custom essential oil labels

The Ultimate Guide to Designing and Printing Your Own Custom Label Products

Brian Kroeker

December 19, 2022

Summary of Key Points

  • Custom labels can add branding and display important info for practically any product (although they’re particularly useful for businesses that make food and beverage items, personal care products, candles, and e-commerce products).
  • Little Rock makes printing custom labels easy by offering turnaround times in as little as 1 day, plus free proofs and the ability to save money by bundling multiple runs into the same order for bulk pricing.
  • Printing options for custom labels include paper-based and poly-based materials, with laminated and non-laminated versions available.
  • Examples of businesses that can benefit from custom labels include breweries, artisan shops, etsy businesses and other independent sellers, restaurants and food delivery businesses, farmers market sellers, and apothecaries selling candles or personal care products.

Custom labels communicate vital information about products in eye-catching ways. From branding for businesses to dressing up unique one-off projects, you can use custom labels to make pretty much anything pop. But to make your custom labels truly unique, you’ll need to put some thought into how they’re designed and printed. That’s where Little Rock can help!

We offer high-quality custom printing for a wide variety of products, and are always happy to share design tips so our customers can get the best possible end results. Read on to learn the ins and outs of making custom labels for practically any purpose.

See Also:

Smiling woman holding product with custom label printed by Little Rock

Why Print Custom Labels with Little Rock?

Custom label products should be truly personalized, so Little Rock Printing takes a hands-on, bespoke approach to printing your design. Here’s how we go above and beyond to get you labels you can’t find anywhere else:

Fast Turnaround Times

Little Rock can print your custom label order in as quickly as 1 business day, since we print everything by hand in our own Calgary workshop! Working this way also helps us ensure quality control on every order before it goes out, so you can look forward to getting the right products at the right time.

Combine Orders to Save Money

No minimum order sizes for us, not even on custom label orders! And you can keep your orders cost effective by bundling numerous designs into the same order—for example, order 10 designs with 100 copies each and pay the same price as a single run of 1,000!

Free Test Prints

We offer true samples, produced with the same process as our larger orders. Simply order a single copy of your design and we’ll discount it from the total when you place your order for the full run.

A Guide to Different Label Types

Once you’ve decided to print custom labels with us, you’ll have access to a wide range of materials for your design. Here’s a breakdown of each type:

Paper-based labels on lip gloss products

Paper-Based Labels

Our paper-based white label stock is thick and uses strong adhesive to bond to different products. It’s an ideal solution for products that need labels to last (including multi-use items and food products that need freezer storage).

Poly-based labels on short-term food item packaging

Poly-Based Labels

Our poly-propylene (BOPP) labels are cost-effective options that are ideal for short-term use. They make an excellent choice for products like meal kits, makeup, or skincare products.

Laminated vs. Non-Laminated

You’ll have the choice to order your labels with or without laminate. If you’re creating labels for short-term use, they may not need to be laminated—but we recommend either matte or gloss laminate if you want your labels to last longer or hold up against a wider range of conditions.

Laminate adds a layer of protection against fading, moisture, and other factors for the graphics on your design. Gloss laminate gives your labels a sleek and smooth look, while matte laminate provides a more textured appearance.

Where to Use Your Custom Labels

The applications for our custom labels are practically limitless, but we find that they’re particularly useful for the following organizations:

Custom labels on ginger beer cocktails by Skunkworks Distillery

Breweries

Custom labels for bottles and cans are an excellent way to set apart beers and give them a quirky or unique look that attracts customers. Take a look at the custom labels Skunkworks Distillery created for their Moonshine Mule Ginger Beer Cocktails above!

Custom labels on candles by Ellie Mae Studios

Artisan Shops

Small-batch or handmade products deserve labels that are as unique as they are. Soft colours (like subtle pinks or off-whites) and matte laminates are often a great fit for these items. Independent retailer Ellie Mae Studios used this motif to great effect for a run of blueberry vanilla soy wax candles!

Custom label on candle by Camp Four Company

Etsy & Independent Sellers

Professional-looking labels are an excellent way to establish your branding for e-commerce products—serving as real-world reminders of your business and making a strong impression on your customers. Here’s another candle example with custom labels for both the product and the package it shipped in, courtesy of our friends at the Camp Four Company.

Custom label on charcuterie box by La Belle Graze

Food & Restaurant Packaging

From meal kits and take-out containers to pre-packaged deli items and more, custom labels help people remember whose food they’re eating and make sure essential information like ingredients or preparation instructions are clearly displayed for your customers. Look at this tasteful example from La Belle Graze, who offer custom charcuterie boards and boxes in Calgary!

Salted caramel sauce with custom label by Crème Cream Puffs

Farmer’s Market Products

Preserves look great in glass jars, and the right labels can take them one step further to create lasting impressions on people who walk by your booth! Keep your fonts clean and large to make them easy to read at a glance, and use colours that complement the natural look of your products, like this blue and white design for salted caramel sauce by Crème Cream Puffs.

Bath salts with custom label by Bubbles & Brambles

Apothecary & Self-Care Products

From bar soaps and lotions to skincare products, makeup, candles, and more, custom labels are essential for showing off your establishment’s unique wares. Let your customers know the key benefits of each item you sell while setting the tone for their experience—just like Bubbles & Brambles has done with these ritual bath salts!

Create Gorgeous Custom Labels for Your Business

With our assistance, you’ll be able to make beautiful custom labels for any purpose! Choose materials and print options that fit your products, then send in your print-ready design with your order and let Little Rock handle the rest. For specific questions about ordering from us contact us and speak to a team member who will be happy to fill you in on any part of the process.

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