It may not surprise you to learn that consumers buy more products in transparent packaging.
Take a jar of olives, for example. Without being able to appreciate the content with your own eyes, would you be willing to invest $15 for a jar of quality olives? Given the choice between a transparent and an opaque jar containing olives, I bet you’d go for the container that lets you see the contents. You’ll also notice that the price is often higher for a jar of olives in a clear jar than in a can which never the less, contains olives that are just as good…
There is also the decorative aspect. Olives are pretty, right? Too bad that a large proportion of common food products have labels that are, well, common. A transparent jar, a large white label, some text, a logo, nutritional information and that’s it. Done.
Why limit yourself like that?
To quote a well known Québec comic,(Yvon Deschamps) “We don’t want know, we want to see! ” As opposed to large white labels, transparent labels will let you see it all.
Transparent labels
Let’s look at some examples in the wine and spirits category. A transparent or tinted bottle lets you appreciate the content and quantity. A label that lets in light, with transparent areas, playing with the qualities of the bottle, has visual impact on the shelf and attracts consumers.
Here is a good example of clear label design using contrasts: “Black Label” Chardonnay.
The white label is a contradiction of its name. Then, there is a typographical mirror trick that allows the correct reading of the name, once the bottle is turned around. Finally, the label uses transparency to take advantage of the glass bottle as typography colour. This is clever design that adds value to the product.
In a more classical register but just as bold, this version of the Absolut Mix Limited Edition combines audaciousness and a summer-inspired geometric design. The label lets the clear bottle show the amount of the precious liquid remaining beneath the skirt of the famous brand. You will have noticed that vodkas are generally packaged in transparent bottles with transparent or small labels.
Properly designing your transparent label
Producing good clear labels requires a combination of good printing processes and a judicious choice of adhesive.
On the one hand, producing high-resolution graphics that will withstand the hazards of retail distribution is important.
Then, the choice of the adhesive is more complex than you may think. A wrong adhesive could reduce the translucency of the label. It could also discourage consumers who wish to remove the label to reuse the container for other purposes or recycle it.
Why not contact our specialists about the design of your transparent labels. They’ll give you clear advice. ;-)
