Which sense is more powerful – taste or sight? For beer, taste may keep customers coming back, but sight is what drew them to the brew in first place.
Take a look around next time you walk through the beer aisle at your local grocery store. While you may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices, did you ever notice that they all have their unique label styles?
We're not talking color or design, we're talking about the shape and size of the label itself – the beautiful, blank canvas at your disposal. But don't let that intimidate you, think of it like the blank slate that led you to your prized beer recipe. Much like your decision to choose to brew an IPA, stout, or pilsner, you can choose this, too.
In this article, we share the best options for labeling your home-brewed beer and provide tips from our experts on how to use each one effectively.
There's more to labels for beer bottles than one might consider. Do you want it to wrap from front to back or just be front-facing? Will it have a neck so it's identifiable in a six pack or does the one label speak for itself? Below are a variety of label styles you can choose from when dreaming up the perfect beer bottle label.
A wrap-around beer bottle label is a large rectangular label that wraps entirely around the surface of your beer bottle. These are perfect if you have an elaborate design to showcase or lot of information to incorporate. Struggling with what information to include? List the ingredients, include a detailed taste profile, describe what inspired the beer, or dive into the story of how you got into brewing.
Take a look at our full-wrap options: traditional labels, soap style labels, and round center labels.
Are you more of a short-and-to-the-point person? A half-wrap beer label has the perfect amount of room for your logo and the information required by law. By only covering one portion of the bottle, you're also letting your product shine through.
Let consumers see the rich color of your homebrew and save yourself the ink that comes with printing the entire circumference.
Imagine what you can do with half-wrap beer bottle labels in these styles: small rectangular label, medium rectangular label, title belt label, shield label, trophy label, small circle label, medium circle label, and oval label.
If you like the style of the full-wrap but want the added touch of a beer neck label, you don't have to settle. You can buy the beer bottle neck label separately and add it to your bottle. Or perhaps the half-wrap spoke to you. That works too, and you can have the best of both worlds as well.
We've created a combination of the half-wrap and the necks on one sheet. The dual label is a more traditional option and comes in two varieties: square label with a title belt neck and square label with rounded neck.
Looking to stray from the norm? For a minimalistic aesthetic, use the beer neck labels solo. If you've got an awesome and attractive beer bottle or minimalism is more your style, the beer neck labels put the focus on what matters most.
Square, circle, trophy, oh my! We have a variety of beer bottle label shapes available, from traditional to unique. See how each one affects consumers differently and how you can get shapes to talk to your consumers in a way you never expected.
Square and rectangular labels are the most common label shapes available – they're traditional, comfortable, and standard. If your beer fits that bill, then square is your man. Pay special attention to the corners, however. Whether your label has squared edges or rounded ones is another subliminal cue to consumers.
Squared off edges, also known as cusps, subconsciously evoke feelings of power, stability, and strength. If your beer has a strong flavor, or you want it to make your audience feel tough when drinking it, square shaped labels and labels with square corners may help you convey that message.
The stability and reliability that squares and rectangles generate are balanced by the sense of innovation and softness of rounded corners in these instances. If your beer is light or fruity, a square or rectangular label with curved corners could make that intuitive to your consumers, drawing them to pick up the bottle.
Much like the sharpness and balance of square corners, triangles are dynamic and energetic. They are typically more masculine in nature and can sometimes to be used to signify superiority. Triangles also symbolize change and caution (think about their use in science and math, as well as road signs).
If your beer is the best of the best or has different flavors throughout the drinking process, try a triangular label to connect with your audience.
Most notably, circles are timeless, never-ending, and unified. Circles are often paled in use by squares and rectangles making them a great alternative if you're looking to make a point (ahh, the irony). If your beer has a flavor that sticks with the drinker, is a blend of flavors, or is a breath of fresh air, let shoppers know with a round label.
Using what you've learned about the three basic shapes (squares, triangles, and circles), build a profile for the compound shapes. Consider how a heart is both circles and triangles, soft yet ever-changing. Other shapes in the OnlineLabels.com collection include hexagon labels, scalloped-edged labels, starburst labels, and more unique label shapes.
If standard isn't your style, OnlineLabels.com accepts orders for custom size labels. Let your creativity run wild – dream up something abstract, add an extra little detail, play with the standard symmetrical format, or simply just modify the dimensions of a standard label.
Not sure what you have in mind just yet? Browse the hundreds of sizes and configurations in our Custom Size Archive or talk with our label experts about your idea.
Once you have selected the perfect beer label style and shape, it's time to pick which label material will make the cut. Because beer is traditionally kept cold, whether it's refrigerated or on ice, we typically recommend using one of our weatherproof label materials.
A matte finish can be more formal, subdued, or classic. If you're printing beer labels on an inkjet printer, this finish is extremely durable. It utilizes one of the strongest adhesives we offer and is designed to withstand moisture and repel water. There's no doubt that your design will look great on one of these labels.
This glossy finish is ideal for showcasing vibrant colors and can help your design appear crisp and sharp. It offers extreme water resistance and won't tear easily because of its durable material. If you have an inkjet printer at home, this option will make your bottles shine.
Home brewers concerned with smudges and labels prone to tearing should go with these. They work with laser printers and adhere with extra-strength to glass, metal, plastic, and more. They, too, are moisture resistant, perfect for using with beer bottles.
For an elegant or decorative look, go with metallic silver. These brushed silver labels are designed for laser printers and can withstand both water and extreme temperatures. Created with permanent adhesive, your label won't get left behind in the cooler.
Give your homebrew some shelf appeal. Browse our beer bottle label templates or keep learning with our color psychology infographic. We also talk about vintage beer labels and the powerful effect of nostalgia.
Not sure about doing it yourself? Reach out to our support team, we're ready to help.
Before you know it, your custom beer bottle labels and the bottles they're attached to, will be flying off the shelves.