Food Labels

Food labelling requires a distinction. These labels are not all the same: in our case, we are talking about labels for food products inside containers, not in direct contact. They are the most common and are applied to packaging, jars, bottles, cans, and tins; regardless of the type of support, these labels do not come into direct contact with the food.

However, they are required to provide valuable information about the food they represent. Although there is no risk of food contamination, it is still important that these food product labels are durable, resistant, and, above all, legible and clear. It is crucial to rely on high-quality printing that ensures these characteristics for food labels.

The content of food labels can vary depending on the type of product and the specific regulations applicable. For example, a wine label must adhere to different requirements compared to a jam label. However, one can list common elements that should be present on any food label, always ensuring to consult the relevant guidelines and regulations:

• Product name, must be clear and accurately describe the food to help consumers identify it immediately.
• List of ingredients, to be listed in descending order of weight, from the most abundant to the least. Allergens present should be highlighted, for example in bold, to help those with food intolerances or allergies quickly identify potential risks.
• Net quantity of the product, expressed in grams, kilograms, millilitres, or litres depending on the type of food. This is important for allowing consumers to easily compare similar products.
• Expiration date or minimum shelf life, the latter is used mainly for less perishable products, such as pasta or preserves, and indicates until when the product maintains its optimal characteristics.
• Origin, mandatory especially for certain food products.
• Manufacturer and/or distributor details, important for greater transparency. The label should generally include the name or business name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor.
• Nutritional values, generally include data such as energy (calories), fats (including saturated fatty acids), carbohydrates (including sugars), proteins, and salt. These are presented in a dedicated table and expressed per 100 grams or millilitres of product.
• Compliance indications, if the food product is certified organic, DOP, IGP, or has other quality certifications, these must be clearly indicated.

  Additionally, all additional and optional information that could significantly impact the perception of the food's quality should not be underestimated. Statements such as "no additives" or "handcrafted product," as well as any recognitions the item may have received, are very strong purchase drivers in the food sector.

To create a food label, you first need to design the graphic, taking into account all the print adjustments. The file should include bleed, the correct font sizes, and elements related to any embellishments. Follow our suggestions to correctly create the file for your food labels.

Once the graphic design is complete, you can proceed with customising the print. You can choose your label parameters in our configurator, one at a time, very simply:

• Format, available as rectangular, circular, oval, custom, or front-and-back.
• Dimensions, you need to specify the width and height of your label, starting from a minimum of 20 mm and not exceeding a maximum of 308 mm.
• Material, there is an "info paper" section next to the option which you can consult before choosing the right substrate.
• Application, you need to indicate whether it will be manual or with a label applicator. For the latter, you can also configure the roll of labels.
• Finishes, you can choose between varnishing and laminating (one of these is highly recommended), standard hot stamping, 3D foil stamping, 3D screen printing, internal element removal, die-cutting (specify if laser or mechanical).
• Quantity, if you need multiple graphic versions of your label, you can indicate this here, specifying the number of variants and the quantity of labels for each.
• File check, if you want our technicians to review your file, correcting and fixing any errors, you can select this service for a cost of €5.
• Instructions, at this point you can download the template to start creating the label graphically and read the file guidelines.

Once all parameters are set, you will immediately see the cost estimate for your food product labels.

The printing cost can vary depending on several factors. It is a necessary investment for companies as labels play a crucial role for food products. If you need to optimise your budget, understanding what impacts the price of your food labels can be helpful.

Consider the following elements:

• label printing material;
• shape;
• finishes;
• quantity;
• delivery date;
• included and excluded services.

It is always possible to find the right balance between aesthetic needs, functionality, and price. All without compromising the print quality and appearance of your food labels.

You can print food product labels online, benefiting from the simplicity and professionalism of our service. Many companies that are already our clients rely on us for their food labels because we specialise in the labelling sector and, with over 50 years of printing experience, we are well aware of the needs of businesses. One of our strengths is precisely this: offering a highly personalised service, tailored to individual needs and always focused on print quality.

You can read more about it in LabelDoo Success Stories: Why Print Your Labels Here.