Vodka No Look Labels: There’s Actually a Lot to See!

Vodka is a clear liquor. So are gin and quite a few others that aren’t household names. That being the case, why is emphasis now placed on the clearness of vodka from a product label standpoint, while those other distillations could be as clear as spring air and not get a special notice?

One of the main reasons — at least in the Western Hemisphere — is our perception of how the drink can be consumed has changed considerably in the new millennium.

No long ago, vodka was a beverage that only the most intrepid drinkers consumed straight. However, unlike gin, whose strong essence of juniper berries begs for dilution in cocktails, a sip of vodka doesn’t have an overpowering effect on our olfactory receptors. The pungent rush of alcohol is there, but it lacks a hard aftertaste, as long as we’re drinking a brand that doesn’t have impurities.

In the ever-evolving world of alcoholic beverages, vodka’s clean finish makes it a liquor we now savor straight, dressing it up with a practically endless variety of flavors that come through strong, unlike the “hints” of ingredients we pride ourselves on perceiving in bourbon.

The perception of vodka as a stand alone drink — particularly for its homogenous taste — can be visually communicated to consumers using unique labels known as “vodka no look labels”.

Plenty of vodka brands go in a different direction, using opaque labels, wrap around bottle graphics that are as dizzying as the drink itself, and wild, colorful images of flavor indicators (pineapple, cinnamon sticks, smores, etc.).

Moreover, vodka no look labels are a prominent labeling trend like the other visual elements, creating a look that could be great for your distillery’s bottles, depending on their appearance and your vision for the brand.

Vodka no look labels are usually made from polyester, which has a clear, glossy finish; a glossy, transparent finish; or a matte, transparent finish.

If the bottle has a frosted look, the matte option is popular. If the bottle is clear, one of the glossy options is commonly selected. The goal is to create a bottle and label combination that coalesce to create a uniform aesthetic, along with the distillery’s graphics and information.

When made from tough polyester and applied with permanent, water-resistant adhesive, vodka no look labels have important added benefits: They are virtually impervious to moisture, are difficult to scuff or tear, and don’t peel at the edges. These qualities make the labels a perfect option for avoiding label damage that can occur during packaging, shipping, unpacking, and stocking.

If so, we’d like to learn about your brand, and present some no look label options to help you decide if the “no look” is the right look for your distinctive product. To learn more, call us today at (262) 790-2740, or send us an email through our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!