The artisanal gin industry has boomed over the last few years. With every new brand, recipe and flavour combination that enters the market, the bottle labelling needs to make as much of an impact as the spirit within. One clear approach is to use transparent labels and white print to make your design pop and make a memorable first impression.
Clear Labels with White Print: Perfect for Gin Bottles
Clear labels with white print are simple, sleek and sophisticated. White ink opens up so many possibilities for creative label design. Show off not only the brand's personality but also represent the essence of the product appropriately.
So, how can you introduce white ink to transparent labels for the most effective aesthetic?
White Ink Only Label
Printing only white ink onto a transparent label is a bold choice and must be made intentionally. Whether you are looking for a monochrome moment or want to celebrate seasonal wintery scenes, a white ink label works when the design is carried well from the screen to the print. If the colour of your gin represents the fullness of the fruity or flavoured taste, sometimes letting the product shine through the labelling will tantalise taste buds more than a fancy label.
Something to consider is that unless your specialist press is printing with UV ink, most inks are not 100% opaque - meaning that the bright white finish you may be looking for could be dulled in appearance. Some printers can double-shot white onto an artwork, providing a more solid coverage. If you want to print a white-only design with us, please request a sample of our white ink print to check you are happy with the finish you will receive.
How to incorporate white ink with a full-colour print?
The best way to make colours pop on a transparent label is to underprint with white. Remember that most inks are not 100% opaque. A layer of white printed directly under your design will give a solid base for other ink colours to sit on top of. When the light hits your label, rather than washing out the colour, the white print from underneath will reflect the light through the design and make it pop!
Next time you are in the shower, look at some of the labels on clear shampoo and shower gel bottles. Often, toiletry labels are underprinted with white to ensure maximum visibility and legibility of the important information on the label.
Types of Labels to Consider for Your Gin Bottle
Whether you’re new to gin production or looking to rebrand, Flexi Labels has a variety of options to meet your needs:
- Matt Clear Labels: For a frosted label effect, a matt clear label will provide the perfect base for your print.
- Gloss Clear Labels: Giving a barely-there effect, the gloss clear labels are completely transparent.
- Clear Poly Material Labels: Available on sheets and rolls, this versatile material is available in both matt and gloss finishes.
- Vinyl Material Labels: For short runs of labels on a press which prints with UV inks. Please note, this is only available on sheets.
- Special Finishes: Available on most materials, embellish your labels with Digital Foiling, Spot UV and Laminations.
If you are unsure what finish to choose, request a sample from us. Not only will this help you decide which materials and finishes work for your brand, but our samples are a fantastic source of inspiration.
Ordering Labels with White Ink
Providing artwork for a white ink job to the design team at Flexi Labels should be a breeze as long as our main artwork guidelines are followed;
- Provided ideally as a High-Quality PDF or EPS file
- 300 dpi and vectorised artwork
- CMYK Colour Format
Did you know that your printer will ignore white in a design file?
As most printers are set up to print onto white paper, the standard white colour in a file is often considered the default colour of the paper and will be left blank by the printer.
When printing white ink on labels, it is important to understand that the white ink requires a specialist set up - the average home and office printer cannot print white ink. By supplying a vectorised, or editable file, to our design team, the white colour can be changed from 'default' to a special 'spot print', allowing our press to see it.
Once our design team receive the artwork, they will prepare a digital proof to mock up the label and show the placement of the white on the print.
For design-related queries, or advice on setting up files for white ink printing, please email our design team at designer@flexilabels.co.uk.
Applying Clear Labels to Glass
We know what you are thinking. Surely peel the label off the sheet or roll and stick it onto the bottle? Well, yes, you would be right, but how can you avoid fingerprints and reduce the chances of misaligned labels? While transparent labels can give a no-label look, a smudge in the glue or a poor application can turn your bottle's appearance from chic to shoddy.
Top tips for hand-applying clear labels
- Prepare the Gin Bottle surface. A clear label is very unforgiving. Ensure the outside of your bottle is clean and free of oil and dust. Small residues or marks on the outside of the bottle will disturb the adhesive and show through the label.
- Handle the label by the edges to minimise fingerprints on the adhesive. Using tweezers or gloves to peel the labels from the roll or sheet will also minimise the transference of prints or oils to the adhesive side of the glue.
- Use an alignment tool or guide to apply the labels in the same place for every bottle. Hand-applied labels can add a kitschy and homemade feel to a product, while correctly aligned labels add professionalism and shelf appeal to products.
- Avoid air bubbles and apply labels to the product slowly. Use a cloth or squeegee to push out any air bubbles as they arise.
- Once applied, allow the label to bond to the bottle for a few hours undisturbed.
For larger gin batches, consider investing in a label applicator. This will automate the labelling process, avoid fingerprints and perfectly align labels. While Flexi Labels does not sell applicators, we can suggest a checklist of things to consider when researching the right applicator for your business, and for maximum compatibility with our labels.
Distinguish Your Branding From Others with Flexi Labels
Ready to make a lasting impression? Flexi Labels can help you create custom, clear gin labels that align with your brand vision. With options for special effects and white ink, you can craft a label that enhances your bottle’s aesthetic and stands out on any shelf.
