What is the difference between label design and package design?

The label on a product package has information relevant to suppliers, retailers and customers. They are important for keeping products organized and following any regulations regarding materials that can be legally sold at certain standards of quality. A label is usually applied to the front of the product packaging with a sticker, but there are different types of product labels to indicate specific information.

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Your new product has been tested, retested, and is good to go. The next step is to think about how you want it to dress it up for your customers i.e., its packaging and the label. While the two are often lumped together, packaging design and label design actually have completely different end goals in mind. Read on to learn more about the differences between the two and the various considerations you need to make for each.

What is the Difference Between Packaging and Labeling?

The key difference between packaging and labeling is that the former&#;s primary function is to protect and preserve a product while the latter provides information about the product. 

The reason why they are often erroneously lumped together is because both packaging and labeling play an important role in branding. However, since their functions are completely different, the design process for the two varies too. We&#;ve discussed how label design differs from packaging design in detail below. 

• The Purpose

The main goal of packaging is to act as a container for a product and protect it. This means that packaging design needs to incorporate the form of the product &#; i.e., if it is a solid, liquid, or a gas, along with ease of use for customers. For example, toothpaste comes in a tube, making it easy for people to squeeze on to their toothbrushes. Packaging may or may not include text.

Labels on the other hand, are meant to educate. They inform buyers about the products they are buying including ingredient lists and allergens. They include information on your company, contact details, your brand logo, and a whole lot more. Labels, therefore, allow customers to make informed decisions about what they are purchasing. 

• Branding

Packaging is usually larger than the label and is designed to stand out on the shelf. Since packaging typically affords a larger space for design, packaging design can be bolder than label design.

Labels also play a role in promoting your company&#;s branding.  They include logos, your brand&#;s story, and more. Companies with sustainable initiatives also include this information on their labels to attract eco-conscious consumers.  

Labels also allow customers to instantly distinguish products from the same range. Clever label design may do this by subtly changing font colors or backgrounds. For example, a range of face washes may have the same packaging and backgrounds but have different colored lettering to let customers whether they contain strawberry, lavender, or green tea. 

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In short, the packaging is what can first attract a customer to a product, but the labeling clinches the sale. 

• Materials

Packaging is meant to store and protect a product. This means that packaging design needs to include the right materials to store the product and protect it from damage. For example, cough syrups often need to be stored in dark glass bottles to protect them from sunlight. Packaging is typically made from a variety of materials like carboard, glass, plastic, aluminium, etc.

Labels on the other hand may be directly printed on to the packaging, may be glued on, or use heat to shrink them on to a container. You can read more about the various kinds of labels here.  Label design also needs to factor in how the product is to be stored and used &#; like will it be refrigerated, does it need to withstand hot temperatures, microwaves etc. Labels are often made from materials like plastic, metal, or paper. 

• Security

Packaging design needs to consider how a product is sealed from the elements. Some products may also need child-proof seals.

Labels are meant to protect your consumer and are governed by regulations and must include pertinent information to the product. For example, pharmaceutical products need to include dosage forms and methods of administration. This means that you really need to make clever use of your label real estate so that you can convey information necessary to remain compliant but also include marketing lore.

Additionally, labels may also include holograms or RFID codes so that customers can check that they are buying original products. 

Although there are similarities between packaging and labeling design as they are both important to branding and marketing products, the actual design process requires you to consider different factors in terms of functionality, text, regulatory compliances, and security.

Accent Label Automation offers a unique line of precision labeling equipment that streamlines your labeling processes to help you comply with regulations and promote your brand. 

Talk to us today for a consultation for all your labeling needs.

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