Over the last couple of decades, product labeling has come a long way from being used as a text space to something more meaningful for brand recognition. Amid all the advancement in labeling formats, one that has shown a promising growth in the recent years is the shrink sleeve label layout. Most of the brands these days prefer shrink sleeve printing, given its ability to provide 360 degree space which can be utilized flexibly to add captivating designs and product details in the most engaging manner.
However, shrink sleeves come at a price higher than that of other formats, and one has to take into account certain factors before zeroing on the type of label formatting you need for your product. Here are a few essential points to cover before opting for shrink sleeve label prints.
Shape of the product container
Rectangular, square and perfectly round containers are of the standard shape, without any contour or curves. Shrink sleeve labels are generally recommended for containers with uniquely contoured shape, since it’s difficult to get an appropriately sized label for irregular form. Given the flexibility of using shrink sleeves for all shapes and sizes, it can have a great impact on the quality of packaging.
The risk of going completely transparent
Shrink sleeve labels are clear films which expose the inside of your packaging; and one needs to consider whether that will be a very good choice for their business. Transparent packaging may look attractive at first glance, but it may also emphasize discrepancies in your product. Few things like bubble appearance in cosmetic products or non-uniformity in food items may not look very good from the outside.
Lesser room for complex graphics
As long as you keep the graphics precise and simple, there is a lower chance of cumulating errors in shrink sleeve printing. Too much detailing can be annoying for the buyer, and may give a bad impression about the product. If you are opting for shrink sleeve labels, make sure to avoid complex geometrical shape, intricate graphics and realistic pictorial scenes, as that will do you more harm than good.
Higher cost of labeling
This is one of the most important factors to consider if you are looking to manage your inventory in the best possible way, with budget constraints. You may get the base material at a lower cost, but printing shrink sleeve labels is an expensive affair. Not only does it increase the cost of labeling, but also the overall production cost of item. If not for all, you can choose this type of labeling for a few items and see if that works out!
Tamper-evident advantage
Products such as soft drinks, fruit juices or mineral water packaged in bottles make use of shrink sleeves, since they are opened from the top, and they require tamper-evident packaging, which can only be provided by shrink sleeves water bottle labels.
Shrink sleeve printing may be the recent trend in displaying product information more efficiently, but it may just not be the ideal technology for your brand. It’s always better to consult our customer executives at Cut Sheet Labels, before arriving at a conclusion.
