Wrap around labels are designed to wrap all the way around a container. Wrap around labels are very common in the packaging industry, but especially for round containers like bottles and jars. They offer increased branding space, wide area coverage, and cost savings compared to other packaging formats, such as shrink sleeves. Wrap around label markets include cosmetics, supplements, CBD, food/beverage, pet products, etc.
Key Benefits of Wrap Around Labels
Cost Savings
One benefit of wrap around labels is that they’re cheaper than other packaging solutions like shrink sleeves. Since they only cover a percentage of the total packaging surface, they are cheaper than other solutions that cover the entirety of the container. Less material used means a lower price for the buyer.
Environmentally-Friendly
Wrap around labels can be an environmentally-friendly option. There are many environmentally conscious material options, such as kraft, TerraSkin®, and Avon Classic Crest.® Using paper-based packaging materials reduces the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills.
Breaks Up Information Easily
Wrap around label artwork can be built so that text or graphics are oriented on specific parts of the container. For example, if you need artwork to appear centered on each panel of a container, you can orient the artwork at set intervals to wrap around the desired parts of the package. This allows label application in a single step, rather than using multiple labels on the same container.
Wide Area Coverage
Wrap around labels can be made to cover almost all of a container, if desired. Many labels extend over a fractional percentage of the packaging, allowing the container or product to be shown in part. This kind of label would be advantageous if you have a clear jar, for example, as opposed to a shrink sleeve that would obscure any view of the product itself from the outside.
Materials and Finishes for Wrap Around Labels
Many kinds of materials are effective for wrap around labels. Vinyl, metallic plastic, holographic plastic, clear or ultra-clear plastic, can be great options. Something to consider, especially for containers that aren’t round, is whether the label will need to wrap around corners. Some materials may wear down when placed over sharp corners (due to their composition). You would likely want to use stronger materials (such as vinyl or plastic) with sharp corners. Another factor to consider when choosing material is how frequently the container will be handled—scuffing and fading may occur on certain labels that are handled often. For example, if you are applying a label to a shampoo bottle, you need to choose a water and oil-resistant material since it will live in a damp environment and may be handled daily or multiple times a week. Opting for a good laminate adds protection for your label artwork, too.
Design Considerations for Wrap Around Labels
Managing Seams and Overlaps
When wrapping labels around multiple sides of a container (specifically with sharp corners), take precise measurements to ensure the right information ends up in the right spot on the container (for example, centered on each side panel). It’s also best practice to avoid adding text on areas that will go over an edge—this will affect legibility and could cause cracking of the ink.
Typography and Legibility on Curved Surfaces
Consider how wide your round container is when viewed in one direction. You wouldn’t want a brand logo or product name that cannot be fully seen from one side. Consider this when making design choices.
Label Markets and Applications for Wrap Around Labels
Food and Beverage
Food labels, such as this hot sauce, benefit well from a wrap-around label style. This kind of label allows for branding and identifying product info on the front, Nutrition Facts/ingredients on one side, and a UPC and manufacturing info on the other. This is a common format for food or supplement label design.
Health & Beauty/Cosmetics
The cosmetic industry is a perfect market for wraparound labels—small jars, dropper bottles, or spray bottles, etc. Small jars/tubs, such as the one from The Yellow Bird here, utilize wrap around labels well and maximize the labeling space on a small, short container. The brand name and product name as well as the net weight as present on the front, with the directions, usage, and ingredients distributed on the sides and back.
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