The Importance of Packaging: Why it’s Necessary to Take Branding Seriously

Know The Roles of Branding and Packaging in Your Business’s Growth

Branding is one of the most important parts of marketing a business – it’s what sets you apart from your competitors. It can tell your customers what to expect from your products, vision, and mission. By creating a professional, high-quality brand, you are showing your customers they can expect the best from your products, and your business. 

Here’s a brief overview of why branding is so important for your business’s overall growth.

With more options now than ever before for your customers, it is more important to have your packaging stand out from the crowd.

What Is Branding? 

To start, let’s talk about what branding covers. Branding is the way a company portrays its values and mission to the public. A high-quality brand shows potential customers you are serious about your business. Taking the time to print high-quality custom labels or flexible packaging and to design the perfect logo goes a long way toward showing your customers you provide top-of-the-line services. 

Branding needs to stay consistent – from the content you post to your marketing materials. It is important to portray one steady image to your audience, keeping the mission of your company strong. Consistently portray your brand on products to keep your company fresh in customers’ minds. 

How to Create a Brand

Your brand needs to answer a few important questions about your company:

• What is your company’s mission statement?

• What do you want your customers to think of when they see your business?

• What are the benefits of your brand or service?

Once you figure out the answers to these questions, you can start to create branding elements for your company. To start, you will need a logo to associate with your brand. Use color elements across all your marketing materials and put your logo on anything you use for your business, including packaging, flyers, and mailing labels. 

Decide on a “voice” for your brand. How will your branding portray your company’s image? Be sure your logo, your tagline, and all your materials represent this overall picture. Be consistent among all your materials and your customers will learn what to expect, creating trust. 

Benefits of Strong Branding

Strong branding gives your business staying power. When customers recognize your design elements in, for example, a 360 degree display on the shrink sleeves of their favorite product, it extends the life of your brand. It allows you to become independent of a particular product category, increasing the flexibility of your product base for future expansion. With the ability to expand your reach into new product categories, you can extend the life of your business to keep up with customer demand. 

Some other results of strong branding include: 

• Customer loyalty

• Increased profits

• Clarity of brand vision

• Increased brand focus

• Increased employee retention

• Increased market shares

• Reduced need for changes in pricing

Determine Your Target Audience

One of the best ways to focus your brand is by determining your target audience. Start by figuring out who would benefit most from your products or services. From there, create several marketing personas of people who would be your ideal customer. Give each persona a name, an age, a job, and a lifestyle. Then look at your products from each persona’s viewpoints. What works for that persona about your brand? Once you have determined your target audience, you can focus your branding efforts on your audience, attracting more potential customers. 

Private Labels: An Alternative

How do you achieve the benefits of having a strong brand when your product – or budget – does not warrant the time and resources necessary to creating, testing, implementing and distributing unique and personalized brand packaging? 

Private labeling.

In recent years, annual sales for private-label products has been on the rise as customers increasingly recognize these products as equal in quality to competitor brands. Private label branding is a much lower cost strategy, as it benefits from the branding already created by another company, while still providing a similar level of customer draw, retention and loyalty as a result as would an individual brand packaging strategy.

Let’s Get Started

The design team at Century Label is ready to help you take your vision and apply it to your products. We will take you through every step of the process, preserving the integrity of your brand and using high-quality printing techniques. 

Our customer care specialists are standing by to make sure every order is exactly the way you imagined it, ensuring your satisfaction. Request a quote today to get started on your own quest for branding success.

Answering Consumer Challenges in the Flexible Packaging and Labeling Industry

Flexible packaging has become the preferred method for many consumers. They are easy to transport, can fit into places standard boxes can’t, and often allow for resealing so that consumers can use a product and not worry about the product spoiling quickly.  

As the market shifts away from rigid boxes and into flexible materials, meeting customer desires will be essential in completing conversions and driving business. There can be difficulties, however, obtaining packaging that meets customer needs from suppliers.

Answering Major Challenges in the Flexible Packaging Industry

Packaging can be the key component in a customer selecting your product over another in a store – and in whether they return to your product in the future. As such, it’s essential to meet customer demands when designing packages. To do that, it’s important to understand what the most important aspects of packaging are.

According to a poll held by the Global Pouch Forum, the top factors that should play into packaging development are:

1. Shelf impact and differentiation

2. Customer convenience

3. Cost

4. Improved shelf life

5. Speed to market

6. Sustainability

The specific level of impact of these factors on your packaging will vary with your brand message and your audience. However, shelf impact and customer convenience have some of the highest margins of importance in packaging design.

Shelf impact is what makes your package stand out from other brands, as well as highlighting what makes your product different from the others. Flexible packaging allows you to make the most of your space to appeal to the customer.

Consumer convenience involves visual appeal, easy to use functionality, sustainability and freshness. The convenient storage options of flexible packaging combined with the potential to reseal a package contribute to these factors. Additionally, flexible packaging is quicker to market, lower minimum order quantities, and cost savings from digital printing, allowing for a reduced impact on the environment.

The drive to emphasize convenience for an on-the-go lifestyle and emphasis on sustainability of products is gaining momentum, partially thanks to the number of Millennials making purchasing decisions. 

Even outside of the younger generations, roughly 71% of consumers prefer flexible packaging over non-flexible counterparts – and not adapting to this change means that you can lose customers to businesses that do. However, not all suppliers provide flexible packaging options, which puts a roadblock in the path to making this change.

Active and Intelligent Packaging

In addition to providing flexible packaging options, you want your packages to do more than just provide a convenient way for consumers to recognize and use your products. Incorporating active and intelligent packaging can engage the customers further, bringing in better business. As technology develops, many new ways to develop active and intelligent packaging have come into use:

• Augmented reality

• Incorporating company vision

• Educational product training and safety

• Product use, promotion of other products, and contests

• Water-soluble paper materials

While some of these options are new and others are updates on older strategies, they are all great choices to help enhance your packaging plans. Flexible packaging makes it easy to incorporate these elements, giving you even more options for strengthening your marketing plans and attracting customer interest.

A Most Unique and Timely Packaging Innovation

How can SmartSolve materials benefit you and your customers? SmartSolve water soluble materials are the perfect choice for flexible and other packaging options, providing materials that meet all the essential factors of successful packaging and giving you the variety you need to develop the optimal packaging strategy for your products. SmartSolve can benefit you and your customers by providing:

• Employee and customer safety. Some products may include harmful chemicals that can impact both your employees and customers. With SmartSolve water-soluble pouches, you have a barrier between the product and the user for additional safety.

• Sustainability. SmartSolve packaging goes beyond recycling and has several certifications of “green” from agencies like TPCH and OSHA.

• Time and labor savings. For customers who work with critical equipment, our water-soluble paper solutions make for easy label removal and cut down on cleaning time of products and packaging, increasing the amount of labor spent on growing your organization.

• Innovation. With water-soluble paper materials available in multiple thicknesses, coatings, and configurations, there’s an option ready for your needs all while providing a convenient to use product.

• Product portioning. If your product requires specific portion sizes, SmartSolve can give you whatever packaging you need to maintain the integrity of your product for use.

SmartSolve provides pouches, board stock, and label stock packaging solutions that are sustainable, cost-effective, convenient for customer use, and differentiation in a changing market. 

To learn more about meeting consumer challenges, view the full Webinar we recently gave for the Contract Packaging Association. As always, we’re here to answer any questions; just call 800.537.9429 or request a quote.

High-Quality Custom Product Labels That Dissolve in 30 Seconds

A recent study has shown that eco-friendly products are becoming more important to consumers. Specifically, 84% of consumers care deeply about recyclable packaging options, with a large majority making their own efforts to recycle. Based on these statistics, products with eco-friendly packaging offer benefits for customers and businesses who wish to reduce their carbon footprint and utilize recyclable packaging.

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What Are SmartSolve® Labels?

SmartSolve Labels are high-quality custom product labels designed to dissolve in water in under 30 seconds. Water, no matter the temperature, will make the labels dissolve off of the packaging, resulting in a clean container that is ready for repurposing. In fact, the labels completely dissolve, leaving behind no sticky residue.

Eco-Friendly

The removal of most labels from packaging requires harsh chemicals. SmartSolve Labels dissolve using just water. Removing labels from product packaging allows consumers to repurpose containers right in their own home, saving costs for trash facilities and keeping more packaging out of landfills.

Environmental Awards

SmartSolve Labels have received several awards and certifications from various eco-friendly organizations. These companies have certified the labels to be eco-friendly and a good use of resources. The labels received “green” certifications from the following organizations:

• The Toxins in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH)

• Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) 2008

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

• European Union’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (EU Reach)

• California Prop 65

• Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC)

• Nourish The Planet (NTP)

They are also certified for distribution by the Forest Steward Council (FSC), which has very strict standards for responsible forestry.

Higher Quality Printing

When printing a label onto plastic, it can be very hard to create a high-quality design. Inks do not stick well to plastic and can appear blurry. SmartSolve Labels provide a high-quality label, giving products and their packaging a high-end appearance. Customers love the clean look and the crisp colors. The company uses color-matching technology for labels and trademarked exact colorations.

Uses for Dissolvable Labels

These are some of the most common use cases for labels that dissolve in water:

• Food storage containers. Dissolvable labels allow consumers to reuse the containers for other storage when the original product is gone.

• Temporary labels. Businesses can ask customers to return containers in a store-initiated recycling program – saving the business money on purchasing new containers and reducing their carbon footprint.

• Time-sensitive decals. Kid’s items, like bicycles, skateboards, and balls, often end up discarded due to the fact the child’s interest changesor the character is no longer relevant. Dissolvable labels allow the product a longer life, completely removing the decal.

• Hospital labeling. A new label for each patient can completely wash away during the disinfection process, making less trash and single-use items for the landfill.

• Laboratories. Specimen samples or other collections of samples can have their own label. Like a hospital, when sanitizing the container, the label will disappear.

These are just a few of the ideas for using the labels as a way to get ahead in business. Century Label has spent over 30 years innovating new product labeling technologies for companies across the U.S. Hella Cocktail Company and Sun King Brewery both offer up their testimonials on working with Century. For a complete rundown of what Century Label has to offer, check out the home page.

What Are Hyper-Customized Printed Labels?

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Stand Out with Hyper-Customized
Printed Labels

What are Hyper-Customized Printed Labels?

Century Label has offered high-quality customized label printing since 1980. Our process allows businesses to order custom-made, top-notch labels for their products. We consistently win design awards for our labels, year after year. One of our top services is hyper-customized printed labels, where we design 100 percent unique labels for short-run prints.

What is Hyper-Customization?

Hyper-customization means our process creates labels that aren’t just unique—they’re truly one of a kind. Every hyper-customized printed label goes through only one short- to medium-term print run, and is designed specifically to be a unique creation that is never repeated.

The Hyper-Customization Process

For our hyper-customized label designs, we use HP Mosaic to generate customizable artwork. This is the best tool in the trade for generating automatic art with customizable data. We begin each label with a single vector file, which we produce and customize to your product’s specifications. Automated generation allows our hyper-customized labels to be an explosion of eye-pleasing color and complex patterns. Contrary to the name, automated generation is not the computer doing the job for us; we curate each generation to make absolutely certain the design suits your print run, and every label is different—just one factor that makes hyper-customization so popular.

Once generated, a vector is transformed into a variety of fractal imagery or interesting design patterns. This system provides flexibility of design in a way other customization methods lack. It’s also why every run is so distinct, as generation only produces one of each image.

The results of this process are full-color labels with endless variation. Each hyper-customized label is a one-print run with no repeats, meaning every single product has a single unique label, and not even the same item will have two of a kind. These unique runs are perfect for small, simple products that need a standout label with eye-popping colors and patterns.

HP SmartStream Mosaic

HP’s Mosaic software is an art generation tool used by graphic designers and custom printers to simplify the process of creating pattern art. The software is an easy-to-use solution that can smoothly integrate with other design essentials. Mosaic generates patterns using full color and is based off of a set of generation rules that were curated to create only the best patterned images. When an image is created, we can manipulate text and data to enter your product information or even add other images.

The automated designs serve as only the base for our labels. Once an image is created, we can curate the remaining information into a unique design that truly highlights what makes your product special. 

Available Options

We offer hyper-customization for a variety of labels. Not only is this available for traditional, simple labels, but we also provide the option for customization on most digitally printed products. We can hyper-customize shrink sleeves, pressure-sensitive labels, and several other items.

Beyond the different types of labels, we also offer variable data labels. For situations in which you need to change elements (such as product names, numbers, or even barcodes), our process will automatically create the next consecutive item without error—providing full flexibility in our printing that saves the hassle of generating a new label. 

We can do this because of the power of digital printing. When we send items for runs, we do not need to change the entire process; instead, we can alter small pieces to create unique, fully customized labels at a much lower cost.

Hyper-customization is an excellent design option for low-cost, unique labeling and packaging that packs a punch, without taking away from your product and design needs. 

For a no-obligation, confidential initial custom bottle label consultation with one of our design experts, click here.

Custom Bottle Labels That Stand Out from a Crowd

The craft brew market is growing, which is great news for the industry. Individual brewers are seeing more competition for the same consumers, so it’s up to each brewer to find a way to stand out from the masses. You know your beer is the best, but until consumers buy it, they don’t. How do you get the customer to choose your brew? Custom bottle labels. 

Craft beer labeling matters almost as much as the beer’s taste. Customers have to notice your brand so they can find out just how fantastic it tastes. Maybe your labels just don’t pop. Maybe they’re looking for your beer, but they can’t remember what the labels look like. Either way, crafting a solid impression is just as important as crafting the beer itself.

Take a look at some of these custom bottle labels from Century Label. You’ll never forget them, right? What gives something like the Great North Aleworks or Sun King Brewing labels such an edge?

Color Me Surprised

Turns out, there’s a lot of science behind why customers prefer one brand design over another. Color, texture, typeface, and material all influence buyers’ choices. Did you know that 90 percent of judgments about a product are made because of color alone? 

Color selection and design need to be based on the personality of your brand. Is your craft brew a down-to-earth, average Joe’s choice? Go with an earthy brown, basic bottle. There’s an entire psychology behind color theory and its impact on marketing. There’s a lot of debate about how much, say, yellow affects someone’s mood. 

One thing that’s certain…

Colors provide associations your customers may not be aware of. 

Sometimes, it’s best to let your product do the talking. If you’re bottling your drinks in clear glass, for example, you need to design your label in a way that highlights the drink itself. This includes matching the colors of your drink to the label.

Century Label’s custom bottle labels for Sun King are good examples of this strategy. The combination of vibrant, warm colors works really well for a standout, high-energy brand. Take a look at the colors. That orange and blue combination is a classic of color theory. The strategy here is using complementary colors – colors on the opposite sides of the color wheel from each other – to make the product bright and sharp. You can also use a monochromatic design, with one color in different shades, and triple color schemes for different effects. That’s the advantage of custom bottle labels – they really arecustom.

Crafting Memories

The size of the market means you can’t afford to have a generic label design. Your beer needs a custom bottle label that people will remember. You need to consider all aspects of your container, product, and even the sales environment. Buyers will have trouble recognizing your product’s name if the text on your bottle is too small or unclear. And while a reflective, metallic texture will certainly catch the eye, it also may be difficult to read if you don’t make accommodations for lighting. 

The drink’s container also has an impact on your labeling. A bottled drink offers less design space than a canned package. Century Label’s Wolf Pack design is an innovative solution: Some bottles are made from aluminum, which, in addition to other advantages, turns the entire bottle into a canvas. This solution means the beer has a consistency in its design – even across containers and materials.

There is no universal rule for good bottle label design. Branding your beer comes naturally, and you know yourself and the product better than anybody. Choose the custom bottle label that works best for your drink’s identity. 

For a no-obligation, confidential initial custom bottle label consultation with one of our design experts, click here.

When it Comes to Nutraceutical Packaging and Labeling, What’s on the Outside Counts, Too!

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By 2025, the global market for nutraceutical products is projected to reach $578.23 billion according to a December 2017 report by Grand View Research, Inc. There’s no doubt about it – capturing a share of this burgeoning market can be profitable, but will be increasingly difficult, as more competition enters the field.

As the demand for nutraceutical products grows, inevitably, consumer demands will evolve. And, as you probably already know, consumers view packaging – whether consciously or not – as a key factor in making buying decisions. Packaging and labeling can make or break products in this category – maybe even more than in other categories.

Changing demands must be met by changing packaging.

With a growing awareness of health issues and an aging baby boomer population, producers and packagers of nutraceuticals that want to thrive must stay in touch with the changing demands of consumers. In addition, they’d better be committed to – and willing to invest in – making changes to their product packaging to align with consumers’ desires.

E-Commerce presents a different set of concerns for nutraceuticals.

Online vitamin and supplement sales are increasing 12% faster than the e-commerce average. As more nutraceutical manufacturers look to grow online sales, they must also tackle the challenges posed by the e-commerce model. For example, shipping may mean that your products will be bundled with other non-similar products. And the conditions (moisture, temperatures, etc.) will most likely be unknown. Weight and size are also of greater concern.

Failure to provide the necessary packaging features that stand up to the conditions of e-commerce distribution will result in a poor consumer experience that will reduce sales and could even lead to the end of the brand.

Stand out with disruptive package and label designs.

Whether consumers purchase their nutraceuticals online, or in a store, they are overwhelmed with options. In the nutraceutical space, it’s becoming even more necessary to develop packaging and label designs that disrupt the eye of consumers and grab attention.

But, while important, the focus on differentiation cannot be allowed to trump the other critical factor in consumer decision-making: trust. Because product credibility and trust in nutraceutical brands so heavily impact the buying decision of consumers, it’s vital for nutraceutical manufacturers to invest in the right packaging to convey that credibility, while standing out from the crowd.

Should flexible packaging be in the mix?

For manufacturers of some nutraceuticals, thinking outside of the traditional bottle should be part of their plan. Consumers love flexible packaging – as long as it delivers a quality product in the expected condition. Flexible packaging, such as pouches, films, bags, envelopes, sachets, wraps, stick packs and foils–stand-up and lay-flat–are all types of flexible packaging widely used by manufacturers today. These types of packaging can offer maximum impact without taking up a large footprint on store shelves and easily stack or nest for display or transportation.

Environmental concerns of nutraceutical consumers.

A growing number of consumers are committed to environmental responsibility. To consider environmentally friendly packaging options is especially wise for nutraceutical manufacturers, as sustainability is especially important to nutraceutical customers. Because many of these consumers are looking for a natural alternative to traditional prescription drugs, they are more likely to show concern for the environment. Products packaged with too much wasted material can be a turn-off to these consumers. In addition to being convenient, flexible packaging can offer an efficient option that appeals to this segment.

It’s an added benefit that flexible packaging can reduce production, inventory and transportation costs to manufacturers.

Labels and packaging that sells, informs and teaches.

If a company opts to utilize a material or container that is unfamiliar to consumers, providing proper disposal instructions on the label and proactively marketing the sustainable innovation will help to ease the learning curve.

Expert advice to ensure the best packaging solutions.

Century Label recognizes the fact that custom printed labels are a vital component of nutraceutical marketing. Nutraceutical products combine dietary and medicinal properties and include many health and beauty benefits.

We’ll help you highlight your ingredients and features with attractive and easy-to-read custom nutraceutical labels. We’ve been creating professional and informative nutraceutical packaging that will earn the initial trust of potential customers and encourage them to try your product.

Our expertise includes the printing of nutraceutical labels, shrink sleeves and flexible packaging in multiple shapes and sizes, including tamper-resistant versions.

An effective nutraceutical marketing plan includes a very intentional packaging and label design. It almost goes without saying that nutraceuticals require the right form, function and design. Because so many factors enter in, it’ll pay to include a reputable label and packaging expert with a solid nutraceutical track record.

For a no-obligation, confidential initial consultation with one of our nutraceutical packaging experts, click here.

We’re No Old Dog. We’re Always Growing – for You.

Century Label’s Contract Packaging Association membership is part of the plan.

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? While Century Label, a division of CMC Group Inc, has spent more than 35 years providing award-winning printed materials, custom pressure sensitive labels, shrink sleeves and flexible packaging to brands across the nation, we are no old dogs!

We continue to invest heavily in increasing our level of expertise and expanding our capabilities. Advanced software, the latest equipment, and people who are always learning, growing and improving. That’s our commitment.

Please excuse us, while we toot our own horn for a minute.

With onsite printing facilities, state-of-the-art equipment, and experienced production and graphics teams, we’re a G7 Master Printer, committed to meeting your unique packaging needs. We’re known for our award-winning digital and HD flexo print quality, our flexibility, and our state-of-the-art color management system, as well as highly personalized printing. (One print run—no two labels are alike.)

Since 1980, Century Label has had a solid reputation for exceeding the expectations of our clients in several markets, including:

• Specialty food & specialty beverage (including craft beverages)

• Private label

• Nutraceutical

• Health & beauty

• Industrial & chemical

But we’re not resting on all this recognition and acclaim. In fact, we’re working even harder to stay at the top of our game.

So, why CPA Membership? We do it for you.

Our membership in the Contract Packaging Association is an investment in our continued growth and expanding ability to serve you.

Here are just a few of the advantages we gain from our CPA membership and share with our valued customers:

• Industry insight – The ability to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in the labeling and packaging industry, including technological advances in products and processes.

• Legal consultation – The ability to stay ahead of food and drug regulatory law with an emphasis on packaging and labeling issues.

• Access to CPA educational collateral and events – Opportunities to expand our knowledge through CPA educational events and materials. This is one of many resources for us.

• Industry impact – Opportunities to participate in invitation-only industry events and forums, so we can share our customers’ needs and desires – and our own learning experiences – with a group that has the power to impact meaningful change in the contract packaging industry.

• Networking – The CPA is a vast network of printing professionals, including co-packers that may empower us to better meet specific needs of customers.

It’s all about you. Really, it is.

We know, you’ve heard that line before. But before you click away, let us reassure you that we mean it. To the core of our business, we’re making daily decisions through the filter of our customers, what they want and need, and the way their product gets packaged, labeled, displayed, sold, and used in homes and businesses.

With that in mind, we’ll never stop investing in gained knowledge, and the application of that knowledge. All with the goal of providing leading edge label printing, shrink sleeves and flexible packaging to brands across the nation because we’re no old dog!

Upcoming Webinar: Think Outside the Box – Literally

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 25, 2018

May 15 Webinar to Highlight Creative Flexible Packaging Ideas

Think Outside the Box – Literally

BOWLING GREEN, OH – Packaging today is not just a way to hold a product. It’s a silent salesperson communicating and engaging with consumers from the shelf. 

You may already be using flexible packaging, but is it creating the results you want? If not, it’s time to think outside the box – literally.

Join flexible packaging experts Joe Kay and Jonathan Jakubowski May 15, 2018 from 2-3 pm EDT as they present Flex Pack 2.0: Five Creative Flexible Packaging Ideas You Need to Know.

1. Dominating with Digital Production

2. Protecting Your Brand from Counterfeiting

3. Personalizing Your Brand Story with Augmented Reality

4. Honoring the Earth

5. Portioning Perfection

“Packaging today doesn’t have to be boring,” says Century Label Key Account Manager, Joe Kay. “Creative flexible packaging solutions can be used to engage customers on an entirely new level, strengthening brand identity and moving more product.” 

This webinar is intended for:

• Brand & Product Managers

• Marketing Executives

• Packaging Designers

• Private Label Manufacturers

• Entrepreneurs

If you want to hear about the most contemporary and creative flexible packaging ideas available today, this webinar is for you.

Space is limited. Don't miss this opportunity to create lasting impressions on the shelf and in the minds of your customers.

To register for the free, one-hour webinar, click the link below and complete the form.

centurylabel.com/flex-pack-webinar

About Century Label

Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, Century Label has over 35 years of award-winning printing experience. Providing custom printed products to businesses and individuals nationwide since 1980, Century Label specializes in precision printing and customer care. With onsite printing facilities, state-of-the-art equipment, and an experienced production team, Century Label is committed to providing custom printed products to meet each of our customers’ needs. Visit centurylabel.com to learn more.

Flexible Packaging as a Marketing Tool

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PART 3 OF A 3-PART SERIES ON FLEXIBLE PACKAGING.

You have a great product. You’ve developed, refined, and perfected it until you have a product you’re proud of and that has great profit potential. Whether your company revolves around a single product, or several product lines, chances are, you’ve invested a ton of time, energy and other resources to get to this point.

Now, what about packaging? The type of packaging you choose for your product will have a huge impact on its success. Factors like freshness, protection, and convenience will impact how your product is perceived by consumers – and whether they’ll buy it repeatedly. Packaging choice obviously plays a major role here. But are you giving packaging enough credit for its ability to impact your product’s success through branding and differentiation? What about product information and education?

The first two installments of this three-part blog series on flexible packaging discussed the many types of flexible packaging available. We covered which types of flexible packaging may be best for various products, and the potential cost savings involved. Here, in Part 3: Flexible Packaging as a Marketing Tool, we discuss the advantages of flexible product packaging when it comes to marketing your product.

The ability to use every square inch of the package.

Since flexible packaging is printed while flat, the capability is there to print on every square inch of the package, essentially turning the whole thing into a label.

The entire package can be a bright, eye-catching color. Additional colors, graphics, even photography can be added. Front, back, sides – even the gusset – can carry product messaging and information. So, with flexible packaging, you can include all regulation-required information, and still have plenty of space for product features and benefits, plus eye-catching graphics and call-to-action.

The right packaging allows you to differentiate.

Yours may not be one of them, but we find that many companies still view their product packaging as an afterthought. A tremendous commitment of resources goes into the painstaking creation of their products, but the wrong – or underutilized – packaging can whittle away at the products’ chances of success.

It pays to view product packaging as an essential part of your branding, marketing and merchandising efforts. The packaging you choose can attract consumers and sway their purchases, right at the decision point. Will consumers notice your product amongst the sea of competing products? Will they properly perceive its value? Quality? Flavor? Packaging helps determine all of this.

Packaging has become an integral part of every successful company’s marketing mix. And we have seen a major shift toward flexible retail packaging, and a wide recognition of the power it has to build brands and attract loyal customers.

Choosing the right flexible packaging is vital.

With so many sizes, shapes, materials and printing processes available within the flexible packaging arena, it’s a good idea to do your homework. A good, knowledgeable packaging and labeling expert can help you look at every aspect – including what kind of package messaging is important to the success of your product.

Questions to consider include:

• What is your competition doing?

• How do consumers feel about existing products in your category and how they’re packaged?

• Are there consumer complaints or requests that you can address through the right flexible packaging?

• What colors, graphics and messaging are you seeing on your close competitors’ flexible packaging?

• Pouch functionality – how is the consumer using your product?

• How could flexible packaging help you continuously update your product design, so your product doesn’t become overlooked on the shelf?

Flexible packaging. A powerful tool.

Product packaging is vital to every product’s success, this we know for sure. Flexible packaging, specifically, can be a powerful tool in your marketing and branding tool kit. It must be eye-catching, intuitive, and functional. Flexible packaging allows manufacturers to package their products to answer these consumer demands.

Eye-catching is possible when you work with a flexible packaging supplier that has cutting-edge print capabilities. Full color. Wide web. Roll stock. The options for designing and producing eye-catching packaging are virtually endless.

Creating lasting brands in consumer goods involves the right packaging.

Designed and printed correctly, flexible packaging should have the following characteristics. It should be:

• Visible - Stand out from the competition and have stopping power.

• Visceral - Create positive emotional reactions with consumers resulting in a preference.

• Memorable - Pass the memory sketch test.

Here’s more on each of these points.

Powerful visible brand identity.

A powerful brand identity visually captures the unique essence of the brand strategy. It also connects the heart of the brand to consumers in a memorable way. Flexible packaging allows the freedom to accomplish this through full-package print, texture, colors and shapes.

Visceral expression of the product.

The visual impact of your flexible packaging design should express the unique part of the product experience, and emotionally engage consumers’ senses to create a craving for the product. An example of a tool we use to involve the senses, is soft touch matte. Consumers find it hard to resist touching product packaging that includes this soft-to-the-touch effect. And consumer engagement increases the chance of a sale.

Flexible packaging, a background for impact.

The right packaging background creates dimension, and pulls consumers in. Colors and textures can be used to create visible brand blocks, product differentiation in retail settings, and contribute to the product’s memorability.

Make the most of the power without.

While it goes without saying that what’s inside the package must be good, your product packaging can be the turbo power of your marketing and branding. As a (literally) flexible option, flexible packaging – done well – involves each one of the points above.

Flexible packaging can not only protect and store your product, it can present your product in the best light. It can display the price and value of your product, communicate the features and benefits to consumers, and influence them to choose your product over countless others.

Even if your product is the very best on the market, the wrong packaging can keep it from moving off store shelves. And the right packaging can be the turbo boost your product needs to start flying off store shelves and into the hearts and homes of consumers.

Once you determine that flexible packaging is right for your product, find a trusted supplier with extensive capabilities and experience–one that can help you design and produce a packaging powerhouse for your product. After all, it may be what’s on the inside that counts, but It’s on the outside that products are discovered and chosen in the retail space.

Would it Pay to Flex Your Packaging? Flexible Packaging Options. Which One is Right for You?

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PART 2 OF A 3-PART SERIES ON FLEXIBLE PACKAGING.

As you consider flexible packaging, your options are just about endless. Pouches, films, bags, envelopes, sachets, wraps, stick packs and foils–stand-up and lay-flat–are all types of flexible packaging widely used by manufacturers today.

Everything from juice to nuts; candies to jerky;  and even lawn & garden products can be found in flexible packaging.

There are many ways to flex.

Two-, Three-, or Four-Side Seal Bags or Pouches – Slim and convenient, these work great for single servings, sample-sizes and more. These three-side seal-flat pouches, are a great flexible packaging option for products with flat or flexible shapes, like beef jerky and dry powders or mixes. This slim packaging option is packable, portable and can save on shipping costs. Features that can be included in flat barrier bags include zip locks, hang holes and child resistance.

These types of high-barrier pouches are in high demand because of their superior properties, including improved durability, strength, and protection of products from moisture and oxygen. Another key benefit is the ability to print on the entire package in full color while offering reduced material and less negative impact on the environment.

Printed Roll Stock – If you make your own packaging but need the right film to maintain product quality and control costs, printed roll stock might be your answer. It can be used to convert into many different types of products, such as stick packs, sachets, lidding, flow wrap and vertical or horizontal form and fill. These types of packaging require different types of film dependent on the application. The choices are endless, from clear OPP to metalized to foil film to multiple layer constructions.

Your Century Label packaging consultant can help you determine the best material, specs and design. We'll need to know the application, materials going into the pouches, preferred web width, diameter or length of rolls, heat settings and dwell time. No project is too big or too small, as we can offer digital or HD flexo printing to accommodate all your custom printed packaging needs.

High Vapor Barrier Pouches – Product accessibility can be limited with the use of this flexible dispensary packaging option. When child resistance or legal locking bags are needed for consumer preference or to comply with government regulations, Century Label offers these packaging solutions.

Uses include packaging of medical marijuana, edibles, laundry pods and medicines. These durable, high vapor barrier bags and pouches help maintain product aroma, freshness, shape, viability and structure, and can be custom printed digitally or flexographically. Our fully custom printed stock pouches are available in quantities as low as 5000 bags or pouches.

K-Style Bottom Gusset Stand Up Pouches – K-bottom gusset style pouches have a K-shaped seal profile on the front and back sides of the bottom edges. This design tends to guide product toward the center and bottom of the pouch, making it an excellent choice for lightweight products like crackers, cookies and snacks.

This type of flexible packaging is strong and able to stand upright without falling over. It protects fragile product while offering an attention-grabbing presentation and, of course, can be customized to meet your branding needs.

Unlike a round-bottom pouch, the tooling required to manufacture the “K” style seal is not affected by pouch size. This makes it easy and affordable to make just about any size pouch, making changes in package size without needing to change tooling.

Plow-Bottom Gusset Stand Up Pouches – Heavy, bulky products require a slightly different flexible packaging design. Recommended for products weighing five pounds or more, the plow-bottom gusseted stand-up pouch is a convenient, cost-reducing choice for sugar, salt, and other granular products. They offer an excellent way to package, transport, store and display heavy products in a way that is easy to get to and keep fresh.

The plow-bottom design does not have seals on either the front or back edges of its bottom. The weight of its contents settled at the bottom provides a foundation on which the pouch can stably stand. While recommended for products weighing five pounds or more, products that are lighter can be packaged in this style of a pouch.

Round-Bottom, or Doyen Style Gusset Stand Up Pouches – With a round-bottom gusset that features a curved seal profile on the front and back sides of the bottom edges, this can be another good option for lightweight products. The rounded bottom evenly distributes product weight and maintains balance.

This style offers an impactful display that stays upright or hangs, can carry a full-color product message, is resealable, and does a great job of protecting fragile products. Products like grains, coffee grounds, loose-leaf tea and flour, as well as soaps and liquid detergents are good choices for this kind of economical packaging. The round gusset stand-up packaging is convenient for consumers as well, especially with the popular resealable zip closure.

Tooling required to manufacture round bottom seals is specific to the size of the pouch, so custom tooling might be needed, depending on the desired pouch size.

Our experts can help you decide on the best flexible packaging for your products and market.

It’s true that flexible packaging can reduce your packaging costs, minimize waste, and draw attention to your products. Well-designed, quality printed flexible packaging can help get your products noticed among the competition in stores and pharmacies, especially when lined up against plastic bottles and containers.

It's all about product differentiation. Will the consumer choose your package over the competition? How can you improve your chances while controlling costs? It has been proven that product packaged in pouches and other flexible packaging sell better than rigid packaging, overall.

The right flexible packaging solution can do all this while protecting the condition and freshness of your products. Our flexible packaging experts will help you weigh the pros and cons of each and come to the best packaging decision for your product and market.

Our experts can share with you the many fully custom printed pouch programs we offer on both standard- and high vapor-barrier pouches.

In Part 3 of this series, we’ll cover more specific flexible packaging printing options and how to make the most of product messaging and improve your chances of standing out in retail spaces.

When Does it Pay to Flex Your Packaging? Flexible Packaging 101

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Part 1 of a 3-part Series on Flexible Packaging.

There are times when it’s wise to be rigid. In matters of principle. In important areas of self-discipline. And, sometimes, in your packaging choices.

However, there are also times when flexibility can be the wise choice. Here, we’ll stick with flexibility as it relates to packaging. We’ll leave matters of the heart, raising children, and self-indulgence for another time.

Glass and plastic bottles and containers will always have their place in the packaging world. Their ability to hold and display a wide range of products – as only they can – will ensure that. But, for some product manufacturers, flexible packaging offers strong benefits over plastic and glass.

We’ll explore flexible packaging in this three-part series.

What is flexible packaging?

Pouches, films, bags, envelopes, sachets, wraps, stick packs and foils – stand-up and lay-flat – are types of flexible packaging widely used by manufacturers today. Chances are, you’ve seen flexible packaging on store shelves and in coolers everywhere. Products ranging from juice, to nuts; candies, to jerky – even lawn & garden products – can be found in flexible packaging.

These are the packages that flex to hold product and flatten to be disposed of while taking up less space in trash receptacles and landfills. They are easy to transport, don’t break, take up less space on store shelves, coolers, home pantries and refrigerators.

From the consumer’s viewpoint, flexible packaging can provide the convenience to enjoy products on the go with single serve portions that can bend, fold and be stored almost anywhere. There’s also the desirable ability to provide resealable product packaging and tolerance to microwave oven temperatures.

Why flexible packaging?

From the perspective of product manufacturers, flex packaging can offer a multitude of benefits – for the right products and conditions.

Flex packaging can reduce packaging costs, minimize waste, and attract attention. Yes, well-designed, quality printed flexible packaging can help get your products noticed among the competition in stores and pharmacies, especially when lined up against plastic bottles and containers.

The right flexible packaging solution can do all this while protecting the condition and freshness of your products.

No label required.

Flexible packaging requires no label because the graphics and product information are printed directly onto the packaging material. This allows manufacturers to showcase high quality graphics on packaging that also protects the contents with an air-tight seal. Century Label offers FDA-approved finishes to further prevent moisture from affecting the product inside.

Flexible packaging and digital printing – a powerful duo.

Century Label is a leader in digital flexible packaging. Our advanced digital print equipment and capabilities allow us to provide short- to medium-run custom flexible packaging at the highest quality and quickest turnaround in the industry.

Here are a few of the benefits of digitally printed flex packaging:

• Cost Savings - No plate charges, print-on-demand so no inventory required, no waste due to obsolescence

• Customizable - Use variable data to target any demographic or promotional opportunity

• Speed-to-Market -Shipping ten business days from approval of artwork

• Low Minimum Quantities - Ideal for short runs and multi-SKU jobs

• High Print Quality - High Definition quality, extended color gamut, perfect registration

For long-run jobs, Century Label capabilities include flexo printing for flexible packaging, which may offer cost savings over digital. Our experts can help you determine which method is best for your needs.

When is flexible packaging the best choice?

As you consider your packaging options, our experts can help. Once we gain a knowledge of your products, processes, logistics, and customers, we’ll recommend the best packaging size and structure for your product.

If you already have a package specification in mind, let us know and we’ll work with you on maximizing efficiencies while meeting your packaging, messaging, and merchandising needs.

Here are some important factors to keep in mind when considering various packaging options:

• How do your customers view your products and how would a packaging change effect that?

• How does your current packaging compare to the competition?

• Are there potential cost savings in your packaging process?

• What would new or different options do to your transit costs?

In Part 2 of this series, we’ll cover specific types of flexible packaging, and the benefits – and drawbacks – of each.

Shrink Sleeves 101

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Shrink sleeves are an innovative, cost-effective labeling and packaging solution. In its simplest form, a shrink sleeve consists of a heat-sensitive material that is seamed on one side with an opening on the top and bottom to form a sleeve. The sleeve is placed on the product either by hand or machine and heat is applied to shrink the sleeve onto the item. But what else should you know about shrink sleeves? Here are five things to consider when deciding if a shrink sleeve solution will work for you.

1. Sizing

When designing and ordering a shrink sleeve, a number of important measurements are taken. The slit width is the total width of the sleeve before it is seamed. Slightly smaller than the slit width, the critical art width is the area of the sleeve that is printed. A shrink sleeve’s layflat width is the width of the seamed sleeve or the width of the finished product. The cut length is the total height of the sleeve and the critical art height is the height of the printed area on the sleeve. Generally, the critical art height is 4 mm less than the cut length, leaving 2 mm on the top and the bottom of the sleeve without printing.

2. Printing & Varnishing

After the size of the shrink sleeve has been determined, art for the sleeve is sized appropriately and prepared for the printing process. In order to improve the scratch resistance, the imprint is applied to the inside of the material. Depending on how the sleeve is being applied to the container, a varnish may need to be applied over the printing to further ensure that the imprint does not scratch and the sleeves run smoothly on the application equipment. 

3. Perforations

Perforations are often used on shrink sleeves that will be applied to bottles with screw off tops to provide tamper resistance. They can also be applied to the side of a sleeve to allow easy removal. There can be up to two perforations per sleeve.

4. Seam & Fold Areas

When designing a shrink sleeve, the seam and fold areas must be considered. Important design components, such as ingredient information or UPC codes, should not be on a fold, as the fold can render these unreadable. Seams can fall in the center of the sleeve or off center.

5. Shrink Sleeve Finishing

Shrink sleeves can either be individually cut or finished on a roll depending on the application method. For many machine-applied shrink sleeves, the sleeves are finished on a roll; in this instance, the outer diameter of the roll, core size, and rewind position of the roll are critical to ensure it will work on the application equipment. 

CMC Group’s Century Label Division Becomes SQF Level 3 Certified

After creating quality labeling solutions for food and beverage manufacturers for more than 35 years, Century Label has taken its commitment to safety to the next level.

CMC Group, Inc./Century Label is now SQF (Safe Quality Food) Level 3 certified (Certificate No. 16114) as a manufacturer of printed labels and shrink sleeves for the food packaging industry. SQF Level 3 is a GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) approved scheme with a quality control component built in and is recognized by retailers and foodservice providers around the world who require a rigorous, credible food safety management system.

SQF and GMP Audits Completed by EAGLE Food Registrations Inc.

This certification is the latest instance of Century Label becoming more effective at responding to changing regulations and customer requirements within the consumables industry. In 2016, Century became GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certified, which, according to the Institute of Food Research, is “a system to ensure that products meet food safety, quality and legal requirements.”

Century Label Earns Recognition from PEAK Awards

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The Print Services and Distribution Association (PSDA) announced that Century Label’s cold foil label for Strongman Whey Protein has been named as an Honorable Mention in the 2017 PEAK Awards competition, marking the fourth consecutive year that Century has been recognized by the awards.

This was Century Label’s first label to employ the cold foil technique, wherein the foil is pressed through a nip roller onto the substrate where a UV-curable adhesive has been printed and the product is exposed to UV light. The metallic foil, along with the bold red and black colors, gives the label a powerful, striking look.   

The pressure-sensitive label, which fits a 34.9 oz. container, was also created using HD Flexo printing, four-color process, and approximately 30,000 ft. of material (60,000 labels).

PSDA’s PEAK Awards, held in partnership with the Print Education & Research Foundation (PERF), recognize excellence in the print industry, promoting projects that display innovation, excellent quality, and produce high return on investment. Since 1995, the program has awarded teams that make bold decisions, connect with customers in new ways and deliver benefits to end users.

Century Label Wins Pewter Awards In the Annual Gold Ink Awards Competition

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Both winning shrink sleeves were printed using the HP Indigo 8000.

Printing Impressions, the publication that produces the annual Gold Ink Awards, announced that Century Label has won two Pewter Awards in the Digital Printing, Labels & Packaging category. Both winning entries were shrink sleeves for craft beer cans.

The shrink sleeve for Great North Aleworks Tie Dyed pale ale is an eye catching piece that contrasts a variety of colors with a stark white. The sleeves accommodate the customer's intricate white plating without registration issues, and a frosted look on the clear areas was created using the HP Indigo varnish.

Sun King Brewing created The Eighteenth Sun imperial wheat IPA in collaboration with 18th Street Brewery for the CANvitational, a special annual event that Sun King holds along with dozens of breweries across the country in celebration of canned beer. The sleeve couples an intricate design with vibrant colors to create a visually stunning look.

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The Gold Ink Awards competition is open to all creators and producers of printed materials, and encompasses nearly 50 categories within commercial printing, magazines, books, catalogs, digital printing and packaging. This year’s Gold Ink Award winners were chosen from nearly 1000 entries; winning pieces were chosen based on print quality, technical difficulty and overall visual effect.

A full list of this year’s winners can be found here.

Does Your Beer Label Tell the Right Story?

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A recent packaging industry survey of U.S. craft beer consumers revealed some surprising statistics on what impact packaging—and specifically, the label—can have on a craft beer. Here is a look at some of those numbers and what they mean:

31% of consumers are influenced by packages or labels that features appealing, understandable descriptors. Craft beer is still a relatively new phenomenon, which means that a plethora of consumers are entering the market every day. These interested-yet-unfamiliar consumers greatly benefit from being informed—at a high level—what type of beer they are considering.

30% of consumers are looking for a package or label that includes familiar beer terms that keep them informed. Conversely, the experienced beer drinker will be looking for labels that convey more technical information. This can include anything from hop and malt characteristics to IBU and ABV percentages and allows them to make more discerning purchasing decisions. 

29% of consumers consider whether or not a craft beer comes from a brewery with a long history in the industry. With the wave of breweries that have opened across the country in the past 15 years, older breweries such as Anchor Brewing and Sierra Nevada Brewing boast a longevity that translates into quality in the eyes of the consumer. Both breweries embrace this point by utilizing a label design with a classic feel.

27% of consumers take into account the type of packaging when deciding to try a new product. Picture yourself as a beer consumer who is just deciding to get their feet wet in the world of craft. You love hops and find yourself standing in a bottle shop faced with dozens of IPAs you know nothing about, and not a lot of time to research your decision. How do you select your beer? In this instance, nothing is more persuasive than the label. 

22% of consumers are interested in craft beers that are produced either locally or from their own state. A common strategy for craft brewers is to identify their location in their branding. Great Lakes Brewing in Cleveland, OH named themselves after the region in which they are located and name their beers after local events and icons (Lake Erie Monster, Burning River Pale Ale, etc.) Incorporating local elements creates a sense of pride among consumers in the brewery’s community.  

The label on a craft beer bottle or can is far more than just an attractive logo on a piece of paper—it serves as a brand identifier, tells the story of the beer inside the bottle or can and, at times, is the only thing that influences consumer purchasing decisions. Learn more at centurylabel.com/craft-beer-labels.

Cold Foil, Hot Stamp: Which Foil Process Works For You?

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The Strongman Whey Protein Powder label was created using HD Flexo printing, four-color process, silver cold foil, and approximately 30,000 ft. of material (60,000 labels).

Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to give your product a glamorous new look by incorporating a metallic foil into your label design.

Only one question: do you plan on using cold foil or hot stamp?

If you haven’t considered this question, don’t feel bad—most who venture into the same territory haven’t either. While difficult to spot with the naked eye, there are many differences between the two processes and brand owners should familiarize themselves with the advantages to each before entering the world of foil.

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Various wine labels printed multi-process, including hot stamp embellishments

How does Hot stamp work?

During the hot stamp process, a metal stamp of the soon-to-be-foiled design is created and mounted on a stamping machine above the paper. After heating the stamp, the sheet of foil runs between stamp and paper so that when pressure from the stamp is applied to the paper, the foil is affixed to the surface. This pressure, in turn, creates a noticeable, distinct feel.

Results

Hot stamp creates a true metallic that has a distinctively lustrous look. Colors are deeper and brighter than cold foiled materials, and the number of shades available is constantly growing.

Big takeaways

While not ideal for designs utilizing heavy ink coverage or reverse print, hot stamp is most effective when adding highlights to a label or packaging. It can produce more dramatic results when paired with digital printing. The process better lends itself to shorter runs, which generally equates to less than 20,000 ft. of material.

How does Cold foil work?

Cold foil uses a Flexographic printing press and takes place when an adhesive that is UV-curable is printed on the paper, film or shrink sleeve in a specific shape or design. Foil is then pressed through a nip roller onto the substrate and the product is exposed to UV light. Finally, to finish the process, the foil is removed where no adhesive is present.

Results

Cold foil’s fine detail and consistency make it ideal for situations where greater accuracy is required, such as small text. Additionally, cold foil offers the broadest range of colors because different color inks can be applied after the foil is on the paper.

Big takeaways

While hot stamp provides a high quality result, cold foil has its own set of advantages. Due to the inline nature of the process, as well as the fact that only a Flexographic plate—instead of a stamp or die—needs to be created, cold foil is a faster, more efficient process than hot stamp. It is best suited for long-run jobs, with a starting point of around 20,000-30,000 ft. of material, and can be used with a variety of substrates.

Hot or cold?

The choice of process boils down to a just a few factors. Brand owners working with a large inventory or looking for finer detail may want to consider cold foil, while hot stamp could be a more suitable option for those who place a premium on higher quality or are keeping a smaller inventory.

Regardless, both cold foil and hot stamp can add a shine and shelf appeal to your label that will give your product an elegant, sophisticated appearance.

Digital Label Trends: Century Label Seeks to Break Traditional Crossovers

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As digital printing technologies continue to advance in terms of speed and quality, label and package printers are beginning to take notice.

Established in 1980 and offering more than 35 years of experience to its label and packaging clients, Century Label provides custom printed pressure-sensitive labels and shrink sleeves to businesses nationwide. The company employs a staff of 225 and occupies a 36,000 square foot manufacturing campus, in addition to 35,000 square feet of warehousing and distribution space at its headquarters in Bowling Green, OH.

According to Heidi Chambers, executive director, Century Label, precision printing and customer care are the company’s specialties. “With state-of-the-art digital and HD flexographic equipment and experienced color management and production teams, we are committed to providing custom printed products to meet each of our customers’ needs,” she offers.

Digital and Flexible

With roots as an analog provider, Century Label has successfully transitioned about 80 percent of its print work to digital.

Adopting the technology early on, the print services provider (PSP) installed its first digital press in 2000. “Century Label was an early adopter of HP Indigo technology, entering the market in 2000 with HP’s Series 1 press,” recalls Chambers. “Our founder, Al Caperna, had a great deal of foresight in that digital was game-changing technology in the print market,” she says.

The print provider initially selected HP Indigo technology based on several factors, including its 1,200 dpi resolution and one-to-one registration capabilities. Today, the shop operates three HP Indigo WS6800 Digital Presses to produce the majority of label and packaging jobs with customization and quality.

The HP Indigo WS6800 is a narrow-web printing solution for high-volume label and packaging production. It produce up to 131 linear feet per minute in color and feature advanced color automation and sophisticated color matching tools to ensure accuracy, consistency, and repeatability. It supports 0.5 to 18 pt. materials, including standard substrates with inline priming.

“Like buying a new computer or phone, technology becomes obsolete quickly. Therefore, we continue to invest in state-of-the-art printing equipment, workflow automation, quality inspection, and finishing improvements,” says Chambers.

Century Label also features a fully operational finishing department. When the PSP decided to expand its shrink sleeve offerings, it invested in a new seamer. It has also purchased additional converting equipment to keep up with capacity.

In addition to its printing and finishing capabilities, Century invested in Esko software back when it installed its first HP Indigo and has added three to four additional workflows each year. They also utilize the HP Mosaic Smartstream application, a unique software solution that enables the creation of unlimited designs of labels and shrink sleeves, making each piece an original.

In terms of substrates, Century Label prints on over 40 different materials, listing semi-gloss, white poly, and PETG as its mainstays.

With a mix of technology and a clientele of brand managers, color management is essential. “Perhaps the biggest challenge we have faced is color matching across platforms,” admits Chambers. “We became recognized experts in this area when we received the G7 qualification earlier this year.”

Customer Satisfaction

The use of digital is not an issue for Century Label’s customers. In fact, Chambers sees a new trend where brands are becoming educated on the quality that color digital printing provides, and have started to request it—sometimes over more economical options for longer print runs. She adds that quality has taken on a greater importance.

The company serves a variety of markets, from nutraceutical to industrial and chemical and health and beauty. However, its primary focus is food and beverage. “With continued popularity in craft beverages, this has become even more of a focal point,” admits Chambers.

The company recently utilized its digital printing capabilities to make a splash for Hella Bitters, a Brooklyn, NY-based company that produces various flavors of bitters and cocktail mixers. The brand was looking to make an impact on the West Coast, and planned to use the Winter Fancy Food show in San Francisco, CA as the venue to launch its new line of cocktail mixers.

However, the client hit a snag when they found themselves with a last-minute label redesign right before the show. In order to make its launch, they needed the new label proofs in hand, in CA, the day before the event. They connected with Century Label, who worked with the team to ensure this tight turnaround was met.

Tobin Ludwig, co-founder, Hella Bitters, says it enjoys a great workflow with its label provider. “We reach out last minute with hard tasks and deadlines, and it’s good knowing Century has the team, infrastructure, and know-how to meet demands,” he offers.

Early Adopters

Century Label is poised for success, armed with the latest digital technologies and field expertise as an earlier adopter of digital label and package printing technology.

Maintaining its reputation for early adoption, the print provider is adding to its lineup of HP Indigo WS6800s after realizing its need for increased digital capacity over the past year. The shop is excited to be a beta site for the new HP Indigo 8000. Announced by HP at drupa 2016, the HP Indigo 80000 Digital Press is a digital narrow web press that provides end-to-end label production with faster speeds—up to 262 feet per minute.

“Beginning this year, Century Label is the first HP customer in North America to install and enhance its production capabilities once again with the new HP Indigo 8000,” states Chambers. She explains that the enhanced speed allows for longer digital runs, increasing its capacity to handle large-scale jobs and enabling it to offer digital solutions in a space that has been traditionally filled by flexographic print.

“We are throwing all preconceived notions out the window and are going to test the boundaries of long-run digital. For example, whereas 5,000 feet may have previously been the crossover point to flexographic, we will create a new sweet spot for digital runs,” she shares.

With a platform similar to the WS6800, the 8000 provides familiarity and speed. Chambers says that because the 8000 features a two-engine system, it is able to nearly double the speed of its existing digital technology. “With this installation, we’re going to break every boundary in terms of crossover point. We’re going to rewrite the whole book.”

Trending Towards Digital

For Century Label, the future is digital, and has been for quite some time. By being proactive with its technology investments, the print provider offers its customers expertise, quality, and speed for digital label and shrink sleeve production. As brand owners become educated on the advantages of digital, Century looks forward to pushing boundaries and building its portfolio of services.

Article by Cassandra Balentine originally published in the January 2017 Issue of Industrial Print Magazine.

HP Holds Open House at Century Label

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The HP Indigo 8000 Digital Press was on display at Century Label's Open House.

HP will also feature its portfolio at Dscoop, which takes place in Phoenix, AZ, USA, from March 1-4, 2017.

HP recently held an Open House at Century Label, which functioned as a beta site for the HP Indigo 8000 Digital Press. Over 30 people attended the event.

Century Label is located in Bowling Green, OH, USA, and specializes in digital printing. According to the company, digital allows Century Label to reduce the costs of short run printing. In addition, Century specializes in variable data printing and custom shrink sleeves.

The HP Indigo 8000 Digital Press runs at speeds up to 260 fpm in color while supporting 0.5-18 pt. substrate thicknesses. HP describes the press as “the most productive digital narrow-web label press in the industry.”

“Seeing it in action in a customer environment is very different,” says Avi Basu, director of marketing and business development, HP. “We had great feedback.”

HP has a big year planned in 2017, as it will include another edition of Dscoop, which will take place in Phoenix from March 1-4, 2017, in the Phoenix Convention Center. Dscoop is the largest digital printing user group in the graphic arts industry, and 2017 marks the 12th edition of the event.

Basu expects the event to draw upwards of 2,300 people, including guests from outside the US. “We’ll have the whole HP portfolio there, with lots of customers and prospects in attendance,” he says. “A lot of HP executives will be there as well. One of the benefits is it’s not a contrived environment. You can talk to anyone, people who like us, people who love us, people who might not be very happy with us. It truly gives you an impression of what’s going on in the minds and hearts of customers and prospects.”

Dscoop will feature emcee Lior Suchard and keynote speakers Billy Beane, EVP of baseball operations for the Oakland Athletics, and John Foley, former lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels. This year’s featured speaker will be Doug Lipp, former head of employee training at Disney. The 2016 version of Dscoop, which took place in San Antonio, TX, USA, drew attendees from twice as many companies as the record-breaking conference of 2015 and nearly 400 additional attendees. It was the first such event that was large enough to be held in a convention center.

Article originally published in the January 13, 2017 Issue of Label & Narrow Web.

Century Label’s Sustainability and Quality Initiatives

At Century Label, we remain aware and vigilant about reducing potential negative impacts on the world from our manufacturing and warehousing operations.

For this reason, we have developed and are consistently striving to expand Century Label’s TEAM ECO-DRIVE program–with the mission of building a culture of sustainability among our leadership, employees and vendor partners. Our goal is to make continuous environmental improvements in our processes, while delivering the highest level of customer satisfaction.

We have implemented a sustainability dashboard that tracks our efforts in several areas:

Energy Conservation:

We save electricity by using Light Emitting Diode (LED), Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs, and motion sensors in all facilities. We further conserve energy by turning off piped in music during non-business hours, and turning down hot water temperatures to 115°F (vs. 120°F). Climate control efforts include setting work area temperatures at 68°F in cold weather and 76°F in warm weather. We have also improved ventilation to assist the cooling of our buildings in summer.

Facility Consciousness:

For the maintenance of our buildings, we have specified the use of green cleaning agents; eliminated all chemicals and non-recycled mulch in our landscaping; eliminated salt in favor of sand for ice safety; and ensured all appliances used in our commercial kitchen and cafes are Energy Star rated.

Recycling Program:

We consistently recycle all inks, corrugated packaging, office paper, batteries, glass, plastic and metal; and recycle or reuse all pallets. Further, we have implemented a paperless, online pay stub program for employees. In less than two years’ time, we have limited monthly trash to less than 20 tons per month (vs. 25 tons per month, prior to this initiative), and have eliminated all pallets going to the landfill.

******

Green Products:

Steve Ashkin, of the Ashkin Group, has independently reviewed the results from accredited independent third-party testing laboratories, including Bureau Veritas and IPS Testing, for Century Label’s water-soluble label stock (sold under the brand names: DissolveMark™ and SmartSolve®). Testing confirmed the material passed the following tests designed to address specific product performance issues and to identify potential adverse impacts on human health and the environment. Those tests included:

• Slosh Box Disintegration Test method criteria. - FG502 (flushability)

• Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) - absence of lead & phthalates

• Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (formerly CONEG) – heavy metals

In addition, Century Label’s water-soluble label materials have been and continue to be screened for restricted substances and other substances of high concern for human and/or environmental health against numerous lists derived from national and international authoritative bodies including:

• US Environmental Protection Agency. Consolidated list of chemicals subject to the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA), Section 112(4) of the Clean Air Act (CAA), National Center for Environmental Assessment, and the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Database and Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program

• US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

• US National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Toxicology Program (NTP)

• EU Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)

• EU Regulation on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures

• EU List of Chemicals and their assigned GHS Hazard Statement (GHS)

• California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act Of 1986 (CA Prop 65)

• International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)

• Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC)

Based on information supplied by NSF, there were no ingredients included in the water-soluble label stock materials that were found to be of concern.

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Environmental & Quality Certifications:

Century Label meets Forest Steward Council (FSC) Forest Management and Chain of Custody Certification requirements for the production and distribution of labels and paper using the transfer system. We are Chain of Custody certified to sell products as FSC Mix, FSC Recycled (Certificate Code: SCS-COC-005745; Trademark License Code: FSC-C132204).

FSC is the most rigorous international standard for responsible forestry. FSC certified forests conserve biological diversity, water resources and crucial ecosystems. The FSC standard also upholds worker rights and supports economic prosperity in surrounding communities. The FSC Chain of Custody certification ensures that certified wood products are tracked from forest to final product, and, if applicable, that qualified recycled materials are used, adding legitimacy to the FSC claim throughout the supply chain.

Century Label is GMP certified (Certificate No. 10532) as a manufacturer of printed labels for the food service industry. According to the Institute of Food Research, GMP—or Good Manufacturing Practice—is “a system to ensure that products meet food safety, quality and legal requirements.”

With the certification, Century Label is increasingly more effective at responding to changing regulations and customer requirements within the consumables industry. Century Label is also now SQF (Safe Quality Food) Level 3 certified (Certificate No. 16114) as a manufacturer of printed labels and shrink sleeves for the food packaging industry. SQF Level 3 is a GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) approved scheme with a quality control component built in and is recognized by retailers and foodservice providers around the world who require a rigorous, credible food safety management system.