In a crowded marketplace, your product label can be the difference between getting noticed or getting overlooked. Whether you’re labeling kombucha bottles, skincare jars, or industrial equipment, custom label design plays a crucial role in telling your brand’s story. At Royal Printers, we specialize in label printing in BC to help businesses across industries stand out with high-quality, custom-designed labels.
Custom product labels don’t just serve a functional purpose. They influence how consumers perceive your brand, build trust, and drive purchasing decisions. The right label can elevate a simple jar or bottle into a premium-looking product that commands attention and communicates value at a glance.
Here are five essential design tips to make your product labels pop:
1. Know Your Brand (and Audience)
Before you even open a design file, revisit your brand identity. Are you aiming for playful and vibrant, or sleek and professional? Your labels should reflect the tone of your brand and speak directly to your audience. A fun craft soda label will look very different from a minimalist health product.
For example, brands targeting eco-conscious consumers might use earthy tones, recycled paper textures, and subtle typography. On the other hand, luxury products may incorporate black, gold, or metallic elements to convey prestige.
Consider colors, typography, and imagery that align with your brand personality. Test variations with your audience when possible.
2. Prioritize Readability
Your label needs to communicate the essentials quickly. Product name, ingredients, instructions, and legal info should be easy to scan. Use clear fonts, proper contrast, and a layout that guides the eye. Don’t cram too much into a small space. White space is your friend, especially on compact labels.
For products sold in retail stores, readability is even more critical. Consumers might only glance at your packaging for a second or two. Make that moment count.
For small packaging, consider using peel-back labels to include extended info without overwhelming your design.
3. Choose the Right Label Material
The look and feel of your label are just as important as the visual design. At Royal Printers, we offer premium materials like white BOPP, metalized BOPP, and textured paper. Each is suited for different environments and branding goals.
- White BOPP is water- and oil-resistant, making it ideal for food, beverage, and cosmetic products.
- Metalized BOPP provides a shiny, reflective finish for high-impact shelf appeal.
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Textured paper adds an artisanal, handcrafted touch for premium or boutique products.
Choosing the right material ensures your label performs well under real-world conditions. Whether refrigerated, shipped, or handled frequently, durability matters.
Explore our label solutions to match your design with the best material.
4. Design with the Container in Mind
Your label should complement the shape and material of your product’s packaging. A wraparound label for a jar requires different alignment than a rectangular sticker for a box. Don’t just design flat. Use mockups to preview how the label interacts with curves, caps, or seams.
Consider how lighting, angle, and shelf position affect visibility. For example, vertical bottle labels often need a clear hierarchy of information to ensure legibility from different angles.
Tools like Canva’s label design guide can help visualize your final look.
5. Add a Standout Feature
One standout design element can make your label unforgettable. It could be a foil stamp, embossing, a bold color contrast, or a unique die-cut shape. These features not only create a tactile experience but also communicate quality and attention to detail.
Think about how your competitors’ labels look and ask yourself how yours can break the mold. Could a cut-out shape reveal part of the product? Could a QR code lead to a video or story about your brand? These little touches often go a long way.
Need help? Our team can guide you on how to incorporate standout finishes into your custom label design.
Don’t Forget Compliance and Functionality
Depending on your industry, your labels may need to follow specific legal or regulatory guidelines. Food, beverage, health, and cleaning products often require ingredient listings, expiration dates, barcodes, and bilingual packaging in Canada.
Functionality matters too. Will your label hold up in the fridge? Will it peel easily or tear during use? Partnering with a trusted label printing provider like Royal Printers ensures your labels don’t just look good. They work in the real world.
Bring Your Label Vision to Life
At Royal Printers, we’ve helped brands across BC create custom product labels that look great and perform even better. Whether you’re launching a new product or refreshing your packaging, our expert team and sustainable print materials are here to support you every step of the way.
From concept to final print, we’ll make sure your label reflects the best of your brand and catches the eye of your next customer.
