In the fast-growing nutrition and wellness market, a product label does more than identify what’s inside a package — it builds trust, communicates benefits, and differentiates your product in a crowded category. Whether you’re selling protein powders, supplements, energy drinks, or functional snacks, selecting the right labeling solution is essential for regulatory compliance, proper product usage, and consumer appeal.
A well-designed label must do many things at once: meet FDA labeling requirements, stand up to moisture and abrasion, align with your packaging type, reinforce your brand, and reach out to your customers with an impression that successfully competes in retail spaces. Achieving this balance starts with choosing the right label material, adhesive, and printing method — tailored specifically for the unique demands of nutrition products.
Why Nutrition Labels Matter More Than Ever
Consumers of nutrition products are increasingly label-savvy. They scan for allergen information, serving sizes, certifications (like USDA Organic or NSF Certified), and health claims. Often, to consumers, within seconds of viewing your product, your labels aren’t a regulatory necessity; they are marketing tools and trust builders.
At the same time, your product label must endure its physical environment to maintain legibility and adhesion throughout the product’s lifecycle — from manufacturing and fulfillment to retail shelving and consumer use.
Unique Nutrition Labeling Challenges
1. Regulatory Complexity
Nutritional products often fall under FDA regulations, which require:
- Accurate ingredient and supplement facts panels
- Clear display of serving sizes, allergens, and dosage
- Legibility in font size and contrast
- Country of origin and manufacturer details
In addition, voluntary certifications like non-GMO, gluten-free, or vegan often involve third-party reviews and must be presented in an approved format.
2. Packaging Variety
Nutrition products are packaged in many forms, from jars and bottles to sachets, tubs, and flexible pouches. Each type requires a different label material and adhesive. Curved or textured surfaces, small diameters, or squeezable containers can affect adhesion and readability.
3. Shelf Appeal in a Crowded Market
The wellness category is exploding, and so is the competition. Bright, modern designs, metallic accents, and clear “no-label” looks are all popular — but they require compatible label materials and coatings for a winning execution.
4. Moisture, Oil, and Wear Resistance
Many nutrition products are used in gyms and kitchens or carried on the go, meaning product labels must hold up against water, sweat, oils, and friction. Durability is key to keeping barcodes, claims, and branding intact through the consumer’s product use.
Label Material Options
Here are several popular and effective materials for nutrition labeling applications:
- White Polypropylene: One of the most versatile materials for supplements, powders, and beverages. Moisture-resistant, ideal for curved surfaces, and supports high-quality full-color printing.
- Clear Polypropylene: Offers a “no-label” look to present brand elements that appear to float on the container. Ideal for transparent bottles.
- High Gloss Silver Polypropylene: Adds a reflective, premium, high-end feel to the label.
- Textured Materials: Often used for natural products like herbal supplements or teas to provide a tactile, earthy feel.
Each material has strengths, but the best choice depends on your product’s packaging, environment, and brand goals.
Adhesive Selection
Selecting the proper adhesive is as important as the label material, especially for nutrition products:
- Permanent Adhesives: Most common for rigid plastic or glass containers. Ensure the label stays in place during distribution, shelving, and consumer use.
- Removable Adhesives: Useful for promotional labels, peel-back nutrition info, or reusable containers.
- Cold-Temperature Adhesives: Required for refrigerated or frozen items (such as wellness drinks or perishable supplements).
Printing and Finishing Considerations
Nutrition labels must remain crisp and legible, even in high-humidity environments or after repeated handling.
For that reason, consider:
- Inkjet Printing: Great for short runs, custom batches, or private label products. Produces vibrant, photo-quality results with water-resistant inks — ideal for creating clear, professional-grade labels on demand.
- Thermal Transfer: Ideal for printing variable data such as batch numbers, expiration dates, or barcodes. Requires durable label materials and matching ribbons.
- Toner/LED Printing: Ensures strong abrasion resistance and durability. It also produces sharp, high-contrast text and graphics, making it well-suited for detailed regulatory or ingredient information.
In-house printing systems offer additional advantages for nutrition brands, including faster turnaround on new flavors and formulations, reduced reliance on pre-printed label inventory, and the flexibility to maintain quality control and compliance from start to finish.
Whether printing small batches of supplement labels, changing label designs for special promotions, or producing large runs for a complete product line, digital in-house printers support cost-effective, on-demand production with the precision required for FDA-regulated content, regional considerations and custom product SKUs.
Don’t Forget the Branding
Labeling is your first chance to connect with the consumer. Is your product bold and high-performance? Clean and natural? Scientific and clinical? Your label design — and the material it’s printed on — must deliver that statement and experience. Specialty materials, transparent effects, foil stamping, or embossed finishes can all elevate your brand. Consider consistent material and layout choices for multiproduct lines to create a cohesive visual identity across your brand family.
Expert Guidance & Tailored Solutions
AstroNova supports nutrition brands with a complete labeling ecosystem—from material selection and adhesive pairing to print technology guidance and compliance support.
In-house digital label printing systems provide rapid, economical, high-quality output tailored to specific batch sizes, SKUs, and evolving product claims. Learn more or request an online demo of AstroNova’s state-of-the-art nutrition label printers at astronovaproductid.com/nutrition-labels.
Get expert help selecting the right label materials for your nutrition products. Explore resources and solutions—or schedule a free consultation with industry experts for personalized guidance—at GetLabels.com.
