Food label maker: How to design and create a food label.

Mixing your cardamom with your coriander? Food label makers can make food prep, launching a new product, and staying on top of leftovers a breeze. Your food might do the talking, but food labels can help it sing.

Organize your pantry today and try Adobe Express to create food labels for free and cook up a storm.

What is a food label?

Food labels can cover a lot of different uses, but functionally, they’re just what they say on the tin – literally, in some cases. Not to be confused with nutrition labels, food labels give you a way to stay on top of leftovers in the kitchen, label your different herbs, spices or oils and sort your food prep to fit a strict plan.

With a clear label, the chaos of your pantry can become a place of calm, with every available at a glance. You can even make food labels to signpost your own, homemade chilli jam or cake.

What to include on a food label.

There’s no hard and fast rule on what to include on a food label – it really depends on what you want to use them for and whether you’re selling your food. However, there is some information you might want to include regardless of what you’re making:

• Name. Without a name, a label isn’t going to do a ton of good. It’s usually worth labelling what the item is – if it’s a Strawberry Jam, then that’s the place to start. Try to be accurate, so that you don’t get mixed up with other, similar items.
• Use-By Date. Adding a use-by date (if you know it), or the date your product was bottled so you’re aware of how long it’s been on the shelf, might stave off some unpleasant smells or worse. If you’re selling your product, you’ll be required to add a use-by date for perishables.
• Nutrition. Setting up your own meal plan or selling your own food products? You need to include nutritional information.
• Ingredients & Allergen Information. Got traces of nut in your product? Maybe a bit of dairy? You should mention what ingredients are in your product if you’re selling it or add a little warning if it’s for personal use or being distributed to friends.
• Food Plan Date. Got your own food plan? Sticking to your meal-prep diet is easy if you label the days and times you should be eating a meal.

If you’re planning on selling your food products, you should check your country’s requirements for food labelling and other criteria.

Why make your own food labels?

It can be fun to make your own food labels, but more than that they can bring a lot of practical benefits. Here are some reasons you might want to make your own food labels:

• Make your kitchen more coordinated. Add a bit of clarity to your kitchen with clear labels and never use nut oil instead of olive oil again.
• Keep track of use by dates. With a clear food label, you can check use-by dates at a glance – especially on leftovers or prepared meals.
• Add your own branding. Want to give your food products a bit of character? Food labels can be a great way to be creative and add your own branding.
• For gifts. Share a thoughtful gift like homemade jam, a freshly baked cake, or your own attempt at hot sauce – you can even add your own branding to the bottles!
• To track ingredients. Keep track of allergies and intolerances by labelling some of the ingredients that go into certain meals and gifts.

How to make your own food label design using Adobe Express.

Just like whipping up a meal, making your own food label isn’t rocket science – but it is an art. With Adobe Express, you can get the assistance you need to easily create any type of food label you want.

1. Use the food label maker to craft bespoke designs from scratch.

Create a range of labels – including food labels – with the Adobe Express Label Creator. Design your food labels from scratch and organize your fridge shelves today.

Create labels with Adobe Express

2. Get design inspiration from our other label templates.

Not sure what to include in your food labels? Get yourself on the right track with free editable food label templates from Adobe or print out a template ready to go.

Use food label templates from Adobe Express

3. Customise your labels for any food item.

Create food labels perfect for any food item – from beers and wines to jar labels and more. Give your own food products a personal touch today.

Learn how to design product labels with Adobe Express

4. Add your own text effects for extra flair.

Want to take your food labels to the next level? Really make your labels your own with text effects using generative AI. Create amazing text effects, without being a typographer, for your food labels.

Design your own text effects today

5. Print your food label designs to bring them to life.

Once you’ve designed your labels, you’re good to download and print them out, or easily share your labels with any collaborators. Easy as pie.

Print your food labels

Editable food label design ideas.

Try Adobe Express for free now

Generate your own food label designs with our AI Template Maker.

Can’t find a template that fits what you want for your food labels? Generate your own food label designs with the Adobe AI Template Maker. Simply enter a prompt and you can create a range of food label template designs for boxes, jars, bottles and more.

Generate a food label template with Generative AI today

Good to know.

Should ingredients be listed on a food label?

If you’re selling your food, you may be legally required to include the ingredients list on your food label. If this label is just a gift for non-commercial purposes, you don’t have to list them.

What is legally required on a food label in the UK?

If you’re selling your food, you’re legally required to include specific information. This includes but isn’t limited to: the name of the food, the ingredients, allergen information, weight, nutrition and more. For a full list of all you need to include see the Food Standards Agency.

Is it cheaper to make your own labels?

Yes, it can be cheaper to make your own food labels. While pre-printed labels could still be cost effective, Adobe Express is free. That means you can make personalised food labels just the way you want them.

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes, our free plan offers many core features including thousands of templates, photo editing and effects, animation, and 5 GB of storage. See our pricing page for details and to compare plans.