How to design for product labels
The perfect product label accomplishes at least three main objectives: It appeals to your target market, shines a spotlight on your brand, and provides necessary information about your product. While designing a label may sound simple, there’s a skill to getting it right and mastering the balance between being informative and visually pleasing. Here, we cover the basics of label design, including what to put on your label, label design best practices, and tips for standing out against your competitors.
What to include on a product label
While product labels need to be eye-catching and aid brand awareness, they also need to explain the pertinent details that make your product special.
Product labels should include:
- Product name
- Logo / company name
- Product description – such as the purpose of the product and who it’s intended for
- Practical information – such as the ingredient list, weight, expiration dates, etc.
- Instructions on how to use the product
- Tracking information – such as bar codes or serial numbers
- Contact information – such as website address or address of the manufacturer
Further reading: What is branding design – tips and principles
Product label design considerations
Design for print, not for screens
Before designing your product label, refresh your memory on the differences between designing for print versus designing for screens. There are a number of considerations to keep in mind when designing for print such as your use of color, the need to include a bleed, and the importance of proofing your work multiple times before sending to the printer.
Stick to your brand guidelines
Brand guidelines foster consistent messaging which builds trust with your customers and ultimately strengthens your brand, leading to better sales. During the process of label design, make sure to take your already established branding into account. A big part of successfully building brand equity involves being consistent across all visual areas of your business including your website, email signature, ads, social media, and product labels.
Think about size and shape
Just as it’s important to consider the size and shape of your product, the size and shape of your label matters. Big labels might be overly distracting and unnecessary but have room for a lot of information. On the other hand, smaller labels mean there’s less room for information or art. With less space, you’ll need to get creative with workarounds like using a QR code for customers to scan and receive further information.
Consider the material
The material your labels are made from is an important factor in the design process. While the type of product might dictate the material used, as a product that gets wet may call for a waterproof label, from a design angle, different types of material can convey different sentiments. For example, embossed lettering can give a luxury feel, while matte labels feel techy and modern.
Get your information hierarchy right
When it comes to product labels, the most important elements are the name of the product and your brand name or company logo, so this information should be front and center. Pro tip: Size 6 font is usually the smallest size that ensures readability while size 10 font is better for more important information.
How to make your product labels stand out
Do your competitor research
Knowing what your competitors are doing not only generates fresh ideas, but it also helps you find ways to be different and stand out from the crowd. Consider what competitor products have in common and where it makes sense to differentiate yourself visually without wandering too far from industry norms.
Do more with less
It’s important to be strategic with your design decisions and avoid cluttering your product label. A good rule of thumb is to use no more than two complementary fonts to highlight different information and add visual interest. Also, stick to two or three colors at maximum and avoid busy patterns. Remember, the goal is not to fill all of the space or overcomplicate your design – white space allows your label to breathe and prevents it from being overwhelming.
Keep your message clear
Prioritize clarity and ensure that your label is easy to read, understand, and contains all the important information. Your audience should know exactly what your product is and why they need it after just one look at your label.
Ready to get started? Let us give you a head start with our range of label templates in Adobe Express.
