If you have ever wondered why product labels are so important, here are the answers to your queries.

Product labels play a key role in any business – they simultaneously market the product and display meaningful information. Products labels, containing primary and secondary labels, help convey the product’s value to the consumers and act as a means of communication between the brand and the customers. Depending on the product, the purpose of product labeling can have several meanings. Here is all you need to know about what product labels should contain.

1. Understanding Product Labelling

Product labels, considered to be a part of the packaging of a product, are used to identify the product and its contents. Any piece of material that contains information and is attached to the product is part of the product label. The prime labels, usually containing high-quality pictures and colors, display the identity and the quantity of the products and catch the consumers’ eyes. While the secondary labels, usually at the back of a product, provide crucial information about the product and are seen as supplemental.

Products usually have labeling requirements that come from a regulatory body. Depending on the type of product and where it is manufactured, the regulatory body varies. Product labels are an important part of any product, and it is essential for any business to have the right labeling program.

2. Establishing the Brand and Product Identity

The product label not only helps the consumers identify the product but also helps establish the brand. The label contains both the sub-brand and the parent brand, if there is one, to increase their credibility and because they are required to. For example, if we consider Sunsilk shampoo, Sunsilk would be the sub-brand, whereas Unilever would be the parent brand. The prime labels help you know your brand as well as the kind of product it is. If shampoo came in a plain, unlabeled black tube, we would not be able to identify the product, and even if someone told us it was shampoo, we would still be hesitant to buy it.

3. Relaying Vital Information

Product labels allow the consumer to know what the product contains. Be it food or any other type of product, it is important to display its ingredients, usually at the back of the product, in order for the customer to know how healthy or unhealthy the product may be. It is also vital information for anyone with allergies; it allows them to know what products they should not consume, and thus product labels help save lives.

In addition to these, labels are also supposed to contain information about any health risks the product might pose. For example, cigarette packets are required to display cancer warnings and other health risks. Poisonous or hazardous products should also contain a warning. Failing to display required health risks may result in hefty fines.

4. Differentiating Grade and Type

For any type of product, you have a range of options available to you, and product labels can help you choose the product you require. For example, if you are looking to buy a Pantene shampoo, there are a number of different ones that you can purchase. From anti-dandruff to anti-hair fall to moisturizing shampoo, there are various classifications, and the labels help you distinguish among them.

Numerous grades are used for food products, too, like if you were looking to buy apple cider, the label would help you to differentiate between hard and regular cider.

5. Displaying Instructions

Secondary labels may also contain instructions in the back or attached in a manual if the product requires it. A box of Maggi noodles comes with specific instructions on how to make the noodles. A tube of facewash may contain directions on how to apply the facewash. The descriptions in the product labels usually tell how to use and store the product in addition to other information.

6. Informing about Side-Effects

Some products, specifically medicine, may have certain side-effects, and product labels contain that information as well. If you were to take an aspirin, the label would warn you of side-effects such as heartburn, drowsiness, etc. Some product labels also include information on what to do in case of adverse effects.

7. Marketing and Promotion

A product’s label can be an effective marketing tool as it has the capability to market the product just by itself. Customers might be drawn to products that have bright and colorful labels, helping their sales. Unique and creative labels can also be used to make your product stand out amongst all the others available in the market. From cross-brand marketing to recipe information to couponing, sweepstakes to gaming, today’s advanced technology allows product labeling to be utilized for numerous purposes.

Promotion, such as “buy one get one free,” can also be displayed on the labels to garner the immediate attention of the customer, increasing the likelihood of the product being purchased. As one look at the product can convert a person from being a prospective buyer to a customer, it is essential for any business to make their labels as appealing as possible. To help you with your labeling needs, inkjet labeling is available with its innovative ideas and state of the art technology.

8. Additional Information

Product labels may contain further additional information if they deem it necessary. Some products may display information on what to do in case of an accident while using the product. For example, electrical appliances may come with instructions on what to do in case the appliance catches fire. A laptop may come with information on what to do if it is overheated, clothing items can include information on what to do in case it is heavily stained.

Conclusion

In essence, when it comes to a product, product labeling plays a crucial role. Not only does the label help attract customers, but it also informs the consumers about the product. From food to beverage to hair products to medicine, every type of product has labels that help us purchase our desired items. Without labels, buying any product would be confusing, chaotic, and borderline dangerous.

Story By: Trishant Nimsarkar