Product Information Labels: Prepare Ingredients and Barcodes for Print

Effective product information labels combine accurate copy, readable type, a barcode that scans and a material suited to the packaging. Preparing these details before printing helps customers understand the product and reduces avoidable revisions for businesses in Jeddah and across Saudi Arabia.

Start with the information your buyer needs, then design the space around it. Shrinking every line to fit a small label can make a tidy screen layout difficult to read on the finished package.

Prepare the information before the artwork

• A clear product name and description.
• Ingredients and net weight or volume, where applicable.
• Required information for the product category, such as applicable warnings, storage instructions or dates.
• The product identifier and barcode appropriate to your sales system.
• Responsible business details and useful contact information without crowding essential copy.

This is an artwork planning checklist, not a complete compliance checklist. Food and cosmetic requirements differ. For packaged foods, the SFDA nutrition labelling guide (Arabic PDF) states that label information must be in Arabic and that additional languages must match it. Check the requirements that apply to your product before approving the design.

Make product information labels readable at actual size

Group related details under short headings. Use clear contrast and adequate spacing, then print a proof at the intended size. Screen zoom can hide text that is too small to read comfortably.

Measure the usable area of the container, including curved surfaces and seams. When information does not fit, discuss a larger label or a front-and-back layout instead of removing essential content. For bilingual layouts, see our Arabic-English product label layout guide.

Check the barcode as well as the print

Avoid stretching or squeezing barcode artwork. Preserve the required blank space around the symbol and use dimensions and contrast appropriate to its type. The GS1 barcode quality checklist covers symbol size, quiet zones, contrast and print quality.

Test the printed sample after applying it to the actual container, using a scanner suited to the sales environment. Scanning an image on a screen does not validate the finished label, and one successful scan is not a substitute for formal verification when your retailer requires it.

Choose the material for the real conditions

Dry accessories, chilled food and bathroom products face different conditions. Discuss the face material, adhesive and protective finish together, then test a sample under the expected conditions. The word “vinyl” alone does not establish freezer suitability, heat resistance or food-contact approval.

Browse sticker printing options with your container and use case in mind. Our guide to labels peeling in heat and humidity explains related application considerations. For an irregular shape, review die-cut sticker file preparation.

Before you approve the batch

1. Proofread the final product data and both languages where used.
2. Check type size and placement on the actual container.
3. Test adhesion and barcode scanning on a printed sample.
4. Approve one clearly identified final artwork version.

Top 10 Practical Recommendations for Product Information Labels

Use this checklist before you send artwork to print. It keeps the label readable and the barcode scannable.

1. Lock the final copy first. Never start the layout before the information is approved.
2. Name an approver for each item. Note who confirmed the ingredients, weight and warnings.
3. Order the content by reading priority. Put the product name first, then quantity, then details.
4. Enlarge the label before shrinking the text. If space runs out, split the content across two labels.
5. Keep Arabic and English consistent. See our bilingual product label guide for layouts.
6. Leave a clear zone around the barcode. The GS1 EAN/UPC page explains the standard symbol.
7. Pick contrast over decoration. Dark bars on a light, matte background scan most reliably.
8. Test the printed barcode. Scan a real sample with a real scanner, not from the screen.
9. Choose material for the real conditions. Read why labels peel in heat and humidity before you order.
10. Ask for a proof. We send a free digital proof, and you can request a quote or message us on WhatsApp.

What’s New as of October 2026

We found no confirmed new regulation that changes how product information labels must be laid out. Please check the rules for your product category before printing.

The closest development is GS1’s Sunrise 2027 initiative. According to the Sunrise 2027 page, the goal is for retail point-of-sale systems to read 2D barcodes by the end of December 2027. UPC barcodes will still be accepted, and products may carry both symbols until retailers are ready.

For food products, the SFDA Food Products Registration Guide lists the label data used in registration. Changing mandatory label data can mean the product must be registered again.

In practice, leave flexible space in your design for an extra code, and check the official page before a large order.

Frequently Asked Questions About Product Information Labels

Does high print resolution guarantee a scannable barcode?

No. Correct data, symbol type, size, contrast, placement and material also matter. Test the finished sample.

Can I reuse another product’s information layout?

You can use it for visual inspiration. The required information depends on your own product category and market.

What should I send with my enquiry?

Send package dimensions, final copy, quantity and storage conditions to Paper Ink on WhatsApp. Ask the team to confirm suitable print options and delivery to your city.

Does the print shop approve the label legally?

Not automatically. We print and prepare the file within our service, while accuracy and compliance need approval from the product owner or a specialist.

Are a barcode and a QR code the same thing?

No. A barcode usually identifies the product at the checkout, while a QR code often links to extra information. Their functions and standards differ.

Can a QR code replace mandatory label information?

Not if the rules require that information on the label itself. A QR code can add to the label, but it does not replace required data automatically.

What is Sunrise 2027, and does it affect my label?

It is a target for point-of-sale systems to read 2D barcodes by the end of 2027, per the initiative page. You need not change today, but leave space for an extra code.

How long does an order take, and do you deliver?

Most orders take 3 to 5 working days, then shipping takes 24 to 72 hours. We deliver within Saudi Arabia and to the GCC, and shipping is free from 250 SAR. See our sticker printing options.

Related reading: Waterproof Name Labels for Kids: A Parent’s Guide to Labelling School and Nursery Supplies in Saudi Arabia