Make Them Reach.
Make Them Remember.
It’s not just a label – it’s a split-second decision in your favor.
LABEL DESIGN
Most labels merely inform. The great ones transform. We craft labels that turn ordinary containers into objects of desire and browsers into customers. Your label competes with every visual message bombarding consumers daily. We design with this reality in mind, creating labels that stop eyes, engage minds, and open wallets. Our approach balances legal requirements with creative opportunity. We understand the alchemy where typography, color, and material create something greater than their sum. In a marketplace of split-second decisions, your label isn't decoration - it's your hardest-working salesperson.
Services
- Package Design
- Label Design
- Logo Design
- Brand Guidelines
- Romance Copy
- Custom Illustration
- 3D Mockups
- Package Testing
- Sales Materials
- POP Displays
- Trade Show Displays
- Regulatory Compliance
- Packaging Refresh
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the essential components of a compliant food & beverage label?
Here’s the truth about food label compliance: it’s not about following rules – it’s about respecting your customers. Creating a compliant food label ensures your customers can make informed choices while protecting your business from costly regulatory issues.
Every food and beverage label in both Canada and the United States must include essential mandatory components, though there are key differences in requirements and formatting between the two countries. Here are the core labeling elements required in each jurisdiction:
Statement of Identity: Product name using common or standardized terms
Net Quantity Declaration
1. Canada: Metric units (mL/L, g/kg) primary; imperial optional
2. United States: Metric or customary units; bottom 30% of front panel
Nutrition Facts Panel
1. Canada: 13 core nutrients in English/French; includes kilojoules
2. United States: FDA format; different terminology (e.g., “Total Fat” vs. “Fat”)
Ingredient List
1. Both: Descending order by weight
2. Canada: Black sans-serif font; sugar ingredients grouped as “Sugars/Sucres”
3. United States: Standard format; no sugar grouping requirement
Allergen Warnings
1. Canada: 11 allergens (includes sesame, sulphites, molluscs)
2. United States: 9 major allergens
Date Marking
1. Canada: “Best before” for foods <90 days shelf life
2. United States: Varies by product type
Manufacturer Information: Company name and address (both countries)
Key Canadian Differences: Bilingual labeling required, metric priority, 11 vs. 9 allergens warnings, and country of origin declaration for certain foods
Following these requirements protects your customers and your business while ensuring regulatory compliance in both markets. Note that creating one label compliant for both countries is generally not possible due to these regulatory differences – separate labels are typically required for each market.
2. How can label design tell my brand's story at a glance?
Your label has one job: make people care. Not just about your product, about what your product stands for. Visual storytelling isn’t about cramming your brand’s life story onto a package. It’s about choosing the right symbols, colors, and words that instantly telegraph your values. Craft beer brands use hand-drawn illustrations to say “artisanal.” Organic brands use earth tones to whisper “natural.” Premium brands use lots of white space to suggest “luxury.” Your brand colors are your emotional vocabulary. Your typography is your personality. Your imagery is your promise. When these elements align, magic happens: instant recognition, emotional connection, purchase decision. Don’t tell your brand story – show it.
3. What fonts and typography guidelines ensure label readability?
Typography isn’t decoration – it’s communication. And communication that can’t be read is just expensive noise. Two simple rules for readable labels: Sans-serif fonts for anything important. Serif fonts for personality only. The FDA requires 6-point minimum for good reason – smaller fonts exclude customers. High contrast isn’t optional—it’s inclusive design. Black on white works every time. Colored text on colored backgrounds? Only if you’ve tested the contrast ratio. Remember: your beautiful script font means nothing if a 65-year-old customer can’t read it in dim grocery store lighting. Accessibility isn’t a constraint, it’s the responsible choice and smart business.
4. How can I make my labels stand out under store lighting?
Store lighting is not your friend. Those harsh fluorescents and relentless LEDs don’t care about your brand, your colors, or the hours you agonized over that flawless label. They’re designed to sell everything – which means they’re optimized to sell nothing. They bleach out the bold, spotlight the wrong details, and leave brilliance flat on the shelf. The smart brands? They don’t curse the lights – they choreograph with them. At Bradbury, we know a matte finish swallows glare and lets your message speak. Metallic foils? A flash of intentional sparkle. Spot-UV? Your chosen detail in the spotlight. We design labels for the shelf, not an art gallery. Your packaging doesn’t have to fight the lights. It just needs to learn how to shine in them.
5. What are common label design mistakes to avoid?
Label design mistakes follow a pattern: they prioritize the designer over the customer. Too many fonts? You’re showing off, not selling. Low-resolution graphics? You’re cutting corners where it matters most. Too small typography? You’re excluding customers who need glasses. Missing required information? You’re inviting regulatory trouble. Here’s the truth: your label isn’t art, it’s a sales tool. Every element should either inform, attract, or convince. If it doesn’t do one of those three things, it’s clutter.
The 5 Most Damaging Label Design Mistakes:
1.Overcrowding your label with too much text or too many design elements
2. Using low-resolution images or graphics making your product look cheap
3. Hard-to-read text affecting customers who may have visual impairments
4. Missing must-have info like nutrition facts, ingredients, or warnings
5.Weak branding – your label doesn’t make it easy to spot your brand at a glance
Great label design fixes all of these by making every detail clear, useful, and easy to spot on the shelf.