Need solutions to add logo/label to your products? Read now!
Private labeling has become a practice that keeps getting embraced by business owners. Many articles are explaining the advantages and how to go about starting a private label business. But, I’ve hardly come across one that focuses on sharing helpful tips for private labeling products and how to do it. And, this article will shed more light on that area.
When you are mostly new to the business, you might need to focus on your products’ branding, and packaging as that will add to the reputation of what you are selling to customers. They will either attract the market or ward them off. So, there are some standard solutions for branding strategy to help you add your logo or label on your products. That means you are most definitely at the right stop!
This article won’t be solely based on focusing on branding, but I will include the solutions on the ‘how-to go about it’ aspect. I have done my research on the best methods to assist you with your labeling needs. I can assure you that this will be one of the most informative articles you can find anywhere on the internet about labeling. So, sit still and get the best from this! But hey! Wait a minute! Here’s what you need to know;
What is a private or brand label? Why is it so important?
Imagine you visit the supermarket to pick up some groceries. Then you pick up a product from the shelves, and you notice that it has no brand packaging or logo on it. What will come to your mind? Inferiority, right? Yeah! That’s what it is all about. The first thing you subconsciously notice on any product is the manufacturer’s name, logo, and brand.
A private label (alternatively referred to as brand label) is the logo or pattern imprinted on products manufactured by a company or a third-party manufacturer as a sign of identification or sold under another retailer’s brand. The presence of such or logo helps build customer loyalty and acts as a seller’s identity.
If you plan to start an importation business and you’ve chosen China as a source, that’s the first step. If you want to sell these products on online marketplaces like Amazon, private labeling is crucial. There are simple steps to go about that;
- Do your research: Identify the need to satisfy and the market.
- Find the best products or niche with the least market competition.
- Buy quality products from China after much comparison.
- Then, you add your private label to that product. That will distinguish your brand from the competitors.
- Carry out an effective marketing and advertising of your product and brand.
Through the private label, customers can quickly identify your products from the competition. Private labeling is the most effective way for your products to be differentiated from others of the same niche. However, that would only be made profitable if your product is of high quality. So, ensure that the products you are branding are not defective. If they aren’t, customers may even be willing to pay more for your products, and this will keep them loyal to your brand. From that, your profit margin will be much higher than that of your suppliers. That contributes to business returns, right? I guess so!
How to add a private label on your product and packaging
To design or add a private label to a categorized product, you can do it in two ways. You either place it on the product’s body or on the packaging itself. We will look at the various solutions to add a private label to your products under these two categories. But, some of these solutions can be used both on the products and the packaging itself. So, take a look.
I will specifically identify five solutions for adding your logo to the product’s body and six solutions for the package itself. And that sums up to the 11 best private labeling solutions. I will also try my best to include the estimated prices for each answer if you choose to do it in China. If you have an idea of all these, you are on the path of lesser risk of being extorted and overcharged by your Chinese suppliers. So, let’s jump into that already!
Solution 1: Screen printing (or silk press)
Screen printing (otherwise referred to as silkscreen or silk press) is the most prevalently used method for imprinting brand logos and labels to the body of the product. And more advantageously, it can also be used to add private labels to the product’s packaging.
The significant reason why this is the most common method used is that it can be applied to almost all kinds of materials ranging from plastics, glass bottles, stainless, rubber, etc. In addition to that advantage, it is also one of the cheapest and easiest ways to add a private label to your products (If your total purchase is more than 500 units of the item).
In China, most of the factories may offer you free printing services if you can buy more than $2000 total purchase. Otherwise, imprinting your logo using screen printing will cost about $60. That would be around $0.2 per product. If your factory or supplier doesn’t offer printing services, finding a company that does is usually an easy –peasy job as there are lots of printing agencies in China.
However, this method’s major setback is that it is not suitable to create multi-colored designs and patterns, especially the gradient colors. So, if you wish to print your gradient color logo on your product, opt for other methods such as thermal transfer.
Solution 2: Thermal Transfer
The thermal transfer (or heat transfer) printing method is relatively more complicated than screen printing. It has its difficulties which don’t make it the ideal solution for small some particular type of products. Firstly, a temperature between the ranges of 140oC to 180oC must be used for imprinting to achieve the desired result. This technicality makes it a bit more expensive than the silk press.
Also, due to the heat that needs to be applied for printing, it brings about a drawback to this technique. There are specific limitations to the materials to which this method is applicable. It is relevant to some plastics (ABS, PE, EVA, and PP), leather, steel, glass, wood, etc.
As I mentioned earlier, this method is suitable if you have to imprint a fancy design with a gradient color. This method also usually costs more money than screen printing, ranging from $100 or more per printing plate. That would be about $0.04 per unit. This is the case for a 7*7cm size gradient logo.
Solution 3: Engraving or Laser printing
Engraving or laser printing is a top-notch printing method that can give your product a high-end quality appearance. So, is what you need a sophisticated and elegant look for your product? This is the best choice for you!
Mostly all gift stores you can find are filled with items with laser engraved private labels. They are very classy products that can be used as gifts. You could also make items with an engraved name of the recipient. Excellent idea, right?
Laser printing doesn’t require the MOQ of the products to be high. They are not carried out with plate making. This makes it an easy method to add private labels to products. Apart from being comfortable, it is also inexpensive. Since there is no need for plates to make the delicate design, it will cost just about $0.15 per unit. But, the cost would depend on the size of the logo and the quantity of the order.
Solution 4: Molding
This is a widespread method. You must have come across these rubber wristbands with different logos and phrases on them, right? That’s what is referred to as the molding technique. The design is molded on the product as it is being fabricated. So, once it comes out of the machine, there wouldn’t be a need to further imprint.
It is a method applicable for use in plastic, rubber, and metals. I love this method because it always results in products that remain natural looking and makes a quality print.
From essential reviews, there are no extra costs implied when making a private label mold. But in the case of creating or customizing a brand new mold, you will be charged. This price will be dependent on the quantity and the nature of the product. On metals, it would be less expensive than on plastics.
But, a pitfall to this solution is that it takes quite some time to produce. It usually takes about ten to twenty days. This is a long time compared to other techniques.
Solution 5: Machine Embroidery
Machine embroidery is mostly used on products made of fabrics. Such products will include garments, caps, bags, and socks. Using this method on the material is more durable than screen printing. It will last longer, and that is a significant pro. The logo won’t be at risk of fading away, and that is a good thing!
I love to sort this machine embroidery technique into two types. One is to directly make the embroidery onto the product while the other is made on a patch and then sewn to the product. The former is not suitable for smaller items or complicated logos, while the latter would be suitable.
The price will also differ on the type. For that of sewing directly, it would cost about $0.12 per unit. While, for using the patches, MOQs would be involved. Most factories have these patches already made and ready to sell. This means that you can get famous logos such as football badges from them. But they will only sell at an MOQ of nothing less than $50.
Solution 6: Woven labels
This is mostly found on the edges of the products. You must’ve come across on the edges of caps, shoes, hats, jeans, etc. It is used mainly on fabrics and is better than the printed logos. If your products contain fabric, a unique way to add your logo to that product is by woven labeling. You can use it even though it doesn’t seem like the ideal thing.
Apart from being used on clothing, it can also be used on sleeping bags and umbrellas. The printed logos will fade out, but they won’t. The quantity and size will determine the cost of adding one to the products. It also works with MOQs, which is a standard of 1000 pieces of the 3X4cm label. A unit will cost about $0.15.
Solution 7: Sticker Label
This is the most versatile method used. In short, I can’t come up with a product that cannot be labeled with a sticker. It is the simplest and cheapest solution to private labeling problems.
Manufacturing sticker labels into different shapes and designs are super comfortable. Also, finding a vendor who can help you with this method is no difficulty at all. They will print the designs in different shapes and colors if you wish. But, they will do this based on a fixed MOQ of stickers. Getting a vendor who will do such at less than 500 units is almost impossible to have that in mind.
You can get more stickers than your order products and use them on some other order. That would be an easy way to invest funds for the future.
Solution 8: Paper cardboard
If you have a small budget that will not get you close to getting a separate package for your product and you don’t fancy the idea of the paper stickers that degrade it, you can opt for the paper cardboard. You can use the cardboard to pack your products and print the private label on the paper cardboard.
For low-cost items like matches and socks, you can use this method. They cost a relatively low price to make and are well suited for low-value products, so you don’t incur losses.
I would recommend this method for items that would need to be inspected by the customer before purchase. Such include most kitchen utensils and products like knives or lemon squeezers.
Solution 9: Hangtags
In private labeling, using hang tags is one of the most economical solutions. It is mostly applicable to clothes and apparel, jewelry, toys, tools, etc.
Usually made of cardboard or kraft, you can quickly identify the brand from the tag. But sometimes, they can be made of plastic or metals (on infrequent occasions). However, many brand owners prefer to use ivory cardboard as it is very economical.
Solution 10: Printed Poly Bag
This is a type of packaging which can also be used in private labeling. It is a simple technique to use if you have many products to add your label to. They are ideal for small-sized items that are in large quantities.
It will be done in high MOQs up to 1000 units as a plate costs $80 per color. So, if you don’t plan to make such quantity products, opt for another solution that wouldn’t require such a large amount to be done.
Solution 11: Customized box
The final solution to add a private label to the product’s packaging is using a customized box. This is the most expensive method amongst all the other ten methods mentioned in this post. But, they are very fancy and can make your product stand out.
Using a customized not selective of the products and can be used in almost all categories. They will add extra value to your products and sell at a much higher price.
Box packaging is a broad industry with different price ranges from company to company. The material used in making the box will determine the price. Also, the technique and machinery will affect the price. To choose the cheapest box, that would be the corrugated case. That would be done in about 3000 pieces. But if you want a firmer package, make sure you prepare a reasonable budget.
Those are the best solutions you can use to add a private label to your products. If you haven’t gotten the design you need for your brand, you can do it yourself or choose to hire a freelancer to help you with it. You can find freelancers on online platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. Either way, ensure you get the best design that can catch your customer’s attention at first glance.
Final thoughts
Did you find that helpful? Do any of the methods appeal to you? Let me know if you have any comments or suggestions regarding this topic.
I would do my best to clarify all misunderstandings and difficulties. So, dear friend, NOW IT’S YOUR TURN! I’d be glad to attend to your questions or suggestion. I love to learn new things! So could you kindly tell me a few things? Haha!