Labeling trends, especially when it comes to the food market, tend to change every now and then to attract a specific target audience or changing lifestyles. In this post we will look at key labeling trends that will impact and dominate the food market in 2019. So, as a food producer, what should you be on the lookout for to create food labels that will stand out?
Digital Printing
As a business owner, you need to be responding to the market demand for more personalization and customization and invest in a tool set to make this possible. In 2018, we saw new narrow web digital press installations that are slowly phasing out flexo presses. More and more businesses, both small and big, are using digital printing for their custom label needs. Digital printing brings out clear, crisp labels that are way more attractive than conventional presses. Investing in digital label printers saves a company a lot of money by reducing label waste and cost of production.
Transparency And Clean Labels
Complete transparency and food traceability have become more important than ever for consumers. In 2019, expect to see labeling designs that enlighten the purchase decisions of consumers with designs elements to help customers focus on the qualities of a product and easy to understand messaging. According to a recent study, half of total consumers today take time to scan food labels to learn more about food products. One program that is helping to meet that need is the use of QR code labels. Each product with a QR label has a specific landing page that contains detailed information on the product’s attributes and ingredients. This forum allows consumers to learn more about the provenance of fresh produce.
Custom Label Dominates
According to a marketing research that was conducted recently, store brands are becoming more popular than national brands. The research showed that three-quarter of consumers plan to buy from private brands more in the next several months. This means that lower-earning shoppers and millennials will buy more store brands during the coming year. What does this mean? As a food producer, you need to create customized food labels that will increase the consumers’ comfort level by designing labels that they can relate to.
Bold Colors And Effects
With increasing competition, both private brands and national brands are looking for unique ways to differentiate their products on the store shelves. Unique finishes, intense solids and vibrant colors help promotional labels stand out. In 2019, expect to see an increasing use of embellishment options like soft touch finishes, special varnishes, foils and more. As a business owner, you need to continue investing in knowledge and tools necessary to deliver these embellishments and come up with creative ideas for your food labels.
Growth In Flexible Packaging
Even as you work towards upgrading your labels, you also need to consider your food packaging. The two go hand in hand. Flexible packaging is growing faster than any other packaging format due to its sustainability, functionality, convenience and premium branding. As a brand owner, you need to adopt this packaging design for your food products to provide greater shelf appeal. Flexible packaging also provides use of less material for shipping efficiency, extends product life, easy to carry, easy to open and reseal and is easy to store.
