Creating customized food labels is an effective way for any food brand to showcase itself, meet regulatory requirements, and provide consumers with the necessary information about their food.
Creating customized food labels for your food business may be viable for you, but how exactly do you go about it? In this article, we look at the creation of customized food labels and what businesses need to know about the process before hiring a food label maker to print them.
Step 1: Understand Labeling Regulations Before Designing Your Custom Food Labels
Regulators are put in place to protect consumers, and the Food and Drug Administration has regulations label makers have to follow. Before making a custom label, consider the following factors:
- Nutritional Facts
- Ingredient List
- Allergen Information
- Net Weight
- Country of Origin
- Contact Information
Failure to comply with these regulations can see a food business receive penalties and subsequently lose consumer trust.
Step 2: Define Label Design and Branding
Food labels aim not just to tell the consumer what they are having but also to give your business a chance to cement itself in the consumer’s consciousness as a reputable choice. When thinking about your branding in relation to food labels, consider the following:
- Color Scheme: Your color choices should align with your brand and be designed to trigger the desired emotions. Leverage high-contrast colors for legibility.
- Typography: Your fonts should be clear and legible across all text elements. You can use fonts to distinguish between headings, product names, and nutritional information.
- Logo and Branding: Incorporate your logo and brand elements prominently to capture new customers’ attention and maintain visibility with your loyal base.
- Imagery: The images or graphics you use need to convey the product’s essence. It is a great way to accurately portray the product and make it recognizable over the long term.
- Label Shape and Size: Your label size and shape should fit your packaging and meets regulatory requirements regarding how big it should be and what it should look like. It should be evident to the consumer what they are looking at in one glance, with the label being the most recognizable part of the packaging.
Step 3: Include Essential Information
To provide consumers with the necessary details about your food products, include the following information on your custom labels:
- The product name
- All the nutrients in the serving
- A list of ingredients and allergens
- Dietary claims such as “gluten-free” or “organic,” as prescribed by the FDA
- A barcode (it aids in inventory management and point-of-sale transactions.)
That’s not all. You can include other enhancements for more functionality, including QR codes, which can be scanned with smartphones to provide even more information and promotions you may not be able to include on the packaging.
If your food business practices sustainability or has won awards or certifications, consider including that on the packaging, as it adds to the product’s appeal.
You Are Ready To Test And Release Your Labels
Before you release the product labels, it is crucial to test them first with a limited release to consumers who can give reviews on what they think. It also gives you time to cross-check the regulations and ensure compliance.
Consider enlisting the help of experts to ensure you get it right in the shortest time possible. After that, your final task is finding a reputable printing company to ensure the labels are high quality.
Remember to stay up-to-date with regulatory changes and periodically review and update your labels to meet evolving consumer needs and preferences.
