Extended Content Label Types Explained

If you’ve ever designed a label, you know that incorporating all the information necessary in the limited space available can be a challenge. Extended content label types, also known as expanded content labels or simply ECLs, offer a neat solution to allow you to save space on the front of your label for design features that will help attract potential buyers while including pertinent and relevant information on interior panels.

Demand for Extended Content Label Types

In the OTC pharmaceutical, supplement, nutraceutical, industrial, and personal care markets there is a high demand for extended content labels. In these industries, and others as well, the requirements (whether per actual federal regulations or from consumers) for what needs to be included on your label are extensive. Extended content label types provide the additional required printing space without adding bulky outer packaging.

Some of the typical reasons for requiring more space are additional directions, directions in multiple languages, extended drug or supplement facts, or additional FDA-regulated information. But what type of label is best for your brand and product? The term “extended content labels” applies to several different label constructions. The Inovar team offers our superb quality labels for various types of extended content labels, which we explain below.

Peel and Reveal Labels

Peel and reveal labels, sometimes called two-sided or peel back labels, are a common and cost-effective way to add additional content to a label. Peel and reveal labels have information printed on both sides of the label with a repositionable adhesive. The consumer can peel the label away from the container, and then re-apply it once they have read the additional content with our read-and re-apply construction. Once re-applied, the label will appear as if it was never disturbed.

A film material is recommended for a peel and reveal label; Inovar offers both white and metallic films, so your design goals don’t have to suffer when you opt for a peel and reveal label.

Booklet Extended Content Label Types

Booklet labels, referred to variously as hinged, multi-layer, or multi-panel labels, use a hinged design to offer two or more additional panels of printing space. The top label layer peels open to reveal the additional printed panels, the number of which will be determined by your spatial needs.

 As with our peel and reveal labels, our read-and-reapply construction allows the top layer to be re-applied onto the bottom panel as if it were never disturbed. A film material is also recommended for the top layer of a booklet label, and again we can print on white or metallic film. Booklet labels have two or more additional panels for printed information, so if you have a lot of information to include or want to experiment with including coupons or extensive product details, they are probably the option for you.

Cut and Stack, Dual-Ply Film

Inovar offers an innovative, resealable dual-ply label option for the cut and stack market, which is primarily used on cans and wraps a full 360 degrees around the container. Our labels are printed on dual-ply white or metalized film. We use our innovative material constructions and unique production processes to create impactful, low-profile designs with up to three printed sides. They are highly durable, static free, stain resistant, and can withstand the varying temperatures of production environments without curling.

Deciding on Extended Content Label Types

When deciding among these types of labels, space and application are key. As mentioned above, cut and stack dual-ply film is usually used on cans for paint, polyurethane, and other industrial products.

If you can fit all of your content onto two surfaces, a peel and reveal label is likely the economical way to go. We offer both digital and flexographic printing options for peel and reveal labels, so regardless of whether you require a large or small quantity of peel and reveal labels, we can accommodate your needs.

Content exceeding two panels would warrant a booklet label. For booklet labels, the inner contents must be run on our flexographic equipment, but we can use digital printing for high quality front-printing to save you money on additional plate charges.

Want to talk more about your specific extended content project? Reach out to us today!