Professional Printing for Craft Beer Labels
You know that old saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover?” Well, the cover is how most people judge their beers — except in this case, the cover is the label. For highly specialized craft beers, labels aren’t just a way to get your name out there; they’re an expression of your unique brand. Some of the most creative label designs in the industry come from craft beer. Devoted beer fans even collect and make crafts out of them, so it’s important that your craft beer aesthetic leaves a lasting impression.
So, What’s in a Craft Beer Label?
- Branding. It’s all about branding. From your beer name to your brewery name to your overall look and feel, it’s all reflected in your label. Before starting your label design, decide what you’re selling, who you’re selling it to, why, and what it should look and sound like. Then you’re ready for the next step.
- Trademarks. You’ll want to trademark your name. Check online trademark databases like TESS for registered trademarks to avoid using the same name as another brand, which could cause confusion, legal issues and costly changes to your labels.
- Bottle or can? Decide how you want to package your beer because it will make a difference in your labeling strategy, options and costs. Do you want a label-less look or a clear-cut label affixed to your can? Shrink sleeve labels or adhesive labels? These are all questions a good label manufacturer can help you answer.
- Net contents: How many ounces or liters of beer are in each can or bottle?
- Beer style or type: Is it a Draft Lager or Draught Beer? Stout? Pilsner? Belgian-Style Wheat Ale? Lite? People want to know what kind of beer you’re selling. It’s also legally required information.
- Alcohol content: Check legal requirements for areas where you’re planning to sell to be sure you are stating the percentage of alcohol properly. This can vary by state law.
- Legible fonts and backgrounds: Since alcohol is a drug, there are specific legal requirements on how legible important information needs to be, from size, style and color to where it is placed. This can affect your overall layout and label size, so be sure to take this into account before finalizing your label design.
- Name, address and country of origin: Also legally required, but convenient for phone calls and fan mail.
- Health warning statement: A specific government warning is required on all beverages with 0.5% alcohol content or more.
- UPC Code: You’ll need a scannable barcode if you want to sell your beer in stores and easily track inventory.
Check beer labeling laws to find out exactly what you need on your label before you or your designer create your label design. This will help limit the expense of revisions and reprints down the road.
Craft Beer Label Materials, Embellishments, and Adhesives
Popular craft beer label materials include textured and uncoated paper, clear film, bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), metallic or metallized paper, natural kraft paper, and gloss paper. For a more premium or unique look, you may want to embellish your labels with metallic or glossy finishes, a leather or wood look, spot varnish, foil stamp, holograms, and die cuts. Many labels are printed in full color to bring vibrant artwork to life. For adhesives, you’ll want to take moisture resistance, pressure sensitivity, and durability into account. If you don’t want your labels to peel off easily or disintegrate while sitting in a cooler full of ice, consider wet label adhesives or a laminate. Ask a label vendor to help you explore different varnish, coating, and substrate options.Digital Printing for Craft Beer Labels
Why print digitally? Digital printing offers a nearly unlimited spectrum of colors, 100% perfect print quality, and no printing plates or setup charges, making it ideal for the smaller runs and more complex designs of craft beers. This gives you more flexibility with design and timing. Should you wish to personalize or vary your labels in any way, digital printing also allows you to create seemingly endless varieties all at once.
Do your labels need to be produced in a GMP facility?
GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) is a standard of manufacturing practices for both human and veterinary drugs, as well as food and beverage products. If your label will come into direct contact with food or drink (such as a beer can), your label or packaging can benefit from being produced in a GMP-compliant facility. Ask your packaging supplier if they can comply. (Hint: a GMP facility will always have a certificate from a third-party auditor saying the facility is in compliance for a certain period of time.)
Do You Need a Professional Vendor for Your Craft Beer Labels?
It’s a good idea. Alcohol is a complex industry when it comes to labeling, and you want to make sure you get your labels right. Whether you’re planning to design and apply labels yourself or looking for a full-service provider, we can help you at The Label Shoppe. We specialize in digital printing and understand firsthand the importance of meeting the rigorous standards, realistic budget needs, and aggressive timelines of our customers. Our state-of-the-art facility makes nearly every label design you might have possible, from unique materials and die cuts to difficult-to-print designs, moisture-resistant labels, adhesive printing, foil effects, screen printing, and 100% pharmaceutical-grade defect inspection. Our seasoned staff is known for their expert consulting chops and ability to deliver high-quality labels on-time and in-full, even with short turnaround times. We take climate control, minimal waste, team happiness and productivity seriously — even the simplest black and white bar code labels are held to our highest standards, ensuring you get the quality you deserve. If you don’t yet have a vendor, or if you need guidance on labeling, reach out to us for a consultation. We would love to help you achieve your label goals.
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