MJ Article

The Five Most Common Cannabis Labeling Errors

Much has been written with regards to specific labeling requirements for Cannabis products that are mandated by each individual state.  Although some mistakes have made with the numerous regulation changes, I have witnessed far too many costly errors made before a single label has been printed.  Over the last 6 years we have we've assisted many Cannabis providers (entrepreneurs?)  from “seed to sale” with their labeling needs.  Although much has been written about specific labeling regulations, most customers don't ask for help until they've already wasted time and money on inefficient labeling materials or processes.  Most of these customers are seasoned veterans in the Cannabis Industry, but are new to labeling.  While we are we're happy to help our customers increase their profitability and productivity with our recommendations, some issues could have been prevented if they were aware educated on the five most common labeling errors:

• Most states require specific variable data (such as THC content, test date, batch number) to be included withon all recreational and medicinal products. Many Often times customers do not want to create multiple labels for each of their products to include this required data mandated information, and decide to purchase an expensive Inkjet printer that will allow them to print a single label.  The cost of maintaining an Inkjet printer is more expensive than professionally printing labels.  An inkjet printer requires an investment of time and money for ink, label materials and regular maintenance.  Not only is the overall cost and time investment greater, but the print quality and consistency cannot match the labels that are fully or partially printed on either digital or flexographic presses.  Professionally printed label rolls can run through inexpensive and easy to maintain Thermal Transfer Printers daily to add the most up to date required variable data.  Instead of costly ink cartridges, inexpensive Thermal Transfer Ribbons can professionally print in single colors such as Black, Red or Blue.        
• Many customers are labeling thousands of products by hand every day. They are usually not aware of Electric Label Dispensers and how they can speed up the labeling process.  Peeling a label by hand always requires two hands.  An electric label dispenser peels and presents a labeler to the operator.  Once you grasp a label with only one hand and apply to your product, another label is quickly dispensed and ready to grab.  This simple little process reduces the steps required to apply labels to your products, speeds up the labeling process as much as 50% and eliminates waste.  These inexpensive machines quickly pay for themselves by speeding up your productivity.
• We have seen many different beautiful labels created for numerous Cannabis products. Unfortunately, many of them are printed on expensive and unnecessary materials.  Some customers have vibrant labels that are designed to survive the outside elements for many years.  They are printed on materials that I would recommend for labels that would be affixed to farming equipment or something that would remain outdoors for years.  We have also discovered customers using labels for containers of flower that could withstand liquids and extreme temperatures.  Another example of a material that works but not necessary.  These labels are for consumable products that would look equally as beautiful if they were printed on less expensive materials.
• In addition to incorrect materials, many customers do not have the proper adhesive on their labels. There are many different adhesives and not all “permanent adhesives” are “permanent” or work the same.  Some of these “permanent adhesives” do not perform well bending over corners on some cartridge boxes with soft or unique surfaces.  It is not uncommon for customers to purchase simple clear wafer labels online to seal their products.  Many of these wafers only have a simple adhesive and they tend to “peel up” with some packaging.  A more aggressive adhesive would resolve these issues.  The adhesive needs to match the application to be 100% successful. 
• Some states require Tamper Evident packaging or labels. This can be a simple as clear wafer seal (as described above) or as complex as a Tamper Evident Void label that leaves “void” residue or holograms with Track & Trace technology.  There are customers that have not done enough to ensure that their products are safe and secure.  Others invested too much money for technology that is not being utilized by their customer base.  Many software companies have decided to jump into the “trust mark” business and have marketed aggressively to the Cannabis industry.  Some offer great technology, but many more just see this industry as an opportunity to earn revenue and do not offer a good return for the investment.  Remember, this is your product that you worked years to develop.  The branding on your product is yours and should not be used as an advertising vehicle for a software company with a generic “trust mark” also found on many other competing products.   There are a few exceptions in which the name association benefits your brand.  

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