This article provides a step-by-step guide to bottle labeling, including tips and tricks to make your labels look attractive on the shelf. In addition, you’ll learn how to prepare the bottle for application and avoid extremes in temperature and humidity. Finally, we’ll walk you through the steps of hand-applying a label. You can follow this step-by-step guide will make the entire process simple and stress-free, or you may contact bottle and labeling services instead.

Label Design

A great label will draw attention and convey a strong sense of your brand identity. A good label communicates this story through color, typography, and other design elements. Use these techniques to create a bottle label that is eye-catching and memorable. 

Clean bottle surface

To apply labels to bottles, you need to prepare the surface first. Clean surfaces are the best for label adhesion. The flatter the surface, the better. Generally, labels stick better to a smooth and clean surface than a greasy or damp one. You can also use a piece of paper to measure your bottle size. If you have a bottle with a rounded shape, you may find it challenging to apply a label. 

Before you start, clean the area to be labeled. Ensure the bottle is at room temperature and free of dust and oil. Next, apply the label to the bottle using a clean, dry hand. Hold the bottle sideways on the work surface and apply the label from top to bottom, smoothing the side edge with your fingers. Then, repeat for the remaining bottles. Applying the labels by hand is easier than you might think.

Avoid extreme temperatures and humidity

Avoiding extreme temperatures and humidity when labeling your bottles is essential to the life of your labels. Excessive heat and moisture can damage your labels, so you should always store them in climate-controlled locations. If you can’t find a climate-controlled warehouse, you can purchase a shrink-wrapped label to protect them during transportation. And when you do get a shrink-wrapped label, make sure it’s airtight.

Machine labeling

There are several advantages of labeling a bottle with a machine over applying it manually. Although the latter is slower, it is still adequate. In addition, a flat surface ensures that the label will stick properly to the bottle, whereas a grubby or wet surface is less likely to stick. Machines can reduce these problems. 

Use transfer tape

There are many different household items that you can label using transfer tape. Its versatility is unmatched in the home labeling industry. Transfer tapes come in light and dark colors and can be used on a variety of household items. When choosing a transfer tape, ensure the label is clean and dry. Grease or moisture on the bottle can cause the adhesive to break down; you don’t want that.

Application of a shrink sleeve

Applying a shrink sleeve to a bottle or can is a popular method of labeling food and beverages. The benefits of shrink sleeve labels include 360-degree design flexibility and tamper-evident functionality. The pet care industry has also embraced shrink sleeves, utilizing them for shampoos, snacks, and other product containers. Tamper-resistance, easy branding, and shrink sleeves can conform to almost any shape, and size, making shrink sleeve labels a popular choice for these companies.

Application of a plastic film pressure-sensitive label

Among bottle manufacturers’ most significant concerns is the waste generated by applying plastic film pressure-sensitive labels. This is due to the release liner used for almost all types of labels. This material must be collected after label application and disposed of properly. Some regions have even introduced legislation regarding this waste. In addition to environmental concerns, pressure-sensitive labels also incur high costs.