• Select colors purposefully. Colors are your secret weapon in the battle for customers’ attention, so choose them wisely. Think about who you’re selling to and what your product should deliver. This will help create a label that doesn’t blend in.
• Consider usage. If an item is going to be placed in a freezer or may get splashed in the shower, make sure the label is readable after weeks or months of use. You can extend its lifespan by adopting waterproof materials and printing methods.
• Add some flair. Don’t be afraid to get a little artsy. Add the visualization of your product, a holographic image, or some creative font. These elements can draw in potential buyers.
• Space it. Whether you’re selling shampoos or chocolate bars, your label must fit the packaging. However, it’s better to leave some space around each design element so that customers can focus on one thing at a time.

By combining the right tools, professional design knowledge, and well-thought-out creative decisions, you can design labels that make an impact. These are elements of the same formula we implement here at MYLARMEN to craft top-notch signage for US businesses and product lines.

Making labels that impress

Creating a label that’s as beautiful as it is functional takes skill. That’s why hiring a pro team of designers can save you from a world of headaches.

MYLARMEN has the know-how and expertise to deliver professional label design services and propel your sales with stunning labels. We’re up to speed on label requirements across industries – including cosmetics and cannabis sectors – and can ensure your signage is visually captivating. We also know how to create a product label design that is compliant with the FDA and other regulations to prevent potential violations from sabotaging your success.