A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Can Labels

A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Can Labels

Shrink sleeve labels are specially printed labels that utilize high temperatures to mold themselves around the contours of a container. Frequently seen on aluminum cans, these labels feature vibrant, full-color designs that wrap around the entire surface, providing 150% more design space compared to traditional labels. This expanded area allows for enhanced visuals, brand details, and necessary regulatory information.
For businesses with various product lines, shrink sleeve labels offer greater adaptability in packaging. You can opt for blank aluminum cans and apply the shrink sleeves only as needed, rather than buying pre-labeled cans that might not be fully utilized.
In this guide, we will cover all essential aspects of can labeling, including the information mandated by the FDA

How Do Shrink Sleeve Labels Work?

Shrink sleeve labels are designed to fit snugly around containers by utilizing high temperatures. They can easily adapt to various shapes, angles, and curves. After the design is printed and converted into sleeves, these sleeves are placed over the containers and passed through a tunnel that uses either high heat or steam. This can include radiant heat tunnels, hot air tunnels, steam tunnels, or hybrid options. The extreme heat causes the film to shrink tightly around the container, securing it in place. In contrast to conventional printed labels, shrink sleeve labels have the ink printed on the interior side of the label rather than the exterior. This method helps protect the ink with the film as it bonds to the container.

How Do I Make Shrink Sleeve Labels?

The initial phase in creating a shrink sleeve label involves the design stage. You have the option to create the designs independently, collaborate with a graphic designer, or utilize private label services to realize your brand vision. Custom shrink sleeves offer a larger surface area compared to standard labels, allowing ample room for visuals, additional branding details, and necessary regulatory information. Many printing companies can incorporate distinctive elements like foil highlights, matte textures, and other finishes to produce unique packaging. This is an opportunity to unleash your creativity and differentiate your brand from others in the market.

Shrink sleeve labels, as suggested by their name, reduce in size during application. This means that your label design will alter as the sleeve molds to the shape of the container. It's essential to ensure that your design is adaptable to this transformation. Consider the contours of your container and incorporate those elements into your design. Additionally, you may need to intentionally distort your design beforehand to accommodate the label's shrinkage. Collaborating with a labeling and sleeving partner, such as Wildpack, can help you navigate this process effectively.

After your design is complete, the sheets are produced in vibrant colors using either a flexographic or digital printing press. Next, these sheets must be transformed into sleeves. Some printing companies, such as Wildpack, handle this conversion internally, whereas others might need to outsource the task to specialized shrink sleeve converters. During the conversion process, seams are created at the edges of the sheets, resulting in openings at both the top and bottom of the newly formed sleeve. These seams are secured with a particular adhesive and subsequently checked to ensure the graphics are properly aligned and that the sleeves are durable enough not to tear.
Once your elegantly designed sleeves are ready, they are applied to your containers and prepared for filling and sale!

What are Shrink Labels Made of?

Shrink sleeve labels utilize shrink film, typically made from plastic or polyester. This robust material offers excellent protection against moisture and is designed to withstand heavy usage. Because the artwork is printed on the label's inner surface and then applied to the container, shrink sleeve labels are particularly well-suited for products such as craft beer that are exposed to damp conditions, like those found in refrigerators.
The initial material used for these labels was polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which remains widely used today due to its affordability. However, growing environmental concerns regarding phthalates and chlorine have raised issues associated with PVC.

Currently, the main material utilized for shrink sleeve labels is Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG). This material can shrink by as much as 78%, offers excellent clarity, and is readily available in the market. Although PETG is somewhat pricier than PVC, it serves as an excellent choice for shrink sleeve applications.

Additionally, Oriented Polystyrene (OPS) and Polylactic Acid (PLA) are also employed as materials for shrink sleeves. OPS boasts a higher yield and a more precise shrinkage rate, necessitating careful handling. On the other hand, PLA is a bio-based polymer, though it has limited availability in terms of supply sources.

What Information is Required on a Beverage Can?

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) stipulate specific information that must be present on labels. Here, you’ll discover the essential details needed to ensure your labels are not only visually appealing but also meet regulatory standards. If you're creating an alcoholic product, such as craft beer, it's necessary to get your label approved by the TTB prior to applying it to your packaging.

Statement of Identity

The initial requirement set by the FDA is the Statement of Identity, which refers to the standard name associated with the food or beverage—essentially, the product's name. This statement needs to be displayed prominently on the principal display panel (PDP) in bold text, making it one of the most noticeable elements of the main label. Additionally, it must appear on all alternate PDPs as well.

Certain food and drink items are subject to specific identity standards. These criteria outline the necessary qualifications for products to be labeled with particular names. For instance, according to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, a cider is classified as "a fruit wine made exclusively from apples." Additionally, malt beverages must clearly display their designation on the packaging.

Nutrition Fact Chart

The nutrition facts label provides details regarding the serving size, calorie count of the drink, and quantities of fat, sodium, protein, and other components in the item. The FDA has established specific guidelines concerning the font size and arrangement of information on this label, so be sure to refer to these standards when creating your own. Additionally, the name and contact information of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor should be displayed alongside the nutrition facts on the principal display panel (PDP).
In general, alcoholic beverages typically do not feature a nutrition facts label, but they are required to present the name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor.

Ingredient List

The FDA mandates that all components of food and beverage items must be disclosed. Ingredients are to be arranged starting with the heaviest one and followed by others in decreasing weight order.

English

All required words, phrases, and information must be displayed in English. While the label can feature additional languages alongside English, any foreign language present must also include an English version.

Claims

If relevant to your product, you must include three categories of claims on the label. Health Claims explain how a substance in the product relates to a specific disease or health condition. Nutrient Content Claims indicate the amount of a nutrient present in the food. Structure/Function Claims outline the intended effect of a nutrient or dietary ingredient on the normal structure or function of the human body.

Alcoholic Beverages

For products classified as alcoholic beverages, your label must include additional details to ensure compliance. This includes the net content, alcohol by volume, any coloring agents, additives, and necessary government warnings. The net content should indicate the volume of liquid in standard U.S. measurements, specifically fluid ounces. The alcohol content must be clearly stated as a percentage of alcohol by volume. If the beverage contains any coloring agents, such as FD&C Yellow No. 5, or other additives like sulfites, these must also be listed on the label. Finally, it is essential to include the required government warning regarding alcohol consumption.