As with everything involved with launching and marketing a product, label design calls for careful planning.
Decide how much you are willing to invest
The first thing to plan is your label budget. Your budget should cover printing costs and the cost of designing the label.
If you opt for a professional designer (an option we’ll discuss below), you may discover that the design phase costs significantly more than expected. Certain premium label features — such as water-resistant coatings or brand protection elements — may also increase your costs when it finally comes to printing your design.
1. Choose a Designer
This stage is very critical because the DESIGNER you choose will definitely affect the outcome . There are various ways to go about it, so lets explore the options:
a) DIY (Do it yourself)
If you or someone in your organization has graphic design training and experience and has mastered design tools such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, then the DIY approach to label design might be a viable and affordable option.
If you lack design expertise but still have a clear (and relatively uncomplicated) vision for your label, you might still be able to try creating your own design. Online tools such as Canva make professional-looking design accessible to those lacking formal training or the budget for expensive software.
Disadvantages
- You could inadvertently make costly design mistakes — or just a lackluster look that falls flat with consumers.
- An in-house design effort could consume time and resources that would be better spent on other things.
Advantages
- DIY design is the most affordable label design option.
- If you do decide to hire a designer instead, playing with designs first can give you a better idea of what you like and don’t like.
2. Hire a Less Experienced Professional Designer
You don’t necessarily need to hire an award-winning design firm to produce an eye-catching product label. Talented graphic designers are available at nearly every price point — if you know where to find them.And of course, check with your label printer! They may have resources on staff or be able to make recommendations for experienced label designers.
You must use the availability of Social Media spaces like Facebook, Instagram, Linked-In to find designers who showcase their works on their pages with traceable references of course. Most serious graphic designers will definitely have a portfolio of their design works.
Disadvantages
- Less experienced is less experienced. Newer designers may not have their finger on the pulse of what works in the marketplace – and may not be as skilled translating your wishes into a vision, and that vision into a design that accomplishes your goals.
- Inexperienced designers may not understand how a digital label design translates into a printed label. This can lead to confusion and delays while you sort out file formats, color spectrums, and other issues between your designer and your label printer.
Advantages
- Less experienced designers are typically excited for the opportunity to design a product label and will charge less than big-name firms. (Do pay them fairly, though – too many new designers get pressured into working “for exposure” by clients looking to stretch their budget.)
- Independent or newly minted graphic designers often have their own distinctive art style, which could result in an exciting and fresh look for your brand. You’ll be able to find everything from in-your-face boldness to ethereal airiness, and everything in between.
3. Hire an Experienced Professional Designer
Experienced professional graphic designers can work magic with product labels, creating gorgeous, polished looks that blow the competition away.
We’re not recommending you go that far in your search for a label designer, but if you have the budget for a high-end designer, the results can be spectacular.
Disadvantages
- This is by far the most expensive label design option.
- In-demand professionals might have many other clients to deal with and may not be able to give you their full attention
Advantages
- Highly skilled designers have the expertise, training and real-world experience to create something truly unique that captures the exact mood and message you’re looking for.
- Experienced graphic designers know how to ask the right questions to work seamlessly with you and your label printer.
