Each year, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) purchases hundreds of bottles of distilled spirits. The bottles, which are chosen at random, are then evaluated for compliance with the TTB’s labeling regulations. This annual test is called the Alcohol Beverage Sampling Program (ABSP).

Winter weather impacts both our personal and professional lives — frozen water pipes, school closures, icy streets. And if you live in an area where freezing temperatures are the norm, you can add labeling problems to that list. Labels that apply and perform perfectly during summer months will fail when the temperature drops if you don’t take the proper precautions.

You’ve poured your heart and soul into crafting the perfect wine or spirit, and now it’s time to choose the perfect bottle and label to match. You’ve probably already considered the color, shape, style and size of your packaging — but which bottle supplier should you use?  

Cost will be the deciding factor for most wineries and distilleries. Customers want high-quality products at a low price, and packaging seems like a natural place to reduce costs. But cheap packaging materials can come with hidden costs of their own.  

This previously published article was updated on June 20, 2019. 

Tube labels come with a variety of application and performance challenges, beyond those of “regular” labels. Think about the types of products that come in tube containers — lip balms, shampoos, body lotions, ketchups, sunblock. All of these products are held, squeezed and, inevitably, the product seeps onto the label.

This previously published article was updated on June 19, 2019.

Pressure-sensitive adhesives are the unsung hero of your product label. The right adhesive makes sure your label looks good long after it’s applied, from shipping to point-of-purchase and throughout the product lifecycle. And although you’ll never see it, using the wrong adhesive will turn customers away. Even the most expertly designed won’t help a product sell if it’s sliding off, peeling or wrinkling.

Label packaging seems deceptively simple when you think about the end goal. It's just a sticker, right? But considering all aspects of the label's form and function within the broader context of your brand strategy is the best way to begin a label order. These 15 questions will help prepare you to receive labels with longevity that make your products shine.

By answering these questions, you will be able to provide your customer service representative with the precise information needed to engineer the exact label that's best for your products and your brand, within budget and on time.