What is the difference between packaging and label design?

Labeling and packaging of products make the first impression on customers when shopping online or in physical stores. We are aware of the importance of appealing product appearance but there are entrepreneurs and even marketers still confused about the difference between labeling and packaging. This article will provide you with the labeling and packaging’s definition, their advantages and some notes when you use them. Then we listed out for you 5 important points to distinguish between labeling and packaging.

What is labeling?

Definition

Label is a crucial part of branding. Normally, it is bonded to the product directly and provides customers with product detailed information and to be recognized easily. Labeling discloses the product‘s name, who made it, how to use, ingredients, manufacturing and expiring date, price, weight…As a result, attractive labeling at the moment of purchase boosts customer to make quick decision.

Advantages

Without doubt, appealing label is mandatory for the success of an entrepreneur.

• Customized labels for marketing:

  Customized labels

  contribute a vital role in success of a promotion. “Buy one get one”, “Free gift”, “30% free” are some examples of promotional labels, which attract customers’ attention, urge them to stop and buy your products.

• Public important information: Labeling is definitely important in sharing product information to the public. Particularly, in such several industries as food and drink, it is compulsory to publish ingredients, manufacturing date and expiry, etc.

• Minimize product damage: A well-made branding label supports the warehouse a lot by providing how to handle products. With clear label warning about handling, businesses may avoid missing packages or damaged returned.

• Note that, however creative your labels are, branding labels are strictly abided by the law. It depends on the regulation of countries, industries, regions, etc. A stark example is tobacco: you must mention that “tobacco is injurious to health” on your product label.

Custom product labels contribute to branding

What is packaging?

Definition

Packaging combines the process of designing a package and producing the product containers like bottles, boxes, etc. Mainly, we have the packaging to protect products so that it is transported safely. Whenever we talk about packaging, they are wrapping, crating, filling or compressing of goods to protect them from spoilage, pilferage, breakage, leakage, etc.

Advantages

• Stand out from competitors: A

  custom packaging

  helps your brand stand out from fierce competitors in your niche. As people say there are only 7 seconds for you to make a first impression on customers. As it takes different impressions to foster brand awareness, you need to form a solid, consistent visual identity to set yourself apart each time.

• Effective marketing strategy: Packaging is a crucial marketing tool. Customers have a tendency to buy from businesses that bring special content. Then with customized packaging, your content will be more fascinating and appealing. A well custom packaging reflects the dedication of manufacturer and certainly, it gives customers a long lasting impression.

• Protect your product: As discussed, packaging primarily ensures your products reach destination safe and sound. Depending on types of products, the packaging is also customized to meet the requirement of shipping. In this case, a tailored packaging helps you to design suitable package for each size and types of items. With our custom packaging product, you can easily order to customize yours in second.

In term of shipping, packaging is regulated by requirement of carrier, government.

Custom packaging shows that you really care about your customers experience

Differences between labeling and packaging

Now, we already understand how important labeling and packaging is, but sometimes it can be hard to distinguish them. So we are demonstrating the comparison between labeling and packaging.

CriteriaLabelingPackagingMeaningInform customers by text, picture, tagPack products in containersObjectiveProvide information
Persuade customers to make purchase decisionProduct protectionFunctionProviding information
Product Identification
PromotionProtection

Brand identificationFocusConcise descriptionProtection and appearance DesignBasic and formal, comply with regulationCreative, innovative, atrractive Comparison between labeling and packaging Differences between labeling and packaging

Meaning

Labeling can be as anything from a composed content to a picture, from a standardized tag to an image, which is attached on the package or on the item itself. Whereas, packaging is how to pack the products within the suitable package, tin, bottle, box, parcel, etc. to provide the item conveniently to the buyer

Objective

Labeling is to supply detailed information about the item which can impact consumer’s buying choice. While, packaging is to supply protection and act as a 7-second deal commercial.

Function

Labeling contains such functions as:

• Describing the Product: Labels gives information to describe the product such as for category of people, be it age, gender, type, etc. It also clarifies the weight, price, directions for use and other related information. Then it promotes customer to have reason to buy.
• Specifying the content: With custom labeling, the producer moreover gives the information around the ingredients included within the product, so that the client can examine it themselves and choose if they need to purchase that item or not. It increases customer loyalty towards the brand.
• Product Identification: Labels are of awesome help in distinguishing the same product advertised by distinctive brands.
• Grading of Product: A company launches a new range of items, as well as distinctive variations of the same items, labeling makes a difference in classifying diverse variations.
• Providing legally compulsory information: Labels are moreover critical in giving legally commanded essential information such as Batch No. Manufacturing Date, Expiry Date, Weight, etc. Statutory Warnings moreover shapes portion of legitimate data, which is given by way of Names.
• Product Promotion: Labels moreover in some cases offer assistance in promoting the product, i.e. colorful and unique labels frequently get the attention of the buyers.

Whereas, there a several functions of packaging as follow:

• Protection: as you know, the fundamental function performed by packaging is protection. You are confused the reason for protection, for what? Here it is, it create protection against sun, rain, dampness, breakage, altering, contamination, harm, insect, etc. For example, you might have watched that snacks like chips, wafers, rolls, etc. continuously comes in hermetically sealed parcels, but why? Since, these can be ruined when they come in contact with the air.
• Product Identification: One more function performed by the packaging is that it makes a difference in identification, i.e. the producer of the item, and recognize between diverse items within the market. For example, one can effectively recognize a yellow parcel of noodles, that it is Maggi instead of others.
• Product Promotion: Now, the development of self-service retail stores pushes producers to offer the products in appealing packages, because it makes a difference in gaining the attention of the clients towards the product. It would not be doubt to say that packaging acts as a noiseless sales representative, particularly in departmental stores. Imaginative and inventive packaging regularly pulls in buyers and increments the sale.
• Quality and Quantity Estimation: Packaging regularly helps in valuing the quality and amount of the product. With the sort of packaging, one can effortlessly decide its quality, indeed without using the product. So also, with the measure of the packet, it is simpler to recognize the quantity.

Focus

The most objective of labeling is to deliver a brief exact description of the item to the customers, to promote the product as well. Then again, the main purpose of packaging is to provide protection, to encourage storage and transportation, and to boost the product. Besides, packaging concerns about the appearance of the product, i.e. it is more about the look and customer experience.

Design

In term of design, the labeling is ordinarily basic and formal, which is meant for clear communication of the message to the customer. In contrary, packaging is by far one of the major instruments of promoting. It plays a critical part in building a brand. Creative, imaginative and visually engaging plans for packaging are favored, which pulls in the customers.

In short, designing a proper labeling and packaging is not an easy mission. With thorough understanding the differences between labeling and packaging, you can draw a clearer path for your business growth. Packaging is the first task that every company spends a lot of money on to attract customers and build brand image. While labeling is a part of packaging and it contains all important information about product. If you can customize labeling and packaging gorgeously, they must the contributors to the rising sales and profit.

Your new product has been tested, retested, and is good to go. The next step is to think about how you want it to dress it up for your customers i.e., its packaging and the label. While the two are often lumped together, packaging design and label design actually have completely different end goals in mind. Read on to learn more about the differences between the two and the various considerations you need to make for each.

What is the Difference Between Packaging and Labeling?

The key difference between packaging and labeling is that the former’s primary function is to protect and preserve a product while the latter provides information about the product. 

The reason why they are often erroneously lumped together is because both packaging and labeling play an important role in branding. However, since their functions are completely different, the design process for the two varies too. We’ve discussed how label design differs from packaging design in detail below. 

• The Purpose

The main goal of packaging is to act as a container for a product and protect it. This means that packaging design needs to incorporate the form of the product – i.e., if it is a solid, liquid, or a gas, along with ease of use for customers. For example, toothpaste comes in a tube, making it easy for people to squeeze on to their toothbrushes. Packaging may or may not include text.

Labels on the other hand, are meant to educate. They inform buyers about the products they are buying including ingredient lists and allergens. They include information on your company, contact details, your brand logo, and a whole lot more. Labels, therefore, allow customers to make informed decisions about what they are purchasing. 

• Branding

Packaging is usually larger than the label and is designed to stand out on the shelf. Since packaging typically affords a larger space for design, packaging design can be bolder than label design.

Labels also play a role in promoting your company’s branding.  They include logos, your brand’s story, and more. Companies with sustainable initiatives also include this information on their labels to attract eco-conscious consumers.  

Labels also allow customers to instantly distinguish products from the same range. Clever label design may do this by subtly changing font colors or backgrounds. For example, a range of face washes may have the same packaging and backgrounds but have different colored lettering to let customers whether they contain strawberry, lavender, or green tea. 

In short, the packaging is what can first attract a customer to a product, but the labeling clinches the sale. 

• Materials

Packaging is meant to store and protect a product. This means that packaging design needs to include the right materials to store the product and protect it from damage. For example, cough syrups often need to be stored in dark glass bottles to protect them from sunlight. Packaging is typically made from a variety of materials like carboard, glass, plastic, aluminium, etc.

Labels on the other hand may be directly printed on to the packaging, may be glued on, or use heat to shrink them on to a container. You can read more about the various kinds of labels here.  Label design also needs to factor in how the product is to be stored and used – like will it be refrigerated, does it need to withstand hot temperatures, microwaves etc. Labels are often made from materials like plastic, metal, or paper. 

• Security

Packaging design needs to consider how a product is sealed from the elements. Some products may also need child-proof seals.

Labels are meant to protect your consumer and are governed by regulations and must include pertinent information to the product. For example, pharmaceutical products need to include dosage forms and methods of administration. This means that you really need to make clever use of your label real estate so that you can convey information necessary to remain compliant but also include marketing lore.

Additionally, labels may also include holograms or RFID codes so that customers can check that they are buying original products. 

Although there are similarities between packaging and labeling design as they are both important to branding and marketing products, the actual design process requires you to consider different factors in terms of functionality, text, regulatory compliances, and security.

Accent Label Automation offers a unique line of precision labeling equipment that streamlines your labeling processes to help you comply with regulations and promote your brand. 

Talk to us today for a consultation for all your labeling needs.