The CBD industry has exploded over the last decade. On a saturated market, cannabis-derived products now crowd the shelves. And the online shops. From oils, tinctures, dietary supplements, to foods and cosmetics – it’s a real craze.
Whether you’re already in the business, or you’re getting started now – proper CBD labeling is essential.
I’m not talking only about a well-designed product that catches the eye. CBD foods, drugs, and cosmetics must follow the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.
In this post, I summed up a few important things that will help you create outstanding and compliant CBD labels.
You’ll learn about:
Let’s dive right in.
1. FDA's Requirements for CBD Labels
You might be wondering why I start this article talking about FDA and regulations. And you’ll see that I’ll keep mentioning it for a while below.
Well because products containing CBD and THC are marketed as dietary supplements and/or conventional foods.
So we focus on what comes first – compliance.
Let me clarify.
CBD is legal but not yet federally regulated. FDA’s still running investigations on CBD. To date, it only approved one pharmaceutical product on the market. A pure form of CBD oil that treats severe epilepsy called Epidiolex.
What does that mean for your business?
It means that without clear regulations, the marketing and sales of CBD products are hazy. As a result, states have adopted their own approaches and regulations instead.
Some made it legal. Some only partly. And some completely banned the production and sale of such products.
Unfortunately, this situation has also led to inconsistent and misleading CBD labeling. All at the expense of consumers. Shady companies led deceptive marketing. So false claims about products’ benefits ended in lawsuits.
And that’s something you most definitely want to avoid.
That being said…
No matter what kind of products or where you’re selling them, you need to stay up to date and in line with the FDA’s guidelines for CBD supplements and foods.
You’ve put effort, time, and money into your business. Nothing’s worth the risk of damaging your brand’s reputation. Plus, compliant CBD labels save you from reprinting thousands of them. Not to mention the extra cost. So starting with the right foot is a warranty for success.
I. FRONT DISPLAY PANEL
Product identity
This part describes what your CBD product is or does. For example, “CBD oil” or “hemp extract softgels”. It can also specify the benefit, like “pain relief” or “sleeping aid”.
Net quantity of content
This is the amount of product without the packaging or container. It also states the amount of active CBD per serving. For solids, it’s measured by weight. For liquids, it’s measured by volume. This info usually goes at the bottom on the front panel.
II. INFORMATION LABEL PANELS
Nutrition information
If your product is a food or beverage, you’ll state the Nutrition Facts. If the product is a supplement, you’ll have Supplement Facts.
List of ingredients
You should list all ingredients and excipients in order of weight.
Name and address of manufacturer, packer or distributor
Show your name, address, and phone number. They must appear both on the packaging and on the label. This is a sign of transparency. Buyers might want extra information about your product. And they should be able to contact you and find out more anytime.
These are the FDA’s basic requirements that you should display on your labels. They are mandatory and give the basic details about you and your product.
Nobody wants to mess around with laws and regulations. And I think that’s something we can both agree on. So I wanted to make sure we have this clear first.
But we’re not done with the info part yet. There’s more.
Another important thing to keep in mind – use your custom marijuana labels and CBD packaging to let customers know that you’re reliable and trustworthy.
If you’re wondering how you can do that:
By adding some more essential details on your CBD labels.
I’ll explain below…
2. Be Transparent With Your CBD Label
If you want to prove that you’re reliable and trustworthy, make your CBD labels as accurate as possible. And more importantly, be transparent and honest. This is the quickest way to earn customers’ trust AND loyalty.
As you know, people buy and use CBD products as a treatment for various disorders. From epilepsy to ADHD, insomnia, and other sicknesses. And this only is a valid reason to show on your CBD packaging boxes that customers can rely on you.
How exactly do you do that?
By making sure that your products are exactly what you tell them they are on the label. And give them all the details to check anytime.
Here’s what you should add:
- Producer's name
Your brand and logo should appear on the front panel. Make it look clear and professional. People like to know who they are buying from. Besides, loyal customers can easily recognize your products.
- Manufacturing date
CBD quality degrades over time so people want to know how old the product is or when it expires. It also may be one of the things they check first. Tinctures and edibles must be consumed within months, for instance. Make sure to include this information on your labels for edibles. The longest shelf life of a CBD product does not go over two years.
- Batch and lot number
This informs customers about when or where the product was made. Also, in case of a recall, it can track down an entire batch or lot to withdraw it from the market.
- License number
Distinguish yourself from non-licensed makers. Make it easy for them to find you and trust your products. People have become aware of misleading marketing. So they check what they buy.
- Third party lab testing
If you want to go even further for credibility and transparency, invest in third-party lab testing. This reassures customers that the information on the product label is accurate. Even better, it makes your products reputable.
- Scannable barcode or QR code
It’s optional but still remains the best way to guarantee product quality. Customers can get all the information they want in one action. They scan the QR code with their smartphones and have instant access to all the details of your product.
- Other ingredients
Except raw CBD oil or CBD isolate, most CBD products have extra ingredients. Include these ingredients on your custom CBD oil boxes and labels if your product contains carrier oils, spirits, colors, or flavors. Also, mention potential allergens.
- Warning or caution statements
Include here standard warnings for children and pregnant women. Also, people who take other medications may fail a drug test if consuming hemp products. It’s best if you mention it.
3. Quick Checklist for Your CBD Oil Labels
Before getting to the more catchy design part, I want to add one more thing about labels. If you’re a CBD oil producer, this might concern you.
CBD oil is the most common product being sold in this industry. As I said, it’s the only cannabinoid-derived product approved for medical treatment. So, it’s essential to sell a truthful product and provide accurate information on the label.
CBD oil labels must contain the following data:
Product size
Visible on the front panel. CBD oil bottles usually come as 15 ml, 30 ml, and 100 ml recipients. This will further help determine other CBD indicators, such as concentration.
CBD dosage
Includes the milligrams (mg) of CBD in the entire bottle or package. Goes at the bottom of the front panel and indicates the amount per serving (e.g. per ‘x’ ml).
Spectrum
Full Spectrum
Contains most of the terpenes and cannabinoids, besides CBD, and no more than 0.3% THC
Broad Spectrum
Includes a wide range of naturally occurring compounds, but no detectable levels of THC
Isolate
The purest form of CBD – isolated from the other compounds of the cannabis plant. No THC
Carrier oils
Oils used to dilute the CBD extract. Most common carrier oils include coconut oil, MCT oil, or hemp seed oil.
Inactive ingredients
Carrier oil and other additives such as flavorings, colorings, and sweeteners.
Now, I know what you may be thinking. With so much information, your labels will look boring and dull.
But trust me, they will not. I guarantee you can make your CBD labels both attractive and compliant. And we’re here to make sure of that.
You’ll learn all about the process and the materials. Plus, you can check the options we offer to customize your CBD labels and make them sell with the speed of light.
Keep reading.
4. Tips To Design Your Catchy CBD Labels
There’s an increasing demand for CBD products and this translates into high competition.
What does this mean to you as a manufacturer in the industry? It means that you put extra effort into making a strong first impression. And you want to make that impression last.
A product’s label is what the customer sees first. That’s where it all clicks. The impact will decide if it’s a “yay or nay”.
You can create that impact through layout, font, color and other design elements you want to use. Get as creative as you want, as long as you meet FDA’s recommendations in terms of design.
Even the simplest label can attract if you use the right elements and material.
We’re visual creatures. So usually, the first seconds determine what we interpret afterward. It’s pretty much the same as when we meet new people. The first few seconds are enough for us to decide if we like a person or not.
In this case, if you impress potential buyers with your custom CBD labels, they’re likely to subscribe. Let them know you and your brand’s story through looks. It’s a good way to earn their trust AND loyalty.
5. CBD Labels Inspiration
Did your design and marketing team already come up with stunning design? Or are you still looking for ideas?
If you need inspiration, take a peek at these great design projects for CBD products.
By YBS for Pacha Dispensary
By YBS for Cornbread Hemp Co.
By YBS for Fourmile
Did you find something you’d like for your own CBD labels?
You can play with the information and elements to your advantage. For example, you can put the spotlight on the ingredients or benefits.
If you’re special about something or your product offers extra benefits, be sure to display it on the label – GMO free, vegan, sugar free, or made from recycled materials.
Booster and Strength – two powerful words, straight in your eyeball. They appear large and visible, and immediately attract attention to the benefits. Plus the active ingredients are listed on the front to make sure the customer knows just how awesome this product is.
There are so many ways to be creative and compliant at the same time. You don’t have to use a basic template as many companies do. The more different your custom marijuana boxes and labels are, the more chances they have to convince people to make the purchase. And the smart example above proves it well.
- Be clear about the product and your brand
- Be honest about the product’s benefits
- Be authentic and distinctive
- Print labels that inspire confidence and boost your brand image.
However…
Not everything gets down to the design. High-quality material for your CBD labels is just as important. Make sure it’s durable enough to withstand handling. And since many products contain oil, you may want to choose a waterproof and oil-resistant label that does not peel off or fade with time and use.
At YourBoxSolution we have exactly what you need to make outstanding customized CBD labels.
6. Get Your Custom CBD Labels
I hope you found this article useful, especially if you were looking for labeling ideas. You’ve seen now that your CBD labels can be both appealing and compliant. Leave the rest to us. We’re here to create your custom labeling to make your brand visible.
Are you ready to hit print? Get in touch today.