labels-artwork Label Feedback

[Bandidas]

Hey y’all,

April here. Just applied for my LLC last week, signing agreement for a commercial kitchen this week, and getting a bunch of other legal things in order this month before starting production next month. I’ve been hard at work redesigning my whole brand and wanted to share what I’ve come up with. I’m open to any feedback regarding compliance, clarity, and appeal.

A few notes before sharing:

• There are some placeholders on the right. Nutritional facts, contact info, and manufacturer info will be updated before production begins.
• The weight will be updated as well after testing
• This will be a 3x5 in label
• I do not intend on leaving space for a UPC. I do not plan on going into retail and want to stick with direct to consumer sales.
• My company’s focus is small batch fruity hot sauce. The brand’s vibe is sweet, spicy, fun, dangerous, sexy, and witty.
• When they’re all together, they form a rainbow that isn’t just pretty and fun to look at, but the colors also act as a heat scale where the cooler colors are milder and they get hotter as the colors get warmer.

Ok, now with all of that out of the way, here’s what I’ve been working on…

I appreciate any feedback. Thank you for taking the time to check out my brand

 

[The Hot Pepper]

Do you have to list what kind of "acid" is in the mash?

Looks good.

Not sure about the different font for Bandidas on the back, I might take your main font and carry it over. Adds to the brand/story. "Presents" would look good different font as well, maybe like an old Wanted poster font or script.

Also you could tell us more about it on the back. Looks like you spaced out a few sections to highlight, but some don't need to be highlighted. The bold headers with text under in sections would signify you are excited to list something. But refrigerate after opening is not exciting. Neither is the separation part. This should all be together in a small font. Then showcase what is good about your sauce above it and tell us your story or the fictional story of Bandidas and the logo character.

Shake well, separation is normal. Refrigerate after opening.

 

[salsalady]

Nice looking labels and the sauces sound good. Just a couple typo items-
Verde- cilantro (comma) lime,
Is the lemon or lime juice bottled with sub-ingredients?

I wouldn't put the Mfg and Best By dates on the label. First, you are dictating the info must be stickered or hand written on that exact spot. Since I am inherently lazy, that seems like a lot of fussy work to hand write or get a sticker on that exact spot. Also, I don't think customers need information on the Mfg date. Whether you put the BestBy date 24 or 36 months out, the less the customer knows the better. I have to have a batch number for production records and tracking in case of a recall. Your BestBy date can serve as the batch number as long as you keep records. You could also add one other number if doing multiple batches on a production day.

I use these labels with a Monarch label gun. It is waaay faster, can be stuck anywhere on the bottle without having to align it exactly on the corner of the label.

I suggest using the BestBy instead of UseBy. "Use By" indicates it is not safe for consumption after the date. "Best By" means it is OK to eat, but may have some degredation in color, texture or something. Lemon Juice pretty much doesn't expire, but after a few years it turns dark and is not as nice to look at.

Nice looking line up and glad to see you are getting all the details done to get your sauce out there.

Keep us posted and Have Fun!
salsalady

 

[salsalady]

If you get to the point of wanting UPC bar codes, you can have them printed on small 3/4"x1"add on stickers. I don't have UPCs incorporated into any of the hot sauce labels, only on the salsa labels. Our local store just recently changed ownership and I now have to have UPCs on all the different sauces. I kinda skirted the regs in that 'technically' each flavor of salsa is supposed to have it's own UPC. Mild, Medium, Hot, Scorcher. I just use one UPC on all the flavors as they are all the same price. Also, the store doesn't call me up and order more Medium and more Hot. I make the batches, deliver it, take care of stocking.

I do the same thing for all the bottled hot sauces. One UPC for 4-5 sauces. All the same price.

Also, some regs may have changed, but Nutritional Information is NOT legally required if under a certain size production. May be required for sales over state lines, but not for in-state and at local markets. And the same for UPCs. Not legally required, but some distributors or stores may require a UPC for acceptance to their store. It has to do with the checkers not having to key in the price by hand. Faster with the barcode and less chance of human error keying in the wrong price.


Side note- One of the national BBQ contests requires the sauces to have a UPC to be accepted into the contest. Which makes absolutely no sense if they are trying to keep the entries as approved sauces. Anyone can buy a couple bar codes, print them and a label out, slap it on a bottle and send it in to the contest. In No Way does a bar code ensure a properly licensed PA approved sauce. grindsmygears.....



OK, back on topic....
SL

 

[The Hot Pepper]

Since you are circling the heat scale mark instead of using a red bar/thermometer, how about a lasso? Or make the circle yellow/gold (the hoop earring color) so it is better seen. Also HOT is in caps, Mild not but I assume that's by design. Makes sense but an exclamation after HOT! would drive it home.

You need a little instagram icon by the username, don't assume people know what site uses the @.
Not sure you need a hashtag?

"Made" & Bottled in could be Crafted & Bottled in. Small change but helps with the perceived value of it being more of a craft sauce.

 

[The Hot Pepper]

One more small nit pick, looks like the bandana matches the label color except the red one looks darker.

 

[salsalady]

When first looking at the HOT label and scrolling down, it took a couple of looks to realize the circle was the indicator. A lasso like Boss suggested might help. Maybe have the rope tail on the left, right, top, bottom, tilted a little one way or the other...or keep them all the same? You'd have to do a mock up to see what looks better and catches the eye. Having the circle the same color as the scale probably didn't help to see it was the indicator. A different color (brown? like a rope?) would help separate it from the scale. Another idea would be to make the circle look like a hand drawn circle. The ends don't connect, one end is tapered like a painted or felt pen.

I also like the suggestion of using the same 'old west' font for Bandidas on the side panel.

Is there something super special about 'made and bottled in Wash DC'? That information can be seen in the Contact Info/Address area. Most states have some"Made In..." programs for local producers. If you have to have the' Made In' logo on the label to get into certain Local Only stores, it might be worth it to include on the label. If not, that area could be used for a 'Romance' panel with suggested uses and flavor descriptions. Reinforce the heat level.