Product Label Design Content: Information Hierarchy Matrix + 6 Major Categories of Required Elements
💡 💡 At a Glance
Product labels must contain five major content sections: regulatory mandatory information, brand core elements, product barcode, environmental labeling, and special certifications.
Last week, a customer launching a new brand asked me: "What information should I include on my label? Which elements are mandatory?"
I said: "6 major categories of mandatory elements + 3 levels of information hierarchy — arrange by hierarchy."
He asked, "How should I lay it out?"
I said: "Primary (visible at 5 meters) + Secondary (visible at 30 cm) + Decorative (visible before application) — a 3-level matrix. This article does not cover 'how to design a label' — it covers the 6 major mandatory categories + 3-level information matrix + 5-step design process."
6 Essential Element Categories
Category 1: Product Information
3 required:
- Product name
- Model / specification
- SKU / item number
Typical cost: None (basic information)
Category 2: Brand Information
3 required:
- Brand name
- Brand LOGO
- Brand tagline / slogan
Typical cost: Foil-stamped LOGO + CNY 0.3 per sheet
Category 3: Compliance Information
3 required:
- Production date + shelf life (food / cosmetics / pharmaceuticals)
- Ingredient list (cosmetics / food)
- Filing number / license number
Typical cost: None (basic information)
Category 4: Marketing Information
3 required:
- Product selling points (1-3)
- QR code (follow / redeem offers)
- Marketing campaign information
Typical cost: QR code + spot UV + CNY 0.5 per sheet
Category 5: Contact Information
3 required:
- Full manufacturer name + address
- Full distributor name + address
- Customer service phone / official website
Typical cost: None (basic information)
Category 6: Logistics Information
3 required:
- Barcode (EAN-13 / UPC-A)
- QR code (QR / DataMatrix)
- Weight / dimensions
Typical cost: Barcode + serial number + CNY 0.1 per sheet
3-Level Information Hierarchy Matrix
Level 1: Primary Information (Visible from 5 Meters Away)
3 Core Elements:
- Brand Name (Font Size ≥ 14pt)
- Product Name (Font Size ≥ 14pt)
- LOGO (≥ 25mm × 25mm + Hot Stamping)
Position: Top Left / Center / Top Right
Contrast: ≥ 4.5:1 (WCAG AA)
Level 2: Secondary Information (Visible Within 30 cm)
3 Core Elements:
- Product Selling Points (1-3)
- Specification / Net Content
- Price / Promotional Information
Font Size: 10-14pt
Position: Below / Beside the Primary Information
Level 3: Decorative Information (Visible Before Application)
3 Core Elements:
- Ingredients / Composition
- Barcode / QR Code
- Contact Information / Customer Service
Font Size: ≤ 10pt
Position: Label Bottom / Corner
6 Major Categories – Quick Reference for Required Elements
| Category | Required Elements | Position | Font Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Name / Model / SKU | Center | ≥ 14pt |
| Brand | Brand Name / LOGO | Top-Left | ≥ 14pt |
| Compliance | Date / Ingredients / Filing No. | Bottom | ≤ 10pt |
| Marketing | Selling Points / QR Code | Right Side | 10–14pt |
| Contact | Manufacturer / Customer Service | Bottom | ≤ 10pt |
| Logistics | Barcode / QR Code | Bottom-Right Corner | ≥ 10mm |
5-Step Design Process
Step 1: List the Mandatory Items
Action:
- List the 6 categories of mandatory elements
- 3-5 items per category
- Total of 18-30 elements
Step 2: Hierarchize the Information
Action:
- Primary (visible at 5 meters): brand + product + LOGO
- Secondary (visible at 30 cm): selling points + specifications + price
- Decorative (visible before application): ingredients + barcode + contact
Step 3: Choose the Typeface
Action:
- Primary: 14pt + bold
- Secondary: 10-14pt + regular
- Decorative: 8-10pt + light
Step 4: Choose the Color Scheme
The 60-30-10 Rule:
- Main color 60%
- Secondary color 30%
- Accent color 10%
Step 5: Compliance Check
Action:
- Cross-check against industry lists (food / cosmetics / electronics)
- Check item by item
- Fill in any missing item
3 Industry-Specific Mandatory Labeling Lists
Industry 1: Mandatory for Food
- Product Name
- Ingredient List (in descending order of content)
- Net Content (g /ml)
- Production Date + Shelf Life
- Storage Conditions
- Manufacturer / Address
- Production License Number (starting with XK)
- Nutrition Facts Table (GB 28050)
- Allergen Information
Industry 2: Mandatory for Cosmetics
- Product Name
- Ingredient List (INCI order)
- Net Content
- Production Date + Shelf Life
- Manufacturer / Address
- Production License Number / Filing Number
- Directions for Use
- Precautions
- Warning Statements
Industry 3: Mandatory for Electronics
- Product Name / Model
- Manufacturer / Address
- Production Date
- RoHS Mark
- 3C Certification Number
- Rated Voltage / Power
- Instructions for Use
- Safety Warnings
3 Common Design Mistakes
Mistake 1: Information Without Hierarchy
Symptom: All text uses the same font size
Solution: 3-tier hierarchy (primary + secondary + decorative)
Mistake 2: LOGO Too Small
Symptom: Consumers cannot read it from 1 meter away
Solution: LOGO ≥ 25mm × 25mm
Mistake 3: QR Code Placed on the LOGO
Symptom: Scanning covers the LOGO
Solution: Place the QR code in the lower-right corner + quiet zone
Want to see size standards—refer to the label sizing specification, or directly contact a LeXiang Packaging consultant, we will send you the label design checklist + layout suggestions within 24 hours.
FAQ
What information should be included in product label design?
Six categories of mandatory elements: (1) Product Information — name / model / SKU; (2) Brand Information — brand name / LOGO / slogan; (3) Compliance Information — production date / shelf life / filing number / ingredient list; (4) Marketing Information — selling points / QR code / promotional code; (5) Contact Information — manufacturer / address / customer service; (6) Logistics Information — barcode / QR code / weight / dimensions. Arrange the six categories in three information hierarchy levels (primary / secondary / decorative) so consumers can identify key information within 3 seconds.
How should the label information be laid out?
3-tier information hierarchy matrix: (1) Primary information (visible from 5 meters) — brand name + product name + LOGO; (2) Secondary information (visible within 30 cm) — selling points / specifications / price; (3) Decorative information (visible before purchase) — ingredients / barcode / contact details. 3-tier typography principles: (1) Primary font size ≥ 14pt; (2) Secondary font size 10-14pt; (3) Decorative font size ≤ 10pt. Recommended contrast ratio ≥ 4.5:1 (WCAG AA). 3 typography mistakes: (1) Flat information layout (no hierarchy); (2) Uniform font size (no emphasis); (3) Insufficient contrast (illegible).
What compliance information must be included on the label?
Category 3 compliance information is mandatory: (1) Food – production date + shelf life + ingredient list + nutritional information + GB 4806 certification; (2) Cosmetics – ingredient list (INCI order) + filing number + production license number; (3) Electronics – RoHS mark + 3C certification + production date. Sources for the 3 compliance checklists: (1) GB standards (GB 7718 / GB 28050 / GB 4806); (2) Industry standards (ISO 11607 / RoHS / REACH); (3) National regulations (Advertising Law / Food Safety Law). It is recommended to check against the checklist item by item before the first launch; missing any one item = risk of delisting.
How to design a label LOGO?
Three Design Principles: (1) Position—the main information area (top-left / center / top-right), visible to consumers within 3 seconds; (2) Size—≥ 25mm × 25mm (visible from a distance) + hot stamping / silver stamping / spot UV finishing; (3) Color—brand primary color + the 60-30-10 rule. Three Design Mistakes: (1) LOGO too small (illegible); (2) LOGO color with low contrast against the background (blends into the background); (3) LOGO placed in an improper position (consumers cannot find it). A dual-LOGO design combining the brand LOGO and product LOGO is recommended (to reinforce the brand + differentiate the product).
Where should the label QR code be placed?
3 Placement Principles: (1) Position — secondary information area (bottom right / bottom left), not competing with main information; (2) Size — ≥ 10mm × 10mm (recognizable at a scanning distance of ≥ 10 cm) + 4x quiet zone margin around it; (3) Quantity — 1-2 (too many confuse consumers). 3 Common Mistakes: (1) QR code too small (cannot be scanned); (2) QR code placed above the LOGO (obstructs the brand); (3) multiple QR codes overlapping (creates confusion). 3 Best Practices: (1) Marketing QR code (for consumer scanning) + anti-counterfeiting QR code (one code per item); (2) Do not laminate the QR code (lamination with glossy film affects scanning); (3) Leave blank space around the QR code (quiet zone).
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