Choosing Cost Effective Labeling Within The Beverage Industry

Beverage labeling is an important marketing tool that will provide a way to differentiate your product from others within the marketplace.   Technology within the labeling industry has made tremendous growth.  This is especially true when it comes to labeling beverages.  The label is no longer seen as just a display of the products name; it is now seen as part of the entire package.  The product, the package and the label all become a part of the complicated marketing mix.

Within the beverage industry there are four main types of labels to choose from: cut and stack labels, roll-fed labels, full wrap hot melt or spot glued film labels or shrink sleeves.  When you are considering the type of label you need to think about the application method, how established the brand is and the expected production volume of the product.

Take bottled water for instance; the product is produced in high volume.  You will want to select a label for the product with the lowest cost and most efficient application method.  The most cost effective method for labeling water is cut and stack labels.  They are inexpensive, easy to apply and can be produced in a high volume quickly.  Fancy labeling doesn’t make sense because bulk products, such as water aren’t purchased based on the bottles label.

Consider labeling beer, wine or liquor on the other hand.  They are produced in large quantities but are not often sold in bulk like water.  This makes the label a necessary entity within the marketing mix.  The extra cost to design, produce and apply the label can be hidden in the costs of the product.  The additional costs accrued with the label will easily be generated with new sales.

A popular look with beverage labels is the clear, no color look.  This look can be achieved using the same application process with traditional labeling equipment using pressure sensitive, roll fed and full cut wrap cut and stack labels.  Clear full wrap cut and stack labels are popular because they produce the clear, no color look using traditional labeling equipment that is already owned.

The category that the beverage falls under will depend a lot on what type of label is used in the process.  Another factor is the brand influence the product has.  Consider sports drinks.  The clear bottle and colored product is what draws people in to make a purchase.  They recognize the brand of their favorite product and buy based on that.  The label doesn’t play as much of a role once a product is established. Introducing a new line of drinks from a popular brand doesn’t require a new label design.  Whereas introducing a new product with a brand not yet established will need a label that speaks volumes over established brands in the same category.

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 label design, printing and packaging needs.

The Importance Of Product Packaging and Labeling In Marketing

Marketing your product is essential to allow your brand flourish.  The steps you take within your marketing plan from packaging and labeling to the placement and product itself.  When it comes to identifying your product it is crucial that the products packaging and labeling is not only informational but also one in which draws attention to your target clientele.  If you fail to show interest in the design of your product label or packaging you will decrease your product visibility therefore hindering your sales.

Packaging

Packaging plays a vital role in marketing your product: containment, protection, promotion, usefulness and environmental impact.  It is fairly obvious why the containment and protection of your product is important to the marketing plan.  Without a product that is usable at the time when people purchase it you have nothing.  The package is also such a huge part of the promotion of your product.

A package that stands out lends itself to greater visibility. Develop a package that is useful.  When you can use and reuse the container the product comes in without having to transfer it to another package to keep it fresh the product becomes even more marketable.  Convenience and ease of use is something all consumers are looking for.  The final factor, environmental impact, is important to ensure that the package facilitates recycling and reduces the effect it has on the environment.

Labeling

Your label is what delivers your sales message from the shelf.  Not only is the design important but also the label material you choose; it must work well with the package you choose.  When it comes to your products label there are several techniques and materials to choose from: cut & stack labels, pressure sensitive, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves and flexible packaging.

Your label must fit the product package while providing an eye catching design and valuable product information.  The label design should promote good will within your target market.  Show your customers that your company and the product they are about to buy fit their values and beliefs.  For example, employ terms that promote a healthy lifestyle and images of smiling active kids and adults when selling food products that you want to sell to promote fitness and healthy living.

Don’t forget that the label must contain certain criteria like a UPC code.  Make sure that information does not take up valuable design space on the front of the label.  The front of your label should only include the information and design that is going to sell your product.  If the nutritional information sells your product than put it on the front of the design otherwise it should be placed on the back of the label.  The front of the label should be attractive and provide information that will make your target market gravitate toward it instead of the competition.

Your label should include a notable logo and recognizable design.  Bright colors and the shape of your products package will all come into play.  Incorporate this mixture into your marketing mix and you can guarantee a product that stands above the competition.

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 label design, printing and packaging needs.

The Growing Popularity Of Flexible Packaging

The packaging industry is one that is constantly evolving.  One of the biggest areas of growth is within flexible packaging.   Everyday major developments are happening with the materials, the manufacturing techniques and applications of flexible packages.  Check around the next time you are at the grocery store.  Can you spot the many uses of flexible packaging materials?  From frozen food to the deli counter, flexible packaging is becoming the most efficient, cost effective way to package. 

When it comes to advances in packaging consider the last time you have seen a development in glass, aluminum or hard plastics.  The last time I remember a change in aluminum cans is with the development of pull tabs to avoid having to use a can opener.  With hard plastics the industry is always trying to create new ways to use more recyclable products and thinner shells.  The evolution of flexible packaging is seeing changes every day.  It isn't just about the materials used to create the package but the functionality and cost effectiveness of using flexible packaging no matter what industry your product line falls into. 

Flexible packaging is the result of using one or more layers of plastic film as the main material to package your product.  Simple flexible packaging is the result of using one layer of flexible film where as more advanced products may need several layers may be laminated together resulting in a co-extruded film. The number of layers needed for your products package will depend on a number of factors.  Consider the structural strength, resistant to tearing and air tight qualities the package needs to be to keep the air out and the flavors in when looking at the number of layers your package will need to be.

Flexible packaging is a preferred method by graphic designers as well.  When creating a product label on a flexible package the benefits are endless.  Label designers have a three hundred and sixty degree space to design and add additional product information.  This leaves them with endless design possibilities.  Print layers can be added directly to the flexible package when it is created.  This helps to save money. The package and label are created as one. In other traditional forms of packaging, such as glass and aluminum, the label is created separately and therefore needs an entire separate process to be added to the package.  

The applications in which flexible packages are being designed are changing greatly every day.  It used to be that flexible packaging was used in combination with twist ties and zip lock fasteners.  Look around at different applications of flexible packaging the next time you are out and about.  You can find flexible pouches that have spouts to eat directly from, laundry detergent with on and off spouts and even easy to pour paint that is able to be resealed air tight.  Flexible packaging is taking over the product packaging industry.  It won’t be long until we see all of our favorite products in easy to use, less expensive flexible packages.  

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 label design, printing and packaging needs.