Top Labeling Mistakes to Avoid

Proper labeling is critical to a business’ efficiency. It doesn’t matter how great a product looks or how much advertising you put into your brand name. If your basic labeling isn’t done properly, you’re setting your company up for a potential disaster. Businesses require the proper type of basic labeling for identification purposes, organizational purposes, inventory scanning and more. While customers receiving the goods may not concern themselves too much with this process, these kinds of labels are critical to getting products where they need to go.  They must also stay readable, despite exposure to elements and providing the correct, detailed information. Don’t overlook the importance of proper labeling, since mistakes with labeling can often lead to lost product, disorganization (including poor customer service) and safety hazards. Companies should be diligent with their labeling processes, ensuring that this part of operations continues to function smoothly. The following are the top labeling mistakes to avoid, to ensure that your business has an efficient labeling process.

Avoid Spelling or Barcode Mistakes

Once you’ve set your printer to make tens of thousands of labels, tags or barcodes, you will want to double-check and even triple-check for any kind of discrepancies or spelling errors. The importance of proper barcodes and labels is undeniable, and there is nothing more frustrating than putting time and money into printing thousands of labels that are rendered useless because of one wrong letter or line. Not only can small mistakes stop your production line, costing you money, but re-printing means additional time spent correcting the problems, something that could have been avoided by planning more carefully. Have an employee double-check or spot-check all the labels prepped for printing before approving the start of production.

Using Direct Thermal Labels That Will Be Exposed to Sun and Heat

Direct thermal labels are ideal for a variety of needs, and many companies rely on them for labels that only require a short shelf life. However, it’s important to note that direct thermal labels are not ideal for any job that includes exposure to sun and heat. For any kind of job that will include exposure to outdoor elements or high temperatures, thermal transfer labels are the ideal candidate. It is not worth it to chance using direct thermal labels, as they will likely wear quickly when exposed to the elements. While it might seem cost-effective initially, this labeling mistake often results in labels that are worn down, hard to read or non-existent after their exposure, resulting in costly operational mistakes. For companies who will likely require both short-term and long-lasting labels, it’s a better idea to invest in a Thermal Transfer Printer, which can meet the needs of both kinds of labels to save businesses time and money in the long run.

Clear and Readable Design

You must have a label design that is clear and easy to read. You want to highlight your brand as much as possible. Every package should look the same with the same brand message or symbol. Color management is an important part of this process. Ensure the colors remain consistent and clear. Watch out for blurry images. A bad printer, faulty plate or a file error often cause indistinct images to print. Make sure the label is the right size and does not have too much information.

Materials

Use the correct materials. Choose your BOPP, biaxially oriented polypropylene, material or paper wisely. If you expose your labels to extreme heat or cold, wet environments or freezing conditions, choose your material and adhesive accordingly.

Application

Pay careful attention to the application process. Apply your labels carefully. This is especially critical if a bar code is used and will be scanned.

Conclusion

Labeling is very important, and making mistakes with your labels can be detrimental to your business’ success. These common labeling mistakes should be avoided to ensure that your labels can do their jobs properly and efficiently. Be sure to cover all your business’ potential needs ahead of time so that you know exactly what kinds of labeling requirements you’ll have and what type of equipment and materials are best for the job.