Whenever you make a product, you want to communicate its value to potential customers. One way to achieve this is through product labelling. Product labelling has become a means of communication between the brand and the consumer. It contains very important information that is printed on the product packaging.
What is product labelling?
Product labelling is part of a product’s packaging. Labelling is the information written on packages. These written labels cover important information that needs to be communicated to the customer. On the other hand, the labelling of the products is different from the packaging. A product package includes brand colours, logo and material as well as package shape etc.
For example, a label for a food product such as Chinese noodles may contain the ingredients as well as written and illustrated instructions on the packaging on how to make the product.
Product labelling can be as simple as one or two lines on the back of the product. Or it may be information written on the entire back of the product. If you’re shopping for shampoo, you’ll find loads of information on the back about where it’s made, customer service, ingredients, how to apply, safety instructions, and everything in between.
All of these labelling requirements come from the various regulatory bodies.
The importance of product labelling
Brand and product identity
The label affixed to the product constitutes the main identity of the product. The product name and the brand itself are considered part of the product labelling and these labels form the brand identity.
Type and qualifier
Each shampoo like Sunsilk is offered for different hair types. In addition to changing the design and packaging style of the product, the brand is also changing the label of the shampoo. Thus, product labelling can be used to differentiate between the different qualities and types of products: anti-dandruff, volume, oily hair, fine hair, etc.
If you buy beer, then it says whether it is strong or light. It’s about the quality of the beer or beverages you buy. Similarly, the packaged food industry commonly uses various qualifiers to differentiate its products.
Legal requirement
As mentioned above, there are many labelling requirements. Some products require highlighting ingredients, manufacturing plant, batch number, expiration date, safety instructions, etc. Thus, a company must consider all legal requirements before deciding on the labelling of a product.
Description
By law, it is not mandatory to highlight the instructions for use on the product packaging. Some products add a manual to communicate these instructions, while others write them on the packaging itself.
If you buy Knorr soup, the packaging will tell you so and give you specific instructions on how to prepare it. If you buy cornflakes from Kellogg, the package will indeed give you specific dietary instructions in addition to telling you the ingredients and calories. Instructions like: How to use, how to store are often present.
Promotion
Buy 2, get 1 free. This is a type of price tag that you most likely encountered during the holiday season. If a promotion is printed on the packaging, it must be respected. It is also immediately brought to the customer’s attention.
Quite simply, a large bottle of vinegar advertises that you could get 33% more vinegar for the same price. This is a promotion that will immediately grab the attention of customers.
Additional information
There may be additional product information useful to the customer that can be used for product labelling.
For example, a package of gluten-free pasta may feature an image of crossed ears of wheat. This image will show that the product is healthy and could encourage customers to buy it. Similar additional information, which may be a differentiating factor, may be used on the product.
In the age of e-commerce, product labelling has become very important because customers are much more likely to reject a product they don’t know how to use. Online sellers must therefore ensure that the product labelling covers all legal standards while promoting the product.
Products should always be labelled with great care. But why is this mindfulness necessary?
The customer must be informed about the product before it is unpacked. Because the labelling of different products represents a precautionary measure through information such as danger signs, through which accidents can easily be avoided. Although different labelling rules apply depending on the product and location, the requirement that such a product label must be present in all cases is the same everywhere. Without this, both the distributor and the customer would not be aware of the goods and would not be able to treat them appropriately and, if necessary, accept them carefully. For this reason, before even looking at the actual product, it is important to be aware of its contents, be it chemicals, food or cosmetics.
The right placement is crucial
But in addition to sticking to such a product label, the correct placement of this is also of great importance. Although this mindfulness initially seems quite dull, many different mistakes can only be avoided with the correct placement of such a label. If this is in the right place on the product, or rather in the right place on the packaging, not only is the customer protected directly from possible dangers, but the person delivering the goods has also complied with the basic regulations and is thus extensively protected. A good product packaging contractor can help you achieve that. Here’s how to find a good contract packaging company.
To conclude, Is proper labelling everything?
If you still don’t get the idea, here is our guide on why product labelling is so important. However, this is particularly easy to understand using the example of food. Packaged foods and the additives they contain must always be labelled. Foodstuffs that are generally known as allergens must also be labeled separately. When it comes to unpackaged food, it’s a different matter. If they contain allergens, they must be labelled accordingly, but must not contain a list or only a limited mention of the additives. However, other special rules must be observed if, for example, flavour enhancers or colourings are included. So, yes proper labelling is important if you want your business to prosper in the long run.
