Produce and Grower Labels: All You Need to Know
For produce and grower labels, quality, durability, scannability and brand appeal are must-haves. If the label makes direct contact with edible-skin fruit or vegetables, you’ll also need to ensure FDA compliant inks and adhesives are used and that the printing company is GMP compliant. Whether you need a dime-sized fruit label or a freezer-grade meat label, you’ll want clear, crisp printing that adheres to required materials as well as government regulations. Depending on your budget and preferences, you may also want enough flexibility to accommodate graphics and romance copy that put your brand in its best light.
A good label vendor will explore your options with you and discuss the best ways to address your top concerns, from color matching and quality control to accommodating large amounts of information. Common label methods to explore include: Expanded Content Labels, Promotional Labels, Instant Redeemable Coupons, and High-Gloss, Laminated Labels. You may also want to explore digital or flexographic printing to accommodate flexible packaging.
What You May Need on Your Produce and Grower Labels
- Your brand name and/or logo. You’ll want this to stand out the most, and there are a variety of things your label vendor can do to help make this happen.
- The name or description of the product.
- A PLU (product lookup) code.
- A barcode that matches the PLU code.
- For bulk-packs, a net weight or piece count as well as your company name and contact information.
Do Your Labels Need to Be Produced in a GMP Facility?
Most likely, yes. GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) are a standard of manufacturing practices for both human and veterinary drugs, as well as food products. If your label will come into direct contact with food (such as a preprinted beef jerky pouch or a label you place on an apple), it needs to be 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.)
Durable Finishes and Materials for Produce and Grower Labels
Your product changes hands many times before it reaches its final destination. You’ll need labels made from reinforced materials with strong adhesives, laminates or other forms of coating that help protect your product from frequent handling and environmental change. And you‘ll want all this at the highest quality and lowest cost possible to help support your profit margins. Only an experienced label provider with extensive digital and flexographic printing capabilities can help you find the best solution.
Are Your Labels Scalable from Startup to High Volume?
Wherever you are in your business, whether you need 100 labels or 1 million labels, choose a vendor who can get to know your brand and grow with you. The long-term relationship can really pay off in the long run. Signs your vendor is prepared to grow with your brand include state-of-the-art facilities, digital printing capabilities, staff expertise and attention to detail. Start the conversation now so you won’t need to have a new one later.
Get In-Stock, Ready-to-Ship Produce Labels or Custom Labels On-Time and In-Full
We here at The Label Shoppe specialize in food labels, including produce and grower labels. So we know what it takes to grow with your brand. In addition to in-stock, ready-to-ship labels (all we need is the basic info!), we have all the production capabilities necessary to handle your label needs. Our 15,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility is 100% climate controlled, including all raw material, production, and finished-good storage areas, so your labels won’t curl, smudge, or underperform due to variable temperature and humidity. Our facility was built with GMP compliance in mind, and we are regularly inspected to ensure we hold true to that high standard.
We offer flexographic printing — great for a more artisanal look or when long-runs are needed — and digital printing, which requires no expensive printing plates, minimal setup time and waste, and saves tons of time. The latter is ideal when you need numerous label varieties printed quickly. We also offer a nearly unlimited spectrum of colors, premium finishes, 100% pharmaceutical-grade defect inspection, and no setup charges.
Our seasoned staff is known for their grace and expertise in handling design changes, short turnarounds, and other small miracles, which is why many of our clients consider us their “forever home.” We deliver high-quality labels on-time and in-full, and take 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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