Creating a supplement label that’s FDA-approved is perhaps the easy part of creating your product labels. Your dietary supplement labels will stay on the right side of the law if you simply follow a straightforward set of government guidelines. The real challenge comes in designing a supplement label that sets your product apart from all the competing products lining brick-and-mortar and online shelves.
In this post, we’ll tackle both issues. We’ll begin by breaking down the basics of creating an FDA-approved supplement label. We’ll then share practical, easy-to-implement design tips for crafting labels that will attract attention, leading to more sales.
FDA-Compliant Label Basics
Supplement labels are found in a pair: the front label panel and the information panel. The front panel is the front-facing side of a supplement box or bottle. Here, you’ll typically find information like the manufacturer’s brand, the name of the product, and the net quantity of the package contents. Just to the right of this label sits the information panel. The information panel houses details like serving size, dietary values, and the ingredient list. Generally, an FDA-compliant label needs to include the following five elements on the packaging of any nutritional supplement.
- Statement of Identity — This is the official name of the supplement. You’ll usually find the statement of identity in the center on the front label panel.
- Net Quantity of Contents Statement — This tells consumers just how much product is in the container. Most often you’ll find this information on the front panel somewhere south of the statement of identity.
- Nutrition Labeling — This section houses most of the detailed information on the supplement label. It’s commonly known as the Supplements Facts section. Daily values are listed here for all of the ingredients for which the FDA requires disclosure.
- Ingredient List — This is a laundry list of everything that went into creating the supplement.
- Name and Place of Business of the Manufacturer, Packer, or Distributor — You’ll need to identify the name, city, state, and zip code of the company or companies that manufactured, packed, and distributed the supplement.
FDA requirements for the Supplement Facts section, although straightforward, are extensive. For a deep dive into this topic, check out our post, How to Create an FDA Approved Supplement Facts Label.
Supplement Label Design Tips
When it comes to catching a consumer’s interest, seconds matter. According to a report from the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute of Marketing Science, consumers take an average of 19 seconds to make a purchasing decision when shopping online. In-store shopping drops that figure down to 13 seconds. Your dietary supplement’s label design is likely the first thing that a potential customer sees when they encounter your product. In the mere seconds of attention you’re granted, you must effectively make the case that your product is worth putting into the consumer’s real or virtual shopping cart.
Creating supplement labels that sell is part art, part science. Here are our top eight recommendations for creating dietary supplement labels that will set you apart from the competition.
1. Keep It Simple
Consumers are flooded with marketing messages from their first waking glance at their cell phone to the moment they nod off in front of the television at night. Keeping your marketing simple will help consumers digest it more easily. Keep the printed text to minimum, and use simple, high-quality graphics to convey the marketing message.
2. Be Strategic with Your Color Scheme
Use the inherent associations of different colors to your advantage. In the dietary supplements industry, green is the most popular color used in product labeling. In the minds of most consumers, this color comes with an association with growth and healthy living. But you also want to make sure your product stands out, so you may want to consider a different color or fresh take on the hue. You can also match the color to your product’s purpose. For example, red typically represents power and strength, which would be good for workout supplements.
3. Harness the Power of White Space
Strategically using white space to make your text stand out on a product label will help consumers quickly comprehend your message. Counterintuitively, white space makes a design stand out.
4. Make Your Text Design Memorable
Make use of a strategic combination of fonts and type sizes to convey key information to the consumer. At the same time, don’t go overboard with too many fonts or type sizes.
5. Use High-Quality Materials
A label created with high-quality materials and printing conveys a sense of quality. When it comes to marketing a new dietary supplement, don’t skimp on the label. If the labeling looks cheap, consumers are likely to perceive the product as inferior.
6. Keep Your Product Design Consistent
Consistency is especially important if you already have other dietary supplements on the market. Make sure your label designs follow a common theme so it’s easy for customers who’ve enjoyed your other products to make the connection to your new line. If this is your first offering, keep your product label design consistent with your brand’s logo and color scheme.
7. Think Eco-friendly First
Planet-first marketing sells. Creating product labels using recycled fibers or a biodegradable plastic alternative lets consumers know you take the health of the environment seriously.
8. Go with the Pros for Graphics
People are naturally drawn to beauty. An expertly-designed, well-placed graphic will help capture attention and communicate what you intend. Consider hiring a graphic designer to create custom artwork that’s visually stunning and draws in consumers for a closer look.
Following FDA Regulations + Strategic Design = Supplement Label Success
Creating an FDA approved supplement label helps to protect your business from regulatory scrutiny and reduce customer complaints. But regulatory compliance isn’t the only factor to consider in your label design. By integrating design best practices, you increase the chances that your dietary supplement will be purchased over others.
When it’s time to print your supplement product labels, we can help. We offer a broad selection of durable label materials ideal for supplement label packaging. If you’re unsure what materials to choose or what features you need, get in touch — we’re happy to offer experienced advice.
