Graphic Design
Essential Elements of a Successful Product Label Design
We design product labels for food, drink, beauty and gift businesses. This guide is for owners creating a new label or improving an existing one. It covers the visual elements, the information to include and the print checks that prevent mistakes. Use it before you sign off artwork, so your label looks right and meets the rules.
The visual elements of a strong label
A label has a few seconds to catch attention and explain the product. Clear hierarchy guides the eye from brand to product to key details. Too much decoration hides the information customers need. Build your label around these elements.
- Your brand name or logo, placed where customers expect it.
- The product name or variant, larger than any other text.
- One or two key benefits or features.
- Colour or design cues that separate each variant in a range.
- Enough empty space to keep the label easy to read.
View the design at actual size and from a short distance. Many labels look fine on screen but feel crowded in hand. Our guide to choosing brand colours helps you set colours for each variant.
The information to include
Most labels need practical and legal information alongside the design. Requirements vary by product type, so check the rules for your category. Food, cosmetics and toys each have their own UK regulations. Common elements include these.
- Product name and a clear description of what it is.
- Ingredients or materials, with allergens highlighted where required.
- Net quantity, such as weight or volume.
- Use-by or best-before dates and storage instructions, where relevant.
- Your business name and a UK address.
- Barcodes, batch codes and recycling information.
Confirm current requirements with the relevant regulator or trade body before you print. Rules change, and penalties for incorrect labels can be serious. Ask a second person to check every detail on the final proof.
Print checks before you order
A label must print correctly on its material and fit its container. Small technical errors cause costly reprints. Your printer's specification sets the rules for files. Check these points before you order.
- Label size and shape match the container and the printer's template.
- Bleed and safe zones follow the printer's specification.
- Colours are set up for print and checked on a proof.
- Barcodes scan correctly at the printed size.
- Text remains readable at the smallest size used.
Order a short test run or sample when you can. Apply it to the real container to check fit and finish. Our guide to packaging printing methods explains which method suits your quantities.
Product label checklist
Use this checklist before you approve any label artwork. Each item helps your label sell well and meet the rules. Tick every line before you print.
- Brand and product name clear at a glance
- Variants easy to tell apart
- Required information checked against current rules
- Allergens highlighted where required
- Barcodes tested at printed size
- Bleed, safe zones and size match the printer's template
- Sample applied to the real container
Good to know
Product label FAQs
What makes a product label stand out?+
Clear hierarchy, strong colour and a simple layout help a label stand out. The product name should be easy to read from a distance. Distinctive colours help customers spot your range quickly. Too much text or decoration makes labels blend in.
Do I need a barcode on my label?+
Most retailers require a barcode before they stock a product. Barcodes come from GS1 UK, the official issuing organisation. Markets and direct sales often do not need one. Check with each stockist before you print.
What label material should I choose?+
The right material depends on the product, container and storage conditions. Paper suits dry products, while film labels resist moisture and oil. Some materials suit recycling better than others. Ask your printer for samples on your container.
Keep this checklist with your label artwork and printer specification. Share it with anyone who approves your products for sale. So you can print labels that sell your product, meet the rules and fit first time.
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