There is more to creating your beer labels in the craft brew industry than having a unique and eye-catching design. There are several important factors to consider when making a label that will truly stand out amongst competitors. From color and size to legal requirements and consistent application placement, each element is crucial in creating a great title that effectively communicates your brand's message and values.
1. Color Speaks Louder Than Words
The colors used on your label are crucial in creating an eye-catching design. A suitable color scheme can make your beer stand out and help communicate the message you want to convey. Consider what emotions or feelings you want to evoke with your beer, and choose colors accordingly. For example, bright colors like orange and yellow can give your label a playful and energetic vibe. In contrast, darker colors like black and navy can create a more sophisticated and elegant feel.
2. Size Matters
While it's important to be creative with your label design, it's also essential to ensure it's readable. Your label needs to be easily seen from a distance and up close. Ensure that the font you choose is legible and that all text is large enough to read easily. This is especially important for crucial information such as the beer's name, type, and alcohol content.
3. Brand Consistency
Maintaining consistency in your product's design elements, such as font, color palette, and style, is essential to creating a successful product brand. It reinforces brand recognition and builds customer loyalty. By ensuring that these design elements are consistent, your product brand can stand out in the marketplace, communicate its unique features and benefits, and differentiate itself from competitors. In addition, a well-crafted product brand that complements your company's brand can drive sales and increase your market share.
4. High-quality Materials
The quality of the label material is just as important as the design itself. A poorly made label can peel or rip, negatively impacting your brand's image. Choosing high-quality label material will ensure your labels stay in place and look suitable for extended periods. Consider the environment your beer will be stored in and provide the appropriate material for that setting.
5. Clear Legal Requirements
When designing your beer label, it's essential to consider legal requirements. These requirements vary by state and country, so be sure to research and understand the regulations for your area. Required information on beer bottle labels typically includes the net contents, alcohol content, size, beer class, and type, address of the brewer/bottler, country of origin (for imports), and a UPC if you plan to sell your beer in retail stores. While meeting legal requirements is essential, keeping them from detracting from your label design. Incorporating the required information into your label design can enhance and make it stand out.
6. Consistent Application Placement
Once you've created your label design, it's essential to ensure that it's consistently applied to your beer bottles. Inconsistent label placement can make your brand look unprofessional and even deter consumers. Consider investing in labeling equipment to ensure that your labels are applied accurately and consistently every time.
Outshine Your Competition
With so many craft brew options available to consumers, having a label that catches the eye and effectively communicates your brand's message can be the difference between success and failure. By considering these six factors, you can create a label that looks great and helps your brand to be noticed and remembered.
We're committed to providing the resources and information that craft brewers need to succeed. That's why we've written various blogs to help you with all aspects of beer labeling, from design to equipment selection. Whether you're just starting or an experienced brewer looking to take your branding to the next level, our blogs can help create a label that truly stands out.
Additionally, we recommend you take advantage of our guides to create the best possible label for your craft beer. If you're just starting with labeling equipment, be sure to download our Brewer's Guide to Evaluating Craft Beer & Microbrew Labeling Equipment. With our help, you can create a label that not only looks great but also helps your brand to be recognized and remembered by craft beer enthusiasts everywhere.
