10 Common Vinyl Label Design Mistakes to Avoid

Posted on by support

When thinking about vinyl labels printing and designing it all might sound very simple. But there are a few things you’d want to think about before sending your artwork for vinyl label printing.

Things like the material, finish, size, shape and colours you choose can all affect how your finished labels look. A design that looks great on screen might look very different once it has been printed and applied to your product. So that said, what should you look out for?

1. Choosing the Wrong Vinyl Material

There are many different vinyl label materials to choose from including white, clear and metallic vinyl. Thinking about your business goals, the right option will depend on your product, the surface the label will be applied to and the look you want. For example, clear vinyl labels can create a transparent effect for your product look, while white vinyl gives you a solid background. Think about where your label will be used before choosing your material.

2. Using the Wrong Finish

The finish can have a big impact on the overall look of your label. For example, glossy look gives you a bright and vibrant finish, while matt has a softer and more understated appearance. Think about your product, branding and visual appearance you want to achieve when choosing your vinyl label finish. Question to think about, do you want something bright and eye-catching? Or something more subtle?

3. Making Your Design Too Small or Detailed

One of the common mistakes when designing vinyl labels is trying to fit too much into a small space. From design perspective, tiny text and fine details can be difficult to read, especially on smaller labels. Keep your design simple and make sure the important information is easy to see.

4. Not Considering the Label Shape

Your label shape should be part of your design from the beginning. You might choose a circle, square, rectangle or custom shape. Make sure your logo, text and graphics fit comfortably within the available space. Planning your design around the finished shape can make a big difference.

5. Choosing Poor Colour Combinations

Colour can have a big impact on your vinyl label design. If your text and background don’t have enough contrast, your label can be difficult to read. This is especially important with clear and metallic vinyl. Think about how your colours will work with the material and surface underneath the label.

6. Ignoring the Background When Using Clear Vinyl

Clear vinyl labels need a little more thought. The surface underneath the label can show through transparent areas, which means the colour of your bottle, jar or packaging can affect the finished design. A colour that looks good on a white screen may look very different when printed on clear vinyl. Always consider what will be behind your label.

7. Trying to Fit Too Much Information Onto the Label

It can be tempting to include everything on one label. But too much information can make your design look crowded. When designing vinyl labels, think about what information is most important. Keep your key message clear and give your design some space.

Remember Regulatory Information

If you’re designing vinyl labels for food, drink, cosmetics or other regulated products, there may be certain information you need to include onto your label. Depending on your product, this could include ingredients, allergens, batch numbers, expiry dates or other required information.

It’s important to make sure to check the requirements for your particular product before finalising your label design. This information needs to be clear and easy to read, while still fitting neatly into your overall design.

When your designing vinyl labels, make sure you leave enough space for all the information your product requires. This can help you avoid having to change the artwork later or squeeze extra information into an already busy label. If you’re worried or unsure what needs to appear on your printed label, it might be easier to check the relevant regulations for your product or speak to a suitable regulatory professional before going to vinyl label printing.

8. Not Thinking About Where the Label Will Be Applied

Where will your label go?

Vinyl labels can be applied to a bottle, jar, container, machine, window or another surface. A design that works very well on a flat surface may not work as well on a curved one. Thinking about the application before choosing your label size and shape is as important as the designing part itself.

9. Forgetting About Your Brand

Your custom vinyl labels should work with your existing branding does not try to develop a completely new branding. Here it is important to think about your brands logo, colours, fonts and overall style. Keeping your branding consistent even when updating the vinyl labels, can make your products look more professional and easier for customers to recognise.

10. Not Checking Your Artwork Before Printing

Finally, a bit that is often forgotten… Before sending your artwork for vinyl label printing, give it one final check. Often what customer tend to miss is the final checks thinking ” It’s all good”.

Make sure you’ve checked:

  • Label dimensions
  • Spelling and contact details
  • Image resolution
  • Colours
  • Cut lines
  • Label shape
  • Text and logos near the edge

It’s easier to fix a problem before printing than after you produce the labels.

Here’s Your Quick Checklist Before Ordering Vinyl Labels

Before ordering your custom vinyl labels, ask yourself these questions:

  • Have I chosen the right material?
  • Is the finish right for my product?
  • Is the text easy to read?
  • Does the design work with the label shape?
  • Is there enough colour contrast?
  • Have I considered the background if using clear vinyl?
  • Will the label work on the intended surface?
  • Does the design match my branding?
  • Have I checked my artwork before printing?

Soo…

Good vinyl label design isn’t just about making something look good on screen. Brands should also consider the material, finish, size, shape and the surface on which the label is applied. By avoiding these common vinyl label design mistakes, you can create professional labels that look good and work well for your products. If you’re unsure which material, finish, size or shape is right for your project, the team at Acorn Print are designed to help you with questions just like that.

Ready to order? Browse our custom vinyl labels and get a fast quote – we’ll make sure your artwork is print-ready before we go to press.