Top Trends for 2016.
2016 sees quite a few exciting trends for product labels and designs. Below we have a look at the top 5 Label Trends for 2016.
Product Label Trends
1. Clear Labelling
Clear labels don’t mean physically transparent labels, although some brands do like letting the colour of the product show through. It means instead, simplifying the ingredient list and clarifying with full transparency what the customer is buying on the label.
This is especially important for food and beverage products, and personal care products. Consumers want to exactly what they’re putting into or onto their bodies. With the nutritional facts labels changing soon to give more transparency to what’s inside, label designers are following suit. Instead of using jargon to attract attention, designers are using clearer language and design to show consumers exactly what they will get when they buy the product.
2. Smart Labels
By smart labels we’re not referring to cleverly designed labels but rather the use of mobile technology together with labels. This year, more packages will use mobile technology to reach out to customers while they walk by their products on the shelves.
Read more: 7 Label Design Trends 2017
In the past, mobile technology on a label has meant QR or text codes. Although these are still popular, they’re quickly becoming outdated. Instead, many manufacturers are turning toward near-field communication (NFC) and Bluetooth low-energy (BLE). This US trends is not yet available in South Africa, however we are not far behind. These labels are known as “smart labels” because they provide brands with a wealth of information. For example, they don’t need to be scanned. Instead, they are automatically readable by using an app embedded on smartphones. All the customer has to do is tap and activate the content.
3. The Second Shelf
Ultimately, your customer isn’t only deciding whether or not to pick your product up off the shelf. They’re also trying to decide if they will want to put your product on their shelf at home.
More designers are paying attention to how products look on the shelf where they’re stored in the home. The idea is to turn product packaging into a statement piece in the home. For example, chocolate bars designed with handwritten packaging to be on display or hand soap bottles matching a bathrooms décor.
By creating a design that makes the customer look good by having it on their shelf, you make your product more attractive.
4. Personalisation
Personalized labels really came to light when Coca-Cola started their campaign, “Share a Coke” with individual names.
The reason for this personalization is clear, more brands are seeing products fly off the shelves when attaching names and titles to their products. This is because consumers can relate to the product being sold, making it more appealing.
The trend is set to continue, which has helped make the way for improved digital printing.
Label printers are starting to use the lessons learned from the personalizing trend sparked last year to create more cost-effective printing options. Mainstream package decorations are getting to market faster, which means manufacturers are able to sell their goods to consumers faster and for more affordable pricing.
5. Simplicity
In a world where consumers are less than trusting of marketers, brands are swapping out creative sales tactics with clear approaches. This extends onto the label design too. Instead of leaving a product’s purpose to the imagination, brands are using a more minimalistic design to point out just the essentials.
So there you have them, top Label Trends for 2016. Are you going to implement any of these for your next product? Drop us a mail and let us know marketing@rebsons.co.za
