Whether you are looking for pro tips for creating 3D labels for cosmetics packaging, bottle labels, food cartons or other products, you are in the right place.
Adding a 3D label to your product renderings gives them a realistic touch. This is an exceptionally effective way of bringing a solid branded look to your product, or encouraging the consumer to commit to purchasing. Throughout the following lines we will take a look at a few tips for giving your 3D product packaging an eye-catching, stylish look, and we will also go through some technical tips.
Product labels are literally everywhere, from the candle you bought in a specialty shop to the canned goods you get at your local supermarket. Producing a product label that is memorable takes research and innovation.
With the pace of company updates going faster day after day and the consequent need for speed in new product launches, your packaging supply chain is today more connected than ever before.
In design, there is a melding of responsibility between production knowledge and design expertise. The production knowledge is the ability not only to design excellent packaging but also the experience to understand how to design for the best printed result. The result is that it has enabled the label design process to actually be accelerated, with stylish, eye-catching labels that are tested when it comes to the production viability even before making a single mock-up.
Most packaging and label designers usually use software like Adobe Illustrator to create labels and packaging. This makes it much easier for the designer to be able to accept more responsibility over the production and design stage. Thanks to the introduction of 3D tools and technologies, the ramifications of design decisions are more evident.
3D edition software lets product designers work with a 3D view of the packaging rather than using a two-dimensional flat. Labels can easily be placed pretty much on a container to give an overall idea of how the design could potentially look like. 3D design software will turn ideas into 3D imagery, it can be used for a designer’s inspiration or simply to impress a client.
What exactly is label design?
Product label design refers to transferring your product’s look onto a label in a unique way and therefore making it stand out from the crowd. Recent studies tell us that about seventy per cent of purchase decisions are actually made in the store right at the point of sale, and thus eye-catching labels printed with stylish designs are key.
Should I add labels to my 3D product renderings?
Adding graphics, labels, logos or stickers usually make a product more believable. We often see these details on our real-life products, and thus seeing these can anchor an image in reality.
When utilising labels or textures on your product, ensure the graphic has the right amount of blurring or sharpening. Labels or stickers that are printed are not usually vector-sharp. Printers have limitations. Capture this detail in your label if possible. But keep in mind that overly-sharp labels might look fake.
A few critical aspects to take into account
You will need to keep the following aspects in mind when you start your product label design:
Identity: You want your brand to stand out from the crowd. But you also want your brand identity to be a part of your label design. For example, you would not just select a look simply because it will stand out if it actually has nothing to do with your product. Make your design cohesive with the product.
Selecting the colours: The colours you pick are just as important as your design. As a matter of fact, in a recent study researchers found that anywhere from about sixty per cent all the way up to approximately ninety per cent of a consumer’s first impression of a service or product is based exclusively on colour. Take into consideration the mood you are trying to project: for instance, blue is an enhancing colour, and people frequently think of beautiful landscapes and the outdoors when they are seeing earthy colours like brown or green. Also, rich colours like purple usually depict royalty or wealth.
Individuality: A vital aspect is to showcase what makes the product stand out as individual and unique. The design process needs to include a look that makes the product feel different from the competitors without alienating buyers. Things like context, community awareness, charity collaborations, a backstory or something as simple as stating that the product sources locally will probably make a difference in how the product is perceived by your audience. When picking the right graphics and colours, go ahead and do not be afraid to show your individuality.
Forget about the guesswork
In brief, nowadays 3D design techniques and tools allow product designers to import a 3D file and add labels on a container – regardless of the shape of the container: flat, conical or even irregular shapes. This technology is ideal when an old label needs to be revamped and a 3D label replacement work is required, or also when a new label needs to be created from scratch. Thanks to special effects and colour management, we can experiment with outstanding results.
Will our new label look appealing and attractive to our potential consumers? Thanks to 3D design tools and colour edition software and our capacity to share results with the whole supply chain, it will be easier to find out, and much sooner.