In the United States and other markets, pharmaceutical labeling requirements are stricter than labeling requirements for other products. Whether you are developing medical devices or drug products, you must meet the extra product labeling steps determined by the FDA that guarantee consumers are getting the right information. To ensure your product labels comply with the FDA regulations, choose an experienced pharmaceutical labeling company with the resources and a proven track record. This blog looks at some of the factors to consider when choosing a pharmaceutical labeling company:
Most labeling providers are quite limited in the styles and materials they offer. The first step in choosing the best labeling service is determining if the options of a particular labeling company you are reviewing work best for your case. For example, if you are developing a product that frequently encounters damp environments, you may need adhesives that resist moisture. Similarly, if you intend to attach labels to outdoor medical equipment or products, you will need materials that can stretch and shrink while still maintaining their shape.
Limited options from a label provider can also limit your creativity. In the current highly competitive market, you need labels that can stand out on shelves and appeal to distracted users. The best label provider should therefore help breathe life into your design using a range of custom options such as:
The experience level of the labeling company you are reviewing is another critical factor to consider. An experienced labeling provider knows what works for different applications and will find the right solution for your product.
If you are new at making labels, an experienced labeling company will help you choose the best materials for your labels based on your specific needs. An experienced provider can also help solve any issues quickly and efficiently to ensure the finished product meets your expectations and those of the regulators.
You need to partner with a highly responsive labeling provider. It is critical to find a company that puts customer needs first and cares about your labels. Good communication is vital to get a job completed to your specifications. The ideal pharmaceutical labeling company should be easy to get in touch with, whether via email, phone, or website.
Notably, such companies should walk with you through the entire labeling process. Starting with label design and development, all the way to the finished product. Importantly, the right labeler guarantees the procedure from design to printing is as transparent as possible, so you know what to expect at each step of the process. Customer service should always be willing to go the extra mile to ensure you are satisfied with the end product and that the shipping dates are met. They should help whenever you need their assistance while ensuring your satisfaction with your order.
The best label manufacturer should adapt to change and keep up with new technologies to meet the changing market needs and regulatory environments. The label supplier should be familiar with current trends in the labeling industry to recommend the most recent innovations to meet your die-cutting and printing requirements. A supplier with a narrow specialty may not have the capacity to grow with you and your business.
Determine if your label supplier can think outside the box and suggest bolder or unexpected solutions to your labeling challenges. The ideal supplier should be experienced at suggesting enhancements such as adding 2D QR barcodes and perforations between labels that make it easy to roll. They should also provide innovative formats that solve several labeling challenges with one label, such as translating instructions into several languages, especially if your product is intended for multiple markets.
The best labeling partner should be proactive enough to send you new product samples and labeling ideas regularly and as they emerge. They should also alert you in good time whenever your preferred material is discontinued. If there is an impending end-of-life notification, the labeling partner should proactively provide an action plan encompassing lead time, qualified replacement materials, and a reasonable deadline.
An ideal label supplier should be accurate and precise. In medical product labeling, every detail matters right from label design to approval and production stage. The perfect provider should keep in mind key industry and regulatory labeling requirements. This includes the approved fonts, colors, barcode symbologies, quantities, and more during the design and production of labels.
The price of the labels undeniably informs your purchasing decisions. The ideal label supplier should guarantee reasonably priced services that will not bust your budget. Go for suppliers that purchase label media at highly discounted rates, then pass the savings directly to you without compromising quality or customer service.
A good label company will have extensive knowledge of layout and design. They should provide a variety of printing options, such as coating, die-cutting, and custom sizes. Most professional label manufacturers offer foil stamping, embossing, thermal paper, laminations, and different adhesives. They have also invested in top-notch equipment and skilled personnel to print labels on rolls or on sheets. When you choose a company with plenty of printing options and various printing techniques, you get more opportunities to choose the perfect label for your product.
Label printing processes can be wasteful while producing by-products that can affect the environment. If your brand is concerned about the environmental footprint that your processes have on the planet, opt for label printers that take sustainability seriously. The ideal labeling provider adopts processes that conserve materials and energy. Thus, ensuring little impact on the environment. Such providers have the following characteristics:
Pharmaceutical labeling requirements for medical devices and products come with a range of compliance standards. A recent report estimates that labeling and packaging issues were the root cause of 33% of all medication errors. To prevent potential labeling errors and possible disapproval from industry regulators such as the FDA, it is essential that you work with a detail-oriented label printing company with experience, resources, and a skilled workforce.
If you have further questions or need help to choose an ideal labeling partner for your pharmaceutical labeling needs, don't hesitate to reach out. We provide in-house product label solutions for a multitude of industries, from pharma, agro-chem to retail. Our unmatched capabilities enable us to develop custom labels for a variety of medical product applications. Contact us today to learn more.
