What to Put on a Product Label: A Checklist for Small Businesses

A good-looking label also has to do a job: tell the customer what's inside, how much, and who made it. This checklist covers the basics for the products Dashleigh customers label most. It's a starting point, not legal advice; rules depend on the product and where you sell it, so check the official sources linked at the end.

Every product label

• Product name that says what it is ("Lavender Body Lotion", not just "Lavender").
• Net contents: weight (oz), volume (fl oz) or count. Many brands add metric too (g or mL). On cosmetics and food it goes on the front, in the bottom third of the label, running parallel to the base.
• Business name and address: city, state and ZIP at minimum. If someone else makes it for you, add "Distributed by" or "Manufactured for".
• Directions or warnings where the product needs them.
• Batch or lot number: not always required, but it lets you trace a problem to one batch. See how to print batch numbers without redesigning.

Cosmetics (lotion, lip balm, scrubs, body oils)

The FDA sets cosmetic labeling rules. The main ones:

• Front (principal display panel): product name, what it's for (if the name doesn't make it obvious), and net contents in the bottom third.
• Ingredient list: in descending order of amount, using standard ingredient names. Ingredients at 1% or less, and color additives, can go in any order after the rest.
• Ingredient type size: at least 1/16 in. tall, or 1/32 in. if the whole package is under 12 square inches. Small labels can fit a full list at that size.
• Name and place of business on the back or side.
• Contact for reactions: since the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA), labels also need a US address, phone number or web address where customers can report a bad reaction.
• Warnings where the product could be unsafe if misused.

Handmade soap is a special case: true soap that only claims to clean isn't regulated as a cosmetic, but if you make claims such as moisturizing or deodorizing, the cosmetic rules apply.

Food (baked goods, jams, sauces, spice blends)

• Front: product name and net contents in both US units and metric (for example, "Net Wt 8 oz (227 g)").
• Ingredient list in descending order by weight.
• Allergens: name any of the nine major allergens (milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy and sesame), naming the specific nut or fish (for example, "almonds").
• Name and address of the maker or distributor.
• Nutrition Facts: very small businesses may qualify for an exemption. Check the FDA's small business rules before you leave it off.

Selling from home? Cottage food rules are set by each state, and many require specific wording such as "Made in a home kitchen". Check your state agriculture or health department.

Candles

Most retailers and marketplaces expect candles to carry the fire safety warning from ASTM F2058, the industry standard for candle labeling:

• The safety alert symbol (an exclamation point in a triangle) and the word WARNING in bold capitals.
• Then, in this order: "Burn within sight." "Keep away from things that catch fire." "Keep away from children."
• In a plain sans-serif font, with the statements at least 0.05 in. (1.3 mm) tall, on the candle or its package where shoppers can see it before they buy.

Many makers add burning tips too: trim the wick to 1/4 in., burn for no more than 4 hours at a time, and stop when 1/2 in. of wax remains. Put the warning on a small back or bottom label so it doesn't crowd your front design. More in candle warning labels.

Fitting it all on: front and back labels

Few products have room for everything on one label. A front label for the brand and a small back label for the details keeps both readable. Combinations in stock now:

• Lotion and body wash: 5 x 2.5 in. bottle labels on the front, 3 x 1 in. labels on the back for ingredients and your address.
• 16 oz bottles: one 8 x 3.5 in. wraparound label with the brand on the front half and the details on the back half.
• Jars: 1.75 x 2.75 in. jar labels on the front, 3 x 1.5 in. labels on the back or lid.
• Lip balm: lip balm labels with a security seal wrap the tube and seal the cap, with room for ingredients on the wrap.

Use waterproof vinyl for anything that gets wet or oily, so the required information stays readable for the life of the product. More pairings in front and back labels.

Design tips for small print

• Use a plain sans-serif font for ingredients and warnings, and don't go under the minimum type sizes above.
• Black or very dark text on a white or light label is easiest to read. Avoid small text on kraft or clear.
• Print one label at 100% and read it at arm's length before you print the sheet.

Where to check the rules

• Cosmetics: the FDA's "Summary of Cosmetics Labeling Requirements" and its MoCRA pages.
• Food: the FDA Food Labeling Guide, plus your state's cottage food rules.
• Candles: ASTM F2058 and the National Candle Association.
• Selling on a marketplace: Amazon, Etsy and stores may ask for more, such as a UPC; see barcodes and QR codes on sheet labels.

This article is general guidance for small businesses, not legal advice.

Still stuck? Email customerservice@dashleigh.com and tell us what you're labeling; we're happy to suggest label sizes.