Category: Anchor Printing - page 8

Differentiate Your Product With Shrink Sleeve Labels

As manufacturers seek to differentiate their products from their competitors they often look into custom labeling options.  A popular option that allows products to distinguish themselves is by using shrink sleeve labels.  Shrink sleeves are a relatively new option within the labeling industry.  Their popularity stems from several different reasons including durability, security, and its full body design.

Shrink sleeves tend to be a bit more costly than other labeling options however the increase in market share often offsets the additional expense.  Many times the packaging expense decreases when using shrink sleeve wraps because a more generic container can be used.  The shrink sleeve encases the entire container.  Using a basic, less expensive container can help to offset the increase in expenses incurred with shrink sleeves.

There are many reasons that manufactures should choose to label with shrink sleeves over other options in labeling.  Studies done about consumer demand have shown an increase in sales of up to twenty percent when using shrink sleeve labels.  Some of the reasons why include:

  • Shrink sleeves can be applied to a variety of packaging containers such as plastic, glass and metal.
  • The material that shrink sleeves are made from is highly resistant to penetration and damage.
  • Even the most uniquely shaped packaging from bottles to containers is flawlessly emphasized.
  • Product safety is achieved through the tamper evident protection seal that shrink sleeve labeling incorporates in its design.
  • Shrink sleeves offer a larger visual area, three hundred and sixty degrees, that allows designers to display more information, art and consumer information.
  • The printing is done on the inside of the shrink sleeve. The design does not easily smear, blur or distort.
  • They offer the ability to use numerous marketing and promotional methods including multi-packs, promotional band labeling, on-pack sample promotions, and cross-merchandising.

It is interesting to see the number of industries that can benefit from using shrink sleeve labels.  From the food and beverage industry to pharmaceuticals and household cleansers, shrink sleeves offer benefits that other labeling options cannot.

  • Food and Beverage: The tamper proof nature of shrink sleeves seals the product and prevents the product from being accidentally opened.
  • Pharmaceutical: Product safety is of the utmost important in the pharmaceutical industry. The packages structural design along with the added security that is provided by shrink sleeve labeling the chance of the product being opened unintentionally is extremely limited.
  • Household Cleaners: Shrink sleeves are one labeling material that can withstand moisture, friction and varying degrees of temperature.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

Key Advantages of Shrink Sleeve Labeling

There are a number of options available to manufacturers when considering materials to use for product labeling including cut & stack, pressure sensitive, roll fed, shrink sleeves and flexible packaging.  The market for stretch and shrink sleeve labels continues to be one of the fastest growing in the labeling market to date.

This is largely driven by the benefits shrink sleeves offer when it comes to marketing, brand identity and self impact.  Another reason that the popularity of shrink sleeves is growing is due to the developments in the manufacturing process including improved quality, economic influences, consumer demands and retail trends.  Below we will examine the forces driving shrink sleeves popularity as a product labeling option.

Shrink sleeve labeling has one major advantage over other types of labeling in that it offers a cost effective approach at labeling containers that are complex or not traditionally shaped.  Shrink sleeves enable manufacturers the ability to reduce the wall thickness on plastic and glass containers as well as eliminating the need for special colored containers.  In fact shrink sleeve labels smoothly contour packages that might otherwise be difficult to label with standard adhesive labeling options.  With the increased popularity of sleek, curvaceous bottles in beverage packaging, this is an important advantage for shrink sleeve labeling.

Another advantage that shrink sleeve labels have over other traditional types of labeling is that it really makes a product stand out from its competition.  Sleeve labels can be applied to a package in several different ways.  From covering just the shoulder of the container, the cap of the package or the entire full three hundred and sixty degrees of the body of the package shrinks sleeves are an option.

The extra space that shrink sleeves offer manufacturers the ability to add colorful, eye-catching designs while offering additional space to communicate pertinent product information to consumers.  Regulations in labeling, especially in food, beverage and pharmaceuticals have become much more strict in the previous years.  With shrink sleeves manufacturers do not have to worry about including the needed information within just one small labeling space.  Shrink sleeve labels offer extra space to maintain its ability to reach consumers while ensuring that manufacturers conform to regulatory standards that are in place.

There are a number of practical advantages that shrink sleeves offer as well.  For instant a pre-formed shrink film band can be manufactured to fit a particular container without needing to be custom designed.  They can also be used to attach the container caps to provide extra safety in the form of a protective, tamper-evident seal.  This is extremely important especially in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.  These pre-formed bands around the caps of products are a simple and effective way that informs consumers if their product has been tampered with before they have had the chance to use it.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

Tips For Using Color In Product Labeling

Extensive research has gone into researching the effect color plays on the emotional psyche of consumers during the purchasing process.  In order to hone in on consumers during the critical moments before they make a purchase graphic designers must elevate their feelings for the product.  The value of emotional marketing in business is not to be overlooked.  Color triggers emotion, emotion triggers purchasing and purchasing triggers success in marketing.

When creating a label it is important that designers account for the way consumers react to different elements of design, including color, as a trigger in their purchasing decision.  The emotional response seen by different colors is not only influenced by a consumer’s personal preference but also cultural influences as well.  Consider how our western culture perceives the colors pink and light blue or red and royal blue when used in combination of one another.  In the first example, pink and blue, instantly most consumers will draw up images of baby boys verse baby girls where as in the second example, red and blue, most often when used in conjunction will draw an image of hot and cold.

From the above it can be gathered that certain colors have certain emotional expectations.  Below is a summary of what emotions are associated with certain colors.  Remember that this changes as colors are used in combination with one another as well.

Red:  The color red is often thought to evoke the emotional response of warmth, heat and fire.  Think about the color red; what image pops into your head?  Did you see a fire engine, a camp fire or something else?  When designing a product label, designers often use shades of red when looking to elicit a high energy, intense response.  The color red is powerful.

Blue:  Blue is often seen as a color that resonating emotions of stability, serenity and stillness.  When thinking of the color blue what imagery comes to mind?  Do you see floating clouds, waves, water or other strong, masculine images?  Blue tones and shades often evoke emotional responses of cleanliness, intellect and consciousness.  You will often see blue in labels and marketing materials promoting airlines, banks, vacation locations, retreat spas and bottled water.

Yellow:  If a designer is looking to promote energy, happiness and enjoyment then yellow if the color that they will choose.  When yellow is used in labeling the emotional response is general cheeriness.  When used in labeling yellow stimulates hunger, freshness and order.

Green: When a product wants to come across as eco-friendly, health conscience or natural label designers will choose shades of green.  Green shades are often emotionally linked to the harmony that is seen in nature.  When advertisers seek to convey natural products, eco-safe, or environmentally friendly they will use green in their label design.

White and Black:  The two most basic colors in the spectrum of advertising are black and white.  White is a clean color that shows purity and innocence.  When used as a design element it is considered a new beginning or sterile space.  It is often used to promote medical cleanliness.  Whereas black is more elegant, formal and a color often seen in mourning.  When used with bright colors the black makes the colors pop.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

The Importance of Product Packaging and Labeling

In business there are always a million and one questions that need to be addressed.  It is important when you are selling a new product or rebranding an existing product that the products labeling and packaging are thoroughly evaluated.  Product labels and packaging have a strong impact in the marketing mix.  It is crucial that product labeling conveys the message that the company is trying to send to consumers.  The appearance of the product is what draws many initial purchases while the products quality creates repeat purchases.

Packaging plays the important role of protecting the company’s product from damage.  Not only does the package offer protection during transit from the manufacturing facility to retailer but also while it is on displayed on store shelves and transported for end user consumption.  Most products that consumers will purchase have some type of packaging.  Crackers for instance have a package in which they are sold to consumers in and a separate package for transport while produce may only have a package for transit but not for sale.

The attraction of your product mainly comes from the way in which it is labeled.  The products label is used to market your product to consumers.  Companies do extensive research to determine the best options in color scheme, logo design, label material and overall product packaging to appeal to consumers.

Another important role that product labeling and packaging has is to promote the product and key information about it.  The label may contain a list of ingredients, recommended uses, pricing, company information and additional information that consumers need to make an educated purchasing decision.  This detailed, factual information about the product propels the purchase on its own without assistance from a direct sales person.

Brands need to stand out from one another.  Choices in package and label design ensure that competing products are differentiated from one another.  The colors used on the label and packaging, along with distinct branding marks, such as a company logo, help consumers to tell the difference between similar products that are shelved close together.  The idea behind this being that consumers should easily recognize the brand and product by the packaging and label colors and design upon initial site.

Shoppers use all of their senses to identify specific company brands.  This propels them to purchase the product.  When a company looks to redefine its brand it should consider the residual effects of completely changing the colors, logos and distinguishing markings on the products packaging and label.  It is crucial to remain true to the products original identity to a point when considering a change to the products package or label because consumers find a certain level of comfort in familiarity.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

Choosing Between Rigid and Flexible Packaging

Have you ever taken a really good look into how much the industry of product packaging has changed in the last decade?   Look at the products sitting on your shelves right now.  What do you see?  My guess is that you will see a variety of different packages from paper packets to plastic pouches.  This is a significant change from years past when rigid packaging options were the norm.  A decade ago consumer’s shelves were stacked to the hilt with cans and hard plastic containers. Why the change?

There are a number of reasons that manufacturers choose to switch from rigid packaging to flexible packaging. Just because flexible pouch packaging is a good choice for the competition or one subset within your brand does not mean it meets the needs of all of your products.  There are many benefits of both rigid and flexible packaging.  It is up to you as a manufacturer to determine which option best meets the needs of both the product and consumer’s needs.

One of the main benefits of flexible packaging over rigid packaging options is its durability.  Pouches are far less likely to be damaged upon impact over several options in rigid packaging.   During shipping solid containers such as glass or aluminum are more likely to be damaged during shipping then flexible plastic pouches.

At first this might not sound like it’s a big deal but consider the last time you choose to buy a product in a package that was damaged.  If you do how many times are you likely to ask the retailer to offer the item at a discount?  It is just a simple fact that damaged products are less likely to be purchased than those without.  This is just one reason why manufacturers find flexible packaging desirable.

Another benefit of flexible packaging comes from the materials that are used to create the pouches.  Most flexible packaging is created from a laminated plastic.  The laminated plastic helps to strengthen the barrier characteristic of the package.  The design options with flexible packaging are also fairly unlimited including: laminated sacks, pouches, plastic form fill and seal film, bags and more.  Manufacturers can also choose from a variety of options including: velcro sliders, hooded sliders, top sliders, face zippers, re-sealable zippers and sliders.  The re-sealable nature of flexible packaging is what makes it of utmost attractiveness to most manufactures and consumers alike.

Choosing between rigid and flexible packaging should come down to each individual product within your company line.  What is right for one product may not be for another.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

Connecting With Your Clients Through Labeling

One of the most difficult things about being a business owner is finding ways to attract and connect with customers.  Reaching clients is made simpler by using techniques that appeal to their emotions.  One way manufacturers can achieve this is to utilize proper product packaging and custom labeling techniques.  A main aspect in labeling and packaging is color.  It is ideal that designers to correlate colors, fonts, images and materials that work to connect consumers to the product in order to achieve success.  Understanding the psychology of color is crucial in label design.  The guide below will allow you to see how color is used to convey emotion and the manufacturer’s message.

There are many classes that can be taken to help custom label designers understand color psychology.  Color on labeling is utilized to allow products to stand out from the competition when on display.  It is important that a product speak for itself when there is not a company representative speaking on its behalf; a properly designed product label does just that.

Start by examining the ideals of the color graphic wheel when beginning to consider color options to represent your company brand and product lines.  The color wheel is a visual aide that shows how complementary colors create a dramatic contrast and offer the pop element to wow consumers.  This is ideal when it comes to graphic imaging and elements within the content just be careful of using this technique in large quantities as that may overpower the product.  That is the exact opposite of what manufacturers are looking to accomplish.

Looking for a relaxed vibe where the color flows naturally together; consider analogous colors.  Unlike complimentary colors which stand out these colors when used in conjunction of one another blend together and appeal to more subdued feelings.  They work well for the label background to help create a differential between the text and design.

Label designers should seek to follow the rule of threes when choosing a color palette off of the color wheel.  It has been researched that groups of three are perceived in a more positive light.  Jokes are funnier when said in threes, foods are more tasteful in threes and colors are more effective in threes.

In our next installment on the affects of color in labeling we will discuss different colors and textures affect the look and feel of your product label.  It is amazing the difference in customer perception between brown craft paper differs from metallic paper in labeling.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

For Continued Success Evaluate Your Packaging and Labeling Options

Consumers have begun to recognize how their lives are impacted by product packaging.  They are making buying decisions based on packaging convenience.  It is crucial for continued success and growth that manufacturers take time to evaluate their packaging and options that are available.  It may be time to rebrand to ensure consumers are getting a quality product in the most convenient packaging available on the market today.

One option in packaging that is taking the custom packaging and labeling industry by storm is flexible packaging.  The benefits that arise from flexible packaging are not limited to the consumer alone which is another reason that it has become such a popular option.  Many product markets are switching away from cardboard or cans and transitioning towards bags and pouches to capitalize on their markets.

There are several benefits when choosing flexible packaging from a manufacturing stand point.  One of the major advantages over other types of packaging is the efficiency in manufacturing the package itself.  Flexible packaging offers a light weight packaging solution with little waste.  It also decreases the amount of shelf real estate that is needed when displayed.  These two factors in themselves give manufacturers an edge over other packaging options.

Manufactures that have switched to pouch packaging also report a decrease in production and shipping in handling costs.  The lightweight package decreases freight costs.  This is great for companies that are looking to cut costs.  The cost savings seen in flexible packaging are abundant.  Don’t simply focus on the savings seen within the manufacturing process.  Consider the additional costs occurred with other packaging options such as the need for separate custom labeling and more as well.

Another benefit with flexible packaging is its eco-friendly nature.  During all stages of a products lifecycle it is important that it is sustainable.  Flexible packaging maintains this requirement throughout from requiring less water and energy for production to lower fuel consumption in transportation to less package waste in landfills.

Flexible packaging is available in a number of varieties to accommodate a wide range of products.  Growth within the industry is occurring throughout the food and beverage industry and beyond.  Manufacturers looking for greater visual appeal, versatility, convenience, greater shelf impact, increased freshness and more should consider all of the options available when using flexible packaging.

Your products package must keep up with the ever changing demands of consumers.  Give your product a competitive edge by upgrading to flexible packaging where it makes sense in your company’s product line.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

Creating an Appealing Product Label

Making your product label appeal to buyers is the goal for all product manufacturers.  There are numerous ways that graphic designers work with custom label manufacturers to ensure that your product will stand out above the completion.  Below we will discuss different techniques that product label designers can use to enhance products to gain consumer interest.

A product that is sold or stocked within large outer containers can easily show the quality of their product by using a large colored photo of the interior product on the exterior label.  This method is commonly used in hardware stores where many smaller parts are encompassed within a larger box.  Think of plumbing materials, electrical supplies, furniture knobs and numerous accessorial pieces.

Another method that is popular is creating a label that can be customized to the buyer.  This is an extremely popular labeling technique especially in smaller boutiques.  If your products label can make your customer feel unique or like one of a kind it helps them to connect. Some smaller manufacturers have great success with in-house label printing.

Another popular option in labeling right now is integrating web marketing into your label.  When creating a label include a QR code, a SMS text message code or social media links that consumers can use to get more information about your product or contests sponsored by your brand.  Web-based marketing is an increasingly popular technique that brings an end user into engaging with your brand and product.

Using vibrant colors in labeling helps to catch the consumer’s eye and bring them closer to making a purchase.  Consider your product, picture the colors that best represent your end goal and work them into your label.  Every color invokes a different feeling in consumers consider this when designing your label.  For instance, greens and browns give off an environmentally friendly vibe while blue gives off a sense of authority.

Another option that helps to make your label stand out is designing labels specific to seasonal changes.  Consumers are attracted to items that are specific to what is currently happening.  Consider the products you are most apt to purchase around Halloween or Christmas.  What are these product labels most often adorned with?  Yep, themes of the holiday or color that is specific to that period of time.

When creating a label you can also differentiate it from the competition with the type of material you choose.  Cut and stack paper labels are created from a different material then shrink sleeves.  Consider what the completion is doing and contemplate doing something different to make your product’s label stand out.

Let the tips above serve as a guide when creating a custom product label that will have customers lining up to purchase it!

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

Standing Out From The Competition

Are you looking for ways to make your product stand out above the competition?  When shelves are lined with millions of products all claiming that they are better than the product sitting next to it what is it that helps you decide which one to choose?  A products label helps market your product at the exact moment, the point of sale, sell your product.

Labeling is one tool that manufacturers use to help bring awareness to products within your brand.  The label offers basic information such as the company name, business or product logo, information that is required by law and other important materials that are deemed important.  A truly effective label will catch consumer’s attention by standing out amongst its competition.  We have listed a number of tips below to help manufacturers design a custom product label that is truly successful.

Color is crucial when designing a product label.  The colors that are chosen for your label should reflect on your company goals while standing out without being too loud or distracting.  You may be thinking, “Whoa!” that’s a lot to ask out of the colors in your label.  Think about it though if the brand and company image is one of environmentally friendliness it’s natural to consider colors such as greens, browns and yellows.  If your brand commands authority consider choosing blues and red.

When choosing a font for your labels avoid the overused fonts such as Times New Roman or Papyrus.  Go for a font that is creative and reflects the unique characteristics that your product offers.  The font choice should reflect the personality of the brand while accentuating the product that is being sold.

One more think about font choice; be sure the font that you choose is easy to read.  If your label can’t be read at first glance most consumers won’t offer it a second chance.  Make sure that when choosing font you pick one or two compatible fonts that are easy on the eyes!

Using images is another way that label designers can make a products label stand out.  Graphic images are used to be eye catching and to draw attention away from the competition.  The images that are chosen should complement the text while avoiding distraction.  The image used should also make sense with your brand and product.

The type of material that is used in creating a label for your product needs to work with the overall design of the label.  There are a number of materials and types of labels to choose from including: cut & stack, pressure sensitive, roll-fed, shrink sleeves and flexible packaging.  Before moving too far into the design processes consider the best label material for your product.

With every decision in your business there are a million and one directions that you can turn.  A number of components working together can make any product successful and the opposite is true.  Make sure the components used to create your products label work together to ensure product success!

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

The Right Way To Do Product Labeling

One of the most commanding tools in marketing is the one that provides you an opportunity to increase sales, the product label.  If the label is unsuccessful then manufacturers have wasted a valuable marketing opportunity.  With the number of products lining the shelves throughout the marketplace there are only seconds for a product to catch the attention of consumers.

Creating a label that can give buyers all the information that they need within seconds is as important as catching their attention visually.  Labels must have both visual appeal and information for both types of consumers.  Graphic artists and label designers have their work cut out for them to effectively create a label that catches consumer’s attention while communicating valuable information about your product.

Product Labeling Done Right

Color:   Attention is grabbed quicker from color than from any words ever could.  In order to create and maintain product consistency choose a few colors to represent your brand and use them for labeling your product lines.  The same collection of colors should be used throughout labeling, marketing, promotional materials, catalogs and websites.  Without even one word being spoken consumers will know what brand is behind the product.

Food products need to take into consideration the flavor of the product.  Colors create imagery in consumers’ minds.  The color purple, for instance, reminds people of grapes and grape flavoring.   Red coloring is used when representing strawberries, apples and/or watermelon.

Imaging:  Just like color, images are used to portray certain messages faster than any text ever could.  Graphic images are appealing to consumer senses and is far more attention grabbing then the written word.  Designers creating custom labels should have a deep understanding between the balance of color, imagery and text.  Too much of any one good thing can lead to a great deal of disorder.

Font: The food and drug administration mandates certain product information be on product labeling. It is important that this information is written in a font that is easy to read.  Another typeface may be used on the product label.  It is best to stick with two font types on the label unless your logo uses unique font type.

For the best representation of your product use a typeface on the products label that represents your brand.  After you have chosen the typeface the next determination that needs to be made is the size of the font.  Consider the overall size of the label as well.  If you find that the text is not legible try to lessen the number of words or the size of the font.

Make sure that your label includes much needed information such as the company and/or product name, contact information, and information that is mandate by the FDA.  By taking this into consideration when designing your company’s label you should be well on your way to selling your product.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.