Once you’ve found the perfect bottle for your product, it’s time to add a custom label to make your product stand out on the shelf. Bottles come in various shapes and sizes. While many bottles may share the same fluid capacity, actual label size can vary widely. This guide will help you determine the correct bottle label size.
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Round Bottles
Round bottles make up a large majority of bottles on the market today and provide some flexibility, as you can choose whether you want your label to overlap or leave a gap between label edges. To find the correct label size:
Measure the entire circumference of the labeling surface with a flexible tape measure. If a tape measure isn’t handy, simply wind a piece of paper around the labeling surface and mark the spot where it overlaps; then, measure from the edge of the paper to your mark with a ruler.
Measure the height of your bottle from just above where it curves towards the bottom to just below where it curves into the neck.
Clients often prefer to subtract ⅛” to ¼” to give plenty of leeway for curvature and avoid error in lining up your label edges.
Square Bottles
Square bottles can provide your product with a unique, modern look. First, determine whether you want a label that wraps around your entire bottle or whether you want to label only one or two panels. To find the correct bottle label size:
Measure the height and width of a single panel with a ruler.
If you prefer a label that wraps completely around your bottle, you’ll need to measure the height, then the entire width of the bottle with a measuring tape or using the paper method described above.
Tapered Bottles
The term tapered refers to any bottle that steadily changes widths along the bottle’s height. Unfortunately, applying a traditional rectangular label to a tapered bottle can cause wrinkling, lifting, bubbling, and creasing. To address these issues, we often use smaller, curved labels, or even shrink sleeves instead of a traditional adhesive label.
Unusual Bottles
Unusually shaped bottles can make your product stand out on the shelf. Unfortunately, these bottles are often tricky to label. If your bottle has a flat surface, you can provide your label printer with its dimensions. Alternatively, if your bottle has a large number of curved or bumpy surfaces, consider a shrink sleeve instead of a traditional label.
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For All Your Bottle Labeling Needs
Century Label has more than 40 years’ experience providing custom bottle labels of all shapes and sizes. If you need more information regarding label sizing or have additional concerns, please contact us today. We will be happy to assist you in finding a custom label solution for your unique bottle.
