For many brands, it can be difficult to fit everything you need to on your packaging. From design and branding components to regulatory and instructional information, you need to consider how to prepare your products for market. Extended content labels offer a neat solution to allow you to save space on the front of your label for design features that will help attract potential buyers.

But the term “extended content labels” applies to several different label constructions, namely peel back labels and hinge labels. Here’s how to decide which construction is best and how to use extended content labels to solve your biggest product label challenges.

Peel Back Labels Save Space in a Cost-Effective Way

Peel back labels are labels with the option for double-sided printing and are the most common and cost-effective way to add additional content to your label. A repositionable adhesive allows the consumer to peel the label away from the container and re-apply it once they have read the additional content.

At Labels & Specialty Products, we offer both white and metallic films, so aesthetics don’t have to suffer when you opt for a peel back label. This single layer construction offers a space-saving solution while remaining cost effective.

Hinge Labels Offer More Space for Printed Information

Hinge labels, or multi-layer printed labels, use a hinged design to offer an additional two panels of printing space. Consumers can reapply the top layer onto the bottom panel to be read or referenced at a later time.

If you have extensive information to include or want to experiment with including coupons or extensive product details, hinge labels are probably the option for you.

How Extended Content Labels Offer Solutions for Your Brand

Brand owners and marketers benefit from being able to customize extended content labels. If, like many packaging professionals, you find yourself with any of the common labeling challenges below, an extended content label could be the right fit for your packaging.

Regulatory Information Overshadows Your Brand Messaging

In the OTC pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, industrial, and cannabis markets there is a high demand for extended content labels. Extensive federal and consumer-related requirements are common in these industries. Furthermore, extended content labels provide the additional required printing space without adding bulky outer packaging.

You Need to Reduce Excess Packaging and Cost

Extended content labels can be used to include multi-lingual copy, allowing you to reduce label SKUs. You can also decrease excess packaging by using extended labels to replace cartons, secondary or back labels, and inserts. With the increasing focus on reducing packaging waste, extended labels can streamline your products.

Product Instructions and Safety Information Are Too Small to Read

Minimum legal text size will vary depending on your product, where its sold and the nature of the copy. For example, the FDA specifies that all mandatory legal text have a minimum type size of 6 point and 8 point for other information in the nutrition label. Minimum spacing requirements and color requirements also exist between lines of text.

Aside from issues of design and compliance, consumers expect labels to be readable. For products with extensive ingredients and safety information, you can use extended content labels to offer greater transparency and communication.

You Want to Introduce New Products to Loyal Customers

Many brand owners use the extra space on extended content labels to launch new products. Introducing new products to your customer base is one way to use established product labels in your marketing strategy.

For example, you can use the space in your extended content label to offer instant redeemable coupons (IRCs) for a second product purchase, recipes, or quick response (QR) codes to bring consumers to your new product web. IRCs, game pieces and promotions are also effective ways to encourage repeat purchases.

Your Social Media Presence Could Use Help from Your Packaging

Combining on and off-line marketing efforts is a powerful strategy to build brand awareness. One of your most accessible customer touch points is packaging. The extra space of an extended label is perfect to drive online traffic to your web and social media sites. You can use these links to further educate and engage your customer.

Extended content labels are completely customizable. Above all, they provide more content area and ensure information is easy to read, accessible and secondary to your important brand messages.

Partner with a Printer to Create High-Quality Extended Content Labels

When deciding between these two types of labels, space is the key. At Labels & Specialty Products, our experts can help you choose the construction most effective for your product and industry. With both digital and flexographic printing capabilities, we can customize labels to fit your design, budget and marketing goals. Contact Labels & Specialty Products today to discuss your specific extended content project.