From the consumer’s point-of-view, product labelling may or may not be of much importance, depending on how informed the consumer is. From the business owner’s perspective though, accurate product labeling is always imperative, irrespective of the product or the consumer market. Even though warnings labels and instructions are not foolproof, it is of the utmost importance that businesses never neglect their duties in regard to providing them. Let’s dive straight into the important details that must be on point with every label.
Content and Ingredients Information
It is a legal mandate for all companies in the United States to be clear about the contents of a packaged product, as well as the ingredients used to manufacture the said product. Failing to do so could lead to several scenarios which can lead to huge disasters on more ends than one. For example, let’s take an energy bar that contains nuts in it. Since there are children and adults out there who might suffer from anaphylactic shocks caused by nut allergies, the manufacturer of the energy bar must mention the ingredients as well as a warning sign for potential allergic reactions quite clearly on the labeling.
This is just one example of course, and there are so many others. Displaying the information about contents, ingredients and potential health hazards is one of the main reasons why accuracy is so important; it could be the difference between life and death. If a mishap does indeed happen on account of the company mislabeling one or more of their products, the ensuing lawsuits, investigations, and legal repercussions could put the business permanently out of commission.
Warnings and Instructional Information
This could be a set of instructions and warnings on a cleaning agent or a bottle of prescription pills which briefly indicates how to handle the product safely, use the right amount, and avoid potential health hazards. The same can be said about a ‘fragile’ warning label for crockery sets, complete with instructions on how to transport/open the packaging without breaking things inside.
The point is that if something requires clear instructions on handling, opening, or using the packaged product properly, it must be present on the packaging itself. Depending on the importance of those instructions, they could even be color coded and printed in bold capital letters for catching the user’s attention. Although it is called secondary labeling, it might need even more attention than the primary labels, i.e., the branding and marketing details.
Marketing Information
Not that this one is a legal compliance factor, but there is no good reason as to why a company should skip the opportunity to market their products via its own packaging. Anyone even remotely experienced in marketing knows that attractive packaging and labeling is extremely important to:
- Catch the attention of a potential buyer
- Be easily identifiable for a repeat buyer
- Establish their brand, sub-brand and product name
- Tilt a buyer’s favor towards the product in a side-by-side comparison with competing products
- Highlight key selling points of the product
- Highlight sales/extras/discounts on the product
- Make their higher end products stand out from the rest of their own lower end products
For established brands such as Apple, just an embossed, half eaten fruit is all it takes to get the message across! If you wish to take the minimalist route, a well-crafted logo with introductory but brief information about your brand at the back should be sufficient and classy.
Coded Information
There are two types of coded information which accompany product shipments:
- Codes printed on the secondary packaging used in logistics for tracking and verification
- Company codes on the PDP and the information panel, used to establish and verify product authenticity
As shipment codes are essential for timely deliveries to the right recipients, you cannot afford to get this one wrong. To find guidance, suggestions and solutions for date coding and labeling company shipments, pay a visit to diagraph.com.
Product verification code labels are universal hallmarks of authenticity, which is why all products from every reputed company carry them. Consumers can instantly scan the codes via their smartphone to know when and where it was manufactured, establishing the product’s authenticity in minutes. In fact, it has been found that the modern consumer would much rather prefer to buy something that they can check for authenticity, making coded labels a major influencing factor for sales.
When a consumer is holding something in their hand and thinking about buying it at the supermarket, how it has been packaged and labeled will often be the most decisive factor for their buying decision. This same rule applies even if the consumer is shopping online. The retailer should have several pictures of the product available for potential customers to check out. Once again, it is the digital equivalent of holding the product in one’s hand and how well it has been labeled and packaged will still play a major role in influencing the customer’s final decision.
