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The Complete Guide to Designing an Eye Catching Beverage Label

The Complete Guide to Designing an Eye Catching Beverage Label

Wednesday, September 06, 2023

Asheville, North Carolina, is often celebrated for its lush Blue Ridge Mountain backdrop and vibrant arts scene, but it's also a sanctuary for lovers of craft beverages. The city has earned its title as the "Beer City USA," but its offerings extend well beyond craft beer to include a plethora of wineries and cideries. 

This makes Asheville not just a destination, but an experience for those who appreciate the artistry, passion, and craftsmanship that go into making fine beverages.

Beverage Hotspots in Asheville

Craft Breweries in Asheville

Asheville boasts more breweries per capita than any other U.S. city. From well-established names like Sierra Nevada and New Belgium, which have set up East Coast operations here, to local heroes like Burial Beer Co. and Highland Brewing Company, the options are almost endless. Each brewery has its distinct ambiance and specialty. 

Whether you’re a fan of hoppy IPAs, malty stouts, or tangy sours, Asheville’s breweries have something for everyone. These establishments often offer more than just beer; they're community gathering places, offering live music, food trucks, and brewery tours that make you feel part of Asheville's unique culture.

Wineries in Asheville

Though it may not be as well-known for its wine, Asheville is surrounded by fertile land ideal for vineyards. The Biltmore Estate, America's most-visited winery, provides a luxurious experience with its sprawling vineyards and grand tasting rooms. 

Many other local wineries and vineyards dot the landscape around Asheville, offering a range of varietals from robust reds to crisp whites. The wineries often feature tasting rooms set in picturesque settings, where one can enjoy the natural beauty of the area while sipping on a glass of locally produced wine. Metro Wines is another local hotspot for finding both affordable and collector’s wines, both in house or delivered to your doorstep.

Cideries in Asheville

North Carolina is one of the top apple-producing states in the country, making Asheville a natural home for craft cideries. Establishments like Urban Orchard Cider Co. and Noble Cider offer a wide range of apple-based libations, from traditional dry ciders to more adventurous flavored options incorporating local ingredients like berries, honey, and even spices. 

These cideries often offer tours that educate visitors on the cider-making process, from apple pressing to fermentation, providing a comprehensive look at this growing craft beverage sector.

Mini Craft Phenomenon

What sets Asheville apart is the "mini-craft" phenomenon. Smaller than traditional operations but equally committed to quality, these mini-craft establishments often produce limited batches with a keen eye on sustainability and local sourcing. 

They provide intimate experiences, such as personalized tours and tastings guided by the actual brewers or winemakers. It's this focus on small-scale, quality production that makes Asheville a unique hub for craft beverages.

Asheville isn't just a scenic vacation spot; it's a paradise for connoisseurs of craft beverages. With our wide array of breweries, wineries, and cideries, each offering its own unique flavors and experiences, Asheville truly is a treasure trove for those seeking to explore the best in craft drinks. 

If your business is craft beverages, you know how vital it is to stand out in this space. Eye-catching labels for your products is one of the keys to getting noticed locally and globally. In this article, we’re breaking down the complete guide to designing a beverage label that will capture eyeballs, leads, and fans of your brand. 

Here is your comprehensive guide to designing an eye-catching beverage label!

Step One: Researching and Planning for Your Eye-Catching Beverage Label

Get To Know Your Audience

Understanding the preferences of your target audience can significantly influence the design process. Create customer personas detailing their age, lifestyle, and buying habits. Conduct surveys or interviews to gain insights. Younger audiences may appreciate trendy, vibrant designs, whereas older consumers might gravitate toward traditional, elegant styles.

Perform Market Research

Take the time to visit stores where your product will be sold. Observe the competition, note the shelf height where your product will be placed, and the lighting conditions. These physical attributes can have a significant impact on the visibility and attractiveness of your label.

Adhere to Regulatory Compliance

Each country, state, and municipality may have its own specific regulations. The FDA, for instance, has guidelines on font size for nutritional information, mandated disclosures about allergens, and other legal requirements. Ignoring these can lead to costly legal troubles and damage your brand reputation.

Protect Your Brand Identity

Brand guidelines should be well-documented. This includes specific colors (with Pantone or CMYK codes), fonts, and logo variations. Consistency across all brand elements fosters brand recognition.

Step Two: Developing the Design Elements for Your Eye-Catching Beverage Label

developing the design for your label

Color Scheme

Colors like yellow and red are attention-grabbing but can also convey emotions like urgency or caution. Blues and greens are often associated with health and tranquility. Also, consider color psychology in different cultures if your product will be sold internationally.

Typography

Typefaces carry personality. Serif fonts often look traditional, while sans-serif fonts are viewed as modern. Script fonts can be elegant, but are generally not suited for essential textual information due to legibility concerns.

Imagery

If your beverage is organic, natural imagery like leaves or pastoral scenes can reinforce this. If it's an energy drink, dynamic, high-contrast images can evoke a sense of excitement and action. Quality of the images is crucial; always use high-resolution, professionally shot, or illustrated images.

Logo Placement

Aside from the main label, consider other placements such as bottle caps or neck labels where your logo or brand name could be subtly included.

Step Three: Determine the Layout and Composition for Your Eye-Catching Beverage Label

Determine Your Hierarchy of Information

A common hierarchy might follow this pattern: brand name, product type (e.g., 'Organic Juice'), unique selling points (e.g., 'No Added Sugar'), and then less prominent placement for additional information like nutritional facts and ingredients.

Find the Best Utilization of Space

The negative space, or the empty areas around your text and images, can be just as impactful as the elements themselves. It provides room for the eye to rest and can highlight key components when used effectively.

Figure Out the Best Shape and Size

Custom-shaped labels can make your product stand out but may also increase production costs. Labels for smaller bottles will need more meticulous design efforts to ensure that text and logos are legible and impactful.

Step Four: Select the Best Material for Printing Your Eye-Catching Beverage Label

Material Selection

Common materials include paper, which is cost-effective but less durable, and plastic or vinyl, which are water-resistant but more expensive. Some brands also use textured materials for a more tactile experience.

Print Quality

Consult with your printing service about techniques like embossing, foil stamping, or spot UV coating that can elevate the look of your labels. Make sure to receive a printed proof before full-scale production to avoid any surprises.

Step Five: Conduct Testing and Feedback for Your Eye-Catching Beverage Logo

conduct testing and feedback for your label

Prototyping

Digital mock-ups can only take you so far. Producing a physical prototype allows you to experience the label in a tactile way and make adjustments you didn’t know were necessary.

Consumer Testing

Consumer feedback can be invaluable. You might discover that what looks good to you might not resonate with your target audience. A/B testing with different design elements can provide concrete data on consumer preferences.

Legal Approval

Expert consultation for compliance is not just advisable; it’s essential. Some companies specialize in regulatory affairs consulting for food and beverage products. Make this a mandatory step in your design process to avoid legal complications later.

Step Six: Production and Scaling of Your Eye-Catching Beverage Logo

Quality Control

Implement a quality assurance strategy that involves multiple checkpoints. This will help ensure that each label aligns perfectly, colors are consistent, and there are no printing errors.

Scalability

A well-designed label will make it easy to introduce new flavors or variants. Developing and using a templated design where only colors or key images need to change can make scaling your product line more efficient.

By diving deeper into each of these segments, it becomes evident that designing a beverage label is a complex but rewarding process. It involves numerous considerations, from understanding your audience to meticulous attention to detail in design and production. 

Each step serves a unique purpose and plays a part in creating a label that not only meets regulatory standards, but also captures attention and encourages the consumer to pick your product among an array of choices.

How BP Solutions Group Helps You Develop an Eye-Catching Beverage Label

When it comes to standing out in the crowded beverage market, details matter. The label on your product isn't just an aesthetic choice—it's a strategic decision that can impact your brand's market share, consumer perception, and overall success. 

At BP Solutions Group, we’re committed to helping you develop a beverage label that will capture eyes and make you proud. Here’s what you get when you choose BP Solutions Group:

  • Customized Approach: No two brands are alike, and neither should their labels be. We invest time in understanding your brand story, your target audience, and your market positioning. Our team meticulously crafts designs that are tailor-made for you, ensuring that your label resonates with the people you want to reach.
  • Cutting-Edge Design: Great design is the cornerstone of impactful branding. Our team of expert designers keeps up with the latest trends and employs state-of-the-art design software and techniques. From the color scheme and typography to texture and form, every element is chosen with purpose and precision.
  • Regulatory Expertise: One of the most daunting aspects of beverage labeling is the myriad of regulations that must be complied with. Our in-house experts are well-versed in international labeling laws and FDA guidelines. We make sure that your label isn't just visually stunning, but also legally compliant.
  • Material and Print Excellence: The right material can make or break the longevity and visual quality of your label. We offer a diverse range of high-quality, durable materials that will survive both moisture and temperature changes without losing their allure. Our printing methods employ cutting-edge technologies that result in sharp, vivid, and long-lasting labels.
  • Unmatched Customer Service: We're committed to making your journey with us smooth and rewarding. From the initial consultation to the final delivery, our team is always available for support and guidance. Your satisfaction is our ultimate goal.
  • Scalable Solutions: Whether you're launching a single product or an entire line, our scalable solutions can adapt to your business needs. As you grow, we grow with you, making it seamless to introduce new flavors, sizes, or even entirely new product lines.

If you need a high-quality beverage label that will help your brand stand out, reach out to us today. We love helping Asheville area businesses capture their audience.