Top 5 Label Design Trends of 2022
2021 didn’t necessarily shape up to be the year anyone expected, and no one can really be sure what 2022 will hold. But when it comes to labels, we feel confident that there will be some standout label design trends to be on the lookout for. This year it will be all about setting your products apart through unique and custom design. Here are the top 5 label design trends for 2022:
1. INFORMATIVE GRAPHICS
One of the top trends we expect to see gain even more steam in 2022 is the use of informative graphics on labels. We’ve all grown used to standard icons on labels like Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Organic, or the Recycle logo. These graphics are excellent ways to communicate things about your brand to a customer in that split-second when they are often making their purchasing choice.
But there are an untold number of ways to create your own graphics that are easy to scan and digest, communicating the type of brand you are to your customers instantaneously. Dion can assure you of beautifully printed colors and graphics on every label, so you can simplify design, communicate brand values, and generate more emphasis on specific product features.
One of the best parts of using informative graphics is that they align well with the huge trend toward custom design. Rather than crowding a label with wordy product explanations, a few simple graphics can communicate the same information in a way that is easier to digest, simpler, and ultimately has more of an impact on customers. Creating your own graphics that provide important information to your customers and symbolize your brand identity can be an incredible way to create brand recognition and loyalists!
2. MONOCHROME
While some brands will certainly still find use for vibrant color palettes, if you’re looking for a simple way to draw attention to your product, consider monochrome label design. While monochrome design may seem constricting, there are actually no bounds to the creative opportunities available with limited color use. From simple black and white, which can be especially eye-catching on a crowded store shelf that is overloaded with color, to selecting a single color that is aligned with your brand, monochrome design offers the occasion to appeal to customers who are desensitized to bright colors in label design. Using only one or two colors on your label can actually make more of a statement than twenty!
We love how Gotama uses a simple color palette and bold graphics to make their Awake supplement label eye-catching!
3. 1990S THROWBACK
There’s nothing like a little nostalgia to give buyers a nudge toward your product. Retro and vintage design is not something that is new this year, but you can expect to see a resurgence of styles that hearken back to earlier decades, especially the 1990s. Much of this trend is being driven by Millennials who grew up in the 90s and who are now coming of age, spending power-wise.
Be on the lookout for retro label design on products from cosmetics to beverages. Expect to see products with pixelated typography reminiscent of early video game systems and neon colors. With so many ways to go retro, there’s a little something for every type of brand with this trend.
4. CUSTOM ILLUSTRATION
If you’re itching for something truly different, consider incorporating some actual art into your label. There is no right or wrong way to add art to your label design, but we expect to see custom illustration crop up on labels for products in industries as varied as beer to supplements to personal care. Remember to think about who your customers are when using art in your design—including graphics in the style of Pop Art from the 1950s is not likely to resonate with young people from Generation Z as much as it will with Baby Boomers. But don’t underestimate the power of unique art to tell your story.
Vanished Valley Brewing Co. never stints on their custom label art, commissioning local artist for many of their brew labels!
5. UNIQUE LETTERING
Bold design isn’t limited to art. If bright and busy backgrounds aren’t right for your brand, you can still make a statement by using typography that stands out. Keeping up with the theme of custom label design this year, we expect to see more brands opt for unique lettering and typography. We are especially fond of hand-drawn lettering to make your design truly one of a kind.
What’s more, with the technologies available today, lettering and typography can be created using a huge variety of elements including gradients, retro elements, geometric shapes, and much more. We love how typography can pull double duty, declaring a brand or product name while also communicating your brand identity and engaging customers visually with your product. If you think your typography doesn’t play an integral role in your design, think again.
The name of the game when it comes to label design in 2022 is to be true to your brand identity and set yourself apart through custom and unique label elements. As always, the team of label experts at Dion is here to help you accomplish all your label design goals with our superior print solutions. Request a free sample packet today to see all our capabilities to print high-impact labels!
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