SPECIAL SHAPES
Special shapes turn the contour of a label into a distinctive design element. Shapes can be unconventional and attention-grabbing, or designed to follow the lines of a particular bottle or packaging format.
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
- distinctive brand-specific label contours
- adapting labels to unusual bottle and container shapes
- premium products and limited editions
- differentiation within a product range
- attention-grabbing brand and design concepts
WHAT WORKS WELL
The shape of the label must reinforce the brand and work with the shape of the container. For example, a specially shaped label can be highly distinctive or can subtly follow the lines of a bottle, making the shape an integral part of the overall packaging design.
TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
An unusual shape must not only work from a design perspective; it must also be technically feasible to produce, die-cut and apply reliably. Tight curves, fine connecting sections, sharp contours or unfavourable stripping directions may require technical assessment.
If the shape is complex, it would be best to test the die-cutting, application or labelling before production. This applies to both self-adhesive and wet-glue labels.
SHAPES AS A DESIGN ELEMENT
Both bold and understated special shapes can create a strong visual impact and recognition. What matters is that the shape is appropriate for the brand concept, the container and the technical application.
Special shapes create distinctiveness without requiring additional printing inks, varnishes or foils. Through their contours, they incorporate the surface beneath the label, for example, the glass and colour of the bottle, directly into the design.
Vollherbst assesses the technical feasibility of a shape early in the development stage to ensure that the label can be produced reliably and applied consistently on the intended labelling line. Where necessary, we test die-cutting performance and recommend sampling on the labelling machine. This allows us to combine exceptional design concepts with a reliable, stable production process.