CareSilver-PVP is a PET/VMPET/PE barrier lamiation film that serves as a great base for printed bags, and provides a quality general use barrier to protect the contents from oxidation, moisture, and premature spoilage. CareSilver, is a 3-layer lamination structure consisting of PET, Vapor Metalized Polyethylene Terephthalate, and PE. It is the primary line of Vapor Metalized polyethylene Terephthalate (VMPET) or Mylar films.
As with most of CarePac's barrier films, CareSilver-PVP is designed for FDA applications (foods and beverages). CareSilver-PVP is free of toxins such as TSE, Sulfur, Phthalates, and BPA. It is specifically designed to maintain the freshness of FDA Food Items like dried goods, snacks & chips, pet food (cats, birds, and all kinds of dog breeds), and its low thermal permeability rate, as well as the UV resistance.
Barrier Properties
PET/VMPET/PE is a good general use three-layer film . Cost effective with medium-high barrier properties, CareSilver-PVP provides a better barrier than most clear films.
Note: The performance of any film will be influenced by a number of factors and testing must always be performed to ensure the film meets the use.
Relative Performance Indications
Oxygen Barrier
Moisture Barrier
Light Barrier
STrength
Heat Resistance
Freezer Storage
Customer Profile
PET/VMPET/PE is a great choice for many food products.
Granola, snacks, and other food items are a great use for Care-Silver-PVP. In the case of granola a full color CMYK lifestyle photo of granola displays well with CareSilver-PVP as its base material.
Our lamination film is finely coated with vaporized Aluminum film (AL) to provide an opaque base material for printing while enhancing the barrier properties of the base polymer film.
Here are some of the common indicated properties for this film
Property
Sample Data
Available Thicknesses
2mil - 8mil
Sample Data Thickness
4mil
MVTR
<1.5 JIS Z 0208
OTR
<0.9 JIS Z 1707
Elongation at Break
MD > 55 TD > 50
Bond Strength
PET/VMPET >400g/15mm VMPET/PE >400g/15mm
Environmental Impact of CareSilver-PVP
This material is a multi-layer laminated plastic and will typically fall into the check-locally. The product is not compostable.
At Home Compost
Industrial Compost
Recyclability
Select Columns Layout
Compliance Information
Compliance is always an important topic. All our films including our CareSilver-PVP PET/VMPET/PE film meets or exceeds applicable compliance and regulatory standards.
Montana has a long history of legal cannabis legalization, starting in 2004 with medical. But then back-and-forth made Montana medical marijuana harder to get. In the US state of Montana, marijuana has been legal for both medical and recreational use since January 1, 2021, when Initiative 190 came into effect. Prior to the November 2020 initiative, cannabis was illegal for recreational use from 1929. Medical marijuana was legalized in 2004 in an attempt to vote. [1]
The labeling and packaging rules apply to marijuana and marijuana products that are for ultimate adult-use cannabis sales to a consumer, registered cardholder, or their designated purchasers. Please note: cannabis legalization is not currently national and this blog and the policy information in it is specific to Montana.
Protect: Cannabis packaging must protect the product from contamination and not impart any toxic or deleterious substances to the marijuana products. This means you should use FDA approved barrier packaging, like flexible barrier packaging.
Resealable: If the package contains more than one serving, it needs to be resealable, meaning it needs to have a recolorable zipper.
Not 'primarily' appeal to children.
You cannot include depictions (pictures, illustrations, or other graphics) of children.
Your graphics and packaging, cannot include images, drawings, or other portrayals of objects, images, celebrities, or cartoon figures that "primarily appeal to children" or are "commonly used to market products to children". This can be dicey territory, but generally avoid all cartoon characters.
Finally the state includes a subjects catch all provision that doesn't allow packaging or labeling that otherwise has special attractiveness for children beyond the general attractiveness for adults.
Use of Trademarks
The regulations prohibit trademark infringement. So unfortunately you can't be the McDowell's of Montana Cannabis. and this section is similar to several other states like Maine and Oklahoma, the state of Montana very much limits the use of trademarks or graphics that resemble trademark, or and this is a bit of a distinction between it and other states, which "bears any reasonable resemblance to" the trademarked or "characteristic packaging of any commercially available product, including but not limited to candy, snacks, baked goods, or beverages.
In this way it appears the legislative intent of this section was to prevent confusion of marijuana products with non-medicated products, and not encourage knock off marijuana versions of unmedicated products.
Exit Packaging
Montana is a exit bag state. Exit bags or exit packaging is a required for all marijuana and marijuana products at the point of sale. This means that at the point of purchase all marijuana products have to be put in "exit packaging" which is:
Child Resistant
Opaque
Includes required warnings.
Child Resistant Standard in Montana
In the state of Montana the child resistant standard is found in ARM 42.39.102(8). The standard of child resistance is defined by reference to the Federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and 16 CFR 1700.20.
Labeling Requirements for Legal Marijuana
The general labeling requirements for Marijuana products in Montana are found in ARM 42.39.314. These basic requirements are in addition to specific requirements that are set for Flower[2], Edibles[3], Topicals[4], and Concentrates and extracts[5].
Unobstructed and Conspicuous: All required information needs to easy to access. The state does allow multiple labels, booklets, accordion flaps, just as long as they can be easily access and not permanently obstructed from viewing.
Font: The state of Montana merely requires a "legible font" but do provide some examples (Times New Roman, Arial, or Helvetica) , which if we were you, we'd stick to what they suggest.
Font Size: The primary font size requirement is that the letter "o" must be at least 1/16th" in height. This is very unusual and as far as we can tell, specific to Montana. Most states that prescribe font size use standard language like "6pt font".
Contrasting Color: The required text must be in a contrasting color to the background.
English Language: You must put all required text in English. There is no requirement for dual language warnings.
PRO-TIP: For required warnings, use Times New Roman, in a minimum 4mm font size (Adobe Illustrator).
Required State Information List
Strain Name: They don't state how specific you must be with the strain.
Common name: This is an interesting one, they want the package to include the "common" name for the product, so what the laws refer to as ingestible Marijuana-Infused Products" you must include "edible" or Marijuana cookie on the package as applicable.
Names: of the dispensary, and license number of the cultivator, manufacturer.
ID Number: ID number from the seed to sale tracking system.
Date: Harvested, or manufactured.
Net Quantity: They are very specific on weight / net content, it must be stated first in "U.S. Customary" and also Metric (SI) units with the metric in parentheses. For example. 1/2OZ (28g).
If Solid or Semi Solid: Net quantity is expressed by weight, and must be prefaced with "Net Weight", or "Net".
If Liquid: use fluid measure and include the preface "Net Contents" or Net".
Number of Servings: You must also include the number of servings.
Testing Statement: ""This product has been tested and meets the requirements of the state of Montana."
QR Code: QR Code must link to the products certificate of analysis, and statement telling the user they can scan code for "additional product information"
PRO-TIP: Here is an example of a good net weight statement.
Net Weight: 2 oz. (56.7 g) (10 cookies));
Montana's Universal Marijuana Symbol
Ah yes, the ever-present "universal symbol" which as we have discussed before, is anything by universal... In the case of the state of Montana though, they did op for the International Intoxicating Cannabis Products Symbol (IICPS) which is a step in the right direction towards "universal".
The state requires the symbol will be at a minimum .33" x.33" in size.
Below we have included press ready, vectorized copies of the three symbol versions available on the state's website.
Download the Montana Marijuana Warning Symbol Vector format.
Montana's required warning labeling for Marijuana products is found in MCA 16-12-215. And is as follows:
(1) "WARNING: Consumption of marijuana may cause anxiety, agitation, paranoia, psychosis, and cannabinoid hyperemesis.(2) "WARNING: Consumption of marijuana by pregnant women may result in fetal injury and low birth weight."(3) "WARNING: Consumption of marijuana by nursing mothers may result in infant hyperactivity and poor cognitive function."
The format required for the Montana warning is found in MCA 16-12-208
Additional Warnings:
"Keep out of reach of children and pets
"This product may be addictive"
"This product may have intoxicating effects. Do not drive while under the influence of marijuana."
Ingestible / edibles warnings
"The intoxicating effects of this product may be delayed by two or more hours."
Medical Use Warnings
If the product is for medical use card holders only, there are two additional warnings:
- "For medical use only"; and
- "This product is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat, cure, or prevent any disease."
Flower Specific Requirements
Each package of marijuana flower must include a marijuana fact's panel which must indicate the percentage of concertation of:
Must Include:
Total potential psychoactive THC;
THC;
THCa;
CBD; and
CBDa
May Include:
the percentage concentration of each additional marketed cannabinoid or terpene, if applicable[6]
Edibles Specific Requirements
Ingredient List
Edibles and other ingestible products must have an ingredient list which must include all ingredients listed.
List all ingredients
Use common names
list ingredients in order of predominance by weight.
use the word "marijuana" before the part of plant (flower, trim) or type on concentrate (oil, infused butter, etc).
Trace, insignificant amount that doesn't serve a technical purpose, or have any functional effect does not need to be listed.
Allergen Statement
Declare the presence of all major food allergens that may be present. No specific format is required other than the use of "plain language"
Marijuana Facts Panel
The milligrams per serving size or dose of:
THC;
THCa;
CBD; and
CBDa;
The number of servings or doses per package; and For multi-serving packages, the total milligrams per package of:
THC;
THCa;
CBD;
and CBDa;
Additional Warning required for any ingestible product:
"The intoxicating effects of this product may be delayed by two or more hours."
Lotions, Patches, & non-ingestible product Specific Requirements
The requirements for non-ingestible products is substantively similar to that of ingestible products. With the exception of there is no requirement for Allergen list, or delayed effects warnings.
Extracts and Concentrate Specific Requirements
The legislation requirements for extracts and concentrates are substantively similar to that of ingestible products. Food allergen statement can be omitted if the product is not intended to be cooked with, eaten, or otherwise swallowed or digested.
Additional warning regarding delayed effects is also required. [7]
Frequently Asked Questions About State Law
Q: What is the THC limits for recreational marijuana products?
Montana's THC limits are found in 16-12-224. any product that exceeds the threshold must be labeled as "for medical use only" and "This product is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat, cure, or prevent any disease."
Flower: 1 ounce of usable marijuana. The total potential psychoactive THC of marijuana flower may not exceed 35%.
Capsules: Maximum 100 milligrams of THC per capsule and no more than 800 milligrams of THC per package.
Tincture; Maximum 800 milligrams of THC;
Edible or food product:
Single Serving maximum 10 milligrams THC
Maximum 100 milligrams of THC per package.
Topical product: Max concentration 6% THC and 800 milligrams of THC per package;
Suppository or transdermal patches: Maximum 100 milligrams of THC per suppository or patch and maximum 800 milligrams of THC per package
Maximum total for any marijuana product, no more than 800 milligrams of THC.
Q: If the marijuana product DOES NOT require heat to administer must the marijuana facts panel contain total THC or total potential psychoactive THC values?
No, these items are not required on the facts panel for non-heat products.
Q: Does Montana require the method of manufacturing and solvent used be listed on the label?
Yes, the method of manufacturing, and if chemical extraction was used, the solvent used in the manufacturing process must be listed on the label.
Q: What is the packaging is too small to fit all the required compliance information?
You can (if approved by the department) display the information in a legible font that otherwise does not meet the minimum size requirement.
Labeling and Packaging Template
Montana labeling and packaging templates can be foundhere.
Conclusion
States with a lot of open land, natural resources, and a fertile environment for agriculture, such as Montana. There are about 28,000 ranches and ranches in the state, each averaging 2,000 acres. Cannabis farms have sprung up all over the state over the past few years. In 2019, Montana farmers planted a total of 22,000 acres of hemp across the state, averaging half a million dollars per farm. Medical marijuana, like cannabis, is not accessible to everyone and cannot be thrown in a jar. After the plant is grown, harvested and cured, there are regulations that must be met for both packaging and labeling. If one doesn't adhere to these laws, it could result in a punishable misdemeanor, fine, or felony.
It’s crunchy, tasty, healthy – and maybe a little bit messy – but with big-brand competition on the shelves, how can you package your granola to really make it sell? It’s not just about the flavor because your consumers first have to pick it off the shelf! When it comes to packaging your granola to sell, there are five essential rules any company should follow. Read on for some great granola packaging ideas.
Rule #1: Let them see the snack.
Fully covered granola is hard to sell. Consumers are all about what they can see, and incorporating a viewing window so they can see just what they’re getting is a hard yes. Having a viewing window in the pouch lets them know what to expect, it entices a consumer's appetite, and overall, marketing research has shown that when a consumer can see what they’re buying, they’re more likely to make the purchase. It helps boost credibility, so when they open the bag, they aren’t surprised at what they find.
Rule #2: Make food freshness easy.
Stale granola is teeth-cracking dangerous. It’s also a waste of money and a waste of food. Boxed granola with tear-open bags goes bad easily, plus they can be messy if tipped over. Granola packaging that comes with a freshness re-zip seal is not only the way to keep it fresh but saves your customers from wasting food and money. Zippered pouches that lock in flavor ensure your granola stays tasty for as long as possible and is a huge selling point for consumers. Also consider using a high barrier material like CareClear-XP.
Rule #3: Offer delicious variety that consumers can see.
Consumers love when they have choices, especially when those choices are flavorful. But they also need to be able to see distinct differences so they know what flavor they’re picking. Rather than just making five different flavors in the same packaging that looks identical with the exception of one small line of print identifying that flavor, make it visible. Create packaging that has a range of colors for each flavor or different graphics to reflect that flavor. Creative packaging that reflects the flavors so your consumers can really see and taste the difference has an impact.
As a bonus, if you create limited-edition flavors or flavors that go with the seasons, you can create a new sense of demand with your buyers. A sense of urgency over a delicious flavor leaving at the end of summer, with fun, creative packaging to match, encourages them not to want to miss out.
Rule #4: Make organization easy for them.
Our subconscious needs to keep the chaos at bay, even when it comes to something as simple as keeping our cupboards organized is a big deal. Consumers love being able to keep their cupboards organized and orderly. While a box may make that easy, boxes aren’t great for freshness. The solution is to use stand-up pouches, especially those with a resealable top. Stand-up granola pouches sit easily on shelves, don’t take up too much space, and make it easy to scoop or pour granola from them.
Rule #5: Use packaging designs that are creative, identifiable, and professional.
Granola is a great product because it’s enjoyed by a solid variety of consumers. People who love breakfast, people who like to eat healthy, those who enjoy more natural foods and ingredients, and those who enjoy crunchy, sweet textures and nutty flavors. But there are also a lot of available granolas on the market, which means your granola packaging needs to stand out and be memorable. Custom printed granola packaging designs look more professional than pre-purchased seal pouch packaging with a small printed sticker placed on the front. Proofed and printed packaging that is eye-catching, accurately descriptive, and high-quality is going to boost your sales.
10 brands that understand packaging!
Manna Granola
Manna Granola does a lot right with their artisanal granola packaging. The matte finish package, a vibrant color that doesn’t overwhelm, minimal graphics to match a minimal-ingredient granola, and a peephole so buyers can see their food. The color palette is a bit retro, but it works. The only questionable choice is the script font for the word “Granola,” which is hard to read. Good thing we have that window to know what we’re getting.
Sacura
Sakura’s granola packaging brings bright, colorful, and exciting graphics to their granola in a resealable stand-up pouch. Although they’re missing the window for viewing the granola, it’s still a very appealing package. The choice for the graphics is questionable, though, because although they are pretty, what do the cacti and florals have to do with the flavor? Overall, it’s eye-catching and likely to grab a consumer's attention.
Small Batch Organics
Small Batch Organics checks off most of the rules. They don’t have the most exciting, stand-out packaging, but it hits their target demographic well. It is simple and easy on the eye. The font choices go well together. The color palette is very much reflective of a natural, organic product with greens and browns. It may not be the most eye-catching product on the market, but when it comes to finding a healthy and wholesome granola product, the package reflects the product.
Lark Ellen Granola
Lark Ellen Farm’s packaging gives off a cute, friendly, and wholesome with a matching color palette, fun typography, and inviting graphics. It combines fun and functional together well, with a package that keeps the granola fresh and the packaging fresh. It’s easy to read, it’s easy to see, and it looks like it’s going to taste good.
Public Goods
Public Goods goes with an ultra-minimalist packaging that works for their product and their brand identity. It keeps it simple and to the point. The packaging would definitely benefit from a viewing window, which would match the packaging with the shades of brown and make it a bit more appetizing to the consumer. However, the rest of it is right on the money.
Thrive Granola
The soft yet colorful shades of pink and peach on the Thrive granola packaging, along with the large color blocks, make it stand out without being overbearing. The easy-tear, stand-up pouch with fun graphics is certainly going to appeal to a consumer. The biggest downside is going to be the lack of a zip-lock top to keep it fresh and to avoid any spillage from a tipped bag.
Keto Hana
Keto Hanas font choice is simple and direct, but the typography goes perfectly with their brand premise and the limited ingredient, simplified granola concept. The faded packaging with a peekaboo window gives the impression of transparency, literally with the ingredients. Although it is simple, the vine graphics elevate it with a touch of sophistication.
Just Live a Little
Just Live a Little has cute and wholesome energy, just like the Lark Ellen Granola. Their typography is inconsistent but in a cohesive way with two unique fonts. They have different color packaging for all their flavors, so it’s easy to tell them apart, but they all stick to the same color palette. It stands up, and it’s easy to tear open and just as easy to reseal.
NuTrail Keto Granola
The packaging for NuTrail looks clean-cut and healthy. There’s nothing fancy or exciting, but most people who follow a keto diet just need to know what they’re putting in their body, which is the focus of the packaging. They don’t have a window, but at least provide a picture of the granola itself. The small color bands differentiate flavors. Clean fonts, clean colors, and clean graphics for clean eating.
Spoon Granola
Spoon Granola is a great example of minimalist design. The graphics are super simple, and the same can be said of the font choices. The typography pairs well with the colors, the lines, and the creative use of the little bowl for the viewing window. Boxes are much harder to stay fresh, but the square packaging still works with the overall design.
Whether you’re looking to get your granola product into grocery stores or you want to elevate your stand at your local farmers’ market, custom seal pouch packaging for granola should be your next step. CarePac offers budget-friendly professional packaging that features stay-fresh packaging and seals with viewing windows and stand-up packages that will hit all the branding rules. With product packaging design you can print directly on, we have three different film materials to choose from and can help bring your vision to life. Customize each aspect of your flexible packaging and elevate your granola brand for 2022!
Reach out to us today to find out more about our customizable food packaging and what makes us one of the best flexible packaging companies in the U.S. Don't make a mistake -- call or email us today!
Finding the perfect packaging aesthetic is no easy feat, especially when it comes to teas. You need to find just the right combination of font and color, pair it with the right logo and graphics, and maintain a visual that evokes the voice of your brand. There’s a reason why major companies pay millions a year to craft their dream packaging design. But with the right know-how, you can skip out on spending millions and develop packaging for your products that works for you and keeps you within budget.
Keep reading to learn more about how to design great tea packaging with a designer like us.
ith over 40 films available, we have a material that will ensure your stand up pouch is of the highest quality. We can also combine materials in a custom order. You can combine a black film with a clear film, or metallized with a glossy finishing. It's your choice! Contact us to learn more about custom printed pouches and stand up pouch projects. Give us a call at 626-559-0377 and request a quotation. We'll be happy to help you.
Things to Keep in Mind When Designing Tea Packaging
So, what’s there to remember as you go into designing your new packaging? To create a tea packaging concept that sells, here are some essential trends to keep in mind:
Typography-Focused Tea Packaging Designs
Blending a fun, unique, and energetic collection of fonts together can do more for a logo and brand than any poorly conceived, thrown-together clip-art graphic. Melting a bold san serif font with the perfect pointed serif text can create a visually stunning and impactful display that catches the eyes and interest of shoppers. In fact, a lot of big-name companies focus on typography-centered packaging that relies solely on a combination of font lettering, kerning, and leading to effectively convey their brand to customers. Tea label design ideas should have the perfect font.
Tea-lovers have a sensitive palette for delightful blends- whether it’s the teas or the typography!
Experiential Designs
Appealing to the senses is about more than just appealing to the sights of your customers. Enjoying tea is a full experience, from the warm sensation of one’s mug, to the aromatic fragrances of the tea leaves, to the tingling taste of the unique blend of flavors. That’s why some of the more successful packaging actually aims to craft a whole experience, with colors, textures, text, and specific language - visual “flavors,” so to speak.
Finding a way to appeal to as many of your potential customers’ senses draws them in with your packaging, only to leave them further delighted with your flavor.
Maximize or Minimalize
Two contrasting, yet equally powerful design trends that tend to convert buyers of tea - but there’s a trick to it! You can have a product packaging design that is energetic, bold, colorful, loud, and busy enough to constantly engage, or a design that is sleek, minimal, clean, and fresh. The appeal is to calm and soothe or to inspire energy and sensations. But the trick is to fully commit to one or the other, or neither. Before you pick one or the other, consider what sensations your tea evokes in the drinker. Are you expecting them to generally feel imbued with soothing, calming, aromatic flavors, or are you wanting to entice their senses and awaken their spirits?
The Eco-Aesthetic
Although tea drinkers are not exclusively eco-lovers and environmental champions, there is an element of earthy appreciation among them. The eco-friendly aesthetic design for tea packaging uses browns and earth tones on their packaging, and is often environmentally friendly, green, or sustainable in production. They often stick to soft greens, light beiges and browns, taupe color palettes, or other colors of a more natural feel. They tend to be minimal and fresh, with delicate fonts. Some of them have paper packaging that looks recycled (and typically is). Cardboard, paper packaging, and other compostable materials are a big part of this design look.
But, food packaging and tea packaging, in particular, still need to appeal to the tastes of consumers, so if you’re aiming for an eco-aesthetic, it still needs to look and feel palatable. It should read as good for you, and good for the environment as well as tasty.
Soft and Neutral Color Palettes for Your Creative Tea Packaging
Soft, neutral, and natural color palettes are another key design trend for tea packaging designs. Unlike coffees, sodas, and alcohols, teas have a healthier connotation attached. It’s a beverage for quiet moments of solitude and relaxation, chilly mornings, or afternoon pick-me-ups. Color palettes that are based around natural, earthy tones or soft, muted pastel shades bring similar energy to the packaging. If you’re packaging a chamomile tea with a label that reads loud and overbearing, it’s likely to push consumers away. Gentle neutral tones that calm and soothe are going to better parallel the experiences of your tea-drinkers.
11 Great Tea Packaging Concepts and Ideas for Design
Euphoric Herbals
The Euphoric Herbals packaging for their Iron Tonic tea is a great example of the typography-centered packaging that uses a three-font combination. They also have a soft color palette that pairs well with the fonts for an overall calming yet vibrant and eye-catching package. The neutral tones of brick and slate-blue are contrasting, similar to the script and san serif font of the label. Although it’s not the most exciting packaging, it also has a lot going on, with the floral shape graphics covering the side panels of the package.
The Pink Tea Box
The pastel palette of the Pink Tea Box is cohesive, concise, and effectively conveys the springtime, floral flavors, and subdued energy of the brand. They pair it well with scribbled graphics of teacups on the label to give a bit of pop while not overwhelming the frame of the label. It breathes feminine energy to appeal to its target demographic. The use of the circular cardboard boxes is also circular, smooth and further maintains the serenity of the packaging as a whole.
Zest Tea
Zest Tea advertises itself as a high-octane tea, a tea that delivers as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. This means their packaging should evoke high energy, with loud, bold, and dynamic colors and fonts. The bright, contrasting colors play with the bold-paired font in a way that is smooth and appealing, but gives off the same dynamic energy of their tea.
Woash
Woash takes minimalism and neutral coloring to the max with a deep blue and beige palette. No real logo is needed when you take your typography and transform it into a cohesive aesthetic. The packaging pairs it with smooth, clean lines for a simple yet sleek package that looks as easy on the stomach as it is on the eyes.
Flowerhead Tea
Flowerhead Tea’s packaging follows its own rules of designs for an experiential effect, with a clashing color palette that is almost hard to look at. The bold, all-caps font choice is equally loud and in-your-face. It’s a bold risk, but it somehow works. It’s all simple, with just two colors, three fonts, and one minimal graphic, but it comes together to sell.
August
August’s Outlaw tea packaging is all about dramatic and bold. The stark, all-black packaging paired with simple, loud lettering (it’s literally yelling) strays from the more traditional tea packaging. The typography stays focused and centered with minor pops of color. The consumer knows exactly what they’re getting they and can expect a flavor that’s as bold as the look.
Healthify Tea
Healthify Tea has cute, bright, cheery, and fun packaging that is visually pleasing. Although full package branding, as opposed to a sticker on a package, would give it more professionalism and pop, the label is experiential in design, with bright colors, textures, graphics, and unique lettering in the typography. You get a little tingle of joy even just looking at the package, let alone sipping the tea.
Blume
Blume’s minimalist packaging stays consistent across most of its flavors, with the primary difference being the color of the package. They vary but stay neutral and pastel, with faded shades and tones. They’re also typography-focused for the logo and packaging, with the simple, all-lowercase “blume” as their logo in the key font, paired with san serif fonts that are sleek and linear.
Sammee
Sammee takes primary colors and shifts them to a soft, gentle pastel. It keeps the aesthetic simple but with a pop of color that gives energy but doesn’t overwhelm. It feels fluid with the unshaped blocks of color and feels palatable. It’s visually stimulating with colorful, abstract shapes, but in a calm and subdued way. The typography could give more than it currently does, but at least it doesn’t detract from the design.
Rishi
Rishi’s packaging feels luxurious and rich, with an almost velvet matte finish of the sachet that’s coupled with minimal amounts of gold detailing and sleek, thin lettering. Experiential designs make you feel something other than just a visually appealing package. It looks like whatever you drink from it will feel smooth, calming, and rich with flavorful tea.
Alaya
Alaya takes eco-friendly and sustainable packaging and pairs it with a minimalism that feels organic, fresh, and healthy. The colors are earthy, with the natural paper bag of the package and the mint-green and white tones on the label. The graphics add a level of complexity but still keep it minimal on the detailing, which matches well with the eco-friendly feel of the tea packaging.
Professional Packaging with CarePac
Finding affordable but professional packaging that helps sell your tea is easier said than done - unless you’re using the right custom packaging services. Eliminate your need to stress about quality packaging for sachets, loose leaf tea bags, and sachet bags with our customized tea packaging.
But having a killer packaging design doesn’t mean much if your package isn’t functional, as well. Tea needs to stay dry, preserved and sealed to maintain its aromatic tastiness, and the tea information should be clearly stated on your tea product packaging. Our standup box package design and packaging's feature a multi-layer preservation barrier, easy-to-use zip closures, tear notches, hang holes, and more.
Reach out today to find out how we can help perfect your packaging! Contact us for more information!
The candy industry is not an easy one to break into. Candy producers are competing with big-name companies for market share in a massive industry. But luckily, more and more consumers are turning to new, small-business treats to satisfy their sweet tooth. Now’s the time to go all-in with your candy packaging ideas to embrace the moment for your candy business. With the right packaging, you can establish your identity, attract consumers to your candy, and build loyalty with those consumers.
As good as your candy may taste, they first need to pick it off the shelves. So before you dive into planning out your own candy packaging, here are five trends in 2022 to keep in mind.
A huge part of enjoying the food we eat is having it entice as many of our senses as possible, and that includes what we see. Food (or, in this case, candy) needs to look appetizing for us to enjoy it. That’s why a lot of candy companies use packaging and boxes that is clear all around, clear on the back or has a clear viewing window for consumers to sneak a peek at their treat. It sells the product, especially when that product looks incredibly appetizing, colorful, or fun. If you have a treat that is more dreary, monotone, or boring, then this may not be the best option. It also works for a wide variety of treats, chocolates, gummies, hard candies – whatever!
Popular Candy Packaging That's Eco-Friendly
Sustainable, recycled, compostable, and environmentally friendly packaging in all forms is a huge trend right now, and it’s one to take advantage of for your candy packaging. It’s also especially effective for candies that are better for you, whether they use less sugar, alternative sweeteners, or are free of certain chemicals and substances that may be harmful to the body. A healthier type of sweet treat or candy goes well with the aesthetic of sustainable or environmentally friendly packaging. Sustainable and recyclable candy packaging is in-demand and an essential part of consumers’ desires. They look for the labels or tags on product packages that mention good for you and good for the environment.
Classy and Chic Design Ideas
Trending aesthetics are sleek, minimal, classy, and chic. And quite frankly, this design aesthetic works for consumable products like candy. Candy packaging that is new and modern sells to the social-media/influencer style vibe. Packaging that looks cute in photographs, packaging that can be left out because it looks stylish and cute, attracts consumers in today’s market. It trends well with the “bougie” (to put it bluntly) aesthetic that many buyers and appearance-lovers are drawn to. However, this is definitely not going to be a trend for everyone to buy into! If it doesn’t align with your brand, don’t go with the packaging that reflects it.
Custom-Printed Plastic Candy Boxes
Individually wrapped treats in a fun, unique wrapping, especially offering some variety in styles or colors, attracts buyers. Individually wrapped candies are also enjoyed by consumers who like to snack responsibly because it can support portion control and enjoying a moderate amount of sweets without going through an entire bag. They’re also great for sharing. Having custom-printed wrappers also add a fun little element of satisfaction with crinkle wrappers that reveal a fun, sweet treat, which makes a candy more experiential than just grabbing one after another from a big bag of candies.
Full, Vibrant Coloring
Enjoying candy is a form of escapism, whether it’s a little mood booster, a sweet reward, or a brief provider of relief and pleasure. To enhance that little bit of pleasure, give your consumers a fun, playful, and bright package. Creative candy packaging designs that enhance the enjoyment of eating the candy are just a little boost to the people who enjoy your product. It also helps make your package more memorable, which helps support customers’ loyalty, so they see it, recognize it, and buy it over and over. With fun, full, colorful candy packaging, consumers get a visual taste and idea before they get a literal taste.
Designs That Work
Gem Gem
The ginger candy chews by Gem Gem come in an adorable, energetic packaging design that is playful, fun, and easy. The two-color palette of blue and yellow pair well together in a fun and bright way, while the fun fonts add to the playful feel. The unique scribbled graphics also make it fun and playful since it feels like a teenager’s notebook that is distracting and reflects the ease that is enjoyable with candy. This popular candy packaging is full of color with also feels cohesive and consistent.
Crow & Moss
Crow and Moss has a classy and chic tear-away packaging for their chocolate brittle bar that is sophisticated and looks rich with deep colors. The abstract shapes and patterns scattered throughout almost make it too handsome to just be chocolate. But overall, the aesthetic of this candy packaging paper totally works!
The Organic Candy Factory
Organic candies are marketed as earth and natural, which is why the Organic Candy Factory’s sweet package uses a font that almost looks handwritten, along with a bear sketch that definitely looks handwritten. The handwritten tone of the package makes the candy seem almost homemade, so the buyer gets the impression that it contains better-for-you ingredients. Plus, organic can mean healthy, which can mean flavorless – so including the package window so buyers can sneak a peek at how delicious the gummies look only helps to sell them even more.
Sabadi Organic Italian Candies
Sabadi Organic Italian Candies has a lot of good packaging going on. First, the box is light and playful with a bright and vibrant color palette that uses the white space well. Boxes aren’t the easiest to store or stash, but luckily, they also have individually candies custom wrapped and ready to grab. Better yet, the packing of these wrappers is fun, eye-catching, and unique. The packaging of the candy is as delightful as the candies themselves!
Giddy Up Nuts
The packaging for Giddy Up Nuts is minimal, sharp, and simple. Two shades of brown between the print and the packaging material make it look natural and earthy, which makes sense since both cocoa and nuts are earth-made. The eco-friendly packaging is spot on and works for them, although the package isn’t the most eye-catching.
Tamalitoz
The designs of Tamalitoz packagings are refreshingly original. Each package takes the color of the fruit that inspires the flavor of that particular candy bag. The graphics are scattered and fun and make it look as fresh and delicious as the candy tastes. The fruity colors are super bright and vibrant, which makes their packaging pop out on the shelf.
Smart Sweets
All of the Smart Sweets plastic candy boxes have three things going for them: bright and loud full-package color, flavor stamps, and the sugar quantity, which is their primary selling point. Smart Sweets is all about low-sugar candies with zero alcohol sugar, so they keep it straight and simple on their bags with only the essential bits of information on them. When considering your packaging, think about making your unique selling point clear.
Newfangled Confections Frittle
Newfangled Confections makes a bag that is recognizable and memorable but without being loud or too bright. The purple tone, which is a luxurious and rich color, paired with deep dark chocolate and a script font makes for a packaging that pairs bright and fun with classy and chic -- perfect for their peanut brittle.
Peaceful Fruits
Peaceful Fruits packaging is another vibrant and colorful packaging, with easy tear-away notches for easy opening for a light snack. Each package has a two-toned color with colors close on the color wheel, so they match together well. The “organic” identification goes well with the large, all-caps typography that identifies the product and flavor, and they use the package window in a creative way, shaped like the fruit that matches its flavor.
Unreal Chocolates
Unreal is another brand that uses bright, colorful, eye-grabbing packaging that helps it stand out on the shelves. The flexible packaging has a tear-away notch but isn’t resealable, which is okay since each piece is individually wrapped, so it still stays fresh. Their big, bold typography logo is memorable and has earned an ability to be identified by consumers, which has helped them build loyalty, too.
This year, boost your candy sales with great candy packaging that’s perfect for your product. CarePac offers customizable candy packaging design in different sizes, styles, and materials, with full-print packaging however you want it. Easy-tear packages, triple-seals, zip closures to keep it fresh, or individually wrapped packages are all options, along with clear, black, and silver films that preserve freshness. No matter what kind of chocolates, gummies, hard candies, or chews you’re looking to sell, our flexible packaging can be personalized to best attract your target consumers and can feature health information on an easy-to-read menu.
Interested in finding out more about our packaging prices or options? Check out our website today!
Skin Care Packaging Ideas | Packaging for Cosmetics
Expectations are high when it comes to skincare and the cosmetics container it comes in, and in an aesthetic-driven industry, the aesthetic of your packaging is extremely important to your customer when it comes to creating a product that sells. Skincare brands focus on clean products, convenience, minimalism, a fresh look, limited ingredients, and eye-catching designs that attract without overwhelming.
Help your skincare brand and skin care products catch the spotlight with these 6 skin care packaging tips.
Travel is on the up and up, and consumers are looking for a way to keep their beauty routine while on vacation. Flexible packaging comes in really hand with this one, as well as individually packed face or eye masks. They make it easy to snag a single product or two for a trip and pack these cosmetics conveniently in a bag instead of trying to fit in some giant, awkwardly shaped tub or bottles. Thin, slender, single-use packaging is also easy to place in both carry-on bags or check-in luggage, which makes them more versatile. Light skincare packaging that doesn’t weigh down with a dense glass or plastic bottles also makes a big difference in helping consumers not burden their luggage down with heavy items. Creams, lotions, masks, and other cosmetic products that have a resealable packaging that won’t pop open on flights are an additional added bonus.
2. Sell the natural and organic.
Clean skincare is a major bonus for shoppers, and for some shoppers, it’s a necessity. There should be some form of identification on your packaging that sells the following benefits: clean, natural, organic, limited ingredient, no harsh chemicals, sulfate-free, etc. You can also use little symbols in place of the exact wordage or in conjunction with the words. Consumers need to see it and know it exists for your product for them to buy. Skincare is a massively growing industry with increasing demand right now, so even if you can’t sell all of these traits, figure out which ones you can and promote them on the packaging. Figure out what pertains to your product and make sure your buyers know it.
3. Promote sustainable and cruelty-free.
The moral and ethical expectation stands stronger than ever for most cosmetics. If you can label your cosmetics product as cruelty-free, sustainably sourced, ethically made, and the like, then it’s to your benefit to find somewhere to state this on the packaging. This might be packaging or bottles that are recycled, biodegradable, repurposed, or sustainably created and a product that is made without animal testing or ingredients without animal testing. Little symbols and graphics are also another way to elevate this signage. If you have a minimal front design, these can also easily be incorporated on the back of the packaging for consumers to find without having it be the first impression.
4. Emphasize the typography.
A lot of major skincare and cosmetics companies focus their branding almost exclusively on typography-dependent visuals. Find an iconic font or two and rely on them to establish your skin care brands. This is an effective marketing strategy for skincare because the modern consumer wants a product that is effective yet simple in the ingredients. There’s no need to overburden with graphics, colors, and extravagant designs because cosmetics consumers are just looking for something that works and that looks nice on their counter. Typography-focused branding is very on-trend with home décor since it follows minimalism, modernism, and similar trending décor styles. Straight-lined, sanserif fonts seem to be particularly popular, especially right now.
5. Keep products fresh.
Especially for liquid cosmetics products or facial care products, it’s important that you keep everything fresh and well-preserved. Many cosmetics and skincare products pride themselves on having fresh ingredients that are better for the skin, which means you need to be able to close the package and keep it maintained for long-term use. Sealed products that are single-use or resealable zippers or screw tops for products that are multi-use should also have lining and materials that keep it preserved, too.
6. Use small pops of color.
In alignment with the typography-focused aesthetics, if you want to use color on your cosmetics packaging, use it in small pops. Don’t do anything busy, chaotic, or too energetic because skincare should be relaxing, soothing, and refreshing. Rather than have a busy color palette that visually overwhelms, use a few signature colors on your package to attract attention and emphasize the uniqueness of your product. Muted, subdued, or monochromatic palettes are going to be the most effective packaging colors in the current market.
Skin Care Packaging Design Inspirations
These brands get it, and have implemented a lot of the best practices. The designs below should inspire some creative ideas of your own! Check out the best skin care trends and cosmetic packaging ideas.
Drunk Elephant
The entire Drunk Elephant line of facial care products features white bottles with colorful, monochromatic lids. The minimal use of color is refreshing and eye-catching, and the minimalistic, drawn elephant graphic is cute yet professional. They pair it with little pops of additional orange throughout the bottle (or whatever the signature color is for that product). The typography isn’t anything crazy, but overall, the packaging is effective and sells well.
JLO Beauty
Jennifer Lopez’s new skincare and cosmetics line is typography-focused, with no graphics, no color, and a simple font pairing that looks professional, sleek, and stylish. It’s modern and aesthetically pleasing for facial care products, which particularly targets the modern consumer. Two bold san-serif fonts strategically placed on the package that is single-use with one mask are all it took to sell. It’s also in convenient tear-open packaging that contains one mask and makes it easy to pack or store.
Sephora Hair
The Sephora brand of skin care formulas and cosmetics products all follow similar packaging designs, although they have plenty of variety with the types of packaging they use. Simple color palettes, usually just one or two colors that are engaging and often energetic and bright, are characteristic of them. Most of their Sephora brand packaging also has cute graphics, fun colors and styles, and bold and funky fonts. It strays from the norm but still keeps it fun on a visual level.
Youth to the People
Youth to the People markets itself with its beauty products packaging as being nutrient-rich, health-food-focused, and made with natural ingredients. Clear packaging bottles and cosmetic containers gives off a sense of transparency, which consumers want since they want to know what is in their product (although clear packaging works better for clear liquids and not for thicker creams). They emphasize “kale” and “green tea” on most of their packaging. They also give off a natural and eco-friendly tone with the simple brown cardboard packaging.
Volition
Volition’s mask set has quite a bit more color than most skincare brands, but the pop of pink is effective, especially when paired with the apple logo, which denotes a healthy connotation. Multiple, single-use masks that are individually wrapped with a tear-notch but still packaged conveniently within the cardboard box help for organization and gives the option to pack a mask or two when traveling.
Wishful
Wishful effectively uses a pop of color – the lime green – and pairs it with the signature holographic lettering that is present on all their various packaging. It’s bright and fun, and their products’ color matches the packaging as well. The typography-focused logo and branding are also straight and to the point, but the colors make it fun and engaging.
Lux Unfiltered
Lux Unfiltered uses a neutral palette and bamboo-toned shades to convey a sense of a natural and healthy product. The typography is central to the design, and the clear packaging also gives off transparency to consumers. It may not be natural and organic, but it gives off that vibe with packaging that seems ‘healthier,’ so to speak.
Amika
Amika is one of those rare brands that pulls off a lot of color and pulls it off well. They don’t limit their color palette; they don’t focus on their typography (although their font choice is unique and memorable) and it doesn’t give off natural and organic vibes. But what they have works! The patterns are soothing and repetitive, which is consistent across all their products. The color wheel is always well-represented but with colors that pair well rather than clash (orange/blue/lime green, pink/orange/yellow, etc.), and it’s a great energy overall.
Pattern
Pattern uniquely caters to textured hair, which is evident by its logo and graphic. The black and yellow color palette keeps it minimal and has a single pop of color. The simple abstract graphic underneath linear, bold typography and a package in full color make for a bold, eye-catching package.
Rael Beauty
Rael Beauty’s pastel color palette to distinguish the different types of masks they have keeps it easy to tell them apart and easy on the eyes. The single-letter serif font logo wrapped in leaves is earthy yet professional. Single packages keep each mask fresh and make it easy for consumers to take them on travels.
Find the Right Beauty Products Packaging Provider to Bring Your Design to Life
Finding the perfect combination packaging that looks how you want it to look but also functions well and is on-trend can be a challenge. CarePac offers custom, flexible, full-print packaging in a range of styles, sizes, and shapes. Sheet masks and peel-off face masks are in-demand, so you need packaging that stands out. Resealable packaging, single-use packaging, and easy-to-open packaging are all options depending on the type of product.
Skincare product packaging needs to follow an aesthetic that allows it to stay competitive in today’s market, no matter what your target demographic is. Affordable packaging that keeps your product fresh saves you money and is easy to customize for what you’re trying to sell is easy to get with CarePac.
Alabama's weed laws are just plain strange. Where do we start? Alabama's law and policy seems to make arbitrary distinctions between the forms of cannabis that are allowed, the amount of cannabis a registered patient or caregiver can maintain on-hand, and retain almost all the draconian punishments for recreational use and personal cultivation. The regulations even stipulate they will establish one universal flavor for all gelatinous cube, cuboid, and lozenge medical cannabis products, this is rather nuts in our opinion.
Medical weed is legal in the state of Alabama. Medical use was legalized in 2021 with a bill that passed the legislature and was signed by Governor Kay Ivey. Previous bills passed in 2014 (Carly Law) and 2016 (Leni Law) only allowed the use of CBD oil to treat seizure disorders.
In juxtaposition to this, recreational use marijuana is illegal and strongly so. The first possession of personal amounts is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $6,000 and a mandatory six-month suspension of driver's license. Repeat offences and possession with intent to sell are felony offences and may have a mandatory minimum sentence. [1]
ALABAMA MEDICAL CANNABIS PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Alabama Medical Marijuana Commission is still establishing the program. While in operation, patients will need to visit a certifying physician who can adjust the amount and form of daily dose of marijuana they can purchase.
The law stipulates that the state cannabis commission will set details around the percentage of THC and maximum daily doses, but it also limits it to 50mg per day unless the patient has improved after 90 days or has a terminal diagnosis. In any of these cases, the maximum increases to 75 mg per day. Per the medical cannabis commission and Alabama law, under no circumstances are minors allowed to consume cannabis containing more than 3%.
MARIJUANA PROCESSING LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
One of the key licenses in Alabama is the processor license. A processor license authorizes all of the following:
The purchase or transfer of cannabis from a cultivator.
The processing of cannabis raw plant material (flower) into medical cannabis which shall include "properly packaging and labeling medical cannabis products".
The sale or transfer of medical cannabis to a dispensary.
A processor license authorizes the processor to transfer medical cannabis only by means of a secure transporter.
The commission shall issue no more than four processor licenses.
You heard that right, off the bat Alabama is limiting processor licenses to four (4). Talk about giving those processor's a monopoly.
GENERAL MARIJUANA LAWS & REQUIREMENTS
All Alabama medical cannabis products must be medical grade product, manufacture using documented good quality practices, and meet Good Manufacturing Practices, such that the product is shown to meet intended levels of purity and be reliably free of toxins and contaminants. Medical cannabis products may not contain any additives other than pharmaceutical grade excipients.
GUIDELINES FOR PACKAGING
Most of the packaging and labeling regulations for controlled substances are similar to other states. Packaging and labels cannot be deceptive, false or contain misleading claims.
LABELING REQUIREMENTS
Lot and batch numbers.
The license identification number for the cultivator and processor.
Cannabinoids content and potency.
The commission may require the implementation of a digital image such as a QR for purposes of tracking medical cannabis products. The digital image must interface with the statewide seed-to-sale tracking system.
The commission shall determine what information from the label shall be entered into the statewide seed-to-sale tracking system. [2]
REQUIRED WARNINGS
Packaging must contain a label that reads: "Keep out of reach of children."
The following statement shall be included on each label, if space permits, or as an insert within the package:
"Warning: this product may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drink alcohol with this product. Use care when operating a vehicle or other machinery. Taking this product with medication may lead to harmful side effects or complications. Consult your physician before taking this product with any medication. Women who are breastfeeding, pregnant, or plan to become pregnant should discuss medical cannabis use with their physicians."
UNIVERSAL SYMBOL
The universal state symbol printed in color at least one-half inch by one-half inch in size. It must be present on all packages.
POSSESSION AND CULTIVATION LIMITS
Possession laws state that registered patients and caregivers 19 years of age or older can legally hold up to 70 daily doses of medical marijuana with a a medical marijuana card. The recommending doctor determines what the daily dose is, but cannot exceed 75mg of THC.
Cultivation is illegal in Alabama. A person who grows cannabis plants at home for personal use may be charged with smuggling marijuana, which is considered a criminal offence. Possession of any amount of processed marijuana, with the exception of patients and caregivers, is considered a misdemeanor, with up to one year in prison or a $6,000 fine. Those convicted of possession of marijuana for any purpose other than personal use can face a felony offense and up to ten years in prison and a maximum fine of $15,000. Possession decriminalization is set to be addressed in the Senate before the corona virus shutdown in 2020.
CONCLUSION- SEEK AN ATTORNEY
Non-medical, recreational, adult marijuana use is currently illegal in the state. Ball possession penalties can still be harsh. The first possession of personal amounts is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $6,000, and a six-month mandatory driver's license suspension. There have been attempts to legalize adult marijuana for people 21 and older in 2019, but this has been unsuccessful.[3]
When in doubt, reach out to lawyers that specialize in medical marijuana law in your area.
In November 2016, Maine voters approved a measure calling for the legalization, taxation, and regulation of marijuana in a manner similar to how alcohol is regulated. Later, marijuana legalization bills went through numerous rewrites only to be vetoed in the first round. Then in 2018, Maine lawmakers overturned the governor's veto and passed statutory code LD 1719, an Act to Implement a Regulatory Structure for Adult Use Marijuana. The move made Maine the 8th state to legalize recreational marijuana. The Office of Cannabis Policy under the Department of Administrative and Financial Services is responsible for overseeing cannabis use in Maine.
Maine Cannabis Packaging Laws & THC Labeling Requirements
Basic Packaging Requirements
For Adult Use Marijuana, Section 11.1 provides that all marijuana or marijuana products must be packaged in containers that:
Are fully enclosable: No open top containers.
Are resealable: Include a child resistant zipper.
Protect From Contamination: use quality barrier materials.
No Toxic Substances: Do not impart any toxic or deleterious substance to the packaged item.[1]
Child Resistant and Opaque
In addition to the basic requirements Packaging must adhere to these additional restrictions - PL 2017, c. 452, §18
Be Child-resistant
Opaque ( not see through)
Tamper-evident
If it's a liquid: Multi-serving liquid products must include a measuring component and a CR cap.
[2]
Quick Tip!
Typically a hybrid combination of pre-printed packaging, and labels is best. As some information is variable and other information is always know. For example. Pre-printing cultivation Facility numbers, Net weights, and required warnings, but then labeling, final Testing Results, and production date, and cannabinoid content which are variable.
Package Labeling Requirements
Required ID and Stats
Licensee Identification: It has to be clear who the customer is buying the marijuana product from. This would include your license number.
Batch ID: The unique identification number of the final batch from which the testing sample for the mandatory testing of the contents of the marijuana or marijuana product was taken;
Testing Results:
For the batch from which the individual product is derived.
Including cannabinoid content.
Performed by a licensed testing facility.
Cultivation Facility License Number and Manufacturing Facility: The license numbers of the cultivation facility and if applicable the manufacturing facility if it is different than the cultivation facility.
The Production Date
Net Content / Net Weight: The packaging must include a statement of "net contents" which means it must identify the net weight of the marijuana, concentrate or marijuana product using a "standard of measure compatible with the tracking system". Basically this typically means grams.
The Warning Statement
There is a rather routine warning statement required in Maine.
“There may be health risks associated with the use of this product. There may be additional health risks associated with the use of this product for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning on becoming pregnant. Do not drive a motor vehicle or operate heavy machinery while using this product.”[3]
Font, Language, Size, and Location
All marijuana or marijuana product required label content must comply with the following:
6pt font or bigger Labeling text on any marketing layer must be no smaller than size 6 font or 1/12 inch.
Written In English: All information included in the labeling requirements must be clearly written or printed and in the English language. There is no current requirement that we could find for bi-lingual warnings.
Unobstructed and Conspicuous: All information included in the labeling requirements, must be displayed on the marketing layer and must be unobstructed and conspicuous.
Printed on the "Marketing layer" All warnings and required language All required information must be printed directly on the packaging, or on a label or sticker affixed directly to "the marketing layer", I.E. generally the outside.
Things you can't do...
Well as any good governmental organization the Maine state government has made a good list of prohibitions when labeling, marketing, or packaging cannabis. Most of which are in
PL 2017, c. 452, §18.
Trademarks
Trademark Law Violations: Strangely trademark violations are first on the list. This would mean, for example, you cannot call your cannabis product "Nike's Cannabis" and use a big Nike swoosh. But more commonly, what it means is you can't make riffs on name brands.
No Federal Trademarks: Ok, so in addition to no Anything that makes it look like the product has a federal trademark. Alas no claiming trademarks on your brand (at least yet!).
Humans Animals, or Fruit!
In a somewhat humorously worded regulation, the obvious things like don't make your packaging appealing to children, and don't mislead your customer, or obscure required warnings, or pretend the product doesn't contain THC (Who would do that?). there is also a section about not including depictions of humans, animals, or fruit, on your packaging...
Packaging that appeals to children: This one is going to be very subjective, but here's an example, again remember they are talking the "PACKAGING" so for example making a cannabis infused drink in the capri-sun pouch might be a violation.
Misleading or "obscures" the required labeling: So misleading would be a very broad list of things. Here are a couple of hypothetical examples:
Hiding the warning in the design, so it doesn't stand out.
Claiming the product came from a certain cultivation facility when it actually came from another.
Do not Include Humans, Animals, or Fruit on the design: Last but not least, they don't want your package to use graphics that incorporate humans, animals, or fruit... ok it is what it is.[4]
Other Advertising Prohibitions
The following is prohibited for packaging related advertising adult-use marijuana:
Misleading, deceptive, or false advertising.
Advertising that appeals to those under 21 years of age: Cartoons, colors pallets that appeal to children, or for example. gummy candy that looks like candy kids eat.
Health or physical benefit claims: Ok so we are all probably aware of this one, but just incase you weren't don't make unsubstantiated health and physical benefits, you're just opening yourself up to both the government regulators and people out to catch you.
Medicinal Use vs Adult Use
Maine is home to both a medical cannabis program and an adult use industry. The medical program serves patients, while Maine’s adult use industry services consumers 21 years of age and older. Adult use cannabis and medical cannabis may not be dispensed from the same facility.[5]
For use as recreational purpose the adult must be of 21 years of age but for medicinal use only those individuals who have received a patient certification from a medical professional may legally access medical cannabis from a registered caregiver or dispensary. Patients visiting Maine from another state may be able to purchase medical cannabis from a registered caregiver or dispensary if they have valid patient identification credentials (like a registry or patient identification card) and their state of residence allows them to use their state-issued credential to purchase medical cannabis in Maine.[6]
Maine residents are allowed to grow cannabis for personal use. As many as three mature, 12 immature plants, and an unlimited number of seedlings are allowed per resident 21 years of age or older. These restrictions do not apply to the cultivation of cannabis for medical use by a qualifying patient, a caregiver, a registered caregiver or a registered dispensary as authorized by the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act.[7]
A Note related to medical use of marijuana act is that if a registered caregiver, dispensary, or facility has information stated on the packaging related to cannabinoid potency, contaminants, or cannabinoid profile, the information needs to be verified by a Marijuana testing facility.
Interesting Legal Case
NORTHEAST PATIENTS GROUP v. MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES (Docket No. 1:20-cv-00468-NT)
In 2009, the Maine Legislature amended the State’s existing medical marijuana law to establish a comprehensive system authorizing the sale of medical marijuana. The current iteration of the law—the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act (the “Act”)—authorized qualified patients who had a certification from a medical provider for the medical use of marijuana to possess, use, and purchase medical marijuana. The Act also authorizes two types of entities—registered dispensaries and caregivers—to possess, cultivate, and sell marijuana to qualified patients. The Act provides that “all officers or directors of a dispensary must be residents of this State,” (the “Dispensary Residency Requirement”). 22 M.R.S.A. § 2428(6) (H).
High Street a Delaware LLC entirely owned by residents of states other than Maine owns and operates three of the seven registered dispensaries in Maine’s medical marijuana program.
Wellness Connection operated as a mutual benefit nonprofit corporation without any equity ownership, but when Maine changed its law in 2020 to allow dispensaries to become for-profit companies, Wellness Connection converted to a for-profit corporation and is currently wholly owned by three Maine residents.
High Street states that it would purchase all of the equity in Wellness Connection if the Dispensary Residency Requirement did not prohibit it from doing so. The Plaintiffs sued the Department—which is responsible for implementing, administrating, and enforcing the Act. The court concludes that the Dispensary Residency Requirement violates the dormant Commerce Clause and hints it might strike down Maine medical marijuana residency law.
Foot Notes
We hope this blog article has been a entertaining introduction to the state of Maine's Cannabis packaging and labeling rules. You'll always want to make sure to have your packaging and graphics designs reviewed by a qualified compliance consultant, like a state of Maine cannabis attorney.
Having a sustainable product is great for the planet and your consumers. But if no one wants that product, you’re not doing anyone any good. In 2022, sustainability and environmental consciousness and information is more prevalent around the world than ever before. The driving factors for this increased awareness and attention to the environment have been accelerating and are a direct reflection of modern shopping habits. Diving into customer trends and practices reveals the true desire for environmentally safe products and packages.
There is strong consumers demand for sustainable products in 2022 because consumers are more educated on the importance of protecting the world and combatting climate change, they’ve seen sustainable brands reach great success, and they expect brands to take full responsibility for their actions. The COVID-19 pandemic played an additional part in heightening awareness that just because things have been a certain way before, doesn’t mean that they’re the only or even the way forward.
People Know More About the Environment & Sustainable Products
When looking into the demand for sustainable products across industries, regardless of specific company profile, the results are clear: consumers want to go green. People of all ages, locations, and statuses care about keeping the planet clean and healthy. By and large they now expect brands to do the same.
As the talk around sustainability, going green, and eco-friendly choices increases, so does the research and education people are seeking out. With extreme weather events and very real and dangerous affects of climate change being felt around the world, this information-seeking will only continue to rise. The impact? A deep understanding and affinity towards companies that are doing what they can to improve the state of the Earth instead of making it worse.
It’s incredibly important to do everything we can to meet the request that clients have: adopt green products and become a sustainable business. Supply them with the information they need. Their desires are not unwarranted and are not a trend that will soon disappear, but something that is here to stay. As the knowledge base continues to grow, so too will the importance of incorporating real changes. No longer will companies be able to get away with greenwashing or making false promises. The general public is simply too smart.
Consumer Sustainability Trends & Demand for Innovation
Consumers and Sustainability
McKinsey & Company impressively explains in their study, “Across all end-use segments, 60 to 70 percent of consumers said they would pay more for sustainable packaging”. But what other behaviors are consumers adopting when it comes to sustainability and environmental consciousness? These key environmentally conscious consumers’ statistics paint a picture of the current scene.
Overall it’s abundantly clear that the members of our society as a whole are doing what they can to minimize their own impact on energy consumption, and the expectation going forward is sustainable practices are used by each and every brand. Those brands already doing so are rightfully reaping the rewards.
Sustainability Equals Success for Companies
Just because you learn something doesn’t mean applying your acquired knowledge will work in the real world. Yet when it comes to consumer products becoming good for the environment, it has and continues to work every day. Consumer demand for environmentally safe products and packages is also high because it’s now clearly feasible to accomplish. With more innovation, comes more sustainable products to choose from.
Awareness of the climate crisis has hit an all-time high. People now know that we are harming the atmosphere and our home through practices that have historically been normalized and done without a second thought. But the trend of conscious consumerism that emerged a few decades ago is now here to stay. Restaurants and cafes have adopted reusable containers to eliminate single-use waste. Apparel brands use recycled materials to give older items a second life. Environmentally focused startups dedicated to finding solutions to our warming climate are on the rise. Food and beverage companies are using compostable packaging. The list of innovations from brands across the spectrum is almost endless.
Consumers are seeing success after success in the sustainable energy space. This has made them realize that each and every company has the ability to adopt at least some of these practices into their own operations. And if they haven’t, it’s not from a lack of possibility or accessibility, but a lack of initiative or care. Carepac has adopted compostable and biodegradable options to empower each and every company to put their foot forward and help be a part of the solutions instead of a part of the problem.
The Pandemic Effect on Sustainable Products
In the past, consumers have seen companies pollute, damage nature, spill massive amounts of trash, use unnecessary excess packaging causing extra garbage, and not take any responsibility for any of it. But consumers are smart, and they’ve had enough.
Remote work is here to stay. People will wear face masks forever. And sustainability will always be a top priority. All of these shifts and more were largely influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic rocking the world. This period of disruption led to reflection on the way things have been, and more ideas to pave the way for a better future.
With additional free time, people were able to reconnect with nature and remember how special this place is that we call home. Some ways for brands to help protect nature is by reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and setting science-based nature targets for reversing harm done in the past.
There is also plenty of room for innovations in the environmental operations space. Consumers will continue to resonate with and embrace leaders taking action. Companies such as Group Éxito have found great success using satellite surveillance to incentivize farmers to reforest their land. Other companies such as Allbirds list the emissions data of each item a consumer is purchasing, enabling them to make an educated and conscious shopping decision. For something like food packaging that needs to be sealed properly, innovation has been required to provide the same level of safety, security, and preservation that plastic counterparts can bring. Thankfully, we’re almost there, and making the decision is easier than ever.
Should my Company Hop on the Sustainability Train?
If you’re wondering how companies can be more sustainable, or how consumers can be more sustainable, you’ve come to the right place. The consumer demand for sustainability is clear. Your brand can and must fit into the shifting marketplace and be a viable long-term success by adopting sustainable practices and seeking out sustainable innovation. It’s better for the Earth, for the consumer, and for yourself. Thus, sustainability branding is more important now than ever before. Plus, it gives your brand a premium feel.
What used to take an endless amount of time, effort, and expertise is now made easier thanks to eco-conscious packaging providers like Carepac. We are here to help you achieve all of your sustainability goals. One of the easiest and best ways for a consumer packaged goods (CPG) company to transition its ways is by changing its shipping and packaging materials. Adding sustainable packaging materials to your business is the perfect way to get this goal started.
Two great options to choose between are compostable and biodegradable packaging. Instead of ending up in a landfill and taking years to decompose, these options break down into natural elements and return to the Earth much faster. A couple of months compared to hundreds of years is a massive difference and will make a real impact on bettering the planet.
Not only that, but consumers will be happy about it too. When picking between two similar food or beverage options, if one is using materials and practices that are beneficial and another is using materials and practices that are harmful, all signs point towards the former being the more popular option today and forevermore. In fact, the want for sustainable products is so high that more than one-third of consumers worldwide are willing to pay extra for them.
In general, doing the right thing doesn’t always feel like the best or easiest decision. In this case, it is. There is strong consumer demand for sustainable products and massive adoption of green practices from businesses, customers, and brands. Additionally, there is a growing trend of requesting and demanding that we change our ways to better the planet. Together, when brands commit to a better bath, and consumers continue to make smart purchases, we can do just that.
Introduction to USDA Organic Label Requirements | Organic USDA Labeling
The 'Certified Organic' label was developed to help consumers make decisions when purchasing food, and other items which claim to be organic. Claiming that you sell certified organic products has proven to be a long lasting source of consumer loyalty and preference. This blog is a basic overview of the USDA organic programs, and the use of the USDA organic seal on packaging.
The information contained in this blog is believed to be generally accurate as of the date of its creation. This blog is intended as general educational content about USDA organic products and the rules surrounding them. If you are developing packaging, use this blog post as a starting point for your own Investigation, and confirm current USDA requirements and guidance for your particular situation (which may fall within an exception, exclusion), which can change over time. It is always recommended to consult a compliance specialist. Official rules, regulations, and guidance about USDA organic labels can be found at www.usda.gov. Alright, with that said let's dive in!
In the United States, "organic" is a labeling term for food or agricultural products ("food, feed, or fiber") created in accordance with the USDA Organic Regulations, a database that defines standards that unify "cultural, biological, and mechanical practices." These standards for organic food labels promote resource cycling, promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity. In addition to setting requirements for how organic agricultural products are grown, processed and handled, USDA National Organic Program also sets labeling requirements for these products. Labeling requirements are based on the percentage of organic ingredients in the product. If it is an agricultural product intended for human consumption, certification is required for the use of the term organic. Personal care products, textiles and dietary supplements fall outside the purview of the USDA. They may be certified for National Organic Program, but are not required by law.[1]
To make an organic claim or to use the USDA Certified Organic Seal and to be entered into the organic database, the final product must strictly adhere to production, handling, and labeling standards and undergo an organic certification process. The standards address various factors such as soil quality, animal husbandry practices and pest and weed control. Artificial fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation and genetic engineering cannot be used. Organic agricultural operations should ultimately maintain or improve soil and water quality, and conserve wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife.
USDA food label recognizes four types of organic production:
Crops
"Plants that are grown to be harvested as food, livestock feed, or fiber used to add nutrients to the field."
Livestock
"Animals that can be used in the production of food, fiber, or feed."
Processed/multi-ingredient products
"Items that have been handled and packaged (e.g. chopped carrots) or combined, processed, and packaged (e.g. bread or soup)."
Wild crops
"Plants from a growing site that is not cultivated."
Organic standards describe specific requirements that products must be tested by a USDA-accredited certifying agent before being labeled USDA Certified Organic.
Using the label for organic products
When developing the design for your client's packaging it is very important to treat regulatory seals (like the USDA seal) with caution, and only use the allowed versions of the seals. The use of the USDA organic label is highly regulated and controlled. It is very important to recommend that your client consult a compliance attorney and share everything with them before placing the seal on your product.
USDA Organic Labels (Allowed Versions)
Here are two versions of the seal which are allowed. These are the only two versions you should use. Do not try to elaborate, or "improve" the designs.
The USDA specifies how to use the USDA organic seal including which colors should be used. The use of Pantone Matching System (PMS) colors will provide the most accurate colors.
Pantone
348 C
LAB Value 47-54 26
SRGB 0 132 61
HEX 00843D
Pantone
175 C
LAB Value 30 24 20
SRGB 107 53 41
HEX 6B3529
Additional Printing Rules
You must use the designs provided by the USDA, don't modify them.
The seal must be placed on a white background. The easiest way to do this is to encapsulate the seal in a white area.
When in doubt follow the rules in CFR 7 §§ 205.311(click here to download the regulation from Govinfo.gov)
Common Mistakes
Below are some of the most common mistakes we see designers make designers make include the following.
1. Incorrect Colors and modified designs
To the left you'll see two errors. First the designer didn't use the colors or layer specified, they tried to "blend" seal into the client's design. Secondly if you look closely they modified the seal. You might be the most creative, artistic, and amazing designer out there, but this is one case where you shouldn't mess with things and just let it be.
2. Using the USDA Agency "logo" as a substitute
Well, it does say USDA but this is not the USDA organic Seal. No this is just the agency's logo, and it is not a substitute. Also be careful using this logo to imply any government approval, that can get you in hot water as well.
3. Using random stock imagery or clipart found on the internet
Something we see all the time, is the use of random variations of the seal. Do not use anything you find online at Shutterstock or other sites, these can get your client in big trouble and they're going to blame you in the end.
None of these 5 examples we are showing you here are permissible USDA organic seals. And putting them on your client's pouch could result in many thousands of dollars in fines, or having their product pulled from store shelves.
Organic Standards and Requirements
Crop Standards
USDA organic standards for organic crop production requires that:
No prohibited substances should be applied to the soil for at least 3 years before the harvest of organic crops.
Soil fertility and crop nutrients will be managed by tillage and cultivation methods, crop rotation and cover crops, supplemented with animal and crop waste materials and permitted artificial materials.
Crop pests, weeds and diseases will be controlled mainly by management methods including physical, mechanical and biological controls. When these practices are not sufficient, approved biological, vegetable, or synthetic substances may be used in the national catalog.
Organic seeds and other planting stock must be used in operations when available.
The use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation and sewage sludge is prohibited.[2]
Animal Feed Standards
Livestock and poultry standards apply to animals used to sell meat, milk, eggs and other animal products, labeled or presented as organic. Some requirements include:
Dairy animals and animals for slaughter should be reared under organic management from the last third of pregnancy or after the second day of life for poultry.
Non-organic dairies have a one-time opportunity to transition non-organic animals into organic production (over a 12-month period).
Producers should feed livestock agricultural feed products that are 100 percent organic, but they can also provide approved vitamin and mineral supplements.
Preventive management methods must be used to keep animals healthy. Manufacturers cannot stop treating sick or injured animals. However, animals treated with a prohibited substance cannot be sold as organic.
Ruminants should be out in the pasture for the entire grazing season, but not less than 120 days. These animals should also get at least 30 percent of their food or dry matter intake (DMI) from pasture.
All organic livestock and poultry need to be allowed outdoors all year round. Animals may only be temporarily confined due to documented environmental or health issues.[3]
Handling Standards
The USDA organic standards for handling require:
All non-agricultural ingredients, whether synthetic or non-synthetic, must be allowed according to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.
In a multi-ingredient product labeled as “organic,” all agricultural ingredients must be organically produced, unless the ingredient(s) is not commercially available in organic form and listed on Section 205.606.[4]
Handlers must prevent the commingling of organic with non-organic products and protect organic products from contact with prohibited substances.[5]
Four Labeling Groups
100% Organic
Products made entirely with certified organic ingredients, methods and processing aids may be labeled as "100% organic" (including certified raw agricultural goods). It is used to label any product that contains 100% organic ingredients (except salt and water, which are considered natural). Most raw, unprocessed or at least processed farm crops can be labeled as "100 percent organic". In the "100 percent organic" category, products must be made from 100 percent certified organic ingredients. The label must include the name of the certifying agent and may include a USDA organic seal and/or a 100% organic claim.[6]
Organic
This category includes products that contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients (excluding salt and water). Up to 5 percent of the content of inorganic agricultural products and/or non-agricultural products may be on the National List (non-organic agricultural products and many non-agricultural products in the National List may be used only if they are commercially commercialized as organic). Additionally, the label must include the name of the certifying agent, and may include the USDA Organic Seal and/or the Organic Claim.[7]
Made with Organic
This category includes products containing at least 70 percent organically produced ingredients (excluding salt and water), with a number of broad constraints regarding ingredients containing non-organic parts.
For multi-ingredient products in the "Made with" organic category, at least 70 percent of the product must contain certified organic ingredients. The organic seal may not be used on the product, and the final product may not be displayed as organic - only three ingredients or ingredient categories may be indicated as organic. Any remaining materials do not need to be produced organically, but must be produced without any excluded methods (genetic engineering). All non-agricultural products should be included in the national list. For example, processed organic foods may contain some accepted non-agricultural ingredients, such as enzymes in yogurt, pectin in fruit jams, or baking soda in baked goods.[8]
Specific Organic Ingredient Listing
Multi-ingredient products with less than 70 percent certified organic ingredients would fall under "Specific Organic Ingredients" and do not need to be certified. These products may not display the USDA Organic Seal or use the word organic on the principal display panel. They may list certified organic ingredients in the ingredient list and the percentage of organic ingredients.
Specific Labeling Rules for Certified Food
Animal Feed
Livestock feed products may display on any package panel the following terms:
The statement, “100 percent organic” or “organic,” as applicable, to modify the name of the feed product.
The USDA seal.
The seal, logo, or other identifying mark of the certifying agent which certified the production or handling operation producing the raw or processed organic ingredients used in the finished product, Provided, That, such seals or marks are not displayed more prominently than the USDA seal.
The word, “organic,” or an asterisk or other reference mark which is defined on the package to identify ingredients that are organically produced. Water or salt included as ingredients cannot be identified as organic.
Livestock feed products must also comply with other Federal agency or State feed labeling requirements as applicable.[9]
Alcoholic Beverages
The organic alcoholic beverages must meet both USDA organic requirements and Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulations, including sulfite labeling requirements
Any use of added sulfites makes the wine only eligible for the “made with” labeling category; may not use the USDA organic seal
Sulfites may only be added to wine “made with” organic grapes; wine labeled as “made with” other organic fruit (e.g., apples) may not contain added sulfites
All organic alcohol labels must be reviewed by an organic certifying agent and the TTB.[10]
Track Back Audit Requirement
Organic certification mandates that the certifying inspector must be able to complete both "trace-back" and "mass balance audits" for all ingredients and products that share the organic label. A trace-back audit confirms the existence of a record trail from time of purchase/production through the final sale. A mass balance audit verifies that enough organic product and ingredients have been produced or purchased to match the amount of product sold. Each ingredient and product must have an assigned lot number to ensure the existence of a proper audit trail.[11]
Cases
These cases highlight the importance of strictly following USDA guidelines.
In APL-036-18 the company involved held an organic certification for it's products, but subsequently relocated its processing facilities to a new co-packing facility which did not hold an independent organic processing certificate, and the USDA ALJ court found the company violated the organic regulations and suspended it's organic certification.
In APL-047-19 Oregon Tilth Certified Oregon(OTCO) Act suspended the license of APAX USA Inc on the ground that Turmeric, Ginger, Garlic and Omega 3-6-9 products sold under brand name Feel Good Superfoods do not use an organic capsule. Moreover the products were not produced by NOP compliant co- manufacturer. The court denied the APAXUSA Inc appeal and held its organic certificate to remain suspended.
APL-005-19 A company sold its coconut product with USDA organic seal during the suspension of its organic license. The court held that company’s certification remains in suspension for minimum 120 days and also required to pay civil penalty of $12,000 for selling under USDA Organic label during the suspension of license.
In APL-70-20 NOFA-NY issued a notice of Denial of Certification after finding that the company had misrepresented that all of its products are certified organic and used USDA organic seal on its products when it wasn't certified organic. The court affirmed the notice of denial and denied organic certificate to the company.
In APL-08-20 The company had a organic certificate but it was suspended, they internally identified mangos as "organic" but claimed to have only sold them mangos as conventional. The court didn't believe them and held the company's certifications was to remain suspended.
Some more useful case summaries can be found here. Well that's it folks! We hope this blog has gotten your wheels turning regarding the complexities of the USDA organic programs. Using the USDA seal on your packaging is a compliance heavy endeavor and when in doubt hire a compliance expert to review all your work before going to print! The information in this blog post is provided as-is without any guarantee of accuracy. Always consult official government publications for the current regulations, and regulatory interpretation.
