thank you for your prompt reply, I have a working knowledge on PS, AI, ID and I know a thing or two with AE, until now I did graphic design for web and print, from infographics to business card and flyers, from roll up banners to newsletters, free hand illustrations and very short comics. In short I have experience with print deliveries however until now I never designed a Label and Packaging generally speaking. What I would like to know is on the process overall and in particular how to begin from scratch, how many technical informations I saw it has to insert into the lable as well as the graphic design itself, where to get these inforamations, then advices on graphic designs for this type of label and so on. In the end I feel the need to study from A to Z ie as you wrote setup, layout, preparing for press. So I would need a solid really good course on fundamentals about labels on bottles. Hope my answer helped
There are courses on how to approach packaging design in general (you'll find them on LinkedIn)
There are also some about preparation for press (also on LinkedIn)
and how to deal with foil stamping and the like
and about mockups
What I have yet to see is one about all the details. The printing details, different kinds of paper or wrapping and how exactly you will have to adjust the design. The information you need to include. And this is the crucial part. There is law about it and if you don't follow it to the point, it will get very expensive for your customer (and you). You might even have to contact the government agencies about the details that are missing in their documents.
All in all: it might need experience. Especially if the is about alcoholics.
The technical information on the label, and the regulations concerning how it has to be presented should be supplied from your client. That is a legal issue that they should not expect the graphic designer to research.
I do a lot of bottle labels for windshield washer fluid, cleaners, RV antifreeze and other chemicals. There is a person in our company who provides me will all of the exact text for cautions and warnings, as well as information on exactly how tall the letters have to be for each part of that text.
You have already done plenty of print design, so you should have no problem moving into this sector. When it comes to the design itself, keep in mind that the part of the label visible on the shelf is limited, so make sure that you test the design on a bottle to make sure that the pertinent parts are visible.
Please come back with specific questions as you get further into the process.
Thank you very much, given my situation what would be the right answer to the client that asked me if I have you done any designs for labels on bottles ?
Best to be honest with the client who might cut you some slack if you give them a discount for the opportunity to work on their product. Otherwise, when push comes to shove, you could lose your reputation in the community as a reliable designer. Product labels are a specialized medium. As already discussed, you will have to deal with ( whatever ) industry legal parameters you are working within. One of the most important factors is budget. In addition to all of that, if you are an independent designer, you should make clear what your client has rights to and doesn't. What you are attempting is a bit more complex than I think you are anticipating. Yes, you can venture forth, but do not misrepresent yourself. You will be sorry.
The technical information on the label, and the regulations concerning how it has to be presented should be supplied from your client.
They should.
I don't do packaging design, but I know from colleagues that all too often they have to do additional research as to the legal regulations, because the client couldn't provide the information.
, but I know from colleagues that all too often they have to do additional research as to the legal regulations, because the client couldn't provide the information.
I would not want the legal liability for that. Especially when you are talking about First Aid and safety text. A lot of that text is dependent on the exact chemicals in the compound.
I've been honest to the client and told me to design anyway, in my case is label designs for beauty products in small bottles, and this is the link client provided me as reference for the work I need to do
so now that I can be more precise I would ask again in the case answers could change : is there any course from scratch to the final touches for this kind of label ?
Problem with packaging design all too often is everyone wants to be the one to choose color, type, graphics. Rarely does anyone want to invest the time to learn the legal graphical requirements.
Avoid a costly FDA warning letter and reprint the job, look into hiring someone to do a legal review as this is something you cannot learn on the fly, takes years. The personal care council may be able to recommend someone for USA labeling.
Glad to be one of those few designer that concern first about technical info then the design. Thank you for the links, I think I will comeback here to ask more questions in the case after finished the course Illustrator: Package Design
started and interrupted almost at the beginning many months ago due to workload. Hence I carved in mind the utmost importance of technical info über alles. Same for your links and the other ones provided.
One thing I'm having a hard time finding it are dimensions and best practices for cylinder labels
The dimensions vary depending on the bottle the label is being wrapped to. If your client is not supplying you a die, my immediate suggestion is to quote higher as your client is not familiar with the process and you will be spend about 6x the amount of work to do, but they will likely be quick to approve so you can cut your time in half after that. You may need to work with the printer(s) to develop a die and even worse you may need to help them locate a flexo, roto litho, dry offset, silk screen or other printer.
The FDA considers 40% of the cylindrical width to be the PDP (Prinicipal Display Panel). Drag yourself out some guides and design the front panel in that width, print out and then always wrap onto an empty bottle fo that width. You can then adjust your design.
Once you have a design, you can post an image here even better a link to a .pdf in the food label community group
and ask people to review. The link would allow someone to ensure basics like your Net Statement Or Statement Of Identity are the minimum height. Is good practice to have you dimensions on there along with a legend showing the colors used to get the best replies.
Thank you very much MikeGondek, I am not sure about if client will provide me the dieline since I don't hear this client since a few days despite last message from him was about discussing some about the project. I'll update you all here asap.
Steve Simpson hosts tutorials in Europe. Not sure where you are located... but he is brilliant.
But it really depends on the style you want to create the logo and label in. With Beer and Wine bottle labels / logos they can be really simple or complex.
So the idea first might be to decide what style of illustration or graphic you want and then pick a bottle... as each bottle has differnt size. Measure the bottle and then start adding the illustration to the bottle label.
But like I said it depends on the style you or your client likes.
I have to say you thank you very much for letting me discover this awesome artist, his style is mesmerizing, I bloody love all those tiny beautiful details and the impact the image have overall at first glance. I didn't know him at all and I already love his style. Yes I am in Europe by the way, hope to have a chance in the future to attend one of the his workshops.
Ahh beauty bottle logos. See how I jump right into the drinky drinky labels.
Same thing... reseach various types. Then find the type of bottle you want it to go on. That changes everything from size to shape. Especially in beauty as bottle can be round, cyclinder or square-ish. Then you need to know what message the client wants to covey in their packaging. Learn their story. Then pitch them an idea as sketch first.
Also make sure you have a contract for your work!!!! Very very very important.
I work as a designer in the packaging industry. I can speak only to USA items where we consult the code of federal regulations guidelines from the FDA website. Labeling laws vary depending on the Industry you are designing for.
The client is ultimately responsible for vetting their labeling information to the FDA.
We use Illustrator, Photoshop, Strata CX, Artios CAD, and Art Pro for a variety of reasons. If the bottle isn't a cylinder, it will need warped to conform to the package shape.
Most packaging suppliers will provide designers with a "straightened" dieline to design upon, and then the supplier will distort or warp the artwork for them, although some charge for that.
I would first ask your client if their product has been created, yet. If so, then you can ask for them to get you the art dielines from their supplier.
First, do some research about Packaging Design & Labels over the years. In Books and Online.
Then, take whatever Classes/Course that show's how to pair fonts, use Spot-Colors (Pantone, hot foil stamping etc.), different printing technologies (screen printing, Letterpress etc.), different Papers/Materials.
21
Replies
AdChoices