The Basics of Creating Food Labels

You’ve put countless hours into manufacturing the best possible product. The ingredients have been mastered. Your business has proudly created a delicious item guaranteed to please the taste buds of all your consumers and stock the shelves of all your retailers.

However, all this equates to nothing without exceptional custom food labels that follow FDA requirements, inform your consumer, and grab the attention of distracted (and hungry) shoppers.

The Sections of a Food Label

There is a lot of information that needs to be displayed on printed food labels. If you sell your food to retailers, they will have specific requirements and information standards you’ll have to meet. Even if you sell products directly to individual consumers, you need to educate them about your ingredients, warn them of possible allergens, and display key information.

Best Before, Expiration, and Sell By Dates

When it comes to date placement:

• Make sure dates don’t interfere with required information
• Include an explanatory phrase (“best before”, “sell by”, etc.) followed by the month, day, and year
• Check specific regulations in your state, as date requirements can vary

Meet Food Industry Standards

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has clear guidelines about what needs to be included on a food label. Following these rules helps your business avoid legal consequences and builds trust with consumers.

Required Nutrition Facts Information

• Mandatory nutrients: Total calories, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, total sugars, added sugars, protein, vitamin D, calcium, iron, potassium
• Servings per container
• Household measure/common household unit
• Serving size

Custom Label Design Tips

Now that we’ve covered what information needs to be displayed, let’s talk about creating exceptional label design that draws customer attention.

Give Food Labels Shelf Appeal

• Showcase elements of your food that make it special
• If you use organic ingredients, display that proudly on the Principal Display Panel
• If your product is gluten free, soy free, etc., make that information stand out
• Use vibrant colors and consistent design to make your product look appetizing

Meet Retailer Packaging Guidelines

• Abide by all FDA regulations
• Use expiration date guidelines set forth by your state
• SKU management is critical as retailers often have multiple versions of the same product

Use Functional Custom Food Labels

Food is stored in many different environments. Your labels need to withstand those conditions:

• Frozen foods: Need custom labels that can withstand freezing temperatures
• Water and oil resistance: Essential for products exposed to moisture or oils
• Thermal printing: Direct thermal label printing works well for variable conditions

Ensure Steady Label Inventory

Partner with a label provider offering inventory management services to ensure your food labels are delivered in a timely manner and that you never run out of supply.

Printing Needs for the Food Industry

Popular printing needs include:

• Product labels
• Stickers
• Shrink sleeves
• Flexible packets
• Tamper-evident seals
• Shipping labels

Choosing the Right Materials

It’s important to use the right materials to stand up to environmental factors without fading, bleeding, or smudging:

• Freezer-grade materials for cold storage
• Waterproof substrates for products exposed to moisture
• Oil-resistant laminates for food products

Conclusion

In today’s highly competitive marketplace, branding matters more than ever. Your custom food label design and printing must stand out while being functional—waterproof and oil-resistant to withstand environmental conditions and FDA compliant with industry regulations.

Working with a professional label printer knowledgeable in your industry ensures you meet all requirements while creating labels that make your products leap off the shelves.