3 Common Beer Bottle Labeling Mistakes

As you walk down the aisle of your local liquor store and browse their selection of beers, what is it that makes some products stand out above others? Have you ever noticed that some brands seem to cut corners when it comes to their labeling process? Here are three of the most common mistakes we see when it comes to beer bottle labeling for small breweries.

1. Reprinting Errors?

What happens when you order labels from your supplier and they arrive with text or image errors? What if you begin applying them to your containers before you catch the problem? Many small breweries place their trust in the hands of their labeling partners, only to discover errors too late in the game. Then they have to choose between reprinting or letting low-grade labels hit the streets. The cost of reprinting can be significant if it keeps a truck from shipping on time, or if you have to completely relabel products that have already gone through the line once. If they can't be re-labeled, you're looking at taking a loss on the waste. One way to avoid this is by getting proofs of your labels from your label manufacturer before they go to printing, and having them looked over several times for errors.

2. Relabeling Costs

Relabeling can be a nightmare. The cost of relabeling is often measured in terms of the materials it takes to label a container multiple times as well as the labor to start the process over again. One of the most common reasons for relabeling has to do with misaligned or inconsistent label applications. If you don't have somebody watching the line, you could have poorly placed labels, or loose labels making their way out of your warehouse. This reflects poorly on your brand and may make some products unsaleable at the store. The best way to avoid this is to ensure that your machine is capable of doing the job you are asking of it, and verifying that it is set up properly. Conducting test runs before you go to full speed production is important, and regular quality control checks should be done to ensure label quality remains high throughout the run.

3. Hand Labeling

In the beginning, hand labeling may be a labor of love. However, as time goes on your employees begin to feel the crunch of shipping deadlines, and are unable to keep up with the products coming off the line. This makes for sloppy labeling and even limits your growth potential going forward. You may not realize that there are small scale semi-automatic or fully automatic machines that are within your budget. These machines deliver more reliable results in less time. The cost up front will pay for itself as your team members can devote their working hours to more productive tasks. Don't stick with a hand labeler any longer than you have to. Take advantage of the cost-friendly beer can and bottle labeling equipment before hand labeling becomes a hindrance.

These are just a few of the most common problems we see with beer bottle labeling today. Before you assume that quality labeling equipment is out of your reach, speak with a beer bottle labeling expert at Pack Leader who can help you evaluate labeling equipment that is right for your brewery.

Read The Brewer’s Guide To Craft Beer & Microbrew Labeling Equipment