Lightning Labels Blog

Cannabis Won the Midterm Elections: What Does It Mean for Your Cannabis Business?

Ballot initiatives regarding the legalization of adult-use recreational cannabis products are a growing trend across the U.S., as are prospective laws designed to expand the scope of medical marijuana use. Each new state has its own take on rules such as approved distribution methods and cannabis labels.

In the November 2018 elections, many questions of this kind were present in multiple states, and voters largely decided in favor of increasing legalization. If your company operates within this exciting industry, it's time to take a look at the new state of the playing field as you prepare logistical considerations such as marijuana labels.

What Do California's Prop 65 Label Regulations Mean for Your Food Products?

California is known for its food safety labeling rules, which are some of the toughest in the nation. The regulations in the Golden State are often distinct, and since it's common for businesses to sell items across state lines, California-mandated labeling rules often find their way onto general U.S. product labels. Proposition 65, the state regulation behind some of these specific rules, recently received an update. Therefore, it's an excellent time to check on your custom warning labels and ensure they are in line with the latest version of Prop 65.

Food Industry Faces New Rules

On August 30, 2018, food producers had to roll out new labels to suit the revised version of Prop 65.

Upcoming Changes to Washington State Cannabis Labeling and Packaging Regulations

Washington's position as one of the first states to legalize cannabis products for recreational as well as medical use has turned it into an influential test bed for new concepts in growing, distributing and labeling these substances. Innovations and legal developments ongoing in Washington now may appear in other states over the coming years, or act as inspiration for similar changes.

"Recent questions about edible products and pesticides are localized expressions of national issues."

The latest moves around cannabis packaging rules in Washington foreshadow the interactions that may soon be playing out in other states and territories that have legalized recreational cannabis.

What Does Legal Marijuana in Canada Mean for Your US-Based Cannabis Business?

U.S. cannabis legalization has thus far been a decidedly local affair, with states allowing first medical then recreational use on a gradual, one-by-one basis. By comparison, Canada's choice to allow sales nationwide represented a sweeping change in the status quo.

Since even transporting products across state lines is a difficult proposition, it's unlikely that direct commerce between your U.S. cannabis business and Canadian customers is in the cards any time soon. But this doesn't mean you shouldn't pay attention to events north of the border. Canadian legalization is an experiment on a massive scale, and there will be lessons for American entrepreneurs who pay attention.

We've Redesigned our Online Account Dashboard!

Ordering labels online should be easy, and when your company works with Lightning Labels, it is. To help our customers get the labels they need to keep their businesses running like clockwork, we've redesigned the account dashboard on the Lightning Labels website, giving clients a clear and easy way to place orders, track their orders and more.

The dashboard redesign falls in line with Lightning Labels' overall philosophy of customer service as the central guiding principle of business. Ordering custom labels is simply one of the many tasks that fit into a business owner's busy day, which means it should be as quick and efficient as possible.

Clear BOPP Material Can Achieve a "No Label" Look For Your Lip Balm Products

What kind of look are you aiming for with your lip balm products? Thinking about the appearance of your custom lip balm labels - and going beyond logos and typefaces to focus on the smallest details - can help your brand stand out from the competition. While it's challenging to create an innovative look for an item as small as a tube of lip balm, it is possible with our clear BOPP label material. Working with an experienced labeling partner is a good way to create this kind of appeal.

Consider Different Labeling Materials

When working with custom product labels, white polymers are common material choices.

How the Wine Industry is Leading the Trend of Augmented Reality Labels

Augmented reality wine labels make products live and breathe with motion and sound. When shoppers point a smart device at these packages, they can view more information or an entertaining piece of video content. Brands that use this kind of packaging can deliver memorable experiences, which is a great way to stand out in crowded and competitive marketplaces, including wine production.

If you run a vineyard, you're likely searching for new tactics to convince shoppers to try your wines for the first time. After an initial exposure to the wine, customers may come back time and again to recapture the great flavor, but getting them to make an initial purchase is a challenge best addressed through packaging.

The Importance of Pairing Your All-Natural Skincare Products with Eco-Friendly Labels & Packaging

Consistency is key in marketing a brand of skin care products. You want your customers to trust your products and stay loyal over time - that becomes easier when you make a strong, positive impression and stick to your values.

If your brand is based on being natural and wholesome, with simple ingredients, you may benefit immensely from using eco-friendly materials for custom skin care labels. Buyers today often make purchases and develop brand loyalty based on their values. If they notice the natural items they're considering have harsh, nonbiodegradable materials in their bottle labels, they may reconsider a purchase.

Display Your Involvement with Small Business Saturday with Custom Window Decals

If you operate a small retail business, Small Business Saturday is an important date on the retail calendar. The all-out shopping frenzies of Black Friday and Cyber Monday can end up dominated by the marketing muscle of the usual suspects - Amazon, Walmart and other commercial giants. Small Business Saturday, which falls on November 24 this year, is a day for you and your independent peers to show off your wares and win customers over.

But how will you make sure your company is visible this year? Your promotional muscles should be put to work on the dual purpose of reminding customers Small Business Saturday exists and indicating that your company will be a part of this retail holiday.

Amazon Storefronts vs. Etsy Stores - What Does this Mean for Your Small Business?

Is your small company based on selling limited-run or handmade merchandise? If so, you've just gained a possible new channel to reach your audience. Amazon has used its immense reach within the e-commerce world to launch Amazon Storefronts, a feature marketplace for a curated group of merchants. The service is still in its early days, which makes this a perfect time to determine whether it represents the right venue for your products.

Amazon Storefronts Launches

According to CNBC, Amazon Storefronts already grants access to over 20,000 companies' online offerings. This is an expansion of the relationship between Amazon and the third-party merchants that sell on its marketplace.