Products with custom labels are worthwhile. These printed stickers on a product carry instructions for use, caution, information, and relevant ads or advice. At present, labels aren’t just meant to carry essential information. They also act as a catalyst to influence customers’ buying decisions. The world has seen many innovative label designs from brands. We are going to discuss some of the most iconic labels of all time.
Though there are millions of labels out there, only a few can stand out. The custom clothing, beer, or wine label we will discuss are iconic in every sense. These labels became synonymous with brand identity.
Here’s a list of the legendary brand product labels, many of which are still in use and are highly recognizable.
Levis Strauss — the classic two-horse label (1886)
Do you own a pair of Levi’s jeans? You might have seen the classic label featuring two horses. This label debuted in 1886 and has been known worldwide, signifying the brand’s quality and uniqueness. Initially, the custom label was created on a leather patch, but now the company has adopted synthetic leather for its printing. But the underlying message remains the same — the jeans are sturdy and durable.
Coca-Cola — the red label (1948)
The Spencerian script font of the Coca-Cola logo on a red label creates a custom logo that makes it one of the most recognizable brands in the world. The striking red colored label around the Coke bottles and cans sets it apart from others. The company is focused on the “One brand” motto, so it has chosen red as its unifying branding color. So whenever you see red, what do you think? You think Coke, right? See how strong the brand identity has been built. It has also led it to create the most iconic logo of all time.
Coco Chanel No. 5 label (1921)
The Chanel No. 5 is the best-selling fragrance of Coco Chanel. Its minimalist bottle with a minimalist label strikes the right note to engage customers. The white label features the brand name fragrance name written in a bold sans serif font, making it the most iconic label design of all time. The simple label with a clean font and color palette has made women its fans for generations. The classicism and simplicity of this custom sticker label make it timeless.
Campbell’s Soup label (1898)
Cambell — the most reputable company in America, has a meaningful label for its product. The brand broke free from its orange and blue label color and chose red and blue to become a household name. The red and blue combination made the label timeless and still resonates with Americans.
Absolut’s clear label (1979)
The Absolut vodka bottle label is another example of brilliant label design. The brand entered the global market in 1979 with a vodka bottle featuring a clear label that gave a clear idea of the liquid stored in it. The label resembled a medicine bottle from the 18th century.
Fun fact: the Absolut label isn’t a label. It is printed on the surface of the bottle, giving it a unique identity. That’s the reason this Swedish brand outshines its competitors.
Canada’s No Name label (1978)
The No Name brand is the foremost preference of every grocery-buying Canadian. The brand was launched by the Loblaw Company in 1978. The generic brand started its journey with a black-on-yellow label that instantly became a huge hit. This label is a perfect example of minimalism at its best. All it needs is the right color palette to become a cultural phenomenon. So when it comes to custom iconic labels, the No Name brand has a separate fan base.
Intel label (1991)
Microprocessors are something that people never buy because they get the devices that have them. Yet, seeing merely a microprocessor’s label, they can rest assured that they’ve purchased a reliable product. That’s the branding Intel has done with its custom labels.
In 1991, the company launched an exclusive campaign to sell computers by advertising its chips. They paid the computer manufacturers to use their custom product label “Intel Inside” on their computers, and the rest is history. In 2022, 42% of its revenue came from three major players — Dell Inc., HP Inc., and Lenovo Group Limited. The product isn’t visible outside, but its custom label stickers talk volumes about its quality.
Coors Beer label (2007)
Product labels are meant to share the brand story, nutritional info, caution, and other features with customers. But the brewing company Coors went the extra mile to introduce innovative cold-activated labels that inform beer lovers when the beers reach optimal drinking temperatures. The brand made this possible using temperature-sensitive ink on its beer labels. When the temperature reaches the optimal drinking point, it starts turning blue. You can take ideas from these custom beer label designs and create perfect label for your brewery.
Heinz Ketchup label (2009)
Heinz is the topmost ketchup producer in the United States. The company had a label featuring a pickle. But in reality, its products don’t include pickles. In 2009, the brand set its label, free from the pickle, and added a tomato with its vine.
Though the label’s shape remains the same, the icon changed from pickle to tomato.
What Factors To Consider When Designing A Product Label?
You know all the iconic labels of the world. Now if you want to create a label like them, consider the following factors.
Your target audience: Who is willing to buy your products and why? What do they want from your brand, and what visual elements resonate with them?
Brand identity: What brand image do you want to project? Stick to your brand guidelines to look professional and build a connection with your audience.
Your competitors: Look at your competitors’ labels and find out where you can surpass them in terms of design. Analyzing their labels will give you that flexibility.
Container layout, size, and shape: The shape and size of the container or packaging influence the label size. It also affects the information displayed on the label. A small container might require showing a few details for better readability.
Purpose of the product: When you create custom labels for your products, consider the product’s purpose. Consider whether it’s for the kitchen, garden, or anything else. Based on the usage and purpose, you can decide whether you need simple labels or waterproof labels. Based on the purpose you can choose label templates or create one from scratch.
Material: The label material also has a crucial role to play. It can make or break the perception customers have of your brand. Using thick cardstocks with shimmering, embossed, or engraved lettering might feel luxurious, while a glossy, matte sticker might indicate a high-end product.
Why are labels important?
According to a report, more than 64% of customers are likely to purchase products after seeing their eye-catching labels. Hence, it’s important to get a stunning label that gives all the required information about the product.
What makes a striking custom label?
A lot goes into making an excellent custom label. The color choices, materials, logo design, and fonts contribute to an appealing label. Ensure each element creates a cohesive look and resonates with the target audience.
Conclusion
Now you see, product labels play a vital role in creating customer perception about a brand. All the labels discussed earlier are timeless, and still resonate with audiences worldwide. What makes them unique is their legendary design elements. To make a label that stands out, consider visiting Designhill. Post a contest and get a community of designers to compete for your label design.
