Check out our article about Flexible Packaging in this month's Packaging Technology magazine, which thoroughly examines this popular packaging format. Click here for more information about our flexible packaging capabilities.
At our core, we are not just printers; we provide components for crucial products, including life-saving drug therapies.
Every day, our employees come to work knowing they impact the health and wellness of people worldwide and that the products our clients produce could one day save the life of someone they love.
So, when the Label Control Manager at a global biotechnology company informed us of a dire situation, our team sprang into action.
Our global biotechnology client approached us to develop a new wrap label for one of their critical clinical trial cancer drugs. This label was crucial for the trial's progress, so we needed to swiftly source raw materials and develop a production process compatible with personalization by the clinical packager. Although this was a new label that required non-standard materials, we managed to turn around this project in 3 weeks.
Unfortunately, the client's transportation company had an issue, and the labels were not delivered and could not be located. This packaging delay would have impacted cancer patients around the world who depend on this crucial medication. Compounding the situation was that the medication was part of a clinical trial, so missing the scheduled dose could effect the study and create a huge delay in the FDA drug validation.
Emergency turnaround in one day. Fortunately, we had extra raw materials in stock, so we pulled together a group of key production people to work over the weekend to redo the job. Then, we hand-delivered the labels directly to our client on Monday at 9:30 am.
This situation reinforces why people work with PLPS. Our clients get the best of both worlds: the personal touch of a small business and the infrastructure of a large organization.
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Most importantly, the drug's production wasn't held up because of missing packaging components, so there was no delay in the patients receiving their medication or invalidating the trial.
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A very happy client stated in a thank you note, "Simply Amazing! … I can't thank you guys enough and your priceless value to our operations."
Check out our recent article in Packaging Technology Magazine titled "Reconsidering Rigid Packaging? Take A Deep Dive Into The Future With Flexible Packaging". Click here for more information about our flexible packaging capabilities.
Deer Park, New York, April 22, 2024 -- Premium Label & Packaging Solutions (PLPS) announced today that it won first place at the 31st Annual Gold Leaf Awards for Best Use of Cold Foil (Label or Carton). The winning shrink sleeve label was produced for longtime client OL Products for its Infatuated Tanning Lotion and was printed at Overnight Labels, the company’s Deer Park, NY plant.
At first glance, the label's black background with red inverted triangles design looks simple, but the visual reveals a spectacular 3D kaleidoscope effect when it hits the light. PLPS used multiple processes to achieve the look. First, the black and red ink was laid down, followed by a holographic Pillars of Light cold foil and a second coat of black and white ink. Finally, the web was turned to apply a silk screen UV to the red triangles to amp up the dimension.
Renowned for its expertise in both specialty finishes and shrink sleeves, the company has garnered numerous industry awards. This latest accolade further cements their position as an industry leader. Leslie Gurland, VP of Sales and Marketing at PLPS, expressed the company's enthusiasm, stating, "We are always driven to maintain a level of excellence in everything we print, particularly when a job demands intricate details. This win is a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality and the artistry of label printing.”
The Gold Leaf Awards, a globally renowned competition, serves as a beacon for the best in the industry. It evaluates submissions that showcase a wide range of specialty finishing techniques, from foil stamping and embossing to specialty coating, film laminating, laser cutting, die-cutting, and cold-foil applications. The competition is a tribute to the industry's innovation and excellence.
“We had a record number of entries in our 31st annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards, which highlighted a variety of print embellishment technologies,” stated FSEA Executive Director Jeff Peterson. “The creativity and new uses for labels, cartons, direct mail, and other applications continue to amaze me.”
Premium Label & Packaging Solutions was formed in 2021 to bring together a group of award-winning converters with decades of experience in the Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical, Beauty, Food & Beverage, and Household Product industries. Forming one company with redundant capabilities, a large fleet of state-of-the-art equipment, and market proficiency offers the personal touch of a small business with the infrastructure of a large organization and a unique quick-turn model that puts exceptional quality, speed, and customer service first. They supply best-in-class pressure sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, extended content labels, and flexible packaging to companies nationwide.
In the realm of packaging, the conversation inevitably gravitates toward sustainability. These discussions are commonplace: clients request packaging like waterproof labels with metallic or holographic effects, yet insist these be 100% recyclable—all on a tight budget.
Although the idea of full sustainability is commendable, the packaging industry currently struggles to meet such ambitious criteria fully.
For over a decade, the focus on sustainable packaging has intensified, highlighting the importance of educating stakeholders about the attainable levels of sustainability.
Is it possible to obtain a waterproof label with metallic finishes that is also 100% recyclable? Potentially, but likely not within a constrained budget.
Even with unlimited financial resources, achieving complete sustainability remains a challenge. To assess your packaging's sustainability, consider these critical questions:
While the perfect solution may be elusive, there are numerous sustainable options available today that align with your packaging vision. It’s more about choosing what works best for your brand.
Many have gone the recycled paper stock route, though it presents limitations related to design aesthetics, and shelf life. We are probably a few years away from packaging that offers the right combination of being fully sustainable, affordable, protective, and can showcase high-end finishes but we are closer than ever.
Consider these steps to enhance your packaging’s environmental profile:
Although the packaging industry is only beginning to explore the depths of sustainability, significant progress has been made. The gap between what brands desire and what is achievable is narrowing.
Recent advancements suggest that sustainable packaging isn't merely a fanciful notion but a practical reality that is here to stay. As we continue to innovate and test new materials, the dream of fully sustainable packaging becomes increasingly attainable.
If you're currently exploring the path to more sustainable packaging, contact Premium Label & Packaging Solutions today. We have deep domain expertise in the world of sustainable packaging.
Check out our article in this month's Contract Pharma magazine, which discusses how next-gen biotherapeutics and direct-to-patient (DTP) trials are disrupting traditional clinical trial supply models, including the need for quick-turn/small-batch labels. Click here for more information about our clinical trial capabilities.
In the dynamic landscape of packaging design, where visual appeal and brand differentiation are paramount, the recent spike in prices poses significant challenges.
The rising costs associated with premium packaging materials and sophisticated embellishments compel companies, particularly within the beauty and personal care industry, to rethink their design strategies.
The goal remains unchanged: to captivate consumers' attention on crowded shelves and in the competitive online marketplace.
Yet, the approach to achieving this amidst budget constraints is evolving.
Forward-thinking brands and their label suppliers are challenging the narrative that luxury must come with a hefty price tag. These partnerships are pioneering cost-effective solutions without compromising on the product's aesthetic appeal or perceived value.
According to Leslie Gurland, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Premium Label & Packaging Solutions (PLPS), the secret lies in harnessing innovative label techniques.
Gurland elaborates on how specialty inks, varnishes, laminations, and unique substrates are leveraged to produce label effects that mimic high-end packaging aesthetics.
Skilled converters are at the forefront of this innovation, using shrink sleeves to emulate the appearance of expensive tinted or metallic containers, UV silkscreen to duplicate high-cost embellishments, and developing custom textures that replicate luxurious materials like leather or snakeskin.
Adding dimensionality to labels is a game-changer, offering a spectrum of design possibilities to make products stand out in the saturated personal care and beauty sectors. "The range of options can vary from bold to nuanced, allowing us to collaborate closely with a client’s creative team to bring their unique vision to fruition," Gurland states.
At PLPS, popular label options that provide a luxe look for less include:
These innovative solutions not only maintain but elevate the brand experience, proving that financial constraints can be a catalyst for creativity and ingenuity in packaging design.
They offer a pathway to achieving a luxurious presentation that resonates with consumers without the need to pass on cost increases.
For brands looking to explore these revolutionary labeling techniques and discover how they can transform their product packaging into a compelling story of luxury and innovation, PLPS invites you to witness the possibilities firsthand.
Whether you’re interested in a sample of their award-winning specialty finishes, need a quote, or wish to discuss a project, the team at PLPS is ready to bring your vision to life.
In the current economic climate, where every penny counts, embracing these creative, cost-effective packaging solutions can help brands stay competitive and appealing to consumers.
The journey towards affordable luxury in packaging is not only about adapting to financial pressures but also about reimagining the boundaries of design and innovation to captivate and enchant consumers in new, meaningful ways.
To learn more about how your brand can benefit from these advanced labeling techniques, contact Premium Label & Packaging Solutions today. Rediscover the potential of your product's packaging and ensure that inflation does not deflate the design or desirability of your offerings.
The world of clinical trials is a complex ecosystem where scientific rigor meets stringent regulatory requirements; all orchestrated to advance medical knowledge and improve patient outcomes.
Clinical trial packaging and labeling are key but often underappreciated players in this process. While they may seem peripheral compared to the high-stakes research and development (R&D) and patient care aspects, the role of clinical trial labels and packaging in patient education is pivotal and profound.
This article explores how thoughtfully designed clinical trial labels can bridge the gap between complex trial protocols and participant understanding, ultimately enhancing trial success and patient safety.
Clinical trial labels go beyond the mere function of identifying a product. They are critical communication tools designed to convey essential information to trial participants, healthcare professionals, and researchers.
This information includes dosage instructions, storage conditions, expiry dates, and a unique identifier for traceability. In an environment where the margin for error is slim, the clarity, accuracy, and accessibility of this information become paramount.
One of the biggest challenges in clinical trials is ensuring that participants fully understand their role, the trial's procedures, and the medication they are using.
Misunderstandings can lead to non-compliance, jeopardizing the individual's safety and the integrity of the trial results. Herein lies the critical role of labels in patient education:
1. Enhancing Understanding
Labels can be designed to break down complex medical jargon into understandable language. This is crucial in ensuring that participants, regardless of their medical literacy level, can comprehend the instructions and the purpose of the medication.
2. Promoting Compliance
Clear, concise, and visually appealing labels promote better compliance. Including pictograms or color coding to denote different times of the day for medication intake can help patients follow the regimen more accurately.
3. Supporting Informed Decision Making
Labels empower participants to make informed decisions about their involvement in the trial by providing essential information at their fingertips. This transparency fosters trust and confidence in the trial process.
4. Adapting to Patient Needs
Clinical trial populations can be diverse, requiring labels that are adaptable to different languages and cultures and even cater to those with visual impairments. Tailoring labels to meet these varied needs is a step towards more inclusive and equitable research.
The adoption of expanded content labels (ECLs), such as booklet labels, fold out labels, and wrap labels has seen a remarkable surge in the world of clinical trials.
This momentum is fueled by the critical need to provide comprehensive trial information, patient instructions, regulatory compliance data, and multiple languages in a concise, accessible manner.
Examples of these Expanded Content Labels include:
As their name suggests, these pressure sensitive labels look just like miniature paper books or fold-out leaflets and are well-suited for studies that require extended content information to be included with the products.
You can print multiple colors and up to 60 pages on each of these multi-layer labels in order to maximize content efficiently and in an aesthetically pleasing way. Companies can also add:
Unlike booklet labels, clinical trial fold-out labels allow content to be printed on a large piece of paper before being folded and laminated to pressure-sensitive label stock.
This single process happens all in-line and can be constructed to allow for removability or resealability. For clinical trial applications, fold out labels can be printed to include ingredients, directions, and regulatory information in multiple languages and can be manufactured for automatic or manual applications.
Wrap labels are typically used on small-diameter cylindrical packaging to extend the print area beyond the circumference of the container while maintaining a simple appearance.
As the name suggests, the wrap label securely wraps onto itself but can be easily unwrapped without the adhesive compromising the printed content.
Wrap labels can be printed with fixed information or completely by the end-user via thermal transfer printing. Options include 100% opaque, partially clear, or fully transparent label stocks and are available for manual or automatic applications.
While the potential of innovative labeling is vast, there are challenges to navigate. Regulatory compliance is at the forefront, as any information provided must meet stringent guidelines to ensure it is accurate, not misleading, and protects patient privacy.
Moreover, the cost of implementing advanced technologies in labels can be prohibitive for some trials. Balancing innovation with practicality and regulatory requirements is a delicate task that requires ongoing collaboration between regulatory bodies, trial sponsors, and packaging experts.
The intersection of clinical trial labels and patient education is a testament to the multifaceted nature of patient care within the context of clinical research.
Labels are not just about compliance and regulation; they are a vital bridge to understanding, empowering participants to take an active role in their healthcare journey.
As we progress, the focus should remain on innovative, patient-centered design that respects diversity, ensures safety, and fosters trust in the clinical trial process.
In doing so, we can achieve better trial outcomes and advance the broader goal of patient education and engagement in healthcare. Have a need for a clinical trial label? Get in touch with a member of our team today.
In the dynamic world of packaging, shrink sleeves have emerged from being the industry's newcomer to becoming a front-runner in packaging innovation. Recent supply chain disruptions, particularly in Asia, have prompted brands to seek more resilient and flexible packaging solutions. Shrink sleeves have stood out as a preferred choice for many. Here's an in-depth look at why:
Since their rise to popularity in the 1990s, shrink sleeves have undergone significant improvements. Today's shrink sleeves boast advancements in inks, coatings, materials, and production techniques, closely emulating the elegance of direct-to-container decoration. Innovations such as cold foil applications and tactile finishes have elevated the visual and tactile appeal of products, eliminating the distortion issues that initially plagued shrink sleeves.
Direct decoration, while popular, often involves lengthy lead times, especially when production is outsourced overseas, typically ranging between 10-12 weeks. Shrink sleeves, on the other hand, offer a notable reduction in turnaround times, with lead times averaging just 3-4 weeks. This efficiency empowers brands to be more responsive to market trends and demands
Direct decoration often requires large minimum order quantities (MOQs), sometimes exceeding 100,000 units, which can be prohibitive for many brands. Shrink sleeves dramatically lower the barrier, with MOQs starting at just 1,000 pieces. This flexibility allows brands to experiment with design changes without the burden of excessive inventory.
A key feature of shrink sleeves is the ability to incorporate tamper-evident seals, offering an added layer of security and consumer trust. This feature is particularly valued in industries where product integrity is paramount.
Shrink sleeves deliver unparalleled visual appeal, offering 360-degree coverage with unlimited color options and brighter, more vibrant graphics than direct decoration, which can sometimes result in blurred imagery and muted colors. Shrink sleeves ensure precision in graphics and text and provide a broader array of finishing options, allowing brands to truly differentiate themselves on the shelves.
While shrink sleeves offer numerous advantages, they also present unique design challenges, especially for containers with complex shapes or textures. It's crucial for designers to have a thorough understanding of how the artwork will conform to various contours to avoid distortion. Partnering with an experienced label printer is essential to navigate these challenges successfully.
Premium Label & Packaging Solutions has won numerous awards for its work in this packaging format and stands at the forefront of shrink sleeve innovation.
Our team of experts is dedicated to guiding you through every step of the process, from choosing the right materials and designing for your specific container to selecting finishes that will make your product stand out.
Contact us today to elevate your brand with shrink sleeve packaging or to request samples of our award-winning work.
Looking for a way to pack more information into your product's packaging than what a conventional label offers? Consider the utility of Extended Content Labels (ECLs), which provide additional space necessary for including comprehensive product details beyond what is typically featured on the primary label.
ECLs merge a Pressure Sensitive Label with a folded or bound insert, creating a component that users can access repeatedly, thanks to its resealable nature.
This labeling solution is ideal for products requiring extensive information such as safety guidelines, health facts, usage instructions, ingredients, promotional coupons, game elements, and more.
Extended Content Labels not only serve as an effective way to convey information but also help reduce the need for additional paper inserts or sometimes even packaging, thus saving costs and environmental resources.
ECLs are versatile, catering to a broad spectrum of industries, including healthcare, household, beauty, food, nutraceuticals, and industrial sectors. Let's delve into the various types of Extended Content Labels available:
Booklet labels are a type of pressure-sensitive label that integrates a booklet or leaflet. These can extend to several pages, with some capable of incorporating up to 60 pages in diverse colors. Booklet labels come in various forms, such as Flat Surface, Curved, and Foldout, and are commonly applied in areas like:
Known alternatively as Accordion or Plow-Fold labels, these allow for extensive information or graphics to be printed on a sizable sheet, folded, and adhered to a label stock in a single, streamlined process. Foldout labels are perfect for:
Peel and reseal labels are designed for effortless access with the ability to be opened and resealed multiple times. These labels, which can feature up to 5 panels of full-color information, fit within the dimensions of a standard primary label and are ideal for:
Dry Release labels, or Instant Redeemable Coupons (IRCs), are designed to peel away from the product without leaving residue, revealing promotions or discounts. They are a favorite for brands looking to boost sales and foster customer loyalty, applicable in:
Navigating the complexities of Extended Content Labels to find the perfect fit for your packaging needs can be challenging. Collaborating with experts in label design and production is key to achieving a successful outcome.
Premium Label & Packaging Solutions is at the forefront of ECL technology, offering guidance and expertise to select and craft the ideal label for your product's requirements. Reach out to us for further information or to request samples of our innovative solutions.
