Your label and packaging can make or break your product. An eye-catching label is something that makes customers pay attention to what you are selling and try it. A label that is easily ignored, however, is, well… ignored. So how do you come up with smart package concepts and materials that draw the attention of your potential customers? Allow us to explain!
The first thing you should do is look at the packaging of the full-wrap labels that you like the most. What draws you to these labels? Make a list! The secret to creating a memorable label is in exploring what makes other labels a success or failure. Once you feel like you have a good idea of what you want to see in your label, it is time to start working on this helpful eight-point checklist:
- Set Up Your Artboard – Load up your favorite design program and get to work entering the trim dimensions for your label. Make sure you set your bleeds to at least 1/8 inch to ensure there are not any blank spots on your label.
- 2. Add Guide Lines – Once your artboard is set up, you need to begin creating guidelines to break up your full wrap label into three equal parts. Use your ruler guides to make sure you are leaving safe zones at least 1/8 inch away from the trim line. You do not want to find out some of your essential artwork has been trimmed off!
- Add Your Die Lines – Create your die line within your trim dimensions. These lines tell the printer how you want your label to cut. Do not be afraid to experiment around with notches, view panes, and other cutout shapes to create a unique and catchy look for your label.
- Design Front Panel – The most crucial part of your entire label is the very front. This is what customers see first. You want to make sure that it is educational, convincing, and attractive to potential buyers.
- Design Right Panel – The right panel of your label is usually dictated by the type of product you are offering. There are different regulations that you may have to adhere to, so be sure to conform to your industry-applicable regulatory agency requirements.
- Design Left Panel – The left panel is a freeform panel that is perfect for adding sales copy, directions, cautions statements, and contact information. Do some research on other products in your industry to see what makes the most sense to put on your panel.
- Save as PDF – Save, save, save your work! You do not want to lose everything you have done so far, so make sure you hit that save button. Keeping your project as a PDF file ensures that all of the unique lines you have added will continue to be present in the future.
- Make a Prototype – Once you have your label made on the computer, it is time to see how it looks in real life. Print, trim, and tape your artwork to your container or closure to see how everything comes together. Notice any problems? Now you can quickly fix them since you know exactly how things will look on your packaging. Like the way it looks? Then send your artwork off to the printers!