Archives for April 2014

Five Common Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make on Your Custom Labels

April 30, 2014 by Cindy Springer 3 Comments

We’ve been printing labels for the last decade and it’s given us a front row seat to common errors customers make on their custom labels. Despite all of the help pages with tips and guidelines these five mistakes are by far the ones we see most often. By sharing them one more time we hope to make you aware of what not to do when making a label design.

Number One: Don’t Upload a Low Resolution Image

The biggest mistake we see customers make is upload a file that’s low resolution. Low resolution, simply put, is a file that’s has so few dots per square inch it prints blurry or jagged. Whether it’s a photo, logo or clip art, the file has to be 300 pixels per inch resolution to print clearly. Many people copy and paste an image from a web page thinking that it looks good on the web page so it must look good on a label. Here’s the problem; web pages are only 72 pixels per inch resolution. That’s not very many pixels per square inch, especially when you consider the resolution of some of the new flat screen TVs out there.

Look at the two logos below. Both were copy and pasted from web pages, but look at the difference. The top logo is a very large image, 1233 x 600 pixels and will print nice and clear versus the bottom image, 280 x 280 pixels, which is a very small file.You can see what a difference a high resolution logo makes.

The logos below were both the same size, but the one on the left is only 96 pixels per inch resolution. The logo on the right was recreated at 300 pixels per inch in a graphics program. The logo on the left doesn’t look terrible, but when you look closely the logo on the right is much sharper. Which label would you want to represent your company?

Original Photos are Best

For photos, the file straight from the camera will have the best resolution. Don’t use thumbnails from any source. Thumbnails are very tiny files and will not print sharp. Files printed from thumbnails will make you feel like you’re looking through a camera lens that’s out of focus. If you’re uploading a very large photo and need assistance with cropping we’re happy to help.

Tips for Copy and Pasting Internet Images

Grabbing clip art, website logos, photos, or any image for that matter from the web is usually risky, so make sure you find the largest file you can of the image you want to upload. Copy and pasting from Bing Images or Google Images may not yield the best results.

There’s a way to sort image sizes when you search on the internet. For Bing the first choice above the images on the left is “Size”. From the drop down under “Size” the choices run as “All, Small, Medium, Large, and Wallpaper”. Usually “Large” will get you a fairly good sized file. In Google Images you’ll find “Size” under “Search Tools” on the far right above the image results. Google’s image sizes are listed as “Large, Medium, Icon, Larger than.., and Exactly”. Choose “Larger than… 1024 x 867” and the result should be a pretty good sized file with great print clarity.

Don’t Ignore the Warning Sign

Our design studio is pretty smart and does a fairly good job of detecting a low resolution image and will tag it with a warning symbol, a yellow triangle. If you see this warning sign, email us your image and ask us to check it for you to be sure.

Number Two: Don’t Super Size the Company Logo

This is a common mistake we see from DIY label makers who want to make a label for branding, either for water bottle labels or custom bottled water. They upload a logo and the user resizes the logo to fill the entire label from one end to the next. Yikes! Does Pepsi do that on a bottle? Does Dasani cover the entire water bottle with their name. Uhm…NO! And neither should you. By clicking on the corner of your logo and holding down your mouse you can drag and resize the image. You’ll want to figure that at least 1/3 of a water bottle label is visible when you look straight at the bottle. That’s the maximum amount of real estate your logo should take up on the label. Leave the rest of the label for important information like contact info, a photo or QR code. What you see on the screen is also your proof, unless you email us and ask for a proof after your order is in place.

And getting back to resolution again…make sure your logo is high resolution too. Instead of copy and pasting it from your company’s website, which trust me, never works, get your hands on the file you use for printing ads, stationary or business cards. Those files will be 300 ppi. If the files are in a format you can’t open such as EPS, IND, AI or PSD, then email the file to us and our art department will convert it to the correct format for uploading and send it right back to you.

Number Three: Not Enough Color Contrast

Please, please, please do not use dark text on a dark background. The print result will be disappointing. Remember, you’re looking at a screen when you design the label and your screen is a bright light. Of course it will look brighter on the screen than when it’s printed. For example, while red and black are a great color combo, unless the red is a very vivid red it makes text hard to read. Same for deep purple, navy blue and black, the words you put on your label will disappear. Make sure when you use a dark background color you select a light color for your text.

Number Four: Don’t Ignore the Crop Line

In printing there is a crop line to allow for the bleed. The bleed is the area that gets trimmed off. In the design studio this is shown as red dashes or a solid red line around the edge of the template. This is the edge of a cliff you don’t want to step off for your design. Many times artwork comes through the queue and either a part of a word or a photo is right on the edge of the crop line. This means a letter or crucial part of an image gets shaved off when the labels are cut. Give the crop line a respectable berth when making your custom label. It looks more professional and saves you a lot of grief.

Number Five: Beware Very Small Text or Super Fine Fonts

If you choose a delicate font make sure the color contrast is sharp enough the font shows well. A very thin or fine font style can be tricky to use. The bolder the font the easier it is to read, obviously. Also make sure there isn’t a busy design or image behind the font that detracts from it. It might be that all you need to do is increase the point size of a thin font or move it, to give it more presence.

The same is true for using small text on your label. Since you can magnify the template in the design studio a small font will look deceivingly legible. Once it’s printed on the label to actual size that may not be the case. That doesn’t mean you need to use a 72 point font, but depending on the font style, anything below an 8 point font might be difficult to read.

Should you ever have questions about the images you’re uploading to make a label, email us your image as an attachment. We’ll look it over in a graphics program and make sure it will give you a superior print result.

Now You Can Have Small Quantities of Your Labels with Short-Run Printing

April 21, 2014 by Cindy Springer 6 Comments

When you only need a few labels it can be frustrating to see minimum order requirements of 100 or even 1,000. That’s where we come to the rescue. Think of BYB as your one-stop short-run printer for any sticker or label you need, from your latest wine label design to a one-off bumper sticker. We know not every project demands hundreds of labels. I’ve talked to home brewers, wine makers, even brides ordering wedding labels who find our low quantity requirements to fit their needs perfectly.

Low Minimums

Ten labels is our minimum order number. For bumper stickers, order as little as one. Twenty-four bottles or one case for custom bottled water is the lowest case amount we require, which you’ll be hard pressed to find anywhere else on the internet. We cater to the guy who needs 12 beer labels for his home brew and the mom who wants 10 water bottle labels for her child’s birthday party.

Low Prices with High Quality

Our prices are low, but our quality is high. So even though you’re ordering only 10 labels you get the same high quality material customers receive that order 1,000 labels. We use premium label material, not the cheap paper you find on other websites. Check out our reviews to see the comments about quality. Our prices are some of the best you’ll find on the web.

Order as few as ten beer labels any design, unlimited colors.

No Color Charges

We’re often asked if there’s an extra cost for lots of colors in a print project. The answer is NO. We print our short-run orders digitally in full-color. There are no charges with this technology as there were in times past when a print plate had to be made for every color.

Fast Order Turnaround

Turnaround time is fast as well; two business days for stickers and nine days for personalized bottled water. When you order by 1 p.m. Pacific time your label order is printed that day and shipped the following day. If you order after 1 p.m. Pacific time your label is printed the next day and shipped the following day. Personalized bottled water takes a little more time, around 9 days for production and then allow for shipping time. We produce all custom bottled water orders every Wednesday morning. Get your order in by Tuesday evening and on Wednesday it goes into production and ships the following week.

Web-to-Print Technology

Bottle Your Brand’s web-to print solution is a streamlined process that allows for this amazing short-run print capability. You create and control the artwork. The canvas is your screen and you’re the designer. Your print proof is in front of you on the screen, although we do send proofs upon request. When you hit the final submit button your order goes right into the print queue. The artwork is pulled into a design program to check for any obvious cropping or image quality issues. The file is digitally tagged with your order number and quantity and uploaded to press every weekday afternoon. Each evening the day’s orders are printed, cut, tagged and stacked for shipping the next business day. Your order gets a quality check one more time before it’s packaged and shipped.

Print Any Design You Create

If you’re looking to print your unique design and not a pre-made website template, if you want a test run before you order massive label quantities, if you want to do a color check on your design, then you’re in the right place. We’ll print ten labels of any design you want. Whether you have four design variations or one design we’ll print as little as ten .

What Does Short-Run Printing Mean to You?

The service is top notch for your small print-run.
The latest web-to-print technology saves you time and money.
You control the design.
You spend very little to get the same product you would if you ordered thousands.
Your labels arrive fast.

Contact us with any additional questions about short-run printing. We’re always happy to help either through Live Chat or email at [email protected].

Simple Tips to Make a Wedding Favor Everyone Will Love

April 15, 2014 by Cindy Springer 4 Comments

:: Tips to Make a DIY Wedding Favor Your Guests Will Love ::

What bride doesn’t want her wedding to be perfect? From the flowers to the drape of her veil every detail should carry the wow factor. While candies and personalized trinkets have been staples of weddings past, today’s bride is looking for a wedding favor that everyone will appreciate. That’s where creating a wedding label that you put on bottles from a local store comes into play. If you’re truly planning a DIY wedding this task is not as daunting as you might think. We’ll answer some common questions about making bottled water wedding favors such as how much do they cost and what should go on the label, and give a few practical, money-saving tips as well.

Whether the wedding is for 10 or 100 guests personalized bottled water is increasingly becoming a wedding favor of choice. There’s no worry about allergies as with edible favors, or whether or not it’s something the guests will like or find useful. We all need water and it’s a touch the bride can be sure is appreciated by one and all, young and old alike.

There are common questions that crop up when creating a wedding label for bottled water so let’s consider them one by one. Although we do sell custom bottled water it’s not as cost effective as purchasing the labels and doing the labeling yourself.

How many labels should I buy?

If you’d like to have bottles for the reception and take home favors too, you’ll want to figure on two bottles per guest. If you’re only serving at the reception figure 1.5 bottles per guest. Some guests will drink more, others less, depending on the time of year and if there’s dancing or alcohol at the reception. Summer weddings will obviously have a thirstier crowd. According to The Knot the average size guest list for a wedding is 139.

TIP: On average we recommend allowing for 1.5 bottles of water per guest.

How much will it cost?

This is the first question the mother of the bride asks. Water bottle labels start at under $1 and as you buy more the price goes down.

TIP: Pricing is tiered so the more labels you buy the lower the cost per label.

Figuring one bottle per guest the cost for labels at the quantity of 140 guests is $0.79 each or $110.60. Figuring two bottles per guest and the cost goes down to $0.69 per label or $193.20.

TIP: Buying water in bulk by the case can save you money.

Factor in buying cases of water (24 bottles per case) from your local big box store and the price can run anywhere from $5.99 to $8.99 per case. On the low end, figuring one bottle per guest the cost is $35.99 for the water. Figuring two bottles per guest the cost is $72 for the bottles.

Even figuring on the higher end that’s less than $2 per favor for a fully customized wedding favor that looks amazing and everyone will use. The Knot lists the average cost for favors as $2.06 per guest. Keep in mind these prices are for a wedding of 140 guests. More than likely you’ll have 100 people or less on your guest list so the cost will be less.

What Bottles Will the Labels Fit?

Bottles are different shapes and sizes around the country. The Costco down the street doesn’t necessarily sell the same bottle shape as the one in the next state. So pick a bottle first and tear off the label. Lay it flat and measure it with a ruler. Choose the size closest to our two label sizes which are: 8.25″ x 1.75″ and 8″ x 2.125″.

TIP: Pick Your Bottles First for a Size Check.

What Should We Include on the Labels?

This is a commonly asked question. Usually the name of the bride and groom are included on the label along with the wedding date and sometimes the wedding venue. We’re often asked what the proper order is for the name of the bride and groom on the label. All sources agree that the bride’s name is first.

TIP: The Bride’s Name Usually Comes Before the Groom’s on the Label.

As for personalizing with photos, many wedding labels include a photo of the couple. Usually it’s a professionally shot engagement photo, but not always. The main thing is the photo should be nice and clear when you see it uploaded on the design screen.

TIP: Photo’s don’t have to be professional, just clear.

Wedding monograms are another popular option to include on a wedding water bottle label. If a designer has created one for you, simply upload it into the design studio. If not, you can easily create a wedding monogram using some of the fonts available in our design tool.

Regarding other text on the label some couples like to include a thank you or a short verse. Anything from song excerpts, scripture, poetry, you name, it are acceptable.

How Do I Personalize the Label?

Many brides prefer to use a pre-made wedding template and change the existing text and colors. This is definitely the easiest route to go. If you want to go a step beyond changing the text click the Customize It button. That button takes you into the label design studio where there are tools to add a photo, clip art or shapes. You can also change the font style and color on this screen so if you’re going for a certain look you can obtain it by choosing a font that’s formal, playful, ornate or causal.

TIP: Modify a pre-designed label template to make your own custom design.

This is the same pre-designed wedding water bottle label ordered by two different brides. Notice how they chose difference colors and font styles.

What About Color Matching?

Color matching is something almost every bride is concerned about when making wedding favors. Our expert graphics team can assist you with this if you have concerns. Usually the label color can get close to the color the bride is seeking, but it’s not an exact science since a computer screen makes color look different than actual print, depending on how your monitor is calibrated. We’ll do our best to help you get the correct color based on the information you provide to us.

Is It Difficult or Time Consuming to Put Labels on the Bottles?

No to both. It’s actually easy since the labels you receive from Bottle Your Brand are thicker than paper labels and are made from a synthetic material. There’s a video showing how to apply labels here and we include an insert in every package with step by step application instructions.

Do We Take the Existing Labels Off the Bottles?

We recommend you tear the labels off. It makes the new label lay down nicely and gives a more finished look. It’s been our experience that most bottled water companies use glue only on the ends of the label, which makes it very easy to pull them off. Since the labels you purchase from Bottle Your Brand have fully adhesive backs they stick on the bottles very well.

TIP: Take the existing labels off the store bought bottles before applying your custom labels for a more professional look.

We specialize in water bottle labels and over the years have been a part of thousands of weddings.

If you have any other questions about creating the perfect wedding water bottle label please contact us on Live Chat or via email at [email protected]. As always we’re happy to help.

Here’s a Quick Way to Use a QR Code to Market Your Business

April 8, 2014 by Cindy Springer Leave a Comment

Finding ways to market a small business isn’t always easy. Most solutions are time consuming and expensive. We have a way to market your business using a QR Code that will fit just about everyone’s budget.

First, What is a QR Code?

QR Code stands for Quick Response Code. QR Codes are those square bar-code like boxes that are cropping up everywhere on packages, signs, advertising and websites. They’re used for marketing products, services, and brands, basically anything and everything.

What Does a QR Code Do?

A QR code carries data that links to web pages, videos, Facebook or Twitter. QR Codes can also contain a phone number. It is also possible to encode an SMS text message or just plain alphanumeric text in the code. In fact QR codes can store up to 7,089 numbers in a horizontal and vertical format versus a standard barcode which carries 30 numbers in a vertical format only.

How Do I Read the Information in a QR Code?

Any smartphone can read a QR code. All the user has to do is install a QR reading app. Most QR reading apps are free. Locate a QR app by searching in your smartphone’s APP Store. Once installed just open the app and scan the barcode by holding the phone over the code. A smartphone will automatically know which application to use to open the data embedded in the QR Code. It reads and loads the encoded data on the phone to access the information.

How Can I Use a QR Code to Market My Small Business?

Don’t worry about being tech savvy or a computer whiz, the QR code generator is as easy as typing in your web address. A QR code generator is included in our label design studio. Anyone can make a QR code label. Place your QR code label on bottled water for hand outs, wine bottles, swag bags, or product samples. Use your QR code to link to your website or to a page with special offers or more information about your business. It’s brilliant!

Whether you plan to attend a tradeshow, give free handouts, thank you gifts, or promote an upcoming event or sale, now you can generate a QR code on your personalized label. Link your QR code to a website or a special web page that gives specially targeted information.

Ten Ways to Market Your Business or Services with QR Code Labels:

Hand out branded bottled water at a tradeshow with a QR code linked to your website or phone number.
Make a wine label to place on a bottle as a thank you gift to clients. Put a QR code on the label that gives them a discount on future services.
Promote an event with a QR code on a water bottle label. Give information about a fundraiser, walkathon, concert or auction in the QR code with either a URL, phone number or SMS message.
Real estate agents, use a QR code on water bottle labels at open houses. Create a QR code which links to an informational page about property listings or to your real estate website.
Selling a food product? Put a QR code on your food label to announce special offers. QR code labels on take out boxes, bottles and bags will bring customers back to use the discount on future purchases.
Hand out a swag bag with a QR code on the bag giving out information about the sample contents in the bag.
Make a waterproof QR sticker to put in your business window, on packages, and envelopes. Include pertinent contact information including your website in the sticker’s QR code. Anyone who walks by your business or picks up one of your products can scan the code to get product updates.
Make drink coasters with a QR code to advertise your craft brew or wine. Hand out the coasters at festivals and concerts.
Make bottle neck tags with QR codes to launch your food product. Sauces, jellies, spices and jams, anything you’re marketing can include a QR code with information about the product. Embed the QR code with a link to a URL showing recipes using the contents of the bottle.
Make bumper stickers with your business name and a QR code. Link to a special offer for your services or a map to your business location.

How to Generate a QR Code on Your Label:

Choose one of the products on BottleYourBrand, either labels, personalized water, coasters, tags or stickers. Select a size and quantity, click Customize It. Once you’re in the design studio you’ll see the ADD QR code tool on the left side of the label canvas. Click on ADD QR Code. A window will pop up where you can choose what kind of information you want embeded in your QR code. Fill in the field by typing in your information, whether it’s a URL, phone number or SMS message. All you have to do is type and click ADD. The QR code is generated and placed on the label. Next select the QR code by clicking on it. You can now move it or resize it so you can complete your label design. TIP: Don’t make the QR code too small or it’s more difficult for QR apps to read it.

If you still have questions about adding a QR code to your label we’re happy to help you. Contact us on LIVE CHAT during business hours or email us at [email protected].

DIY Bachelorette Party Survival Kit

April 2, 2014 by Cindy Springer 2 Comments

Surviving a bachelorette party calls for some serious planning. If you’re a bridesmaid or maid of honor in charge of the last-fling-before-the-ring you’ll want to create the ultimate bachelorette survival kit. So what should you include in this kit? We’ve a few ideas for you, and of course they include custom made stickers!

This featured DIY survival kit was created by our very own BYB staff member Rachelle, who knows a thing or two about girls night out. Since one never knows what might happen when the ladies get together for a serious throw down, I relied on her to guide me through the assembly process. She created this DIY Bachelorette survival kit for her friend’s pre-nuptial party.

Here’s what you’ll need to decorate the box.

Rachelle chose what is called a “basket box” in a chocolate brown color to hold the contents of her survival kit. She made a custom sticker, found coordinating ribbons, then tied it all up with dotted tulle to make it stunning. This cute little box was purchased at a local packaging specialties store. The custom sticker was made in our design studio.

PACKAGING MATERIALS:

4″ w x 3″ h custom label for box
Custom water bottle label
3″ w x 2″ h custom label for shot bottle
Spool of 6 inch wide dotted tulle
Spool of 5/8 inch ribbon
Spool of 1 1/2 inch satin ribbon
Mini ribbon flowers
Basket box 9″ x 5″ x 7 1/2″
Glue gun
Scissors
Tissue paper

SURVIVAL ITEMS:

Bottled water with a personalized label. Hydration is key to keeping the girls feeling great after a few rounds of drinks. This bottled water included a personalized water bottle label. For every drink of alcohol one should drink at least one-half bottle of water or more. So keep some extra water bottles on hand if possible, or order water between drinks.
A package of Tylenol. With this packet and the bottled water who needs the hair o’ the dog the next day? Head off the hangover before it strikes. The bride is sure to thank you for your thoughtfulness.
Ring Pops. Just for fun throw in some candy in the shape of an engagement ring.
Lip Gloss. Can’t have chapped lips on a big night out.
Nail file. Oh snap! What if the bride breaks a nail during the revelry? No worries, a fancy emery board with glitter pattern is included in this survival kit. This file is great for traveling.
Mints. A quick refresher or pick me up is a nice touch. These tiny mints are perfect for just that.
Gum. Everyone will be grateful for this the next morning. Right?
Mini Shot Bottle. We all know this could be a bad idea…but oh so right for this night. And look at the teensy weensy bridal veil added to the bottle lid. It’s made with tulle, a ribbon flower and a quick touch of the hot glue gun. You know you want to try this idea. Add a 3 inch x 2 inch custom label for the final touch and it’s a party favor everyone will want to make.
Eye Mask. Most of the night will be spent partying, but as soon as it’s time to get those essential hours of sleep this mask will come in handy. Especially if there’s an airplane or train trip back home. The ladies will find this mask essential on other occasions as well.

The mini-shot bottles were personalized with a fun message on a custom label.

A small length of the dotted tulle was cut and gathered at one end then glued to a ribbon flower to make a mini bridal veil. A hot glue gun was used to glue the veil to the bottle lid.

Before the contents were placed in the box it was lined with hot pink tissue paper.

Next a length of the dotted tulle was cut and place inside the box leaving plenty of tulle on either end to tie together. Rachelle arranged the items in the box with the heaviest item(s) in the center to give it balance and also to have an anchor for tying the ribbons. The final step; take a length of each ribbon, the dotted 5/8 inch and the satin 1 1/2 inch and place underneath the box with a length of the ribbon on either end. Pick up all three ribbons, the tulle, dotted ribbon and satin ribbon together above the center of the box and secure with a length of narrow ribbon and then make a fancy bow. Add your custom sticker over the ribbons on the outside of the box. Your personalized survival kit is complete.

Get ready for all the ooohs and aaahs when the ladies see the treat you’ve prepared for them. The bride will be delighted she chose you to be a part of her special day when she’s presented with this DIY bachelorette party favor.

If you need some help creating personalized labels for a bachelorette survival kit send us an email; [email protected].