If you make your candles at home and then sell them through Etsy or any other e-commerce website, you will agree with me; labeling the candles can sometimes be a pain point. But it's normal to feel lost, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned veteran in the candle-making industry.
Ultimately, creating candle labels that are awe-inspiring while ensuring they reflect your brand can be challenging. But that won't be the case anymore! This article will give you detailed guidelines on making candle labels from home- from choosing the suitable materials and size to the best label printer for small businesses.
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Choose the Best Material for Candle Labels
When it comes to choosing the best material for your candle labels, any material can be used as long as it's heat resistant. But while at it, ensure the material you choose for your candle labels aligns with the kind of look and feel you're trying to achieve. Here are some of the candle label materials you can choose from;
Kraft Paper
The stunningly beautiful brown kraft paper is ideal for labeling rustic candle containers. The candle label material has been popular among candle makers for a long time. We can attribute its popularity to its pleasing aesthetics, sturdy construction, and texture.
Pros
- Kraft is made of recycled paper
- It has a lovely rustic feeling
- Kraft paper is pretty sturdy and provides a solid base
Cons
- Kraft paper is usually custom-made, so you can only order them in bulk, consequently raising the cost of running your business.
Thermal Labels
Thermal labels are always a good starting point when selecting candle labels. You can design your logo and stick it on top of the candle can.
Pros- Thermal labels are smudge-free
- They are oil and waterproof
- They are affordable
- Thermal labels are only available in black and white
Recycled Paper
If your business is environmentally conscious, recycled paper candle labels would be very much on brand. These labels are 100% biodegradable. They are often bleached with chlorine giving the label an off-white appearance. Also, recycled paper candle labels have a protective matt finish that makes the print last longer.
Pros
- Made from 100% recycled materials
- Recycled paper labels have a beautiful texture
- They are ideal for colorful designs
Cons
- These kinds of labels tend to cost more
Choose the Size of Your Candle Labels
Since there are many variations of candle labels out there, it can be a bit overwhelming to choose the right size for your containers. But keep in mind that candle labels can come in any size or shape depending on the aesthetic you're going for and the size of your candle container.
Start by determining the size of your candle container, then the desired label size and shape. You can determine the measurements as follows;
- Take a paper ruler as it's easy and flexible to use
- Wrap it around the candle container
- Mark the points where you'd like the label to cover
- Write down the desired measurements indicating both the width and length
Direct thermal labels have always been an excellent option for most small business candle makers as the labels come in different sizes and shapes. You can find round, rectangular, square, or even irregular-shaped candle labels.
4x6 labels are an excellent choice for straight-sided jars that provide ample smooth surface area for the label to adhere to without wrapping around edges or curves. This size allows you to have plenty of space to showcase your branding, include instructions, list ingredients, and meet any legally required information.
When it comes to versatility, 2" round labels are a great option. They fit well on the lids or the flat faces of mason jars, tins, and other rounded containers. Their compact size allows you to add a touch of charm without overwhelming the overall design.
For a minimalist and sleek look, clear labels are the way to go. They are perfect when you want to let the container's attractive color or texture shine through while still providing the necessary information.
Also, these labels are high quality yet pretty affordable so that they won't run up the operational cost of the business. As we all know, professional shipping labels strengthen your client's confidence in your business.
Image source: Blacklightcandle
Where to Design Candle Labels
There are different places where you can choose to design your candle labels. An excellent example is using Canva or other platforms such as Avery and Munbyn Print App. Each of these platforms has its own set of unique features that lets you take control of your printing process.
Munbyn Print App is best designed for printing with various templates that can be customized to any size. The best part about Munbyn Print App is that it has no size restrictions compared to the other printing apps.
Canva is an excellent platform highly recommended by most DIY groups. The platform is quite versatile, and it's easy to use. Typically, designing your candle label from scratch takes only a few minutes. Additionally, there are several templates at your disposal. However, some templates come at an extra cost, or you might have to subscribe to the premium package to access more features.
As a first-time candle label printer, you should always ensure that you match the size you want to set with the label paper. And more importantly, even though the app doesn't have any size restrictions, check the size restrictions in your printer. Before setting any size, ensure your printer can handle your desired length.
Image source: Blacklightcandle
Information to Include on Candle Labels
Once you've settled for the right platform, you must figure out what to write on the candle label. That said, here's a checklist that you can use to add information to your candle labels.
- Brand Name & Logo: Adding your company's brand name and logo will create brand awareness. More importantly, this will help you establish a name for your company while establishing loyalty from your future clients.
- Type of wax: Your customers need to know what they are buying. By adding the kind of wax on the label, customers can choose a list of different candles depending on their preference. Your potential customers also learn how to trust your company's products.
- Candle scent: Typically, most, if not all, candle customers go for this type of product because of the scent. That said, you must provide the name of the candle scent to help your customers decide on their shopping spree.
- Candle Weight and a short description: Adding the candle's weight ensures customers know what they will get. The short description is to evoke some emotional response from the customers that would compel them to buy. Take advantage of this description to write something creative that customers can relate to.
- Hours of burn time: Depending on the wax and the size of the candle, the hours of burn time will vary. That said, adding the hours of burn time into the information on the label will help customers better understand your product.
- Warning: Fire safety is crucial when selling candles. Your customers should learn about fire safety when dealing with these products. Take your time to look through the National Candle Association to learn more about different fire safety requirements, such as keeping away from flammable materials, burning the candle within sight, etc.
Print Your Candle Labels
There are a couple of factors to consider when it comes to printing your candle labels. You can either have your candle labels professionally printed or print them at home. If you have to fulfill many orders daily and don't have the time to print the candle labels, you can have them custom printed by a third-party printing service on Etsy.
On the other hand, if you're a small business owner on a tight budget, printing your shipping labels is the better option. That gives you the freedom to customize and personalize the candle label designs. But that means you must first find a reliable printer for the task.
The MUNBYN direct thermal printer is our top recommendation. This printer comes with 300DPI, ideal for meeting your daily printing needs. It provides high-definition printing for candle labels. And the best part is that you don't need to use any ink or toner. It also works well with Mac, Windows, and ChromeOS. Generally, this is the printer for you if you want to make high-quality shipping labels at an affordable cost.
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