What is a label and where to place it
A label is defined as any mark, sign, device, imprint, stamp, brand, ticket, or tag.
The label must be placed on the principal display panel, which is the part of the label that is located on the principal display surface. The definition of the principal display surface depends on the type of container being labelled.
Principal display surface
- If the container has a side or a surface that is usually displayed or visible, then the total area of that side or surface—excluding the top, if any—is the principal display surface.
- If the container has a lid that is usually displayed or visible, then the term means the total area of the top surface of the lid.
- If the container does not have a particular side or surface that is usually visible, then the term means any 40% of the total surface area of the container, excluding the top and bottom (if any) if that 40% will usually be visible under typical conditions of sale.
- If the container is a bag with sides of equal dimensions, the term means the total area of one of the sides.
- If the container is a bag with unequal sides, the term means the total area of one of the largest sides.
- If the container is a wrapper or confining band that is so narrow that it does not have any useable side or surface, then the term means the total area of one side of a ticket or tag attached to the container.
Principal display panel
This is the part of the label that occupies the principal display surface (see definition). The specific definition of the principal display panel depends on the type of container being labelled:
- If the container is mounted on a display card, then the principal display panel is the part of the label that is applied to
- all or part of the container’s principal display surface, and/or
- the side of the display card that is normally visible.
- For an ornamental container, the principal display panel is the part of the label that is applied to
- all or part of the bottom of the container
- the part of the label that is applied to all or part of the principal display surface, or
- all or part of the tag that is attached to the container.
For all other containers, the principal display panel is the part of the label that is applied to all or part of the principal display surface.
Definition of “container / ornamental container”
A container refers to a receptacle, package, wrapper, or confining band within which a product is offered for sale. The term does not include package liners, shipping containers, or any outer wrapping or box that is not customarily displayed to the consumer.
An ornamental container is a container that, because of a design on its surface or because of its shape or texture, appears to be a decorative ornament and is being sold as such while also being sold as a container for the product.