Branding is a crucial process for all businesses. Your brand should ideally stand out from the crowd, which means that you need to invest money and time into research and planning for its development. You can start by discussing your ideas with your business partners, family, friends, or industry experts.
For start-ups, funds can be tight, and working with a branding agency might not be on your agenda. However, using a third-party expert or consultant to build your brand is one of the most effective ways of coming up with a brand that stands out and works.
Your brand is the most powerful and valuable aspect of your business, invest in it.
Hiring a local branding agency is probably the more convenient option, not to mention the more cost-effective alternative. It will allow for more face-to-face meetings to discuss your product. This first-hand interaction with a third-party consultant is invaluable when it comes to the development of your brand, and it’s crucial to communicate your exact goals and objectives. If you already have a clear idea of what you want regarding branding and labelling, you can then contact a printing solution company such as Label Solutions.
Similarly, you have to be clear about the things you don’t want from the beginning so that you avoid having to change things later on. Local agencies might offer cheaper deals and may be persuaded to work for a smaller payment, at least initially, with the hopes of getting a larger payment when your business takes off. Ensure that you shop around and get quotes from different agencies before you decide on one.
Packaging
Packaging can easily get complicated, requiring a lot of research, thought, and planning. Be sure to think about the target retailers and how they will be displaying your product, keeping in mind that they will likely want it to occupy as little space as possible in their store. Shape and size are paramount, and so it the positioning of the labels and handles.
Get some boxes mocked up before you order thousands of them. This will let you assess the packaging properly. Such mock-ups can even be shown to buyers who will give you honest feedback on what should change, and give insights on what works best.
Getting the branding part right is vital, as the packaging is one of the most important tools when it comes to generating sales. Why? It’s the first thing your potential customers see. A local printing shop can help you with the creation of packaging and labels, possibly at a much lower cost compared to large printing companies.
It’s worth noting that the costs will vary based on the size of your order, and if you only need a few prototypes, bulk buying discounts might not be available. It might also be worth approaching a smaller design agency to help as they will likely have a whole list of contacts in the field.
Labelling
As you decide on the labels for your product, you should at least do some basic market research. Check what your competitors and other products on the market are doing and try to gauge what works and what doesn’t. Businesses often underestimate the significance of labels and the effect they have on sales. Make sure the label you go for is the ideal choice for your product, keeping in mind that last-minute changes could be costly.
The label should ideally reflect your brand and your proposition. Having a simple and clear label can help your product stand out from the rest of the products on the shelf, which is your ultimate aim as most shoppers just don’t have as much time to browse.
There are also legal requirements to keep in mind, including listing the ingredients for food or cosmetic products, as well as the use-by date or the period after the opening date. Don’t forget to leave a space for a barcode, and you might also want to add a Euro hook in case you intend to sell anywhere else in Europe.