Standing out on the shelf—or online—has never been more challenging. With endless options competing for attention, how do you make sure your product gets noticed?
A well-designed label is one of the most powerful tools you have. It’s more than just a sticker—it tells your brand’s story, highlights key product details, and influences buying decisions in seconds. In this blog, we will explore the different types of product labels, the key components that make them effective, and design strategies that help your brand leave a lasting impression.
How Product Labels Shape Branding and Drive Marketing Success
Product labels are more than a way to share information—they help shape a brand’s identity and influence buying decisions. They inform consumers about the product’s identity, manufacturer, and ingredients. Custom labels help build a brand’s image and connect with customers. They play several important roles:
- Providing Essential Information: Labels include key details like ingredients, usage instructions, and safety warnings, helping consumers understand the product.
- Building Brand Identity: Custom labels create a recognizable look, strengthening brand awareness and customer loyalty.
- Meeting Legal Requirements: Labels ensure products comply with industry regulations, building trust and avoiding legal issues.
- Standing Out on the Shelf: A unique label design makes a product noticeable among competitors, influencing purchase decisions.
- Connecting with Customers: Labels communicate a brand’s story, values, and benefits, helping to form a relationship with consumers.
Types of Product Labels
There are five main types of product labels, each serving a specific purpose in product labeling and packaging design. Understanding these categories helps you organize your business information more effectively and decide where to place it on your custom labels. Here’s a closer look:
- Informative Labels
Informative labels provide critical details required for compliance and legal purposes. They include ingredients, allergens, warnings, nutritional facts, and expiration dates. These labels also display the company’s contact information, allowing customers to reach out with any questions or concerns. While they may not be the most exciting design part, they are crucial for ensuring transparency and safety.
- Brand Labels
Brand labels are key to creating a memorable first impression and brand recognition. Designed to capture attention, they convey the brand’s identity and voice in a way that resonates with the target audience. An effective brand label draws customers in and reinforces loyalty by maintaining a consistent brand image.
- Descriptive Labels
Descriptive labels provide additional product information, such as usage instructions, storage guidelines, and unique selling points. They can also include certifications, like eco-friendly or vegan symbols, to highlight the product’s features. Statements like “Made in the USA” or benefit-driven messages like “Helps fight acne” are often used to build trust and communicate added value.
- Grade Labels
Grade labels indicate the product’s quality or rating, often using letters, numbers, symbols, or scales. These labels are commonly found on products that require safety or quality ratings, such as fire extinguishers or food items with Nutri-scores. They help customers make informed purchasing decisions by clearly showing product standards and safety levels. - Promotional Labels
Promotional labels typically feature compelling marketing messages like “Limited Time Offer” or “Buy One, Get One Free.” These labels are often temporary and meant to create urgency or highlight special deals.
Key Components of a Product Label
1. Plastic Labels
Plastic or film labels come in transparent, colored, printed, or plain options. They can be made from a single layer or multiple layers by combining materials like paper and aluminum. Popular types of plastic labels include:
- Vinyl Labels
- Self-Laminating Plastic
- Polypropylene Labels
2. Specialty Labels
Specialty labels withstand harsh conditions where standard labels fall short. They help businesses efficiently identify and track products, parts, or components regardless of the environment. Common types of specialty labels include:
- Biodegradable Labels
- Linerless Labels
- Coupon Labels
- Metallic Labels
Industries like food and beverage, cosmetics, cannabis, and alcoholic beverages frequently use specialty labels.
3. Paper Labels
Paper labels are ideal for products that don’t require highly durable labeling. They offer character and texture at an affordable price. Major types of paper labels include:
- Standard Paper Labels
- White Paper Labels
- Recycled Paper Labels
These are commonly used in the food, drink, and pharmaceutical industries due to their ease of customization and versatility.
4. Recycled Labels
- Made entirely from recycled materials, these labels are environmentally friendly but are not suitable for laminating or withstanding moisture and oils. Popular types include:
- Kraft Labels
- Vellum Labels
These are widely used by brands aiming for a sustainable and eco-friendly image.
5. Other Types of Labels
In addition to the main categories, other labels serve specific purposes in various industries. These include:
- Removable Labels
- Extreme Tack Labels
- Permanent Labels
- Stickers/Adhesives
- Reseal Labels
- Thermal Labels
- Pressure-Sensitive Labels
Selecting the appropriate label material relies on the product’s specifications, the environmental conditions it will encounter, and the brand’s communication objectives.
Sustainability in Labeling
Eco-labels set minimum standards for environmental and health safety, certifying products that meet these benchmarks. They enable consumers, brands, and manufacturers to identify products that are more environmentally friendly than others. While eco-labels are voluntary, they are becoming increasingly important in the global marketplace. Their rigorous verification processes also safeguard consumers from misleading environmental claims, known as “greenwashing.”
Sustainability labels generally emphasize aspects such as responsible sourcing of raw materials, carbon footprint, compostability, and recyclability.
Varieties of Product Labels
Product labels are crucial for conveying important information and showcasing a brand’s identity. They guide consumers, ensure legal compliance, and help products stand out on crowded shelves. Here, we explore two main categories of product labels, classified by their manufacturing process and purpose:
Four Key Types of Product Labels by Manufacturing Process
These labels meet the specific needs of various industries while maintaining functionality and effective brand communication:
1. Cosmetic Labels
Cosmetic products come in diverse shapes, sizes, and packaging materials, requiring flexible label designs. Some common examples include:
- Labels for face creams
- Labels for beauty products
- Labels for body lotions
2. Plant Labels
Plant labels must be clear and easily distinguishable to ensure accurate identification and avoid confusion. Common examples include:
- Labels for flowers
- Labels for fertilizers
- Labels for pot plants
- Labels for trees
- Labels for soil
3. Fresh Produce Labels
Different labeling solutions are needed since fresh food packaging varies widely in size, shape, and material. Examples of these labels include:
- Swing tags for packaging onions and potatoes
- Fruit packaging labels for bananas, apples, and pears
- Labels for citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges
4. Pharmaceutical Labels
Pharmaceutical labels must provide clear and detailed information to ensure safe handling, storage, and use of the products. Examples include:
- Labels for antibiotics
- Labels for pain relief medications
- Labels for general medicines
Four Essential Types of Product Labels by Purpose
These labels serve multiple purposes, including identification, branding, regulatory compliance, and consumer guidance:
Plastic Labels
Plastic or film labels are versatile and come in options such as transparent, colored, and multi-layered designs. They are commonly used for durable labeling applications. Examples include:
- Vinyl labels for waterproof packaging
- Self-laminating plastic labels for added protection
- Polypropylene labels for flexible and durable use
Paper Labels
Paper labels are cost-effective and highly customizable, making them popular in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. The most common types are:
- Recycled paper labels for eco-friendly packaging
- White paper labels for a clean, minimalist look
- Standard paper labels for general-purpose use
Specialty Labels
Specialty labels withstand harsh conditions or serve unique purposes. They offer durability and custom features. Examples include:
- Linerless labels for sustainable packaging
- Metallic labels for premium product branding
- Biodegradable labels for environmentally friendly products
- Coupon labels for promotional offers
Recycled Labels
These labels are made entirely from recycled materials, making them an eco-friendly choice. However, they may not be suitable for products exposed to moisture or oils. Popular options include:
- Kraft labels for a rustic, natural appearance
- Vellum labels for a vintage, textured finish
Additional Types of Product Labels
These labels serve specialized purposes across various industries:
- Reseal Labels – Ideal for products requiring resealable packaging.
- Removable Labels – Designed to be easily removed without leaving residue.
- Stickers/Adhesives – Versatile and often used for branding or promotional purposes.
- Permanent Labels – Used for long-lasting product identification.
- Thermal Labels – Commonly used for barcode printing and price tags.
- Pressure-Sensitive Labels – Applied using pressure without the need for heat or solvents.
This overview showcases the strategic use of different types of labels across industries to enhance branding, comply with regulations, and effectively communicate with consumers.
The Role of UL and Other Compliance Labels
To maintain certification integrity, UL has strict labeling guidelines, including:
- Approved labeling materials
- Variations in product markings
- Certification and marking regulations
- Scope-specific labeling requirements
- Use of promotional badges
- Guidelines for mark color and artwork
- Performance verification marks
These are a few of the nearly 20 sets of guidelines designed to ensure products meet safety and compliance standards.
Beyond UL, compliance labels verify that products adhere to industry regulations. These labels help prevent safety risks, reduce recalls, and build consumer trust by ensuring transparency in product information. Accurate compliance labeling safeguards consumers and protects a brand’s credibility and marketability.
Choosing the Right Label for Your Business
A product label is more than an identifier—it reflects your brand’s quality and reliability. Poor materials and weak adhesives can cause labels to peel or fade, affecting brand perception. Choosing the right label printing company ensures your labels look great and perform well. Here are five key factors to consider:
1. Comprehensive Services
Some printers have restricted material and design options. Ensure their offerings align with your requirements.
For example:
- A skincare product label should resist water and oil.
- Outdoor equipment labels must withstand sun exposure and temperature changes.
Look for a company that offers custom shapes, durable materials, multiple printing techniques, and various label formats like rolls or sheets.
2. A Knowledgeable Partner
A good label printer doesn’t take orders passively—they provide guidance. They inform you if a more suitable material or a cost-effective alternative is available. They offer suggestions to improve label durability or enhance visual appeal. They actively collaborate with you to refine your design.
3. Responsive Customer Service
Quick communication is crucial, especially for last-minute changes. If a bakery launching a new product needs labels urgently, they can’t afford long response times. A reliable label partner ensures fast turnaround and clear communication.
4. Industry Expertise
Labels need to withstand different conditions. A quality printer understands these challenges and provides solutions.
Considerations include:
- Heat-resistant labels for coffee cups.
- Scratch-resistant labels for electronics.
- Compliance labels for regulated industries like food and healthcare.
5. Sustainability Practices
If eco-friendliness is critical to your brand, look for printers using recycled materials, reducing waste, and partnering with sustainable suppliers.
A high-quality label enhances product appeal and ensures durability. Choosing the right printing company is an investment in your brand’s long-term success.
Simplify, Innovate, Succeed: The Lowry Solutions Promise
Creating a standout product label involves creativity, innovation, and strategic thinking. By focusing on design elements that capture attention, tell a story, and align with your brand’s values, you can craft a label that resonates with consumers on a deeper level.
The success or failure of a product is closely tied to the design, tone, theme, message, and functionality of its label. If you are looking for inspiration on how to create product labels that make a strong impression, we hope this guide has provided valuable insights.
Now, you know to go beyond designing average labels. So, when’s the best time to start planning the perfect label layout? Right now! Connect with Lowry Solutions today, and let’s turn your vision into labels that stick (literally and figuratively).
Frequently Asked Questions
Product labels come in various types, each serving a distinct purpose:
- Prime Labels: These are the primary branding elements that grab attention on store shelves, showcasing your brand identity and product details.
- Non-Retail Labels: Typically used for internal tracking, inventory management, or shipping, these labels prioritize functionality over branding.
- Compliance Labels: These ensure that products meet industry regulations and standards, such as safety certifications and legal requirements.
Compliance labels, like UL (Underwriters Laboratories) labels, verify that a product meets specific safety and quality standards. They reassure consumers and businesses by ensuring that products have been tested and certified for safe use, reducing liability and enhancing brand credibility.
Sustainable labeling practices minimize environmental impact by using eco-friendly materials and production methods. As more consumers prioritize sustainability, using recyclable or biodegradable labels can enhance brand loyalty and demonstrate a commitment to responsible practices.
When selecting label materials, consider the following:
- Product Environment: Labels should withstand the conditions they will be exposed to, such as moisture, temperature, or sunlight.
- Durability Requirements: Choose materials that resist wear and tear, ensuring the label remains legible and intact.
- Special Features: Depending on the product, you may need waterproof, heat-resistant, or tamper-evident labels to maintain functionality and safety.
Effective label design goes beyond aesthetics. It should:
- Attract Attention: Use eye-catching colors, fonts, and images that resonate with your target audience.
- Communicate Clearly: Ensure all essential information, such as product benefits, usage instructions, and regulatory details, is easily readable.
- Improve Brand Identity: Consistent use of brand colors, logos, and messaging reinforces brand recognition.
- Comply with Regulations: Design with industry standards to avoid compliance issues and ensure accurate labeling.
