Copywriting for product labels

How to's of product label copywriting.

[Farhan Kamal]

Can someone please point me a resource(s) where I can learn the DO'S and DONT'S of product label copywriting?

Also, if some experts care to share their expert advice about product label copywriting for personal care products (hair and skin care products) I will really appreciate that.

[mgream]

This sounds serious enough for you to need advice from a qualified legal professional. Product labels intersect with product liability and various negligence and safety and consumer laws that even the most experienced webprofessional is unlikely to have sufficient depth of knowledge.

[coconutz]

>>product label copywriting for personal care products

Here are a few references that may or may not help you with product labeling requirements.

In the USA check the FDA Cosmetic Handbook and the FDA Cosmetic Labeling Manual.

In Canada you can check the Food and Drugs Act, the Cosmetic Regulations and the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations on the Health Canada website.

Across the pond in the UK I believe the information can be found at the Dept. of Trade and Industry website under A Guide to the Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations.

Product labels must list the name and address of manufacturer, net quantity, ingredients list, warnings, health hazards, etc. The principal display panel (the label facing a consumer when the product is placed on a shelf) must contain certain information in specified type sizes depending on the size of the PDP. All warnings have a minimum type size requirement as well.

For more information you can check the above references, but by all means consider consulting a qualified legal professional.

[Farhan Kamal]

Thanks for your replies, mgream and coconutz.

I know all this involves serious legal concerns. My requirement was a resource which can guide me with the creative aspect of the product label copywriting. For example, what colors should be used, the font size, the style of writing on the label etc.

[rogerd]

Farham, I haven't seen articles on that topic, although I'm sure they exist. If I were setting out to do a product label, for creative input I'd visit a big supermarket. I'd look at products in the category to see what the competiton, big and small, is doing. I'd also look at products in other categories with similar package sizes to get some additional creative ideas.

Certainly, your target market will help define the creative aspects of your label - a pimple-coverup product aimed at teenagers will need a very different look than a wrinkle-remover aimed at aging baby-boomers. Again, I'd look at other product categories aimed at the same market for inspiration.

The label has specific information to communicate, but it's also a key part of the marketing effort (assuming the product is exposed on a shelf). It should be part of the overall branding and positioning strategy, and the target market should be able to immediately say, "this is my kind of product" when they see it on the shelf. Good luck, sounds like a fun project!