One of the primary functions of food packaging is provide the consumer with information about the product. Ingredient lists, nutritional information, and manufacturer information all are required by law on food packaging labels. In addition to these legal requirements, however, food labeling also has a marketing function: helping products stand out on retail shelves and apart from the competition.

There are several options for food packaging labeling that meet both the informational and marketing needs. While most packaging utilizes adhesive labels to convey the brand and labeling requirements for the food product, other packaging options may be appropriate as well. For products packaged within a net bag, printed tags for example, can be an attractive way to convey not only brand image but also the required food information. Printed bags are another option to consider, because they create an elegant, finished look for any package that sets the product apart on the retail shelf.

So how can a processor determine which labeling method is best for their products? When determining which labeling method is right for them, processors need to consider many different aspects of product packaging, from the goal of the package design to the cost of storage. Here are five things to consider when determining which food labeling method will work best for you.

What are the packaging objectives?

The decision whether to use an adhesive label or a printed package should always begin with an understanding of the packaging’s goal. Does the package need to make the product look like a luxury item, or does it simply need to meet the legal requirements for food packaging? Does the packaging need to look like the competitor’s product, or should it stand out from them? If the goal is creating a high-end look, a printed package can provide that finished look.

What is being packaged?

This question impacts not only how the product is labeled but also the material that is used. Many protein products are packaged in some type of shrink bag to improve shelf life and appearance. On products with an uneven surface or shape, such as poultry, finding a flat surface on the shrink package on which to place a label can be difficult and may lead to food labeling issues. In these situations, the product will likely look better with a printed bag that is easy to read without distortion as it conforms to the contours of the product. Printed bags will also provide the opportunity for a larger brand image, making the products easier to locate in the grocery.

What conditions or processes will the packaging undergo?

What does your packaging go through in the journey through the plant and to the store? For shrink packaging, the journey will most likely include a trip through a shrink tunnel or bath, after which the adhesive label is applied. This may be followed by refrigeration (or even freezing) during transport to the store. The temperature extremes these products go through during the process can be harsh on an adhesive label, so using a printed bag may be a more durable option.

It’s also important to consider how the product will be used by the final consumer. If the packaging is removed before cooking, then a label coming loose during cooking is not a concern. However, for packaging that is designed to withstand retherming, such as a boilable pouch, having a printed bag that will not come apart or fade during the reheating process can be essential.

What are the operational impacts of implementing new packaging?

Because of the requirements involved in labeling approvals, most product labels remain pretty consistent. However this is not necessarily true of the packaging itself. One of the most common packaging cost reduction ideas is to regularly bring in new packaging suppliers or secondary suppliers as backups to the existing packaging manufacturer. While creating new printed packaging is not difficult, there is a process that must be completed that can slow the bag manufacturing process. With a new vendor, new artwork and new plates will most likely be required. In this situation, using packaging labels may be a better option.

What is the quantity-cost tradeoff?

A general rule of thumb is that printed bags have higher minimum order quantity requirements than unprinted bags. If run quantities are low and storage of packaging is an issue, then a printed bag is probably not the appropriate choice. In a similar vein, many processors save packaging costs by using the same bag to package multiple SKUs. While this is a great way to save costs, the need for flexibility in labeling rules out the use of printed bags.

Printed packaging is an attractive option for many types of packaging and can create a standout look for any product. Before deciding on this packaging type for a specific product, however, manufacturers need to consider the range of operational, performance and cost implications pertaining to each product.