Retail products

Manufactured goods

E-commerce packaging

Food and drink packaging

Branded commercial products

Product labels have to work with the packaging as well as the artwork. Bottles, jars, cartons, tubs, pouches and other packs can present different surfaces, curves and application areas. The available space may also have to accommodate branding, product information, barcodes, batch details, instructions or customer-approved regulatory information.

S L Conyers manufactures custom product labels around the physical product and the way the label will be applied. Size, shape, material, adhesive, colour and finish can be considered together so the label supports both presentation and day-to-day handling.

Retail product labels often carry a large part of the visual identity of the product. Consistent colours, readable typography, clear hierarchy and repeatable artwork help products look professional across different pack sizes and variants. Where a range uses several designs, controlling artwork references and approved versions is important so old files do not return accidentally on repeat orders.

The label also needs to remain practical. A highly decorative finish is of limited value if the adhesive is unsuitable for the packaging surface or the material marks too easily during handling. A good specification balances visual requirements with the real conditions in which the product will be filled, packed, stored, transported and sold.

Custom product labels can combine fixed branding with changing information such as barcodes, batch references, product codes, dates or serial data. Where variable information is required, the data format and production workflow should be agreed early so enough space is allowed in the design and the final information remains readable.

For barcode applications, the code size, contrast and clear area around the symbol affect scanning. Human-readable references can also be printed alongside the code so staff can identify the product even when a scanner is not available.

Not every product needs the same label construction. Some packs remain dry and protected indoors, while others may encounter refrigeration, moisture, repeated handling or longer storage periods. These conditions influence the choice of face material, adhesive and any protective finish.

Where greater resistance is required, synthetic materials or alternative adhesives may be considered. The packaging surface itself is also important: glass, card and different plastics can require different approaches. For a new or difficult surface, testing can provide useful reassurance before a larger quantity is ordered.

The most suitable production route can vary with quantity, colours, artwork, variable data and how frequently the design changes. Digital production can provide flexibility for shorter quantities and changing designs, while other printing methods can be efficient for established repeat work. The aim is to choose a route that supports the required quality without making future repeat orders unnecessarily complicated.

Once a product label has been approved, keeping the dimensions, material, adhesive, artwork version and production details on record makes future ordering easier. Customers can then request repeat batches with confidence or identify exactly what needs to change when a product, barcode or design is updated.

Custom sizes and shapes

Roll or sheet formats

Brand colours and artwork

Barcode and batch information

Durable or moisture-resistant materials

Explore related label services and guidance: Chemical Labels, Barcode Labels, Safety & Warning Labels, Label Knowledge Base.