With summertime on the horizon, and gin lovers at the ready to test some new infused gin flavours, now is the time for gin distillers to think about creating the best gin labels for their bottles, to make them appealing to their perfect target audience.

We all know that the gin market boomed a few years back and with so much competition on the market, getting the label design right is just as important as getting the flavours right for your fellow gin fans.

Whether you make pink gin, sloe gin, chocolate, rhubarb or vanilla gin, you want your label to look as good as your gin tastes, and here are some pointers how…

Designing your gin label

When it comes to the design of your label, if you’re not creative or a graphic designer, it might be best for the experts to take rein on this one. Having said that, gathering as much research beforehand is important, by checking out what your competitors are doing, what designs stand out on the shelf and what colours represent your brand.

Logo – always display your company logo on the label to create brand awareness and familiarity

Colours – think about the colours you want to use for the different gin flavours you may offer – some gin distillers choose to have different label colour per flavour, and some choose different coloured text to differentiate the range of flavours

Typography – play around with different fonts and styles using similar or complimentary fonts to your company logo. Using bold vs italic fonts will create the desired look of your brand and label

Images – you may want to use an image of the fruits or special ingredients used within the gin, or a piece of art to make your brand stand out, or perhaps keep an emblem which represents your brand…or you might want to keep the label design simplistic and not want any images at all.

Choose your gin bottle before choosing your label shape

Make sure the gin bottle you select is the best size and shape to show off a great label design. You don’t want to design a label, to then choose a bottle where the design is too small or big for the bottle. Choosing a bottle with a smooth surface is recommended, rather than ridged or bumpy, to ensure your label adheres to the bottle.

Again, do some research on what bottles your competitors use but the label shape will depend on the bottle shape too. We have many pre-cutter shapes and sizes from rectangle, oval or irregular shapes, so can always help advise on the best gin labels for your bottles.

Selecting the best label material

To really sell your gin as a high-end drink (which let’s face it, it is!) the label material you select can really show that. A good quality thick premium paper is perfect with gin labels where you can add embellishments to add a luxurious element to the design (see below for more details on embellishments), or a metallic polypropylene material which oozes sophistication. You can always request some material samples before choosing the right material for your label design and always make sure the adhesive is strong enough to withstand exposure to moisture or other elements which may cause your labels to lift.

There are many material options which you can choose from:

• Paper – labels with a matt or gloss finish, but be careful the paper is not too thin to tear
• Textured Paper – a thick surface for a premium, antique look (ideal for adding embellishments)
• Kraft Paper – made from 100% recycled materials for a natural, more rustic look
• Polypropylene – a water-resistant, opaque glossy film for a sleek look
• Clear Polypropylene – durable, water-resistant transparent material which can make your label design stand out
• Silver Polypropylene – water-resistant, metallic silver for a reflective sheen and foiled look

Legal Label Requirements

If you are selling your gin to the general public then there are some legal requirements to display additional information on the back of your bottle, to ensure your gin is promoted in a socially responsible way. Always display the following information clearly on your label:

• Name and address of company
• Country of origin
• Net volume (in litres, centilitres or millilitres)
• Alcohol by volume (ABV) as a percentage
• Allergy declarations

You may also want to include your company website so it is easy for your drinkers to buy more stock or get in touch.

NB: Drinks above 10% ABV do not need to show a ‘use by’ date.

Choosing the finishing touches

When your label design has come together, the fun doesn’t stop there. With so many finishing options to choose from you may want to consider adding embellishments to take your labels to the next level of luxury.

Embellishments are added to a label to enhance the look and are often used on high-end gin labels to create the ultimate premium look.

• Screen Printing – this offers a highly durable, ultra-glossy design which you can use on the logo or certain text to make it stand out. This method of printing is often used for braille as it creates a tactile image
• Hot Foiling – using metallic foil to heat stamp onto the selected area/s of your design (either the text, images or border) adding foil to part of your label creates a sophisticated and elegant look
• Embossing – ideal for use on thicker materials this creates a raised 3D effect to your label to help part of the image jump out or create a unique texture to your label
• Decorative Varnishes – finishing your label with a gloss or matt finish can enhance the overall look of the label. With other unique varnishes on offer including glitter or pearlescent finishes, your label manufacturer can help you choose the best varnish for you

So, with some market research, a selection of sample ideas and brainstorming fun, get creative and produce stunning gin labels which will turn your customers heads this summer.

Want to know more? Why not read our customers case study here to see how we helped them with the launch of their new gin labels from start to finish.

If you require a sample pack of labels to help get you started please contact our team today – info@labelnet.co.uk.