Packaging and labels
Product label design
A product label often has less space than any other piece of packaging, yet it may need to carry the brand, the product name, a reason to buy and a list of mandatory information. Label design is the craft of fitting all that into a small area without it becoming cramped or unreadable. Many products split the job between a front label for attention and a back label for detail. Legibility matters for practical and legal reasons: GOV.UK food labelling guidance sets a minimum text height for mandatory information, and cosmetics labels have their own list of required details. The label material, finish and printer's specification shape what is possible.
This page covers space, front and back labels, mandatory content, legibility, materials and working with label printers. LetGetGrow designs packaging and labels and can include printing and box or pouch manufacture through suitable production partners, with specifications, quantities, production arrangements, delivery locations, costs and timelines agreed in the quotation.
Illustrative diagram
- Brand — clear at a glance
- Product name — what it is
- Key benefit — variant or reason to buy
- Information panel — ingredients, use, warnings
- Business details — name and address
- Batch and date area — space for variable data
Front and back labels
| Label | Typical content |
|---|---|
| Front | Brand, product name, key benefit or variant |
| Back | Description, use, ingredients, warnings |
| Back or side | Business details, batch, dates, barcode |
| Either, as required | Quantity, symbols, recycling information |
Mandatory content
What must appear depends on the product. GOV.UK food labelling guidance lists items such as the name of the food, ingredients with allergens emphasised, net quantity, a date mark and a business name and address. GOV.UK cosmetics guidance lists the Responsible Person's name and address, the weight or volume, the date it can be used until, precautions, a batch number, what the product does and the ingredients. The brand supplies and checks this content; the designer makes sure it fits and reads clearly.
Legibility
GOV.UK food labelling guidance sets a minimum x-height of 1.2mm for mandatory information, or 0.9mm where the largest surface is under 80 square centimetres. Even where no minimum applies, small text on a busy background is hard to read. Use strong contrast, simple fonts for information panels and avoid placing text over patterns or photographs.
Designing a label
Measure
Container and label size.
Output: Label dimensions
Content
All text, checked by you.
Output: Final copy
Design
Front and back together.
Output: Approved layout
Artwork
To printer's template.
Output: Print-ready files
Test
Printed sample on the product.
Output: Sign-off
Example: a jar label for honey
Illustrative example — not a client case study
Situation: A beekeeper needs labels for 340g jars.
- The front label shows the brand, 'Wildflower Honey' and the apiary location; the back carries the business address, net weight and best before date area.
- Text is checked against the minimum height for the label's size, with plain fonts on a light background.
- A printed sample is applied to a filled jar to check fit and readability.
What this shows: The label fitted the jar and read clearly. This example is illustrative.
Label design checks
Content
- All mandatory text supplied and checked
- Claims supportable
Legibility
- Minimum text height met where required
- Strong contrast
Production
- Printer's template used
- Sample tested on the product
Materials and finishes
Paper, film, clear and metallic labels behave differently. Products kept in fridges, bathrooms or kitchens may need water-resistant materials. Discuss materials and finishes with your printer before designing, since a clear label or a foil effect changes how colours and text need to be set up.
Variable information
Batch numbers and dates often change with each production run. Leave a clear space for them, and agree with your printer or packer how they will be added.
Container shape
Labels on jars, tins and tubs face fewer problems than those on tapered or curved containers, where flat artwork can distort when applied. Measure the area where the label will sit, check whether it tapers, and ask the printer for a template that accounts for the shape. Keep important text away from edges and seams, where it may wrinkle or be hidden.
Labels for a range
When several products share a design, keep the layout the same and change only colour, illustration or variant name. Customers learn to recognise the range, and adding a new product later takes less design time. A shared back label template keeps mandatory information in the same place on every product.
Questions about product label design
What must a product label show?
It depends on the product; GOV.UK lists requirements for food and cosmetics.
Is there a minimum text size?
For food, GOV.UK sets a minimum x-height of 1.2mm, or 0.9mm for small packs.
Should we use front and back labels?
Often, to separate attention from detail.
Who checks the content for product label design?
The brand, with an adviser if needed.
Which material should we use for product label design?
Discuss with your printer, considering where the product is kept.
How do we add batch numbers?
Leave space and agree the method with your printer.
Sources referenced
Platform features, guidance and rules change. We check the current versions before committing to an approach. This page is general information, not legal advice.
- GOV.UK: Packaging and labelling (food) (opens in a new tab) — reviewed 2026-10-31
- GOV.UK: Making cosmetic products available in Great Britain (opens in a new tab) — reviewed 2026-10-31
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