There are many aspects of a beverage package that can be crucial when the consumer is making their final purchase decision. As beverage-makers look to differentiate their products via packaging design, many have begun to choose new primary packaging formats or are changing the shape of their primary package to provide shelf appeal. These primary packaging changes and growing competition within the market are resulting in changes to the types of labels beverage-makers are utilizing to help create a product’s identity.
“There continues to be an increasing use of plastic bottles and aluminum cans for beverage products,” explains Gwen Chapdelaine, marketing director at Elk Grove, Ill.-based Fort Dearborn Co. “For aluminum cans, we’ve seen a growth in the use of shrink sleeves replacing direct printing. Sleeves give brands volume and versioning flexibility.