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Labelling craft beer and cider cans (the ultimate guide)

Jun. 30, 2025

Labelling craft beer and cider cans (the ultimate guide)

A growing trend amongst craft breweries is to package product in unbranded ‘silver bullet’ cans and decorate with a label or shrink sleeve. Labelling plain cans is a great way to avoid the minimum order quantities of pre-printed cans. Plus, you have access to a far greater number of creative options through the use of materials and embellishments. Combine this with digital printing, which is perfect for short runs, multiple varieties and frequent changes, and you’ve got a flexible, efficient and effective way to package your product.

Let’s unravel how to effectively decorate your craft beer and cider cans with labels.

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Label size

You have tonnes of flexibility when it comes to the size of your can label. At Hally Labels we make all kinds of beer labels and cider labels for a wide variety of breweries across Australia and New Zealand. Some things to consider are:

Can size – the larger your can, the greater the area you have for decoration. The flat area of the can is the place to label.
Application method – your applicator may have some size restrictions. Or you might be hand applying in which case size may not matter but ease of application might.
Shape – this is dependent on your design, but the options are endless. A rectangle will maximise your communication space and provide the closest in appearance to a pre-printed can. Shapes are a creative option; torn-look edges, circles and curved lines, geometric angles, labels with a shaped top and bottom, or go for something completely unique.
Another alternative is to use pre-printed cans with one standardised branded design. Then apply custom labels for each beer to provide the variant and batch-specific information.

Label material choices

An extensive collection of materials are available to create your desired look. Gloss paper, luxurious textured and uncoated papers, clear film, metallised options, natural kraft paper; we’ve got it all at Hally. We also have a variety of specialty materials that provide a unique look e.g. leather, wood, holographic and more. Some of the popular choices for craft beer can labels are:

Silver metallic film – this blends in with the silver of the can and allows you to create non-metallic areas by printing white under the design. You can also create gold effects by printing yellow over the silver material rather than using a foil.
Clear film – this creates a ‘no label’ look. Clear areas of the design allow the silver of the can to show through and you can fake a shaped effect by clever design of the print area within a rectangle label shape.
Textured paper – often used for wine labels, these offer a premium or aged look that is beautifully complemented by embellishments.

Digital label printing

Digital is a method we use to print labels. At Hally Labels we have leading-edge HP Indigo Digital Offset presses which provides excellent print quality and bright, vibrant colours. Digital printing is ideal for short runs of craft beer and cider as printing plates are not required. This reduces preparation costs and provides more flexibility, especially in the case of frequent batch or design changes. We have an extensive range of stunning embellishments available (read more on these below). Personalised campaigns are also possible by incorporating variable data or through Hally Personalisation which uses specialised software to create thousands and even millions of individual designs where no two labels are alike.

Label embellishments

Embellishments and effects elevate your label design, adding an important finishing touch to enhance the presentation of your brand. All our embellishment options are available for both digital and flexo printed labels.

Create a tactile experience when the consumer is holding your can. Achieve this through a silk screen high build, where key design elements are highlighted or textured patterns are created via a clear, glossy, raised coating. Alternatively, a textured coating like our super-gritty Sandpaper coating is very effective when used over a chosen design element.
Embossing is an alternative method to create texture by raising the surface of a chosen label area or pattern. This gives stand-out presence on the shelf and has a tactile effect that encourages the consumer to linger over the product.
A blingy, luxurious look can be achieved through the use of metallic foil, metallic ink or alternatively metallic material.
Lamination films can be placed on top of the label to create a matt or glossy appearance whilst protecting the label from scuffing and moisture. Or create a unique finish with a specialty lamination like soft touch, leather or linen look.
Spot coatings are a simple yet effective method to create a visual contrast that highlights an element or creates a pattern. Typically these are either gloss or matt. When used in contrasting combination with each other they create a very effective textured, 3D look.
Specialty inks and coatings are a unique option; thermochromic (ink that changes colour at certain temperatures), scented, scratch off, glitter and glow-in-the-dark are just a few of the choices available.

Shrink Sleeves

A shrink sleeve is a great alternative method of decorating a plain can. It provides 360 degrees of branding and communication space, with a finish similar to a pre-printed can. A shrink sleeve has higher-quality graphics than a printed can and can be printed digitally – perfect for short runs and limited editions.

Now that you know a bit more about labelling craft beer cans, why not see some of the options yourself by requesting a free craft beer sample pack. Our team of label experts are standing by to assist with your can labelling requirements.

Request a Quote Request free Samples Free Expert Consultation

Shrink Sleeve Label Design: Overcoming Challenges for Better ...

Shrink sleeve labels have become a go-to choice for brands looking to enhance their product’s visual appeal and shelf presence. With their 360-degree design coverage and ability to conform to unique container shapes, shrink sleeves are gaining popularity across diverse industries, from food and beverages to personal care products. However, designing these labels comes with unique challenges that can impact both aesthetics and functionality if not addressed properly.

This guide provides practical tips for overcoming common challenges in shrink sleeve product label design, focusing on managing distortion, ensuring color accuracy, and maintaining regulatory compliance. By following these best practices, you will be better equipped to create labels that are both eye-catching and effective.

What You Need to Know About Shrinkage

Shrinkage is one of the most critical factors in shrink sleeve label design. When heat is applied during the labeling process, the shrink film contracts to fit the container’s shape, but this process can cause distortion, affecting text, images, and other design elements. As the label shrinks, design elements near areas with higher shrinkage (such as curves and corners) can become distorted, leading to stretched or compressed visuals. This can negatively impact the overall appearance of your product, leading to misaligned logos or illegible text.

3 Tips to Minimize Distortion

Leverage software that simulates shrinkage during the design phase to anticipate potential issues and adjust your layout accordingly.
Avoid placing critical design elements, such as logos or small text, near areas of high shrinkage. Instead, reserve these areas for less crucial details.
Incorporate compensation techniques, such as pre-distorting the product label design so that it appears correct after the shrinkage process is complete.

Selecting the Right Shrink Film for Your Product

Selecting the right shrink film is essential for balancing functionality and aesthetics. The type of film you choose can affect the label’s appearance, how it shrinks, and how it holds up in different environments. When selecting a shrink sleeve material, it is important to consider several key factors that will impact both the label's performance and appearance.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Craft Beer Shrink Film. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Start by evaluating the shape of your container — complex curves and irregular surfaces may require more flexible films that can conform smoothly. Next, think about the environmental conditions your product will encounter. Will it be exposed to moisture, heat, or fluctuating temperatures? Choosing a material that resists these factors, like PETG, might be ideal for such conditions. Lastly, consider the specific application requirements, such as whether the label needs to be tamper-evident, scuff-resistant, or eco-friendly. Balancing these factors will help you select the shrink sleeve film that best meets your product’s needs.

Popular Shrink Films for Product Label Design

Shrink films like PVC, PETG, and OPS each offer distinct benefits. For example:

PVC: Widely used due to its cost-effectiveness, but less eco-friendly.
PETG: Offers better environmental performance and high shrinkage rates, ideal for intricate designs.
OPS: Known for lower shrink temperatures and reduced environmental impact, making it suitable for delicate products.

How to Design With Shrinkage in Mind

A well-planned layout is crucial to ensure that your branding remains consistent and important information is clear after the label has shrunk. Poorly positioned elements can lead to distorted logos, unreadable text, or misplaced regulatory information, which can hurt your brand’s image and potentially lead to compliance issues. By strategically placing key design elements in areas less affected by shrinkage, such as flatter surfaces, you can maintain legibility and visual appeal.

Source: beverageindustry.com

Layout Strategies to Maximize Design

Placement of Logos and Text: Position logos, brand names, and other key elements in areas of the label that are less prone to distortion. Keep essential details centered on flatter surfaces for better readability.
Important Information: Make sure mandatory information, such as barcodes and nutritional facts, remains legible. These details should be strategically placed where shrinkage is minimal to avoid distortion.

Getting the Colors Just Right for Printing

Color plays a major role in how consumers perceive your product, influencing everything from brand recognition to purchase decisions. However, shrink sleeve labels can present challenges in maintaining color vibrancy and accuracy due to the shrinking process. As the label conforms to the container, colors can shift, fade, or become distorted, making it essential to choose hues that remain consistent even after shrinking.

2 Tips for Choosing Colors That Pop

Vibrancy and Accuracy: Colors can shift or fade during the shrinking process. Opt for colors that stay true under heat and avoid highly sensitive shades that could distort.
Printing Techniques: Flexographic and rotogravure printing methods are great options for shrink sleeve labels. These methods offer the precision needed to maintain consistent colors and details during production.

Ensure Your Shrink Sleeve Labels Meet Industry Regulations

Staying compliant with industry regulations is vital for any product label, ensuring that all required information is clear and correctly placed. However, these product labeling regulations vary depending on industry and region. They can cover everything from nutritional information to safety warnings. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to costly penalties, recalls, or damaged brand reputation, making it crucial to understand and adhere to the specific guidelines relevant to your product.

Design Strategies to Ensure Regulatory Compliance

Understand Industry Standards: Familiarize yourself with the specific regulations for your product, including placement guidelines for barcodes, ingredient lists, and safety information.
Placement of Regulatory Information: Ensure that important regulatory details remain legible and are placed in areas that won’t be heavily distorted during the shrinking process.

Read about FDA Labeling Guidelines across different industries here.

Prototyping: The Key for Successful Shrink Sleeve Labels

Prototyping is a crucial step in fine-tuning your shrink sleeve product label design. Testing your labels before mass production helps identify and correct issues that could compromise the final product. By creating and evaluating prototypes, you can catch potential flaws early, saving time and resources in the long run.

Creating prototypes allows you to see how the design looks and performs on actual containers. During this phase, you can evaluate how well the label adheres to the container’s shape and identify areas of distortion. Prototyping also gives you the opportunity to check color accuracy, alignment, and overall visual appeal, ensuring that your label looks exactly as intended when applied to the finished product.

6 Simple Steps to Run Test Batches

Start by applying your shrink sleeve labels to a limited number of containers for testing purposes.
Process the labeled containers as you would during full-scale production to simulate real conditions.
Carefully inspect the test batch for any problems with shrinking, color consistency, alignment, or material performance.
Look for design elements that may have shifted, distorted, or become misaligned during the shrinking process. Assess whether the material choice is appropriate based on its response to the conditions.
Based on the results, refine your design, reposition critical elements, or consider selecting a different material that better suits your application needs.
If significant changes are made, conduct additional test runs to confirm that your adjustments resolve the issues and the final product meets your expectations.

Refining Your Design

Refine your product label design based on feedback and test results. An iterative approach ensures that you address potential problems early, leading to a smoother production process and a higher-quality final product. Continuously revisiting and improving your design allows you to optimize for both functionality and aesthetics, resulting in a shrink sleeve label that not only looks great but also performs consistently across various production runs.

Want to see our labeling equipment in action before investing? Schedule a Factory Acceptance Test!

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