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Virtually every business that produces a product needs to devote considerable time, money, and attention to marketing their product. While this is important in every industry segment, it's even more vital in the food and beverage industry, where competition is particularly stiff, especially when you are just starting out. A lot of thought should be given to your printed labels, and hiring a professional is best. However as most new startups are short on funds, as long as someone in the organization is reasonably creative, a good printed label can be had. Here are four tips for your product label design.

Don't Go Overboard

The work between a professional graphic designer and an amateur is usually glaringly obvious, because beginners tend to overdo it. They use too many fonts. They use too many colors. There are too many graphics or too many design flourishes. In order for your design to be successful, you need to keep it simple. This will require restraint, but the final design will be worth it.

Pick Colors That Make Sense

If your primary product is blackberry jam, it would hardly make sense to design your packaging and label in a bright, lemony yellow shade. Your choice of colors shouldn't cause a bad case of cognitive dissonance in your customer base. Rather, your colors should reinforce your product. For example, look to those iconic golden arches. Their colors have long been red and yellow, the colors of ketchup and mustard. These colors support and reinforce a hamburger empire. Give your own primary product the same kind of treatment when choosing which colors will and won't work.

Choose Your Fonts Carefully

Use two fonts maximum. The fonts need to be commonly used fonts, or you will run into problems when it comes time to print your labels and other marketing collateral. Just like your colors, your fonts need to match your product and support your message. If you are trying to market an upscale bottle of wine or gourmet olive oil, using a casual, overused, or cartoonish font like Comic Sans would be a disastrous mistake. The font style needs to match the message you want to convey.

Think Outside The Box

Your labels and packaging don't have to be boring. You can choose atypical label shapes. Perhaps non-traditional packaging will help you stand out from the crowd. Don't be afraid to be whimsical or bold. As long as you stay consistent with your brand identity, creativity can go far in surpassing the competition.