Why a line needs a system
A single product can get away with a one-off label. A line of six can't. Without shared rules, each new flavor gets designed on its own, and the table ends up looking like a group stall. A system fixes the parts that should stay the same and gives you a clear way to vary the parts that should change.
What the system fixes
| Part | Stays the same | Changes per product |
|---|---|---|
| Brand band | Color, position, logo size | Nothing |
| Product name | Typeface, size, placement | The words |
| Variant color | Where it appears (lid, seal, bar or block) | The color, picked from a set palette |
| Back panel | Grid, type sizes, barcode spot | Ingredients and details |
| Formats | Proportions and margins | Container size and shape |
Across different containers
Most small makers sell more than one format: a jar and a gift tin, a bottle and a sample size, a bag and a box. The system keeps the brand band and the variant color in the same relative spot on each one, so they read as one family on the table. The shelf below is a concept for this site: five formats from one imaginary pantry brand.
Picking variant colors
Variant colors need to be told apart quickly, including by people with common forms of color blindness. We avoid pairs that only differ by red and green, and we give each variant a name or short word on the label, so color is never the only cue. Colors also carry meaning: a red cap usually reads as hot or berry, a green one as mild, herbal or mint. We use those habits where they help and break them only on purpose.
We pick colors that print reliably on your stock. Bright oranges and some greens shift between printers and between paper and film, so the color list includes print values and a note on which ones to proof.
Templates for new products
The system comes with a template for each format, with the fixed parts locked and the variable parts marked. When you add a flavor, you or your printer change the name, the color and the back panel text. If you'd rather we did it, new variants are quick jobs because the decisions are already made.
Questions
We already have ten labels that don't match. Do we redo them all?
Usually yes, but not all at once. Many makers switch as each label's stock runs out, starting with the best sellers. We plan the order with you.
Can the system include shipping boxes and gift sets?
Yes. Mailer boxes, gift set sleeves and tissue stickers can use the same band and colors.
Got a product that deserves a better label? Send a photo of what you sell now, the container you use and where it gets sold.
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