A bottle of 'Dulgon Mineral Shower' is on a production line, surrounded by other bottles of the same product.

Labeling of cosmetics: When (not) everything is based on looks

For anyone who labels cosmetics products, the highest priority is an attractive appearance and strict adherence to applicable regulations. We therefore provide fully automatic and semi-automatic labeling machines that attract customers with their extreme precision, easy handling and maximum reliability — suitable for both brand manufacturers producing high quantities and for manufacturers with somewhat smaller, but more luxurious, product ranges.

 

HERMA Labeling Machines Solutions Sectors


For lipsticks, bottles, pots of cream, shampoo bottles and the like, a polished appearance at the point of sale is key. A high-quality look also reinforces the sometimes significantly higher price of products that are sold through professional operators such as hairdressing salons or cosmetic studios. In order to create a coherent appearance, the precision and reliability of the labeling are of paramount importance, especially since, in addition to the branding, a large quantity of mandatory information often has to be accurately displayed. Last but not least, throughout the entire process chain from cosmetics production to cosmetics labeling, more and more emphasis is placed on secure, documentable and reproducible processes and inspections, for example in accordance with GMP.

    


  • As a pioneer in the industry, HERMA has developed a number of innovations that continue to ensure the utmost precision in labeling, even at high speeds.
  • The economical modular design with standardized assemblies can be supplemented with a large number of printing, monitoring and rejection components depending on individual requirements.
  • With format parts that can often be replaced without tools, HERMA labeling machines ensure short set-up times and efficient production processes.
  • Thanks to decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, HERMA is well versed in complying with relevant industry standards such as GMP.
  • Comprehensive global services including 24/7 procurement of spare parts make HERMA labeling machines a particularly safe investment for the future.
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One technology for all cosmetics

The term cosmetics describes an extremely wide range of products. It includes eyeshadow and mascara, as well as creams, perfumes, deodorants, soaps and hair dyes. In general, a distinction is made between two broad categories: beauty care products or decorative cosmetics and personal hygiene or grooming products. No matter what segment you operate in, HERMA can help you to overcome any challenges.

Decorative cosmetics

One thing most decorative cosmetics products have in common is that they are relatively small. Precise cosmetic labeling often presents a particular challenge.

  • In this sector, labels primarily serve to provide (mandatory) information, for example with regard to the country of origin, ingredients and capacity. In addition, they usually contain barcodes and other codes required for logistics processes.
  • To achieve clean, precise labeling, intermittent motion machines with a movable peel plate are a good solution.
  • In order to ensure economic efficiency despite the compact size of the products, a high cycle rate is usually also required.
  • A particularly reliable labeling process is essential for products with unusual shapes and minimal radii (such as pens, for example) and correspondingly high restoring forces in order to avoid unintentional detachment of the labels.

Personal care

On the whole, personal care products tend to be larger. The primary packaging is generally a container, which, as part of its marketing concept, often has an unusual shape that is difficult to label but with which the label must effortlessly blend. The printed image must also remain indelible when exposed to certain degrees of moisture.

  • In this sector, labels have a much greater branding role. Therefore, the shapes and sizes of the labels are correspondingly varied.
  • As a rule, personal care products are labeled at high speeds while moving; special centering units can be used to guarantee maximum precision even with a continuous labeling process.
  • The popular no-label look, which is created with highly transparent labels, requires particularly sensitive label sensors or special types of label presence checks.

What unique challenges do you face in labeling cosmetics?

When it comes to the labeling of cosmetics products, very specific tasks have to be mastered. These tasks are determined by special market requirements and individual production conditions.

  

Increase plant efficiency

  • Many cosmetics products are subject to strong competition and thus high price pressure.
  • Unplanned production downtimes can therefore further reduce the margins, which are sometimes very tight.
  • To counteract this, the proven reliability of HERMA labeling machines offers the best protection against unwelcome surprises.
      

 

Increase speed to market

  • Many cosmetics products are subject to trends that change at an increasing speed.
  • In order to further reduce the time to market, highly flexible labeling machines that can be quickly and easily converted to new product dimensions are a logical solution.
  • HERMA labeling machines therefore offer time-saving features that significantly shorten set-up time and conversion operations, simplify handling for the operating personnel and virtually eliminate operating errors.

Optimize the process chain

  • In the cosmetics industry, filling, sealing and labeling are often integrated processes carried out by interconnected machines. HERMA labeling machines are specially designed to be seamlessly integrated into existing systems if required.
  • The labeling machines are able to match the sometimes very high speeds from upstream processes, even if labels are made from unusual materials such as recycled or renewable resources or if complex tasks such as tube labeling have to be completed.
  • Even when the products are manually placed in semi-automatic labeling machines, as is the case with manufacturing companies, HERMA maintains efficient operation with the highest level of precision.

  

Exploit market potential

  • Cosmetics products always aim to attract the attention of end consumers.
  • The material and design of the labels therefore play a major role in marketing when it comes to reaching as many different target groups as possible and responding quickly to new trends.
  • That is why HERMA labeling machines are designed to process all standard materials made from paper and foil, even when creating the delicate no-label look, cleanly and precisely, and completely free from bubbles and wrinkles.

Label types and product types for cosmetics products

Labels for cosmetics products not only have to fulfil a marketing role but also an informative role — and when it comes to the latter there are sometimes considerable legal requirements. The variety of materials, label types and shapes is therefore significantly higher for cosmetics products.

 

The following product types are used

In the case of cosmetics products, the primary and, in some cases, also the secondary packaging play an important role in inducing customers to buy or in reinforcing the high quality of the products. The range of product types is correspondingly diverse and unusual.
 

Tube with red packaging and a black cap, empty or without labeling.
Turquoise bottle with a white label that can be used for liquids such as shampoo or shower gel.
Red lipstick in a sleek, modern packaging with a black cap and silver ring.
Blue mouthwash in a transparent bottle with a blue cap and a label that says 'MOUTH WASH.
Green bottle with a pump cap, empty, featuring a white label on the front. Ideal for lotions or liquids.
Bottle with a green cap and a label featuring a leaf design. The bottle is beige in color and has a simple shape.
A small bottle with orange liquid and a white cap.
Shower gel bottle with green packaging and an illustration of olives.
A dropper bottle with a golden cap and red liquid, which can be used for cosmetic or medical purposes.
Brown, oval object with a light, star-shaped graphic and text on the front. The lower part is in a lighter shade.
Turquoise cream can with a white stripe around the middle.
Bottle of perfume in a minimalist design, with an orange cap and the inscription 'No-Label-Look' on the front.
A stylized packaging in the shape of a house with a blue roof and a pink base, featuring a blank white area.
A yellow colored pencil with a purple and red tip, standing upright.
Turquoise tube container with a silver cap, featuring a blank label for product information.
A transparent bottle with yellow liquid and an orange spray nozzle. The bottle has a blank label.
Green toothpaste tube with a white tooth logo and a red stripe.
Black mascara with an applicator brush, in a sleek package with a white label.
An orange eraser with a gray bottom and a white area in the middle.
Artificial eyelashes in a purple package with a transparent display window.
Tube with organic cream, white with a blue cap and a green logo featuring plant motifs.
A square makeup set with four shades in pink and orange, along with an applicator.
Green spray bottle with a blue cap, labeled with a neutral tag.
Dental floss in a round package labeled 'DENTAL FLOSS.
A transparent cup with orange drink and white stripes.

The following labels are used

HERMA labeling machines process all standard labels for cosmetics products with complete reliability, including more unusual designs such as sandwich labels, 3D labels, luminescent labels and RFID labels as well as labels made from recycled materials.
  

Promotional labels

  • Promotional label
  • Multiple packaging label
  • Wobbler label

Information labels

  • Sandwich label 
  • Leporellos label
  • Booklet label

Transparent labels

  • No-label look labels
  • Grab tabs
  • 3D label

Security labels

  • Tamper-evident label
  • Luminescent label
  • RFID label / anti-theft label

HERMA labeling machines for your cosmetics products

Whether you require semi-automatic or fully automatic labeling, wrap-around labeling, two-sided labeling, labeling on the top and/or bottom or even over-corner labeling, HERMA labeling machines are the right choice for high precision, short set-up and changeover times and time-saving ease of use. Depending on customer requirements, all standard printing and monitoring systems can be seamlessly integrated, as well as rejection devices, bad label returns and special modules to allow continuous operation without downtime when changing label reels.

For example, the two-sided 362E labeler offers outstanding flexibility as it handles large batches just as efficiently as little, frequently changing batch sizes — and can also be quickly converted from two-sided to wrap-around labeling. The low-maintenance wrap-around 152C labeling machine also demonstrates how precise labeling can be implemented at a particularly low cost. Labeling small batches of less stable cylindrical products such as pipes, tubes, glass bottles or ampules, on the other hand, is the perfect task for the semi-automatic 211 wrap-around labeler.

  

Informative labels — what information is required for cosmetics labeling

In most countries and markets, the respective legislators have detailed requirements on how cosmetics products are to be labeled when they are placed on the market. This applies not only to the ingredients, intended use or a code for the shelf life of cosmetics, but also to information that can be used for traceability purposes. The reliable printing (and monitoring) of variable data components is therefore an important step in many labeling processes. The following information and data components may be relevant:

  

Ingredients:

If ingredients make up more than one percent of the total quantity of the product, they must be listed in descending order of quantity in many countries and markets, including the EU, to ensure that consumers are adequately informed. This can also include preservatives, flavorings and colorings. The International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI), which is an integral part of the EU Cosmetics Regulation, is authoritative for the nomenclature. Nanomaterials are also subject to mandatory labeling.

   

Shelf life:

If a cosmetics product has a shelf life of less than 30 months, a specific date must be printed on the product in the EU, for example. An hourglass serves as a symbol for durability in cosmetics. Other products require information about the period of use (in months), i.e. how long the product can still be used after opening; the symbol for this is an open pot.

    

Serialization:

The unique identification of each individual product by means of a serial number or a special code is already common practice for many pharmaceutical companies. A large number of cosmetics manufacturers are closely following this trend. This is because the serialization of cosmetics, especially of very exclusive products, can be an important part of the strategy to improve monitoring of sales channels and protect the sales channels against re-imports or even product counterfeiting. When printing cosmetics labels, a clear space must be provided in preparation.

     

Batch number:

The batch number or batch ID must be included on every cosmetics product in the EU. A batch or lot includes all products that have been created, manufactured or packaged under the same conditions. In the event of a production error, a specific batch can then be purposefully withdrawn from the market, possibly as a precautionary measure.

    

[Translate to English:] Kosmetik-Etikett Information: Haltbarkeit des Inhaltes
[Translate to English:] Kosmetik-Etikett Information: frei von Tierversuchen
[Translate to English:] Kosmetik-Etikett Information: Barcodes zum Scannen
[Translate to English:] Kosmetik-Etikett Information: hypoallergene Substanzen


Examples of labels from the cosmetics industry

Our promise: A belief-based added value in cosmetic labeling

Find out here how our values have a lasting impact not only on cosmetics labeling, but on all our labeling solutions:   

Our values

With a unique, comprehensive chain of expertise: from self-adhesive material and labels to high-performance applicators. Leading companies all over the world rely on HERMA to supply them with high-quality labeling systems. With our extensive knowledge in the area of self-adhesive labeling, we ensure that the labeling and identification of products and packaging runs smoothly in all aspects.

Self-adhesive material from HERMA
Labels for Industry, Trade, and Logistics by HERMA
Labeling machine by HERMA

Contact

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Request for quotation

We produce labeling solutions according to your specifications - suitable for your application!

 

[Translate to English:] HERMA Formular Etikettiermaschinen Angebot anfordern

 

Please take a moment to provide us with some detailed information about your labeling solution requirements on the following page so that we can give you a good consultation.

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Success stories from the cosmetics sector

When customers need their cosmetics products to be labeled reliably and accurately, our labeling machines are often the first choice. Here, some of our customers tell us why it was a wise decision to choose HERMA.

  

Reliable - Because it's HERMA!
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Customer:

Company from Istanbul

Application / Industry:

Liquid soap and div. / cosmetic chemical industry

Labeling solution:

HERMA 500

Short set-up times, precise application
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Customer:

CARECOS Kosmetik GmbH

Application / Industry:

Jars, tins and flacons / cosmetics

Labeling solution:

HERMA two-side labeler 362E

A question of precision
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Customer:

Mann & Schröder

Application / Industry:

Plastic bottles / Hygiene

Labeling solution:

HERMA two-side labeler 362M

Safe label application without any investment
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Customer:

Mühle Verpackungs- und Dienstleistungs GmbH

Application / Industry:

Jar, can and bottle formats / cosmetics

Labeling solution:

HERMA wrap-around labeler 152C und HERMA „Pay per use“ model

The first of its kind
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Customer:

Gemeinnützige Werkstätten und Wohnstätten GmbH

Application / Industry:

Cosmetic products / Cosmetics

Labeling solution:

HERMA 500