What Is a Product Label and Why Does it Matter?

Prime labels and secondary labels are key when it comes to product marketing and packaging.

When you ask, “what is a product label,” the answer is more than just “the sticker on a package.” A label is the gateway between your product and the consumer – it communicates what’s inside, how to use it safely, and why someone should choose it over competing options. 

Within the field of product label printing, the two most commonly used types are: prime labels and secondary labels. 

• Prime labels are the face of your product. They are the visual, eye-catching elements that make a product stand out on a crowded shelf. These often feature vibrant colors, logos, and carefully planned product label design choices. 

• Secondary labels, by contrast, carry supporting details such as ingredients, safety notes, beauty product shades, and usage directions. They may not be the first thing a shopper sees, but they are just as critical to providing clear product information. 

Together, these labels form the complete identity of a product. From food and beverage labeling to vitamins and beauty packaging, labels carry the power to inform, protect, and persuade. They are also a prime example of how design and compliance can merge to create both trust and sales. 

Whether you're designing a primary or secondary label, the information they contain is crucial. This article takes a look at a few of the reasons why labeling on a product is important and what a product label should entail. 

Ingredients & Allergen Disclosure 

Labels first and foremost serve as an information resource. One of the most essential elements is the list of ingredients. Shoppers use this to check nutritional details, understand what they’re consuming, and avoid ingredients that may trigger allergies. 

This is especially true in food and beverage labeling, where transparency about allergens is critical. “Contains peanuts” or “may contain dairy” are more than legal requirements – they are lifesaving details. Similarly, in supplements and wellness items, complete product information about ingredients helps build consumer trust. 

In some cases, space limitations on packaging make it challenging to display everything in a readable way. That’s where extended content solutions like our booklet label options shine. They allow manufacturers to include nutrition facts, usage notes, and multiple translations without cluttering the primary packaging. 

Safety Warnings & Regulatory Compliance 

Labels also play a vital role in protecting consumers. Prominent health warnings are required on products like cigarettes, alcohol, and certain medications. They are equally important on hazardous household products – such as bleach or industrial cleaners. 

In household and beauty product packaging, safety disclosures must be visible and easy to understand. Directions about proper handling, dosage, or potential hazards protect not only consumers but also the brand from liability. 

Regulated industries rely on clear compliance labeling, particularly when hazardous substances are involved. For chemical products, GHS labeling requirements dictate how warnings, symbols, and precautionary statements must appear. By following these standards, companies demonstrate their commitment to consumer safety and international compliance. 

Usage Instructions & Booklet Labels 

Consumers also rely on labels to explain how to use a product effectively. This is exceptionally important for pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter products, and personal care items. Using too much medication or misapplying skin care products can lead to harm, which is why clear step-by-step instructions are vital. 

However, space on prime labels is limited. That’s why booklet labels are invaluable – they provide an expanded surface area while keeping the packaging compact and appealing. They can house dosage charts, multilingual instructions, or recycling guidelines without overwhelming the front-facing design.  

For brands with complex directions, product label design should always consider how best to balance visibility with thoroughness. 

Label Design as a Marketing Tool 

A product's label can market the item all on its own. Consumers may be attracted to a brightly colored label and end up purchasing that product. If your product has a unique label, it can be key to helping a consumer pick out your product amongst the others on the shelf. Additionally, with today's technology and advancements in label manufacturing, labels are now used for cross-brand marketing, recipe information, couponing, sweepstakes, and gaming. With that in mind, it's important to remember that your product labels can be a useful sales tool. 

Product labels not only provide crucial information and instructions to consumers but can also help your product stand out. In fact, 85% of shoppers say that their decision to buy a product is informed by reading a product's packaging while they're shopping. When considering your label design, it's important to determine which information to include on prime labels versus secondary labels to ensure the consumer reads the more important information first. 

The right label design can capture attention, convey brand personality, and even influence purchasing decisions. A well-crafted product label example demonstrates not only creativity but also strategy – balancing aesthetics with clarity. 

Modern advancements in pressure-sensitive labels allow brands to create innovative textures, finishes, and interactive elements. Brands are now leveraging labels for cross-brand marketing, gamified sweepstakes, QR codes, and recipe tie-ins. These features extend the label’s role from being a static identifier to becoming an active driver of engagement and loyalty. 

For inspiration on how labels are pushing boundaries, see our guide to innovative label uses. 

Labels That Inform, Protects & Sell 

At its core, a product label is a tool that informs customers, protects them with accurate disclosures and health warnings, and sells through effective product label printing and smart product label design. 

From prime labels that showcase brand identity to secondary labels that provide critical product information, labels are integral to trust and sales. In industries ranging from food and beverage to household, over the counter and beauty packaging, every detail matters. 

At Premium Label & Packaging Services (PLPS), we offer complete solutions to meet these diverse needs. We invite you to learn more about PLPS labeling solutions or request a free sample kit today to see how our expertise can help your brand stand out.