How to Best Apply Your Custom Beer Labels to Cans or Bottles

The craft beer industry is booming now more than ever. That said, this probably means that you have been experiencing rapid growth with your once-at-home brewery. This is great news for you and your business. However, you may have struggled to find more efficient ways to apply your custom beer labels to your canned or bottled products. This is why we’re here to share top tips on efficiently applying your beer labels and stopping wasting time and money. 

Kickstart Your Beer Labeling Right

Regarding beer bottle labels, starting off on the right foot is crucial to ensuring a smooth and effortless process, especially if you are labeling by hand. Whether you're labeling cans or bottles, there are several preparation tips and things to remember before beginning the labeling process.

First and foremost, it's important to ensure that your cans or bottles are clean and dry. Any leftover moisture or residue can negatively impact the adhesion of your custom beer labels, so it's essential to take the time to properly clean and dry your containers before beginning the labeling process. Doing this can keep your labels from peeling off. You can use a microfiber cloth or a lint-free towel to wipe down the surface of the cans or bottles and remove anything that might affect the adhesive. 

Additionally, consider the temperature of your cans or bottles. For best results, it's recommended that you apply your custom beer labels to containers that are at room temperature. If your cans or bottles are too cold or too hot, the adhesive on your labels may not properly adhere to the surface, resulting in a less-than-perfect labeling job.

After you’ve adequately prepared for the label application process and are ready to begin, apply your custom beer labels slowly and carefully. Additionally, avoid stretching or wrinkling your labels during the application process, as this can negatively impact their overall appearance.

The Importance of Your Label

Understanding the importance of your labels can help you develop a new perspective. Your beer label is more than just a design on a can or bottle. It's the face of your brand, and it's how consumers will perceive your product from the very beginning. This is why it's crucial to ensure that your custom beer labels are eye-catching and memorable and properly applied to your cans or bottles.

One of the most important reasons why proper label application is so essential is that it helps to establish your brand identity and credibility. When consumers see a crooked label, peeling, or otherwise improperly applied, it can send a message that the product inside may be of lower quality or less professional than other options on the market.

When your labels are correctly applied, it can help to build trust and loyalty among your customers. A well-designed and properly applied label can communicate that your brand is reliable, professional, and committed to providing a high-quality product. 

Also, proper beer bottle labels can help ensure your brand is instantly recognizable to consumers. When your labels are consistently applied with precision and care, it can help to create a strong visual identity for your brand that is easily recognizable and instantly memorable. Believe it or not, a well-applied label can help build consumer recognition and drive more sales.

Whether you’re completing this process by hand or with a machine, understanding the application process is essential. 

How to Apply Your Labels

Hand and machine labeling are the two main methods for applying beer bottle or can labels. Each method has its own set of steps that need to be followed to ensure a clean and professional-looking label on your beer products.

Hand Labeling

Step 1: Prepare a flat surface for labeling. Find a clean, flat surface that you can use to apply your custom beer labels. Make sure the surface is free from dust and debris that could interfere with the adhesion of the label.

Step 2: Peel off the label. Carefully peel the label off its backing paper, ensuring not to crease or fold it.

Step 3: Line up the label. Place the label on the can for cans and line it up straight. For bottles, find the seam of the bottle and start the label there. Make sure the label is centered and straight.

Step 4: Press the edge down firmly. Once the label is positioned, press firmly on the edge to ensure it adheres to the can or bottle.

Step 5: Smooth out the label. Use your fingers or a straight-edge tool to smooth out the label and remove any air bubbles. Make sure the label is applied evenly and straight.

Step 6: Twist the bottle or can. Twist the bottle or can to ensure the entire label is applied smoothly and evenly. Make any necessary adjustments as needed.

Machine Labeling

Step 1: Add your spool of labels to the reel and follow the winding diagram for setup. This will make sure your labels are correctly threaded. 

Step 2: Adjust and fine-tune your labeling machine to fit your container specs; this will help with label application and make sure the process runs smoothly.

Step 3: Watch your branded product come off the line with the perfect label application.

Create Efficiency

Your label is one of the most important parts of your product, so it is crucial to ensure a perfect application every time. While hand labeling may be more convenient for smaller businesses, it becomes less efficient as time goes on. This process is extremely difficult to manage and costs business owners money regarding wasted products. 

Ensuring that your labels are applied correctly and accurately every time can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. Not only that, but not needing to worry about your label application process anymore can help increase your overall business efficiency. 

Get Perfect Labels Every Time

If you’re ready to switch from hand labeling and want to improve your business efficiency with a labeling machine, we’ve got you covered. Our Brewer’s Guide to Evaluating Craft Beer & Microbrew Labeling Equipment highlights everything you need to know about choosing the right labeling machine for your brewery. With so many options available, assessing your needs becomes more important than ever. Download your free copy and get started today.

 

Download now  Craft Brew Labeling Equipment Guide