Cars are not exactly a cheap luxury to have, although most of the time they are a necessity so it is understandable that people feel the need to take care of their car. For some of us they are handy for getting around, and for some, such as cab drivers or couriers, they are a livelihood. Shockingly, just 7% of European drivers follow the instructions on labels fully, so it’s extremely important to include ‘need to know’ information on your car care product labels clearly. Aside from that, the misuse of a product could lead to extensive damage to or devaluation of a vehicle. So what are the important things to include on your care label?
Suitability
Information on suitability is an extremely important factor for car care labels, consumers need to be able to clearly read the label and check that the product that they are about to use is suitable for their car. This will not only avoid causing damage to their car, but by making this information readily available to them, you diminish responsibility if a consumer were to use this product despite the information being available. For example, if someone were to buy a touch-up paint to use on a car, they need to know the car’s colour code or number. This can normally be found on a car’s manufacturer’s label. The colour code on the car care product needs to be identical to the code on the manufacturer’s label. This sort of information needs to be accurate to avoid paintwork disaster, lowering a car’s value and leading to more expense to correct the problem. If this information is not correct, you can expect many bills for paint correction on your door mat.
Quantities
Certain care products are designed to be used in very specific quantities, so accurate information on the correct measure is vital to avoiding damaged cars. Usually products such as antifreeze or coolant need to be mixed with water and if they are not mixed at all they can actually provide a car with less protection from freezing than a mixed solution. Including the correct information on quantities will ensure consumers are offered accurate and detailed directions for the product, therefore avoid damage to a car such as overheating.
Directions for Use
Directions for UseAfter owning a car for many years, it can be easy to think that there is nothing more for you to know about how to look after your vehicle, and it may be tempting to use a product without checking the label first. Stop right there! The instructions on the car care product label include vital information that ensure that your car will suffer no superficial or serious damage, and it’s important to follow them to the letter. Even if you have used a product before, take time to look at the label and familiarise yourself with the process again. It won’t take long, and you could save yourself a lot of bother!
Brand Protection
Manufacturers of car care products such as oils and products specifically for super cars are very high in value, so understandably there is a need to ensure you have some kind of brand protection added to your product to avoid fakes being sold. Brand protection can come in the form of a holographic label which can be tailor-made so that it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb, but instead fits nicely into your label design. Brand protection isn’t a necessity, however it is advisable for high-value products and if you fear that counterfeits will be made.
Chemical Classification
Products used in the upkeep of cars are often highly toxic and dangerous, so it is important make consumers aware of the safety information on the product label. Symbols signalling a particular type of danger are a legal requirement for products containing chemicals that a regarded as being dangerous. Recent changes in the laws of chemical classification have resulted in the change of appearance of some of these symbols, and a few additional symbols have been added. Make yourself aware of which warning chemical classification needs to be present on your label for legal reasons as well as for the safety of your consumers. As said previously, a reputable label manufacturers will help you with any information that you are unsure of.
The importance of labels
After reading through the above points, it will now be clear why including the right information on car care product labels thoroughly is a must. A label created by a reputable manufacturer will advise and help to include all the information that consumers will need to use the product efficiently and safely, ensuring that no harm comes any persons or their cars.
Tammy Wiltshire is the Marketing Manager for Labelnet based in Ongar, Essex. Labelnet are one of the UK’s leading manufacturers for Labels and have experts who can help you with every aspect of your label design and print.
Marty Huggins
