Choosing the right colors for your product labels can be a daunting task. There are so many factors to consider; the function of the label, the color of your surface audience and the look of the product. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll give you five expert tips for selecting the right colors for your own custom labels. So read on and get started!
1. Consider the color of your surface
When it comes to selecting the right color for your product labels, the surface you are working with is an important consideration. The color of the substrate you’re printing on can impact how vivid or muted your colors appear, so it’s essential to think through the overall look before you start designing. Depending on the material, darker colors may be more vibrant than lighter ones, or vice versa.
2. What material are you working with?
The type of material you’re printing on will also affect the way your colors appear. For example, printing color directly onto clear labels will result in a fantastic stained-glass look. In fact, many effect materials will generate a similar result. If you want your colors to appear opaquely instead, ask your sticker printer to add white behind your colors.
3. Think about the overall look you want to create
Before selecting colors, it’s helpful to think through the overall look and feel you want your product labels to convey. Will they be vibrant and eye-catching or subtle and muted? You can use color theory to identify the appropriate colors, such as warm colors for a natural look or cool colors for an industrial feel. For inspiration, type in “product labelling” in Unsplash.
4. Make sure to design in CMYK
When creating your artwork, make sure to design and export it in CMYK. This is the color gamut used by printers and stands for cyan, magenta, yellow and black. This ensures that the colors you see on screen will be the same as those that appear when printed. Keep in mind that certain shades may not print accurately if you submit your design in RGB instead.
5. Get some custom samples printed
Before printing a large run of die cut labels, you should always get some custom samples printed to ensure that the colors appear as expected. This will allow you to make any necessary adjustments before committing to a final design. It’s also a great way to get feedback from potential customers and test the marketability of different color combinations.
Now that you know the five expert tips for choosing the right colors for your product labels, it’s time to get started! Take some time to think through the overall look and feel you want to create, then design your artwork in CMYK. Once you’re happy with the results, get some custom samples printed and see how they look on different surfaces. If everything looks good, go ahead and print a large run of labels!