You might not give much thought to the labels on your favorite craft beers, but the truth is that a lot of work goes into their design. Every element is carefully considered, from the overall look to the minor details. In this article, we will take a look at the science, art and custom name labels design.
What Beer Buyers Consider Important on a Label
The science of designing beer labels starts with understanding the consumer. Who is buying this beer? What do they like? What will catch their eye on the shelf? Once these questions are answered, the designers can start to play around with ideas.
Nielsen’s Craft Beer Category Design Audit looked at what beer buyers consider essential on a label. The three most important factors are:
1. The name of the beer: This is often the first thing a beer drinker will see, so it’s essential to make sure the name is eye-catching and read. It should also be unique enough to stand out from other brands on the shelf.
2. The style of the beer: The type of beer can be conveyed through graphics, colors, and fonts. For example, a stout beer might have darker colors and a heavier font, while a lighter beer like a pilsner might have brighter colors and a more playful font.
3. The brewery name: The brewery name is essential for two reasons. First, it helps to build brand recognition. Second, it tells the drinker where the beer comes from. If the brewery is local, that can be a selling point for many beer drinkers.
Other important factors include:
4. Graphics that indicate taste or flavor profile: This is often done with illustrations or photos. For example, a beer with citrusy flavors might have a label with lemons and limes, while a chocolate stout might have a label with chocolate chips or cocoa beans.
5. ABV (Alcohol by Volume): The ABV is required by law to be listed on all beer labels, so it’s essential to make sure it’s easy to find. Many designers place it in a small box in the corner of the label.
6. IBU (International Bitterness Units): The IBU measures the bitterness in a beer. It’s not required to be listed on the label, but many craft breweries choose to do so.
7. Serving suggestions: This is usually listed in small print on the back of the label. It includes what temperature to serve the beer at and what type of glass to use.
8. Gluten-free/vegan/organic claims: Many beer drinkers are interested in knowing if a beer is gluten-free, vegan, or organic. If your beer meets any of these criteria, list it on the label.
9. Awards or medals won: If your beer has won any awards, list them on the label. This is a great way to build credibility and attract attention.
10. Special brewing process information: This is usually listed in small print on the back of the label. It might include information about the ingredients used or the brewing process itself.
Designing Your Craft Beer Label
1. Start by brainstorming some ideas for the name of your beer. Think about what would catch someone’s eye on the shelf.
2. Once you have a few ideas for the name, start thinking about the overall look of the label. For example, what colors do you want to use? What type of font? What kinds of graphics or illustrations?
3. Once you have a general design idea, start thinking about the details. For example, where will you place the ABV? The IBU? The serving suggestions?
4. Once you have all the details worked out, it’s time to start designing! If you’re not a designer, you can hire someone to help you create the perfect label for your beer.
5. Once your label is designed, it’s time to start thinking about production. First, you’ll need a printer that can produce your labels in the quantities you need.
6. Finally, once your labels are printed, it’s time to apply them to your bottles or cans and get them ready for sale!
Designing your beer label is a great way to make your beer stand out from the competition. By following these simple tips, you can create an eye-catching, unique, and informative label.
Types of Craft Beer Labels
You might not think that there’s much to a beer label. But, believe it or not, whole teams of people spend hours upon hours designing them. And each label has its own unique purpose. Here are five of the most common types of beer labels:
The Brewery-Forward Beer Label: As its name suggests, this type of label is all about the brewery. The focus is on branding and creating a recognizable and iconic label. Think big names like Budweiser or Miller.
The Beer Style-Forward Beer Label: This label is less about the brewery and more about the beer itself. The goal is to create a label that accurately reflects the beer style inside the bottle. For example, a label for an IPA would be very different from a stout label.
The Name-Forward Beer Label: As you might guess, this label focuses on the beer’s name. The goal is to create a name that is catchy, memorable, and reflects the beer’s style. So, for example, you might see a name like “Hoppy Topper” or “Citra Slammer” on this label.
The Artwork-Forward Beer Label: This type of label is all about the artwork. The goal is to create a label that is eye-catching and memorable. Often, these labels are designed by well-known artists or illustrators.
What We Do?
At Bottle Your Brand, we specialize in helping create custom labels that perfectly reflect their brand. We offer a wide range of label materials, sizes, and shapes. And our team of designers can help you create a truly unique label. If you’re interested in creating custom labels for your craft beer, we would be more than happy to help. So contact us today to get started!
