Judging by the Cover

It is often said that we should not judge a book by its cover and that it’s what’s inside that counts. However, selling a product is not just about manufacturing products and relying on the quality of the product alone to push sales. Imagine walking through the aisles of a supermarket and every aisle is only filled with generic boxes and bottles with the brand and product names printed in standard text. It does not paint a very interesting picture. With no other feature to attract potential customers to pick them up, new products and smaller companies will have a difficult time competing against established, more popular products and brand names. Therefore, labels on products and their customisation play an important role in distinguishing products from different brands.

Custom labels on products have many functions. One of which is to attract the attention of potential customers. Some brands use loud colours, bold fonts, and elaborate illustrations to achieve the desired result. Others would contrast them by using neutral colours, subdued fonts and either simple diagrams or nothing at all to catch the attention of customers. This image created by the labels can easily be associated with the product by its customers. Customers that were happy with a product and choose to purchase it again can then easily locate the product with its distinct appearance.

The vast variation that can be created due to the nature of customisable labels allows brands and products to create a unique image for themselves. Some would even say that labels give the products personality. The labels would often reflect on the product or the brand’s vision and this is more likely to appeal to like-minded customers, creating a bond between the customer and the brand. This will increase customer loyalty to the product or brand, which would help the brand in a long-term business stand point.

Another role played by customizable labels in the sales of the product is that companies can inform potential customers about a product. Brands can promote certain aspects or features of their products on their labels. Potential customers will be drawn to purchase products that meet their requirements and having the positive properties of a product highlighted on its label will help the customer make their decision. With custom labelling, the brand has the freedom to creatively present these selling points, further individualizing the product and its appearance.

Labels on products can greatly influence the success of the product. It is the initial attraction factor to a shopper skimming over many products for something that will catch their eye. Furthermore, it plays a part in the promotion of the product and its benefits to the customer. Custom labelling enables brands to achieve all this while granting the product a sense of individuality, potentially creating a bond between the product or brand and the customer.  So, in product sales and where custom labelling is involved, a book’s cover is meant for judgment and the outside counts just as much as the inside.

Learn more about Anchor Printing and their vast line of custom product label & packaging options including: Shrink Sleeve Labels, Flexible Packaging, Roll-Fed Labeling, Pressure Sensitive and Cut & Stack Labels at www.anchorprinting.com.  To contact one of our label specialists call toll free at 800.748.0209 or via email at info@anchorprinting.com.

Why Shrink Sleeve Labeling is Gaining Popularity

The demand for shrink sleeve labels have seen a significant growth in the last decade and its use is increasing in the global market of labels every day.

The rise in demand for this label is mainly attributed to its benefits in terms of brand identity, marketing and visual appeal to the customers. There is an improvement in the definition and quality of these labels on a regular basis. New developments are also taking place in the manufacturing processes and forms of shrink sleeve labeling.

The other factors affecting the demand for shrink sleeve labels are retail trends, economic influences and increasing demand from the consumers for the convenience products. Several studies on market research have shown that use of customized shrink sleeve labels can increase the sales by around 20% as compared to the age-old ‘pressure sensitive’ labels.

Shrink sleeve labels have a smooth finish, brilliant graphics and are considered as the most durable labeling products. Since these labels are printed on the polyester or plastic material, so they are most suitable for products that are exposed to friction or moisture.

There are several advantages of shrink sleeve labeling. Let us discuss them in details.

  • They are available in full color with a design coverage of 360 degrees.
  • They can be fitted onto most containers and can be contoured to other special shapes.
  • They are abrasion and moisture resistant.
  • No adhesive is required; hence the containers remain usable.

Using shrink sleeve labeling maximizes the marketing space on the products, thus providing more ways to impress the customers. Apart from providing a greater coverage than the regular labels, shrink sleeves are also a better option for those products that confront moisture heavy or humid environments. Such products include refrigerators and showers. The designs on the products do not get damaged in spite of rough handling or friction. This is because the printing of the graphics is done on the inside portion of the sleeve.

Generally, for full body labeling, the shrink sleeves fit into most of the containers. However, shrinking sleeve can be difficult on those shapes that get narrower downwards. This is because the sleeves will not be able to have a grip on the bottom of those containers. The other consideration that needs to be taken into consideration is the heat inside the steam tunnels. This means the shrink sleeve labels have to be made in such a way that they can withstand a certain degree of temperature, otherwise, the containers can get damaged.

We can also use shrink sleeve labels as tamper evident seals. This is very simple. We just need to add a perforation (horizontal of course) near the container’s cap. Thus, there is no need to purchase and apply 2 label products. Instead, our limited resources and time can be utilized in doing something productive.

Similarly, you must have heard of combination packaging. They use these labels for packaging and promoting multiple containers as a single unit. With ‘form-fitting’ shrink sleeve labels, combo-packs can be packaged in the easiest way. Later, these combo packs can be easily converted back into separate units be removing the external sleeve.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

Custom Designed Product Labels

Every new product or a revamped product aims to deliver to its customer a lasting impression of the product through its label, within a few seconds. In order to create this impact, custom designed product labels should be made keeping in purview the objective of the product and the competitor’s outlook. The label should be designed as such that it affects the buyer emotionally and compels the buyer to try the product. The little label carries a lot of burden on its shoulder, so it becomes extremely vital for brands to display the product information beautifully on its label.

Important tips for a perfect label

The brand gets represented through its logo, the custom designed product label should be designed as such that it holds its logo distinctly, and use of white color is desirable around the logo to create lasting impact. The size of the logo doesn’t matter much, but the location does matter. The name of the product should be unique and it should define the product. The detailing of the product should be precise and clear, so that the customer can identify what exactly the product offers. The government rules and precautionary measures should be included wherever necessary. The quantity of the product should be mentioned. Proper barcoding should be done on each label.

Getting Noticed

It is always said that a product which is packaged nicely has the higher probability of being picked up by the customer. A product which clearly states its purpose through its label is always the first choice of customers. The custom designed product label which is presented in an artistic manner signals the message the product wants to convey. Colorful labels portray the product to be lively, and crisp design suggests purity with sophistication. The customer buys; product based on the label and the label provides the overall outlook of the particular brand. So, it becomes vital to portray a powerful artwork in the label, in order to make the customer aware about the brand message.

Plan of Action to formulate Alluring Label

With the market being extremely competitive, the brands need to walk that extra mile to stay abreast with changing buying pattern. Branding these days is all about creating unique stories. Although the space in the label doesn’t allow for long stories, one can provide one liners followed by QR code to kindle interest among the customers, so that they can enjoy the entire story back home. The brand has also the option to try out different images in their label keeping the distinctive brand details intact. This way the customer will be happy to keep bottles, with all different labels. The trend these days also focuses on ideating messages, facts and jokes on the labels along with awarding contests which raises the curiosity among the consumers of the product. Finally, the competitors can provide very good learning about what is working and what is not working. The label which is designed tactfully will surely catch the eye of the customer and earn profit for the brand.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

Custom Designed Shrink Sleeves

Custom designed shrink sleeves as we know are shrink wraps, are made of plastic or polyester film material. These are very much heat resistant and happen to be great label products. Moisture, friction they can easily encounter without losing their great durability.

Why Shrink Sleeves

This is an absolute necessity seeing from the point of view how we are using industrial products in our everyday lives. The shrink sleeves can generally be applied over, around the intended goods. Then they are heated either by using heated guns or are sent through shrink tunnel, for shrinking. So we can say it is kind of an overwrap that is done on various types of packaging. Cartons, beverage cans, boxes and pallet loads are few of the many products that cannot be completely done without shrink wraps being used. Not just industrial goods, shrink sleeves are many times used on book wraps, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.

The More Designed, the Better       

Shrink sleeves are manufactured in ways to give a great presentation. So, you can say the look and feel part in shrink sleeves happen to be of great importance. Be it a beverage container or your favorite water sipper, a great shrink sleeve can immediately draw attention to your thing in a jiffy. There are several manufacturers in the industry who cater to all kinds of your shrink sleeve needs. And they give 360 degree graphics coverage on all your containers and applications that you want to cater to your consumers for some great visibility. Presentation is precisely the reason that people use to go for custom designed shrink sleeves.

Using the Shrink Sleeves

As far as use of the shrink sleeves are concerned, they are absolutely many. These sleeves wrap buildings. Countries or regions affected by natural calamities use these sleeves in great amounts to cover rooftops post the powerful storms. For environmental containments too these can be used. They are largely used while removing environmental hazards like lead, asbestos etc. While buying CDs or DVDs most of you have noticed your favorite CDs, DVDs in these shrink sleeves. Foods such as some vegetables, meat, cheese, plants are often covered using shrink sleeves. Therefore, you can easily see how the use of shrink sleeves actually covers all the necessary areas of our lives.

Shrink sleeves as already mentioned before, come in various customised frames and they fit most of your containers of choice and can actually made to special shapes. The films that are used on the shrink sleeves are high-gloss OPS, PETG or PVC and they are equipped with the abilities to resist any kind of moisture and abrasion. The goods makers are sincerely concerned with the kinds of shrink sleeves they are using on their products. They believe the kick that they give to the products on shelves, the gloss, the presentation, is really important to make your products stand out from the rest.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labelling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labelling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

Shrink Sleeve Manufacturing

Shrink sleeves are a cost-effective packaging method available for labeling and decorating the consumer products. The packaging enables better utilization of space and outlines the details of the product. Consumers are often attracted by the labels and details cut out on the product. Shrink sleeves give justice to the consumer by highlighting the minute details of the product.

Shrink Sleeve Manufacturing:

Shrink sleeves are available in different materials:

  • Polypropylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG): PETG is the most expensive shrink sleeve material. It has excellent coherence and print standards. It is recyclable and most opted material for shrink sleeve packaging.
  • Polylactic acid (PLA): PLA Packaging comes from biodegradable waste and is a current trend to choose PLA packaging.
  • Expanded Polystyrene (EPS): EPS is also made from the recyclable thermoplastic material. It is highly resistant to heat.
  • PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC): PVC is the most commonly used and cost effective shrink sleeves material compared to other materials. Shrink sleeves made from PVC have good coherence and print standards. It is less environmentally friendly and hence not preferred in the recent age.

Shrink sleeves made from any of the above materials can be applied on the products by two methods: manual application method and automated application method.

Manual Application Method: Shrink sleeve is manually placed over the product. Heat waves are given using a heat gun/ a dryer to adapt the preferred shape. This type of application is suited for sample models in small numbers.

Automated Application Method:  Diversified machines are used to slip the shrink sleeve on the product and a heat treatment is given to form a perfect fit for the product.

Perforations: Shrink sleeves provide perforations, it helps consumers to simplify the removal of the packaging done on the product. This ensures the consumer that the container is not used earlier. Different types of perforations are available on the need basis.

Colors and printing styles: The number of colors chosen on the shrink sleeve for the product design is directly proportional to the cost of packaging. Different printing styles are available on shrink sleeves, like digital printing, flexographic printing, gravure printing and the web offset printing. One can easily select the print style based on the cost estimate and quality of the graphics. Gravure is the costliest style of printing and digital is the most reasonable style of printing.

Types of Shrink sleeves: Shrink sleeves are available in different types, like full body shrink sleeves, shrink sleeves to cover only a portion of the product, shrink sleeves to avoid tampering and shrink sleeve for combination packing of products.

 

An illustration of the Shrink sleeve process:

  1. The initial step is to accumulate the sample container and the graphics on the container.
  2. Appropriate strength material is selected for the container and an alluring graphics to obtain the desired end product.
  3. Application of the shrink sleeve can be done manually on the product or done by machine. In the machine application process, appropriate heat has to be provided to avoid shrink sleeve damage. After a proper fit of the shrink sleeve package on the container, the finished product is ready.

 

Advantages of shrink sleeve packaging:

  • Sleeves allow complete utilization of the container body. Utilization, when paired with exceptional graphics, is a hit in the market.
  • Sleeves undergo a heat treatment to perfectly fit the container body. Hence, any shape of the container can be selected to contour and outgrow in the market.
  • Sleeves are applicable for all kinds of materials like metal, glass, and plastic. The sleeves give a perfectly smooth finish on the container.
  • To avoid tampering of the product, sleeves can be used on the cap of the container. This ensures trust and safety of the product.
  • Shrink sleeves are all moisture resistant. This makes it usable in any place, like product placed in a refrigerator.
  • Shrink sleeves are abrasion resistant. This quality of the sleeves helps during shipping of the products.
  • The sleeves do not use adhesive and hence no sticky mess available on the container. Containers are reusable and the sleeve can be cleanly torn away.
  • Re-branding of the products using shrink sleeves gives an exceptional edge in the marketing end.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

All You Need To Know About Shrink Sleeves

What are shrink sleeves?

Though the name may suggest otherwise, shrink sleeves are actually a form of labels that are fast becoming popular. Indeed, it is one segment that’s growing fast in the label industry. More and more brands want to ensure that their packaging is aesthetically appealing to the customers. In a highly competitive world, it is important for them to make a mark and be distinctive. And they adapt shrink sleeve labels to achieve this end.

The industries that are adapting shrink sleeves are food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, household products etc.

It is the age of cheap duplicates. There are many companies that copy a more popular and established brand and use similar labels in order to sell their products. This is where shrink sleeves come in and offer a big advantage for brands. The design choices are multiple and flexible, allowing brands to stand out and be recognized.

Advantages

Shrink sleeves are more durable, allow having full body designs on the container, are water and abrasion resistant as well. The most important part is that the labels can be removed and the containers can be reused. This makes for an ecofriendly option and saving in cost. Though shrink sleeves are slightly more costly initially, in the long run, this works out better.

Since you can have full body designs, you have scope for more color and graphics choices that are impactful and capture attention. These can be used on a wide variety of container materials like plastics, glass and metal. They are seamless and fit into any shape of containers, giving it a different look accentuating the shape of the container.

Another important aspect is to have the barcodes on the product. Shrink sleeves allow you to have this, but with a rider. Scanning of bar codes is sensitive and hence bar codes should be strategically placed on the container. It should be put vertically in a place where the bar code can be scanned as is without any curves of the container interfering with the scanning.

Shrink sleeves are durable to store and transport and are mostly damage proof. However, they should be kept in a cool environment of temperatures of 30 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit as otherwise higher temperatures may cause it to shrink prematurely rendering it useless.

Materials used

Shrink sleeves are mostly manufactured using two materials, namely Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-modified (PETG) and Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC is most cost effective of the choices as it’s per unit cost is less and is better to use in few cases than PETG. PETG however, has the highest shrink percentage and is also recyclable, which is a big plus making it the most popular of the choices. It is also readily available.

It is important to get the sleeve size, slit width, lay flat size, cut length, print width and height correct. It is best to share sample containers with the shrink sleeves manufacturer and they also offer prototypes.

The shrink sleeve industry is growing at a fast paced 20% and is here to stay. With so many advantages, this is something that brands cannot choose to ignore.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

Why to use shrink sleeve labeling for your products

Shrink sleeves are a type of label that so many food and beverage companies use on their products. These labels provide vital information such as the products name, ingredients, directions, price, catch phrase, and more. Shrink sleeves are easy to read and brightly colored making it easy to catch the eye of consumers as they pass by. That truly might be the end of it there, the last thing you really think about shrink sleeves but there is so much more to shrink sleeves than just a marketing purpose.

Shrink sleeves are one of the most durable labeling products on the market today.  In fact the uses are pretty much as endless as your imagination and creativity. Shrink sleeves are printed on plastic or a polyester film material which makes them great for places that encounter moisture or friction. They can withstand a real beating and still look amazing and perform as they are meant to.

Why would you want to use a shrink sleeve? Other than the sleek look they offer a full color design that provides 360 degree coverage making these one of the more popular choices in this line. So, now on to the big question why would you want to partake in shrink sleeve labeling for your products? Allow me to show you exactly why you would want to do this.

  1. Marketing – Let’s face it as consumers we tend to be drawn to bright colors, certain words, certain health claims, and ingredient lists which is why it can be a huge benefit for your company to label products with shrink sleeves. They give consumers and easy to read and notice label that will catch the eye and draw them in.
  2. Brand Identity – Putting a high quality label on your products really tells consumers your brand is worth something. Your brand takes the time to care about their products by providing awesome looking and fabulously functioning labels for the products.
  3. Savings – Shrink sleeves are comparably less expensive when compared to other types of labels. Not to mention they look much better and are more appealing to consumers.

If you are looking for an innovative approach to marketing your brand give the shrink sleeves some serious consideration, they are versatile, colorful, and durable.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

5 Reasons Your Business Needs a Professional Custom Label

In today’s world, starting a small business and becoming an entrepreneur is not only about inventing products and getting them to the market it also includes the finer details such as elegant and exquisite labeling. In fact, getting customized labeling for your products helps to market them and by using articulate designs, they appear a class apart from the products of your competitors. So is it better if you design your own custom labels or would a custom label specialist perform a better job? Well, to answer this question and inform our readers about the reasons they need a custom label specialist we have compiled an interesting list of “5 Reasons Your Business Needs a Professional Custom Label Specialist”.

  1. Produce Elaborate Designs: To stand out from your competitors, you don’t only need quality products but also need attractive labeling and packaging. Because both the labeling and packaging of your products could prove to increase their sales and help you maximize your profits. To serve this purpose, you could hire professional custom label specialists since they always have a team of professional designers which efficiently produces elaborate designs for a variety of products and services.
  2. Quality and Durability: In many instances, as an attempt to save money, small business owners compromise on quality and buy cheap custom labeling. Such cheap labels almost always come off the products or become a victim of the wear and tear products go through from packaging to the supermarkets. Therefore, cheap labeling does not prove to be durable and do no good in enhancing the image of the brand. Thus, to get custom labeling and packaging that is durable and of high-quality you need to hire professional custom label specialists. Professional custom label specialists never compromise on quality and take care of everything from material and laminate to the size and custom shape.
  3. Quick Turnaround: Quick turnaround is another essential feature you would not get by using cheap custom labeling. Professional custom label specialists, on the other hand, always provide a quick turnaround. They would complete the packaging process of your products in an efficient manner and more importantly, in a considerably short time.
  4. Reasonable Pricing: The pricing of professional custom label specialists is always quite reasonable considering the high-quality solutions they provide. So, although professional custom label specialists might charge a bit more than the cheap labeling but there would always a huge difference in the quality both these custom labeling options provide.
  5. Hassle Free: The most worthwhile reason why you need to prefer a professional custom label specialist over cheap custom labeling is that they make the whole packaging process hassle free. Hiring a professional custom label specialist is like outsourcing the packaging and labeling process of your products to professionals who know their trade very well. This outsourcing would allow you to focus more on the marketing, finance, quality control, and many other essential aspects of your business to run it

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

Flexible Packaging Is Changing The Package & Label Industry

Flexible packaging is known to be one of the fastest growing sections of the packaging industry. The process of flexible packaging combines the qualities of plastic, paper, aluminum, and film. Moreover, it uses the minimum amount of each material.

Bags made with flexible packaging can take the shape of a pouch, liner or overwrap. However, the shapes of these bags can be readily changed.

This type of packaging can be used for consumer products, institutional and industrial applications. Flexible packaging is has been quite useful for the business industry. It helps not only ensure food safety but extend shelf life as well. Furthermore, it can protect against heat, provide barrier protection, and easy printability.

Here is a list of advantages that the flexible packaging is responsible for:

  • It is quite easy to handle flexible packaging. It is light in weight and can be carried around. It is quite easy to open up. Later, it can be resealed without hassle and storage is no problem either
  • Flexible packaging consumes a minimum amount of energy to manufacture. Easy to transport, it also produces less amount of greenhouse gasses when being moved to the market
  • It is the face of innovation in the packaging industry
  • Flexible packaging can be used for a variety of products and has the potential to be extended to a more diverse set of products as well
  • It can maintain the freshness of any product and indicate when it is not
  • Flexible packaging is not just profitable for the business industry but highly convenient at the consumer end as well
  • It can also provide product visibility through the packaging
  • When flexible packaging is being manufactured, the industry can greatly reduce the amount of waste produced as compared to other types of packaging
  • At the consumer end, the waste is also being reduced using flexible packaging. This can greatly reduce the amount of waste being discarded into landfills
  • It is highly advantageous for efficient product to package ratio
  • For marketing purposes, this type of packaging is beneficial for improving shelf appeal

One essential favorable position of flexible packaging is the way that that less material is utilized to make flexible packaging. This makes less waste and is consequently more naturally well-disposed in light of the fact that less material is left in the landfills. Moreover, less water and energy is used in the making of flexible packaging and since the items have a tendency to weigh less, there are fewer transportation expenses and less waste of energy. It is truly an innovative step towards making the packaging industry more environmentally friendly.

Flexible packaging is at the bleeding edge of imperative packaging patterns in the protection of products, packaging outline and execution, buyer accommodation, and manageability which emphatically impacts the earth, shoppers, and organizations.

Flexible packaging makes a number of items more helpful, enjoyable, and more secure for purchasers. This has been possible all on account of the dedication to advancement, innovation, and maintainability that is the sign of flexible packaging.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.