So you’ve got new products ready to hit the shelves—or better yet, land in your customers’ hands. Your custom labels play a big role in how your brand is perceived and how your product quality shines through. Let’s walk through a few key considerations to help you choose and set up custom labels that look great and print perfectly.

Choose the Right Label Size

The first step to a successful label is designing your artwork at the correct size. Start by measuring your product with a ruler to determine the best fit. If you’re labeling a bottle or container with beveled edges, be sure the label height stays within the flat area. Labels applied over curves or bevels are more likely to bubble or lift instead of lying smoothly.

Measuring for the Safety Inset

Once you’ve chosen your label size and shape, it’s time to think about the safety inset. The inset is the space between important design elements—like text or logos—and the outer edge where your label is cut.

For labels larger than 1" x 1", we can cut with either a 1/8" inset or a narrower 1/16" inset. For labels smaller than 1" x 1", a 1/8" inset is required. Our team will automatically proof your labels with a 1/8" inset unless you request narrow insets during checkout. If you prefer narrow insets, just let us know in the "Special Instructions" field when placing your order.

Add Bleed to Your Label Artwork

Bleed is an essential part of print-ready artwork. It’s the extra space that extends your background color or design beyond the final cut line of your label. Bleed helps prevent white edges from showing if the cut shifts slightly during production.

We require  1/8" of bleed on all sides of your label design. Any background colors, patterns, or images should extend fully into this bleed area. 

If your file doesn’t include bleed, our team may add it during proofing when possible. However, starting with bleed built into your artwork gives you the most control over the final look and helps keep your labels printing smoothly and accurately.

Taking a few extra minutes to add bleed upfront can make a big difference in how polished your finished labels look.

Choose the Right Font Size

We recommend using at least 5pt text to ensure readability.

Be sure to check any industry-specific requirements that may apply to your product, as some industries require minimum font sizes or specific icon dimensions. Choose a font that reflects your brand personality while remaining easy for customers to read.

To ensure your text prints exactly as designed, we recommend outlining your fonts before uploading your artwork. Outlining prevents font substitutions or size changes during proofing. 

Embed Linked Images

If you’re designing your labels in Adobe Illustrator and using linked images, be sure to embed those files before submitting your artwork. Embedded images travel with your file and help prevent missing graphics.

After linking your images, go to the Window menu and select Links.

In the Links panel, select the images you want to embed. Click the menu icon and choose Embed. Once embedded, all selected images will be included directly in your file. 

Set the Correct Resolution and Color Mode

Before uploading your artwork, double-check that your file is set up for print. Resolution and color mode play a big role in how sharp and accurate your labels look once printed.

For best results, raster images (like photos or textures) should be set to 300 DPI at the final print size. Lower-resolution files can appear blurry or pixelated when printed, even if they look fine on screen.

You’ll also want to make sure your file is created in CMYK color mode, not RGB. RGB is used for screens, while CMYK is the standard for printing. Designing in CMYK helps ensure the colors you see on your screen are closer to what you’ll receive in your finished labels.

If your file is set up in RGB, our team can convert it during proofing, but colors may shift slightly. Setting CMYK from the start gives you the most control over your final look and helps avoid surprises at print time.

Pro Tip: Create a Label Template

Once you’ve finalized your first label design, save a template version of your file. If you plan to release more products—or need to update ingredients or messaging later—a template will save you time and keep your branding consistent.

In design software like Adobe Illustrator, simply save an extra copy of your file and rename it as your template. From there, you can easily update text, swap images, or adjust details without starting from scratch.

Ready to place an order? Let’s get started.