Top 5 Tips on Designing Labels the Easy Way
Knowing and understanding how to design labels effectively can be the difference between a labeling campaign that works and a labeling campaign that is nothing more than a waste of time, energy and money. All too often, businesses neglect to think sufficiently about their design and the different things it can achieve, instead defaulting to either the most basic or an overly elaborate design that shows their creative prowess more than any practical business benefits.
In actual fact, designing effective labels doesn’t always need a strictly artistic eye, and there are things that even the most art-illiterate can do to ensure their designs are well executed and highly functional. Here are our top 5 tips for achieving design perfection.
Think About Fonts
Often highly underrated, the fonts you use can have a massive impact on both the visual appearance of your labels and the effectiveness they have in communicating your details or your business message. Some fonts will even have an effect on response rates, working on a deep psychological level to statistically persuade more people to get in touch – and if you think that’s nonsense, just try a quick split test with two different fonts on your labels and see for yourself if one comes out to be a true winner. You might be amazed with the results.
For the most basic designs, a simple, slick and stylish font will do the job you’re looking for.
Think About Color
Color is another important factor in design, not only for catching the eye but also for communicating subconscious messages about your business, service and everything they have to offer. The colors you use will vary radically depending on what your labels are promoting, your brand colors, or even if you just want to make sure your labels stand out from the crowd.
Either way, experimenting with different colors and different variations can be an important element in figuring out which label designs work most effectively for you. Be sure not to choose too many conflicting colors for your labels – one or two colors at the absolute most will do the job while keeping your design looking classy.
Think About Shape
Along similar lines, the shape that your labels eventually take is important in design. Most label purchasers choose to opt for the basic shape of label, usually rectangular, which enables them to present the greatest possible amount of information without cluttering up the label too much. For impact, some might choose circular or oval shaped labels which can achieve similar things in terms of allowing for information to be presented, although these often have that additional edge of being unusually shaped.
Choose a shape that represents your label and your business most closely for best results.
Think About Graphics
Not every label in the world contains graphics, but some will need to feature graphics of some sort – whether it’s a logo, or a depiction of what your business does or provides. Graphics should always be used sparingly in label design because it is important to make sure that your label remains a tool for communicating the essentials. While graphics can make your design look a little bit spicier, it’s important to remember that they are naturally limited in what they can achieve, and that any space devoted to images is precious label space that’s taken away from text.
Think About Clarity
By far the key focus of any success label design process should be clarity. If a label is unclear, cluttered or confusing to read, it simply won’t get the results you are expecting. This is usually a question of design, and good design is usually clear, concise and to the point. Try and bear this mantra in mind as you design your labels – who knows, it might just turn a dud into a highly lucrative label promotion for your business.
While there is much thought and attention that goes in to different types of label design, it is important to bear in mind these few fundamentals when choosing how your label campaign might look. Only when you are satisfied that you have the perfect design in place should you think about starting the printing process.
Image courtesy of smarnad/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Article by Nick Welch
This guest article has been written by Nick Welch working for YourLabelsNow.com specializing in providing the fastest, least expensive, and highest quality way to print your personalized labels. If you’re looking to create custom labels for your company do contact yourlabelsnow.com for more info.
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