Label application methods

There are two label applications that you can use: by hand or by machine. If you don’t have a large number of labels, you can apply them by hand easily. But if you need labels in big quantities, machine application is inevitable. Here are our guidelines for applying pressure-sensitive labels in order to get the best-looking product packaging.

How to apply your custom labels

• Clean the surface

This is important because the adhesive might not stick if the surface where you are applying your labels is greasy, dusty or covered with some other particles. To get the best adhesive result, make sure to wipe and clean the surface.

•  Dry the surface (if possible)

Some adhesives won’t stick to a wet surface and this is why you need to keep the surface moisture-free. But if this is not possible, you should make sure your chosen adhesive can be applied onto a wet surface.

• Make sure the temperature is right

Labels are usually applied at room temperature because they give the best results. However, if you need to apply your labels at cold temperatures, make sure that the adhesive you are using is suitable for those conditions so that your labels can stick.

• Repositionable adhesive for applying by hand

In order to avoid crooked labels and any alignment issues, you should use repositionable adhesive. This adhesive will ensure that your label can be removed and applied again for a limited period of time. This will also give you more confidence in applying your labels properly.

• Clear labels are best applied by machine

If you need to apply clear or transparent labels to any surface, it is recommended to use the machine. This is because bubbles can easily appear between the surface and the clear labels. So, to avoid “bubbling issues”, use a machine label applicator.

These are 5 basic steps that will help you apply your labels easily and quickly. Another advice would be to remain patient and calm while doing it. It might take some time, especially if you have to apply a large number of labels, but it is just one step before you show your amazing product to the world.

Choosing the right product label is not as easy as it might seem. You need to choose the right shape, size, and material. Those three points and your label design will be the ones to catch the eye of your future customers.

Communicate your message effectively

Your brand’s mission and ideals should be communicated to your customers. Your target group should recognize your company as something they would be interested in. This is why you should let your brand mission make a roadmap for your visual identity and your labels. It is also important to stand out from your competitors and from others in the same industry. For example, if you are in the food industry and you specialize in kids’ candies, you want your labels to say that and to have a different feel from the ones who are making protein shakes for fitness fans. Your target audience should have a clear idea about what you do the minute they lay their eyes on your product label.

Die-cut, cut-out, or standard label?

The shape of your label is also very important. You can choose a die-cut shape based on your design, but you can also opt for standard label shapes such as rectangle, oval, or round shape. Sometimes the best solutions are the most simple ones. But sometimes an eye-catching effect can do the trick. Like with cut-out labels, where you can add a cut-out element to create a unique visual.

How to choose the right material for your labels?

The physical appearance of your labels and the effect they have on buyer’s perception is also something you should think about. The material depends on the type of packaging of your product. You can choose from paper to vinyl materials, and gloss, or matte finishes, depending on the applied surface. If you are selling frozen food or products, then freezer labels are the right solution for you.

Design and colors

The label design and color palette add to the overall impression of your product. The design is not only for marketing purposes because your labels should display some information that can be obligatory for you. For example, if you are making food, you should put information such as nutrition facts, allergy alerts, and/or certifications your product has. All of this should be readable and clearly visible in your design.

Make your checklist

Having your own product comes with a list of things you can not work without. When it comes to product labels, you might want to consider making a checklist to make the whole branding and promotional process easier for you.

We would advise you to pay attention to these points:

• Your brand’s message – make sure that the whole look of your product labels coincides with your brand identity (logo, design, colors, fonts, etc.)
• Choose the right shape, size, and material depending on the type of product and the type of packaging
• Do not forget to display the important information on your labels
• Make your product stand out – emphasize what makes your product different from the rest.

With these guidelines, we believe that it won’t be too difficult for you to present your product and get loyal customers. If you ever feel like getting some help along the way, give us a call or write to us and we will be more than happy to be a part of your success.

Frozen foods are full of added preservatives

FALSE

Frozen foods do not need any added preservatives. The bad microbes cannot grow on food when it’s at a temperature of less than 0°F. However, this doesn’t mean that the low temperature will kill the microbes, it will just prevent them from multiplying. So you need to be careful when defrizzing the food, as the microbes might start growing again.

The freezing process destroys nutrients

FALSE

Another false statement. Food nutrients are not being removed by the freezing process. There is hardly any difference in nutrients in fresh and frozen meat and poultry, for example.

Frozen food does not taste as good as the fresh food

TRUE and FALSE

This depends solely on the time of freezing. If you freeze your food at its quality peak, it will be as tasteful as the fresh food (or almost as good). But if you freeze it near its expiration date, it surely won’t taste as good as you would expect. So the sooner you freeze the food you won’t be using, the better.

Power outage – take out all the food from your freezer

FALSE

When this happens, you should keep your freezer door closed, as it can keep frozen food in optimal conditions for about one or two days (but only if the door stays unopened).

You have to defrost all the vegetables before you cook them

FALSE (with exceptions)

As it turns out, most frozen vegetables are ready to be cooked right out of the freezer. The exception here is the corn on the cob, which you would have to defrost a bit before cooking it.

Once thawed, the food cannot be refrozen

FALSE

Once you have thawed your food in the refrigerator you can freeze it back again, without cooking it. There might be some loss of quality there, but your food will still be safe. If you are cooking previously frozen raw food, you can freeze the cooked dish and the leftovers within 3-4 days. However, refreezing the food that has been thawed outside the refrigerator for more than 2 hours is not recommended.

As you can see, most of these ‘facts’ you know about frozen food turned out to be false statements. Although the frozen food is safe to consume, we would surely advise you to pay attention to its expiration date, smell, color and other signs that look suspicious when you thaw it. You can also label the food with freezing dates, so you won’t have any problems remembering when you put it in your freezer.

Fun Fact: March is National Frozen Food Month!