Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Trends in Product Labeling and Packaging 2016

Trends run the marketplace.  It doesn’t matter what avenue we are discussing, if something is trending market popularity will latch on to it until it over saturates the marketplace.  As the trend fades only those brands that have successfully integrated will stay to compete while others will follow what’s new.  With any luck the new niche will be exactly what their brand and product was looking for.

Trends occur everywhere from home designs to car colors to custom product labeling.  Below are some popular trends in package and labeling to hit the scene in 2016.  What trend will catch and bring success to your brand and new products hitting the market?

Popular Package and Labeling Options For 2016

  • In-Mold Labels: In-mold labels are just finding their way to the United States package and label market. Injection molded cups, tubs and such offer complete graphic coverage.  Graphics can cover all sides as well as the top and bottom of molded containers.
  • Thinner Labels: Thinner labels are trendy in 2016. This trend has been brought about because of consumer’s desire for eco-friendly labeling options along with manufactures desire to reduce costs.  Thinner labeling without changes in the labels performance is a win for consumers and producers alike.
  • Shrink-Film Labels: Shrink film labeling has been trendy for awhile now but what is new for 2016 is a white pigmented shrink sleeve film. The white pigment provides a barrier to light and can also yield more film per square inch.  Shrink sleeves offer a great deal of tamper proof protection verse other options in labeling.
  • Curved Containers With Flexibility: Contouring labels to product packaging continues to be a popular option. Shaped containers have been labeled using shrink sleeves as one of the only options for years.  A new pressure sensitive label is being introduced in 2016 to add another option to labeling curved product packages.
  • A “No Label” Label: This is a fad that is sure to take hold within the product labeling industry.  Pressure sensitive labeling manufacturers have identified and eliminated clear-film applicator enemies: static and dust.  This allows the label to be installed in a fashion that allows it to look like no label exists at all.
  • Labels without Liners: This is a trend that is slow in taking its hold on the marketplace.  The cost of labeling without liners is still at a peak without performing at the highest level possible.  Thus making it slow to emerge.  Over time it is thought that technology will catch on and that liner-less labels will be something that is a viable option for print and apply labels.
Our next article will continue to focus on trends that are impacting the package and labeling marketplace in 2016.

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.


Critical Elements In Product Labeling

One of the more critical elements when it comes to establishing a brand or product lies within labeling.  There are many important functions of product labeling. Not only do consumers use this as a way of identifying a product or brand they also look to the label for a variety of other purposes.  In the article below we will dive into the various ways that labeling affects the success or failure of a product or brand.

Labels Offer a Detailed Description of the Product and Its Contents

Consumers looking for information about a product go straight to the label.  The label is designed to include a detailed list of ingredients along with a description on proper use.  Many labels also specifics such as product precautions, product care, use by dates and identifying batch numbers.

Labels Are Used to Identify Brands and Products

Product identification is made simpler with the help of product labeling.  When a consumer is looking for a specific product they simply look for the familiar label amongst the contenders that line the shelf.  Tomato paste is just tomato paste without the label.  The label distinguishes the special features of each unique brand which allows it to stick out from the others.  Most consumers can be shown a blank label with just the basic design and colors to determine the name brand of the item.  That is the power off proper labeling.

Labels Present Insight on the Products Grade or Quality

Products offering several qualities or grades use labeling to differentiate amongst themselves.  The label itself may be similar however distinct.  A grade A product may come with a green label where as lower grade product may be red.  Companies use colors, numbers, and alphabetic order amongst other ways to separate different grades amongst products.

Labels Work to Promote and Market Brands and Products

Another operation of the label is to promote and market the products with their brand.  An attractive label can often entice consumers to purchase a product.  The labels design is often the first element of the product to draw customer’s attention.  Therefore making it important especially when it comes to new products and impulse purchase; items where the brands history is insignificant hence not the guiding factor in purchasing.

Labels Provide Information Required By Law

Another role that product labels play is to include any and all legal warnings that are required by law.  This is common in products that are known to cause ill effects such as tobacco, alcohol, over the counter medications and more.

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.