| Before you can begin selling your product at retail, you | | | | identify your products. |
| must develop the appropriate label for your product. It | | | | Material selection |
| is easy to forget the importance of a label as this is | | | | In what kind of environment will your product be used |
| usually the last thing to be developed. | | | | and sold? Many products are refrigerated, will be used |
| Poor labeling can cause problems ranging from your | | | | outside, may get wet, or have to survive in any other |
| customers not being able to find your product on the | | | | number of extreme environments. Choosing the right |
| shelves to a bad experience for your customers | | | | label material is important so that the label stays intact |
| because the label fell off your product. Designing, | | | | until sold. Ideally, your product should also survive for |
| selecting the right materials, and choosing the | | | | the use of the product by the consumer. |
| appropriate printing firm are key points of consideration | | | | Most labels are printed onto paper or plastic that has |
| when preparing to print your labels. | | | | an adhesive on the back which is then stuck on to the |
| Label design | | | | product. Plastic labels are typically more resilient, but |
| Label design encompasses everything from the size | | | | can cost much more than their paper counterparts. |
| of your label, the colors you will use, and overall | | | | Glossy paper labels are not as expensive as plastic |
| branding. Your design will also influence the materials | | | | but have a similar look and feel. They are not as |
| you use and in turn the printing firm best suited to your | | | | resilient, though. The standard paper labels are ideal for |
| labels. | | | | products that will not face extreme environments. |
| Concerning the size of your label, make sure you | | | | Printer selection |
| understand industry standards. If your competitors are | | | | You have your label design, and you know what |
| using labels that cover the entire product, you may | | | | materials you will be using, now you can find the right |
| need to stay in the same ballpark. The key here is to | | | | label printing firm for your project. Some companies |
| know what your customers expect. | | | | opt for trying to print their own labels in-house. If you |
| You also have to know whether or not you're going to | | | | do not have the right equipment and experience, such |
| print with color. Many companies use paper or other | | | | an undertaking would be ill advised. |
| materials that are a solid color other than white, and | | | | Professional printing firms cannot only supply you with |
| then they will use one or two colors of ink for text. Full | | | | a professional product, but they can also help you |
| color label will be more attractive to the eye, so think | | | | avoid major pitfalls. Their expertise and experience are |
| carefully before cutting costs in this area. | | | | worth far more than you might save printing your |
| Finally, keep your corporate brand in mind when | | | | labels on your own. As a final thought, unless you have |
| designing your labels. Your product line may have its | | | | a very short run of labels to make, professional printing |
| own brand or you might need to tie a new product line | | | | firms will almost always be able to save you money in |
| to your current brand. Either way, branding is important | | | | the long run. |
| as it enables the consumer to quickly recognize and | | | | |