Product label design services in Burbank

A product label is also a working document. Scanners at the till, printers on the packing line and inspectors in the warehouse all read it. Their needs are less glamorous than the brand, but ignoring them sends a label back to the designer.

The barcode comes first. It has a minimum size, and shrinking it to save room makes it hard to scan. It needs a clear zone on both sides where nothing else is printed. It also needs strong contrast. Dark bars on a light background work. Red bars fail on many scanners, and so do bars printed on a shiny metallic surface.

Placement matters as much as size. On a curved bottle, bars that run around the curve can distort. Turning the code so the bars stand upright usually helps. Keep it away from seams, folds and the edge where the label overlaps itself.

Batch numbers, dates and expiry marks are usually added on the line, after the label is printed. The designer has to leave a blank panel for them. It must be large enough, light enough and in a spot the coding machine can reach. Ask the factory which printer they use and where its head sits. Then draw the panel to match.

QR codes follow similar logic. They need a quiet margin, enough size and a link that will still work in several years. Point it to a page the brand controls. A short redirect lets the destination change without reprinting.

Regulated text has its own rules. Minimum type sizes, required wording and the order of certain information differ by product category. Check them before layout starts, not after the proof.

Finally, test with real equipment. Print a sample on the actual stock, scan it with a common till scanner and run it through the coding printer. Check that the date stays readable after the pack has been chilled, handled and rubbed against its neighbours in a carton. Ten minutes of testing saves a pallet of relabelling.