2022 Label Lookback: Our Favorite Packaging Designs

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2022 was quite a year! As soon as New Year’s Day was over, our presses ran at full capacity printing millions of labels, shrink sleeves, pouches, stick packs, and sachets. In fact, over the last 12 months, we produced an estimated 600,000,000 units.  Our employees have a front-row seat to thousands of new packaging designs, so they see current and upcoming packaging trends in real-time.  Here is a look at the ONL staff’s standouts:

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Pressure Sensitive Stunner

Devoted Creations Cloud Kiss Body Care Lotion provides skin with a luminous soft feel, which is also reflected in the shimmery, iridescent look of the product packaging.  The packaging design features a starry background and a twinkly chandelier done in an art deco style that radiates luxury.  Overnight Labels produced the look by printing the pressure sensitive label with a Neon Iridescent cold foil and a Pillars of Light holographic foil.  A glossy lamination was applied as a final touch to enhance the dramatic effect and provide durability.

Sumptuous Sleeves

Lavish labels are a must to represent a high-end product like Metamorphia Bronzer Tanning Lotion.  The premium ingredients inside the bottle pair perfectly with the green, black, and gold “marble” packaging design on this shrink sleeve that exudes opulence. Overnight Labels achieved the multi-faceted look by using a holographic foil and a spot matte varnish to sections of the black.  To add dimension and a tactile effect, a UV silkscreen was applied to the gold, increasing the printing process’s complexity and amping up the product’s shelf appeal.

Flexible Fine Art

Flexible Packaging has been gaining popularity for several years, and IT Works takes its design to a new level for the company’s Skinny Hydrate line of nutrient-infused supplements.  Botanicals are bountiful on these pouches that feature fruit and flowers bursting with color.  The packaging design is so pretty and unique to the format; it belongs in a frame!  They almost look hand-painted but were actually printed on Overnight Labels’ state-of-the-art digital presses.

New Year, New Packaging Design?

Thinking about launching a new product or giving your current product a new look next year? Click here to receive a free sample kit, which contains a wide variety of award-winning labels, shrink sleeves, and flexible packaging.  In a hurry for a price quote? Email your needs to quotes@overnightlabels.com or call us at 631.242-4240.

 

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Packaging Trends Are Dominated By Modern Nostalgia

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Covid has consumers yearning for happier times, which has translated into today’s throwback trends dominating fashion, beauty, and graphic design. But these vintage vibes have been updated with contemporary twists giving way to a more modern feel.  The presses at Overnight Labels have been busy this year printing an array of labels, shrink sleeves, and flexible packaging, merging the past with the present to create an array of fresh label looks.  These recent examples prove that retro feels right again.

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If I Could Turn Back Time

Our client, Gamer Supps, is a leader in gaming energy and nutrition and has really embraced the trends of previous decades.  Their collaboration with the ColdOnes podcasters on a Strawberry Daiquiri Energy Drink features a trippy 70s design reminiscent of the famous R Crumb “Keep on Truckin” comic book style.  The company’s GG Energy line plays with the Graffiti-feel favored in the 90s utilizing vibrant bold colors and abstract shapes and patterns.

Overnight Labels printed both pressure sensitive labels on a white Bopp and gave them a tactile varnish that follows the pattern to emphasize the lively background graphics.

Techy Typeface

One of the design styles popular in the 1980s is the digital look, which utilized computer-based graphic fonts from the age of Pac-Man and early personal computers.  The creative team for Tanovations Ed Hardy Rule Breaker Tanning Lotion went with simple black and white art with vibrant pops of red.  They opted for a shrink sleeve format which was a perfect choice for a tapered oval flat bottom container.

Back to the Future

Overnight Labels took our own trip down memory lane collaborating with creative design firm Vivid Ivy on a line of promotional labels that featured the modern-day nostalgic trends.  Flower power meets 60s psychedelia in a cheerful white, peach, and pink shrink sleeve dubbed “Peachy Vibes.”  We loved the artwork so much that we printed several variations with different specialty finishes including pearlescent, copper cold foil, and a tactile finish to make the flower pistils pop.

Next, we asked Vivid Ivy to jump several decades forward to create a label with a Y2K aesthetic.  Their throwback to the early 2000s plays with a futuristic look featuring colors like pale blues, purples, and silver, mixed with geometric shapes.  To add dimension, we printed it on a shrink sleeve label with a cast & cure technique that incorporates a gloss, matte and holographic finish for an eye-catching effect.

“It was such a fun opportunity for us to create these design pieces. It really helped us showcase Overnight Labels’ abilities and techniques, said Christiann and Erin, the founders of Vivid Ivy.  “For over a decade, Vivid Ivy has been a creative team that is passionate about package design. It brought us so much excitement to be able to create these pieces having had a huge array of specialty varnishes and finishes to really make them stand out.”

Overnight Labels has been widely recognized for their emphasis on innovation and an expertise in finishes.  To receive a sample kit, click here.

 

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Planet-Friendly Packaging: Focus on Flexible

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The conversation about planet-friendly packaging has hit peak levels. In fact, a Nielsen study found that 73% of millennials are willing to pay more for sustainable products. Major brands like Loreal and Nestles are listening to their customers by setting environmentally conscious goals with deadlines that are around the corner. So how does that square with the explosive growth of the flexible packaging market?

While most flexible packaging materials contain some plastic, there are numerous eco-friendly aspects to it, especially compared to rigid packaging.

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Why Is Flexible is Planet-Friendly Packaging?

  • Less Material: Flexible packaging requires less material overall, and 60 % less plastic than rigid. It also uses fewer resources during production, including water and fossil fuels.
  • Lower CO2 Emissions: Since there is less material required to make the same product, the amount of energy needed to convert the raw material into finished packaging is reduced. This decreases total greenhouse gas emissions and reduces the carbon footprint.
  • Transportation benefits: Because flexible packaging is usually shipped either flat or on a roll, a larger number of packages can be shipped on a truck versus rigid packaging. Because fewer trucks and pallets are needed, energy consumption and the use of other valuable natural resources are reduced.
  • Less Landfill Space: Flexible packaging requires less landfill space than other packaging options and comprises only 4 percent of the packaging material in landfills.
  • Recycled and Compostable: Significant strides have been made in sustainable flexible packaging materials. Recyclable options are made from 100% Polyethylene (PE) films, while compostable flexible packaging is biodegradable. Be careful with these “green” materials though, because they may not provide enough barrier for creams, liquids, and oil-based products

Ready to Go Green?

Click here to receive a sales kit from Overnight Labels, which contains planet-friendly packaging samples from our Eco-Friendly Packaging Portfolio.  For a price quote, email custservice@overnightlabels.com or call 631.242-4240.

 

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New Digital Flexible Packaging Press At ONL

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Stand-up pouches, single-use sample packets, stick packs and bags; the growth of the flexible packaging segment continues to explode. But long lead times and high minimums often curtail small to mid-size brands from adopting this popular format. Even if a company can find a converter who promises low MOQs or rapid lead times, the quality is often poor.

With the purchase of our 15th press, Overnight Labels becomes one of the only full-service packaging converters in the country to own a HP Indigo 25K. This state-of-the-art digital flexible packaging press optimizes production efficiency and is expected to disrupt the packaged goods industry by allowing more businesses to compete.

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Raising the Bar by Lowering Minimums

“Quantities for flexible packaging are typically 5,000 for roll stock and 10,000 for bags and pouches. Because of theDigital Flexible Packaging Press quicker turn-around production time, no plate charges or setup fees, and higher quality results, we are able to lower our minimums.  This levels the playing field for emerging players in multiple categories including beauty, food, nutritional supplements, and cannabis,” said Don Earl, president of Overnight Labels.

“This high-tech digital flexible packaging press was designed to work with our new lamination and pouch-making equipment and allows us to work with most companies achieve their vision. We can help lower inventory and create limited edition or personalized units.  Most importantly we can produce beautiful packaging that stands up and stands out on shelves and online, “ he added.

Pouch orders and roll stock minimums at the award-winning converter start at 2500 per SKU. Turnaround times are flexible and typically faster than industry averages for flexible packaging. Overnight Labels offers traditional, recyclable, and compostable options for flexible packaging, labels and shrink sleeves.

 Click here to receive a free sample kit, which contains a wide variety of award-winning labels, shrink sleeves and flexible packaging.  In a hurry for a price quote? Email your needs to custservice@overnightlabels.com or call us at 631.242-4240.

 

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Digital Printing Vs. Flexo Printing: Weighing What’s Right for Your Packaging Project

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Sustainable, embellished, smart, and tactile; innovation has driven the label business to explode over the last few years.  Brand owners have a plethora of label options to choose from, but it’s important to start by selecting the printing process since it impacts the entire project. In the great debate between flexographic or digital printing, these are the factors to examine to determine which press is best.

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Is the Label Info Subject to Change?

If your product is a highly regulated such as CBD, Cannabis or a Pharmaceutical drug, the information on the label may change frequently. If that’s the case, go digital so you don’t need to incur plate charges any time you need an update.

Specialty Labels

Although digital printing continues to add new capabilities every year, if your packaging has any special features or effects, flexo is the way to go.  In general, this method supports a wider variety of print techniques and can produce more elaborate designs.

Inventory

It’s common knowledge that larger quantities mean lower unit costs.  That works for bigger companies who have the storage space and can take advantage of discounted costs.  If larger lots aren’t an option, a short run on a digital press should fit the bill while your brand grows.

Up Close and Personal

Nowadays, variable package printing is becoming a larger part of the marketing mix.  Brand’s like Coca Cola and Bud Light received millions of media impressions for their promotions that featured digitally printed packaging using HP Mosaic software, which generates thousands of unique graphics from just one label design. In other applications, variable data can  help protect a brand against counterfeiting or to authenticate promotional purchases.

Material Matters

One of the benefits of flexographic printing is the variety of substrates one can use.  Plastic films, foils, sustainables, textiles, fabrics, paper, parchment, and more are all suitable.  While material options for digital printing are growing, they are not as plentiful as with flexo.

Everything Counts in Large Amounts

Depending on label size, quantities of up to 5,000 are probably most cost-effective when run on a digital press. Anything more than that, flexographic printing is the better option because it can produce more labels at a quicker speed.  Flexo is also better if you know the job will repeat without changes.

Capable Converter

The best way to choose the right printing method for your job is to actually consult with a  printer who has expertise in both flexographic and digital printing. Overnight Labels has been in business since 1987 and has won numerous awards for both their flexographic and digital printing.  Not only are we uniquely qualified to recommend the right printing method, but will value-engineer the entire project to find the most economical way to produce it without sacrificing the quality and look of the final product.

 Click here to receive a free sample kit, which contains a wide variety of award-winning labels featuring many different finishes, laminations, and effects.  In a hurry for a price quote? Email your needs to custservice@overnightlabels.com or call us at 631.242-4240.

 

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Tactile Labels Deliver the ‘Feel Appeal’ to Consumers

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Brand owners know that their packaging needs to be on point in order to stand out on shelves and online.  But with so many products fighting for attention, bold color choices or unique container shapes may not be enough.  That’s why, over the last few years, the break-out stars in the packaging world have been tactile labels.

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Tempted to Touch

In the past, textured elements were prevalent in luxury goods especially within cosmetics, wine and spirit offerings. In fact, in a 2014 study, researchers found that consumers were more inclined to purchase an item with a tactile finish and pay extra for it.  Since then, this embellishment has made a mark in other CPG industries including food, beverage, and supplements.

Tactile

Shrink Sleeve with tactile bottle condensation effect

An Array of Options

This year, tactile labels were included on many packaging design trend lists.  Adding this textured dimension to a label opens up an array of design options that range from strong to subtle and soft to scratchy.  Here is a breakdown of some of the most popular possibilities:

  • Soft Touch is a type of coating that gives the label a velvet-like texture and enhances its look. It also serves as fingerprint-resistant barrier.
  • Embossing produces a raised area very often used in the type, logo or patterned background.  This aesthetic provides a rich depth that instantly signals an expensive feel.
  • Glitter Coating amps up the glam by adding glitter particles to spot UV coating. Consumers can’t help but reach out and touch when they see packaging with this eye-catching decoration.
  • Pearlescent Coating is glitter coating’s more subtle counterpart. It produces a shimmering, reflective effect that feels lush to the touch.
  • Spot UV Coating brings a unique element by emphasizing specific areas of the label. Using a thicker coating has a 3D effect and can be used quite effectively in the overall design.
  • Sandy Finishes offer a slightly coarse feel similar to fine sandpaper and adds a small surprise to consumers when they check out the goods.

How Does It Happen?

Tactile labels are produced using a variety of techniques with varnishes, laminations, and equipment such as a UV Rotary Silk Screen unit.  Some converters like Overnight Labels have an expertise in specialty finishes and have actually created their own proprietary textures that feel similar to leather and snakeskin.

tactile snakeskin effect

“Sometimes the industry has not caught up to packaging designer’s imagination, so we like to do our own new product development,” said Don Earl, president of Overnight Labels. It’s almost like being a chemist, experimenting with different formulas to find right combination of elements to produce a unique sensory experience just by holding a packaged good in your hand.”

Seeing is believing.  To receive a sample kit that includes a wide variety of finishes, including award-winning examples, click here.

 

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Four Questions to Ask a Printer

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Covid-19 upended the business community and created a great deal of stress, especially for manufacturers of essential items.  Part of the pressure fell to packaging converters trying to keep up with material shortages, increased quantities, and lockdowns.  While some struggled, others had the infrastructure in place to persevere.  That’s why these challenging times call for an additional layer of questions to ask a printer during a pandemic:

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Think of Printers as Partners and Dig Deep to Ensure You Have Chosen Wisely

Pre-pandemic converters may have been chosen because of price, location or perhaps a referral.  Brands should assess if a printer can easily pivot to a packaging change, increased quantity or a new product launch brought on by Covid-19.  When launching a new product not in a brand’s wheelhouse, it’s important to look the printer to recommend the appropriate stocks, films, adhesives, and coatings. Inexperienced printers may not have the technical expertise to choose the right combinations in order to avoid labels that peel off or ink that runs or smears.

To Ensure Quality and Inventory Levels, Look for Printers with Domestically Sourced Material

COVID-19 caused material shortages for many printers that sourced overseas.  Have direct conversations to ensure that the converter is well-stocked with your brand’s packaging materials.  If you foresee a potential issue, it’s important to know that the supplier has a plan B that won’t impact the packaging integrity and ship date.  Shortages aside, most domestically sourced stock and films are better quality.

Ask How Different Elements of the Printing Process are Handled

Turnaround times for printers that farm out steps like pre-press, proof generation, ink mixing and plate making are typically longer. Overnight Labels produces everything in-house, and are not dependent on other vendors, which saves crucial time. This was especially relevant to clients last spring and summer since the essential products they produced were flying off the shelves.

Look for Printers with an Eye Towards the Future

The current crisis won’t last forever.  Smart brands and converters know that innovation gives them a competitive edge.  Ask about capabilities in areas of advancements like smart labels and mosaic printing.  While sustainable options may not be perfect just yet, savvy printers should also offer a well-rounded portfolio that includes film, ink, and adhesive options.  Don’t forget to ask about the sustainability steps they take internally to run the business.

Click here to receive a free sample kit, which contains a wide variety of award-winning labels featuring many different finishes, laminations, and effects.  In a hurry for a price quote? Email your needs to custservice@overnightlabels.com or call us at 631.242-4240.

2021 Packaging Production in a Pandemic: What’s in and out?

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Looking back at the early days of the pandemic, most suppliers, manufacturers, and stakeholders agree that they were unprepared to handle the ramifications the pandemic had on their businesses.   From weak supply chains to spikes in demand for products that had not been forecasted, these issues have driven a shift in several areas of manufacturing, especially packaging.  So, what’s in and what’s out in 2021?

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IN: Producing Packaging in the USA             OUT: Producing Packaging Overseas

Why: When China shutdown, the domino effect lead to production delays, product scarcity at retail and consumer anxiety.  With uncertain days ahead, many US companies are switching to domestic package printers.  This allows them greater flexibility, speed-to-market, quality control, communication, and supports American workers.

IN: Printing Custom Labels                             OUT:  Printing on Containers

Why: Printing directly on to containers means high minimums and can be costly unless printed overseas.  New regulations have also made holding inventory more difficult.  With today’s advancements in specialty finishes, it’s possible to achieve the same high-end look with a custom label.   Brands are finding that labels offer greater flexibility, faster turnaround times, require lower minimums and are less expensive than printing directly on your vessel.

IN: Prioritizing Experience                            OUT: Prioritizing Pricing

Why: The pandemic taught us is that it’s crucial to choose the right partners.  Pricing becomes less significant when a converter runs short of stock, can’t handle increased orders, or misses deadlines. Converters with longevity in the business tended to have enough inventory, available presses, employees, and technical expertise to weather the early impact of Covid.

Overnight Labels has been in business since 1987.  Over the last few months, we’ve worked with many clients dealing with the new normal.  We’ve printed millions of labels, shrink sleeves and rolls of flexible packaging for companies trying to get essential items to market as fast as possible. Some of them had supply chain issues, and we were able to help because all of our material is domestically sourced.  Our inventory is huge, so we never ran out of stock, even at the height of Covid-19.

Click here to receive a free sample kit, which contains a wide variety of our award-winning labels featuring many different finishes, laminations, and effects.  In a hurry for a price quote? Email your needs to custservice@overnightlabels.com or call us at 631.242-4240.

Pandemic Packaging Trends: Specialty Finishes Continue to Shine

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Although 2020 events have impacted supply chains and slowed the growth of sustainable packaging, the importance of specialty finishes continues to be a pandemic packaging trend. Many brands opt for new foil techniques and innovative varnish textures as a way to keep costs down, while still achieving a high-end look.  They are also an effective touch to get your packaging spotted on social media and online shopping platforms.

Overnight Labels printed Eden BodyWorks new labels usinga soft-touch laminate film with cold foil application

Overnight Labels printed Eden BodyWorks new labels for the Almond Marshmallow line, which feature a soft-touch laminate film with cold foil application

These include:

  • Glitter: Incorporates small holographic bits of glitter.
  • MotionCoat: A UV coating system that when used with vector based artwork creates a stunning motion-like image.
  • Gloss: Creates a noticeable contrast between the glossy UV coating and the smooth matte appearance where the spot OPV is under the coating.
  • Pearlescent: Produces a pearl shimmer effect when applied over or under an ink or on a substrate and can mute an image when applied over ink.
  • Emboss: Is a multi-dimensional label with a raised effect in specific areas that gives depth to a design and adds a tactile sensation. It’s typically used on lettering, custom designs, patterns, or decoration effects to create a striking label.
  • Sandy Feel: Range of different particle sizes that allows for a very rough to soft and silky feel options.
  • Soft Touch: Creates a matte surface that has a velvety, soft feel.
  • Tactile: A finish that gives a slightly raised texture to the label that drive people touch and feel it.
  • Cold Foil: allows printers to apply foil onto a substrate at press speed.  This technique produces brilliant metallic effects and can print fine lines, reverse outs, half tones and full tones, all in accurate register.
  • Spot Coating: is used to make sections of label design stand out, while also adding dimension with the contrast of gloss and matte finishes.

    To achieve this glitter effect for Eva NYC:, Overnight Labels applied cold foil on a shrink sleeve

Overnight Labels has been widely recognized for their emphasis on innovation and an expertise in finishes.  We use a number of printing techniques in all categories including labels, shrink sleeves,  flexible packaging and package prototyping.  Currently, we are one of the only printers in the United States to offer metallic inks for digital printing. New capabilities include silk screening on shrink sleeves and HP Mosaic digital printing, which generates thousands of unique graphics from just one label design.

Seeing is believing.  To receive a sample kit that includes a wide variety of finishes, including award-winning examples from the Foil and Specialty Effects Association,  click here.

 

Covid-19 Causes Switch to Shrink Sleeves

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Once considered the new kid in town, shrink sleeves continue to grow. In fact, since the Covid-19 outbreak, some  brands that previously printed directly onto containers have switched to shrink sleeves.  This is due to shorter lead times, cost and because this type of packaging allows manufacturers to produce lower quantities.

Other benefits include 360 degree visuals, product protection, masking uneven fill lines, and tamper-proof packaging. But to avoid any sleeve slip-ups, it’s important that you’re working with an experienced label professional.

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Material Mishaps

Some US printers have had material shortages because they purchased their shrink film overseas. But even before the pandemic, Overnight Labels always felt that film from overseas was inferior.  All of our material is made in the US, and we are well stocked.  This means that even at the height of Covid-19, our customers did not face any supply chain issues because of packaging.

Design Disasters

Despite their many benefits, shrink sleeves have their own set of challenges.  When bottles with dramatic curvatures and reliefs are utilized, designers must have a clear understanding of how the artwork will distort. If the art isn’t up to spec and proofed properly, mistakes can happen.

“We size the container and provide the specifications. Then we send you a layout noting any areas of concern (i.e. high shrink areas) as well as fold and seam positioning,” said Overnight Labels President Don Earl.

Solvent  Slip-ups

Don’t forget about your label’s seam! In addition to a good design, correct converting practices are a must to ensure accurate application of the solvent used to join the label seam.  Use of the wrong solvent can cause multiple problems that impact seams.  They can lift, causing a sharp edge or split, which could cause the sleeve to fall off.  An experienced label printer will guide you to make the right choice.

Printing Pros

In business since 1987, Overnight Labels has deep experience in this category.  In fact, we have a dedicated team just for shrinks. That’s why we are able to offer lower minimums and faster turnaround times than industry averages.

In addition to shrink sleeves, Overnight Labels prints flexible packaging and pressure sensitive labels.  Click here for a  free sample kit.  For a quote, email to custservice@overnightlabels.com or call  631-242-4240.