As a leader in the beverage industry, you take great care in every aspect of your product line and business model. Every detail matters, from sourcing quality ingredients to ensuring your products reach consumers’ hands. But what about labeling?
Label stock is just as important to your product line as the beverages themselves. That’s why today’s beverage business leaders are making it a priority to choose the right printing company for their label stock.
The core functions of beverage labels
There are five critical functions labels serve:
- Describe the beverage product itself and list its contents.
- Identify the product by name or brand.
- Grade or rate the product.
- Assist in the promotion of the beverage product.
- Provides beverage details as required by law.
Label stock materials to consider
You need to select the right print label materials with your product in mind, including those materials that are resistant to condensation. But there’s more to consider with all the innovative label stock options available.
Here are the top key factors that beverage manufacturers consider when selecting label stock:
- Will the beverages be consumed indoors or outdoors?
- What elements will these beverage labels be exposed to from the production line to the consumer’s hands?
- What added value can a particular label stock offer?
Choosing the right label stock means selecting from paper labels, polyester film (PET,) polypropylene, and vinyl. To know which of these label stock materials is best, consider which material will best suit your beverage product’s label in each of the above three areas.
Paper: As the most common label stock, paper is a great, low-cost options for beverage companies. It can be easily die-cut to your specifications as well. However, it’s best to coat paper labels, since they don’t present natural resistance to tear, or moisture.
Polyester: A synthetic material, polyester labels are ideal for beverages because they are resistant to moisture. This label stock is common for wine bottlers, in part because of its durability.
Polypropylene: A more cost-efficient option than polyester, polypropylene is the label stock for beverage companies looking for a long-lasting label. This type of label stock is common for water bottles because of their resistance to moisture.
Vinyl: A great label stock for those beverages within outdoor conditions, vinyl presents a durable solution to beverage companies concerned about tearing or rough handling of their products.
Beverage labels for safety
When your beverages come off the production line, having the correct labeling information will ensure manufacturing dates are visible. Your labels should also outline ingredients, so consumers can make informed decisions about what beverage they want to consume.
The labeling process and printed information on the product label play a crucial role in providing essential details for ensuring consumer safety and minimizing potential health hazards. These may include:
- Born on dates for peak freshness.
- Clear ingredient lists for your consumers.
- Warnings or recommended precautions for maximum safety.
- Instructions for proper storage and consumption of your beverages.
When choosing the right label stock, you also want to make sure you’re preserving the integrity of the label in any condition, so it can continue to remain effective as a safety mechanism. Polyester film and polypropylene are both highly resistant to moisture and temperature fluctuations.
Label design for product authenticity
The product labels you use for your beverages are unique to your brand and choosing the right label means preserving your brand identity. Make a statement with your label stock that signifies your brand in a big way. This helps to prevent counterfeiting and can display codes and information used to authenticate the product.
As a result, beverage producers can reduce any risks associated with false representations or consumer-facing problems, along with maintaining regulatory compliance.
Tracing beverage products
Another key advantage of having the appropriate label stock for your beverages is traceability. Labels may include batch codes, production dates, and identifying information beverage companies can easily track and trace where those beverages are circulated.
This traceability will streamline any processes needed should products become subject to recall. It’s the way companies can also prevent any defective products from circulating.
Choosing the right label stock means taking these tracing elements into consideration. You’ll want a material that can withstand shelf life and shipping without degrading the QR codes or critical information. Polyester film (PET,) polypropylene, and vinyl tend to be the most durable.
Using labels as a marketing tool
Today’s label stock is dynamic in how it engages your beverage-consuming audience. With graphically stimulating elements, including digital designs, 3D effects, and motion text, your label stock can be an essential marketing tool.
Choosing the right label aesthetics, in conjunction with your brand’s image, messaging, and influence can transform each individual beverage into a miniature marketing campaign that resonates with your audience.
If you’re looking for creative freedom to make splashy, fun, and brilliant designs with your label, high gloss or semi-gloss paper is great. Bright silver foils, however, are the paper variants most ideal for creating eye-catching beverage label marketing designs.
The importance of choosing the right label printing company
While it’s important to your business that you choose and design the best label stock for your beverage products, it’s equally essential that you select the best label converter in creating those labels. Look for a label printer that can create the digital packaging and labeling your beverage products need to stay relevant. An ideal partner will offer all these label stock options, as well as artwork review, custom die-cutting templates, low minimum order benchmarks, prototyping, and fulfillment services.
Leverage all of these and more when you work with Ritter’s Printing & Packaging! With 32 years in business, our family-owned and operated team of professionals can help you harness all the traditional and trending labeling best practices using sustainable and eco-friendly methods. Call our team today at (954) 771-7204 to start enhancing your beverage labels!
