Case Study: Custom Adhesive Labels for Multi-SKU Bagged Products of a Pet Food Company
Project Metrics
Project Overview
Industry: Pet
Product: Adhesive labels for pet food bags (applied externally)
Quantity: 480 sets | SKU Types: 8 different SKU contents
Material: 80g coated paper | Finish: 25μ gloss film lamination
Lead Time: 5 working days
Customer Background & Application Scenarios
The client is a rising domestic pet food brand under the LeXiang umbrella.
Their main product lines include cat wet food bags, dog treat bags, and freeze-dried mixed packs.
The factory-shipped format is a stand-up pouch with an applied label.
Labels are affixed to both the front and back of the pouch.
The front displays the brand logo and product selling points.
The back carries the ingredient ratio, feeding guidelines, and production date.
It also includes shelf life, storage conditions, manufacturer information, and net weight.
The products are frequently stacked during warehousing and logistics.
Labels must be abrasion-resistant.
When stored in retail refrigerated cabinets, they must withstand low-temperature condensation.
The inkjet-printed batch numbers and production dates vary dynamically.
💬 Customer Needs
[Customer Requirements and Issues with the Original Solution]
The customer's original solution was a single-color printed glossy paper label.
Produced by a local small printing house.
Three issues were exposed during the initial test sale stage.
First, the brand visual lacks shelf recognition.
Insufficient differentiation compared with competing products in the same area.
Second, labels on some batches curled up on the bag body.
This is more obvious in the condensation environment after taking it out of the refrigerated cabinet.
Third, the font size of the ingredient list is too small.
Information density is too high.
Elderly pet owners reported difficulty in reading.
Core Requirements:
- Enhance brand visual recognition
- Vivid and stable color presentation
- Solve edge lifting in refrigerated environment
- Meet multi-SKU small-batch customization
- Complete proofing to delivery within 5 working days
Project Difficulties:
✓ 8 SKUs share common layout language
✓ Color system needs to be unified in a series
✓ Slight unevenness on the bag surface requires conformability
✓ Inkjet area requires secondary inkjet adhesion
✓ Single SKU demand of 30-80 sets
✓ Tight schedule of 5 working days
💡 Solution
Solution Overview
Custom self-adhesive labels for multiple SKUs of bagged products supplied to this pet food brand.
An 80g coated paper paired with permanent acrylic adhesive and 25μ gloss film lamination is adopted.
Unified proofing and separate production for 8 SKUs.
Core issues addressed: low visual recognition, edge lifting under refrigeration, and high cost for small-batch multi-SKU production.
Material Selection Analysis
Why 80g coated paper?
The fine surface coating of coated paper delivers rich color gradation.
All 8 SKUs involve mixed layouts of brand color blocks, pet illustrations, and ingredient lists.
Under four-color printing, coated paper offers better color saturation than synthetic paper.
Gloss is further enhanced when combined with 25μ gloss film lamination.
Why not continue with single-color printing?
Single-color printing carries insufficient color information density.
The 8 SKUs require a serialized visual system.
Single color can only be differentiated through layout variations.
It is difficult to build memorable color points.
Switched to four-color process plus PANTONE spot color.
Core brand colors can be consistently reproduced across SKUs.
New and old packaging do not appear mismatched when displayed together.
Why not PVC or PET face stocks?
PVC (80μ) and PET (50μ) offer better water and oil resistance.
However, the materials are relatively rigid, while pet food bags are mostly flexible packaging.
After labeling, the rigid face stock generates counter stress as the bag deforms.
Edge lifting becomes more likely under refrigerated condensation conditions.
Coated paper with gloss film adequately covers the temperature and humidity requirements of bagged refrigerated applications.
Why not removable adhesive?
Pet food labels must remain firmly attached for the long term after application.
The label must not fall off or be replaced within the shelf life, so permanent acrylic adhesive is required.
Removable adhesive is used for promotional labels and other replaceable applications, and its tack decreases over time.
Production Implementation and Quality Control
① Client artwork confirmation. Layout designs for all 8 SKUs are signed off, with color values locked using PANTONE codes.
② Digital proofing. One set of reference proofs is produced and sent to the client for color and layout confirmation.
③ Formal production. Four-color printing plus PANTONE spot color is completed on a unified press.
④ 25μ gloss film lamination. Lamination increases gloss and improves water and oil resistance.
⑤ Die-cutting and waste stripping. Labels are die-cut to shape with clean, residue-free waste removal.
⑥ Spot inspection. Dimensions are checked with vernier calipers; colors are compared against PANTONE color cards.
⑦ Packaging by SKU. All 8 SKUs are counted and individually packaged.
⑧ Delivery. Reference proof cards and QC reports are included; completion within 5 working days.
✅ Project Results
Project Results
Delivery Data
✓ Delivery Quantity: 480 sets of labels
✓ Label Variety: 8 different SKUs produced with unified specifications
✓ Material Specification: 80g coated paper (CCNB)
✓ Adhesive: Permanent acrylic adhesive
✓ Surface Finish: 25μ glossy film lamination
✓ Lead Time: 5 working days
✓ Minimum Order Quantity per SKU: 30 sets
Performance Results
✓ Good adhesion
✓ Labels lie flat on the pouch surface with no edge lifting
✓ Color consistency meets standard
✓ Brand colors across 8 SKUs are stable between batches
✓ Firm inkjet code adhesion
✓ No ink flaking in the variable data printing area
✓ Passed cold-chain scenario test
✓ Remains flat in condensation environment when taken out of refrigeration
✓ Improved shelf recognition
✓ Color pop-out rate higher than the previous monochrome solution
Case Summary
Multi-SKU small-batch pet food pouch products requiring refrigerated storage.
An 80g coated paper with 25μ glossy film label solution typically offers better conformability.
Combined with four-color plus PANTONE spot color printing.
Achieves both series-based visual unity and cold-chain adaptability.
This case completed 8 SKUs for a pet food brand.
A total of 480 sets of pouch labels, unified proofing and production delivery.
Delivered within 5 working days. MOQ per SKU: 30 sets.
LeXiang Experience
Applicable Scenarios: Multi-SKU small-batch pouch pet food labels.
Refrigerated and condensation environments for wet food and freeze-dried products.
New product launches requiring series-unified brand visuals.
Material Recommendations: For standard pouches, choose 80g coated paper with 25μ glossy film.
For high-humidity frozen scenarios, thicker lamination is recommended.
Or evaluate synthetic paper face stock.
For an emphasis on matte texture, 25μ matte film can replace glossy film.
Non-applicable Scenarios: Canned products in long-term contact with heavy oils.
Synthetic paper is recommended instead.
Packaging labels requiring high-temperature retort sterilization are not suitable for coated paper solutions.
Notes: Ensure the pouch surface is dry and dust-free before label application.
Recommend customers conduct small-batch testing of ink adhesion in the printing area first.
For multi-SKU deliveries, always pack separately by SKU.
And include a corresponding checklist.
Professional Knowledge
How to Choose Between Coated Paper and Synthetic Paper?
Coated paper (80g) has a coated surface, offering high color reproduction, low cost, and good conformability. However, its water and oil resistance is weaker than synthetic paper. Synthetic paper (70μ) uses PP as the base material, with outstanding water and oil resistance, but the color presentation tends toward matte. For general pouch pet food (non-frozen), coated paper with glossy film is sufficient. For frozen scenarios or long-term contact with oils, synthetic paper is recommended.
Differences Between Glossy and Matte Film on Pouch Food?
Glossy film (25μ) has high gloss, more vivid color presentation, and more prominent visual pop-out on the shelf. Matte film (25μ) presents a matte texture with stronger tactile and premium feel. Both offer similar water and oil resistance.
Why Choose LeXiang
✓ One-stop customization for packaging boxes and labels
✓ Boxes and labels from the same factory reduce communication costs
✓ Digital printing supports small batches with multiple varieties
✓ Production starting from just 30 sets
✓ Proofing for 8 SKUs in one go
✓ Standard delivery within 5 working days
✓ Rush orders can be coordinated upon request
✓ Material recommendations based on product working conditions
❓ FAQ
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for pet food labels?
Conventional bag-applied self-adhesive labels can be produced from just 30 sets, with no plate-making fee required. For small batches on coated paper, the cost is absorbed by digital printing, with no traditional plate-making fee.
The label needs to withstand refrigerated environments. Is coated paper suitable?
For bag-applied refrigerated scenarios, an 80g coated paper with 25μ gloss lamination solution typically handles condensation. Ensure the bag surface is dry before labeling. For long-term freezing or scenarios with oil seepage, synthetic paper is recommended.
Can 8 different SKUs be sampled together?
Yes. All 8 SKUs share one set of printing process and materials. During sampling, one reference set is output at a time, with colors locked using PANTONE codes. In formal production, printing is done in batches by SKU with independent packaging.
The label needs variable data (production date/batch number). Can you handle that?
Yes. There are two ways to implement variable data: first, reserve a coding area on the label for the customer to print on the filling line; second, pre-print by batch using digital printing before shipment. We can recommend an option after discussion.
Can sampling to delivery be completed in 5 working days?
Orders within 8 SKUs on standard coated paper specifications can be completed in 5 working days. For complex processes or orders exceeding 15 SKUs, 7-10 working days are recommended.
How to choose between gloss and matte lamination?
Gloss lamination offers vibrant colors and high visual pop, suitable for mid-range products emphasizing brand recognition. Matte lamination delivers a matte texture with finer tactile feel, suitable for mid-to-high-end positioning. Both offer similar moisture and water resistance.
Will the label lift at the edges after being applied to the bag?
Conventional bag bodies (stand-up pouches, eight-side seal bags) stay flat after labeling. If the bag material contains a large amount of plasticizers or has oil/fine powder layers on the surface, adhesion will be affected. A bag-surface application test is recommended before labeling.
Are there requirements for the font size of the ingredient list?
According to GB 7718 General Standard for Labeling of Prepackaged Foods, mandatory label information should have a font height ≥1.8mm. Font size will be verified against regulatory requirements during label layout design, so customers don't need to calculate it themselves.
Can packaging bags and labels be customized together?
We currently do not produce stand-up pouches, but labels and outer packaging boxes can be completed in one stop. For multi-SKU series, we recommend box and label production from the same factory for better color consistency and series-based layout control.
Will a sample be provided for confirmation before production?
Yes. After the customer finalizes the artwork, we first output 1 set of digital samples and send them to the customer to verify color, layout, and size. Formal production only begins after the customer's signed confirmation, avoiding batch rework.
What mandatory information should be marked on pet food labels?
According to pet feed regulations and GB 7718, labels must include product name, ingredient composition, guaranteed analysis, feeding recommendations, production date, shelf life, storage conditions, manufacturer information, and net weight. Each item is verified during layout design.
Does the 5-day lead time refer to working days or calendar days?
5 working days, excluding national statutory holidays. Counting starts from the day sample confirmation is received. Under the standard process, 5 working days cover sampling, batch production, sampling inspection, packaging, and delivery.
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