Master Guide to Custom Labels, Printing, and Packaging

Custom labels, printing, and packaging have become integral to modern businesses. They contribute to the identification, branding, and marketing of products and help companies efficiently communicate important information and differentiate their products from their competitors. However, with so many alternatives accessible, it can be challenging to determine where to begin.

For over two decades , FOCUSales has been at the forefront of providing innovative custom labels, printing, and packaging solutions! We cater to various industries, including health and beauty care, food, consumer goods, automotive, and more.

What Is Custom Label Printing?

Custom label printing is the process of producing unique labels for various products, packaging, and branding purposes. One of its benefits is the ability to incorporate elements into the design, making it unique to the brand. This can include text, graphics, images, and other information like product names, ingredients, brand logos, and barcodes.

The style and quality of a product’s label can significantly affect its marketability. For instance, a product with a well-designed label will draw more attention than merchandise with a basic or unappealing one.

The Label Printing Process

Transforming designs into product labels requires a straightforward process. Here is a step-by-step outline of how to turn a simple layout into a finished branding mark:

Step 1: Preparing the Material

Creating a label begins with selecting the primary substrate or material used for printing, known as a “facestock.” It serves as the base, with a liner to peel the label from and an adhesive layer to adhere it to the surface underneath. Then, an additional coating or laminate can be applied for extra protection or a specific finish.

Step 2: Printing the Label

Once the facestock and other necessary materials have been prepared, the design and information are printed on the labels. It is frequently done on large industrial printers that can create dozens or millions of custom labels daily. Labels are usually printed directly onto the facestock, although extra printing materials are applied in other instances.

Custom labels can also be enhanced with features like gloss or matte UV coatings or overlaminates that provide durability from scuffing, moisture, UV light and chemicals. Extra features like foil stamping, and embossing can also be added.

Various printing methods are available — such as digital, flexographic, wide-format, thermal, and inkjet printing — to fit the specific requirements and offer unique benefits.

Step 3: Cutting and Finishing

After printing, the labels are finished with die-cutting, perforation, waste stripping, quality checking, packaging, and delivery. This ensures that the finished result is of good quality and meets the required dimensions, colors, and adhesive capacity specifications..

Step 4: Applying the Label

Applying the labels refers to securely adhering them to the product. Automated label applicators are frequently utilized because they can simultaneously apply markings quickly and precisely to many products. Manual label application is also possible, although it is time-consuming and lacks the uniformity of automated approaches.

Different Label Printing Methods

The print technology for label printing will determine its overall appearance, texture, and function. Whether the labels must be detailed, durable, or made to make a bold statement, the appropriate printing method can help achieve the desired goal.

The following are three of the most common label printing methods:

Digital Printing

Digital label printing entails transferring pictures created with graphics software directly to the machine. Then, the images are transferred or printed without using plates or screens. It is suitable for short to medium-size runs, on-demand printing, and orders with multiple versions, making production faster and less expensive than traditional press printing.

Digital label printing provides greater design flexibility allowing for easy color changes or variations. This makes it a cost-effective option for printing labels with multiple versions or modifications. Furthermore, it produces exceptional output quality, with vibrant, accurate colors and sharp images.

The following are applications of digital printing:

  • Cosmetic product labels
  • Craft beer labels
  • Wine and spirits labels
  • Food labels
  • Pharmaceutical labels
  • CBD product labels
  • Chemical labels

Flexographic Printing

Often referred to as “flexo label printing” or “rotary relief printing,” flexographic printing uses flexible plates to transfer ink onto a substrate. Printing presses with many stations — each responsible for printing a single color — are used to transfer the picture from the plates to the material. Additional finishing processes are also often utilized to further tailor the finished label.

Here are some advantages of flexographic printing:

  • Faster press speeds
  • Large volume requirements
  • In-line finishing for varnishes and enhancements
  • Larger selection of materials

Wide-Format Printing

Wide-format printing initially utilized pens to make designs on paper or vinyl, but inkjet and lasers soon replaced them. It also uses UV-resistant inks, allowing the printed images to retain their brightness and last for an extended period.

Common applications of wide-format printing are as follows:

  • Signages
  • Trade show displays
  • Murals
  • Building wraps
  • Point-of-sale displays
  • Vehicle wraps
  • Backdrops
  • Floor graphics

What Is Custom Label Packaging?

Custom label packaging is the process of designing, printing, and attaching labels to various packaging materials, including boxes, bottles, containers, and bags. This procedure requires close attention to detail because the banding marks must withstand weather conditions while remaining legible and appealing.

Labeled packaging offers information about the product it carries. This covers the product’s brand, name, ingredients, weight, and other pertinent information. In addition, good packaging facilitates the sale of products by serving as a promotional tool.

Types of Packaging Solutions

With the increasing demand for packaging, many companies have begun to develop strategies for selling their products through improved design and presentation. The following are examples of common packaging options:

Anti-Corrosive Packaging

Anti-corrosive packaging is specifically created to protect the contents from corrosion. This type of packing is frequently used to carry and store things sensitive to rust, like metals, electronic components, and chemicals. It is commonly made of polymers, paper, or other materials resistant to corrosive substances.

Here are some examples of anti-corrosive packaging:

  • Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) bags and films
  • Rust-inhibiting foams
  • Coated metals
  • Corrosion-resistant plastics and containers
  • Desiccants
  • Vacuum packages

Flexible Packaging

Flexible packaging comprises various flexible materials, including plastic films, laminated papers, and aluminum foils. It is suitable for packaging food, beverages, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals due to its flexibility to conform to the contents’ shape. Additionally, it is lightweight, transportable, and offers a high level of security for the items while conserving space.

Examples of flexible packaging are as follows:

  • Stand-up pouches
  • Film rolls
  • Laminates
  • Vacuum pouches
  • Barrier films
  • Form-fill-seal bags
  • Heat-sealable films

Plastic Packaging

Plastic packaging is the fabrication of containers, bags, pouches, and films from plastic materials. It can also be designed with features like barrier properties, resealability, and tamper-evident attributes to enhance the protection of the contents.

Some examples of plastic packaging are the following:

  • Bags and containers
  • Films
  • Trays
  • Pouches
  • Crates and pallets
  • Caps and closures

Pharma Packaging

Pharma packaging refers to the packaging of pharmaceutical products, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs. It is essential for guaranteeing safe medication and efficient delivery to patients. It is also intended to prevent product contamination, manipulation, and counterfeiting.

The following are examples of pharma packaging:

  • Blister packs
  • Bottles
  • Pouches
  • Ampoules
  • Pre-filled syringes
  • Unit-dose packages

What Is the Importance of Customization in the Marketing Industry?

Customization in marketing refers to the tailored approach to product design, packaging, and other efforts to meet customers’ specific preferences. It helps companies differentiate their products and services from their competitors.

Here are additional benefits of customization:

  • Boosted customer engagement
  • Enhanced customer loyalty
  • Improved user satisfaction
  • Increased market share
  • Optimized brand image

FOCUSales for High-Quality Custom Label Printing and Packaging Solutions

At FOCUSales, we recognize the importance of label printing and packaging to the success of our customers’ products! Therefore, we use only the most advanced technology and premium materials to create custom solutions that meet their unique requirements.

We pride ourselves on providing quick and efficient service, so our clients can get their products to market as quickly as possible. As part of our dedication to customer satisfaction, we collaborate closely with you to develop the optimal printing and packaging solution!

Reach out to us today with any questions you may have! You may also request a free quote, and we will gladly assist you with your needs.