Quicker & cheaper product label updates
Block out labels are an ideal solution for times when you absolutely need to update label information on existing inventory. Let me paint you a picture. You have packed and priced 500 candles for your biggest tradeshow of the year. You plan to use the profits from the tradeshow to replenish inventory… but uh oh. The cost of organic soy wax just went up 40% and you haven’t priced your products to cover that increase. There’s no time to remove 500 price stickers, but you can use blackout labels to simply cover the old sticker with a new price.
Watch a label with TrueBlock fully cover a dark design with no bleed through from what’s underneath.
That’s actually just one example of why you might need to change prices on existing inventory. Whatever the case may be, once you’ve built inventory for your business, completely replacing the product labels is costly and time consuming. In this article we’ll further explore the three most common inventory problems that you can solve with block out labels.
What are block out labels?
Block out labels specifically cover up anything underneath them. People often use them when they need to update or change information on existing packaging or cover over old shipping labels on re-used boxes. Because they completely cover whatever is underneath, you can place them over old labels, outdated text, and even dark barcodes without anything showing through. People also refer to them as black out labels, cover up labels, opaque labels or full-coverage labels.
Why TrueBlock® beats out other block out labels
Avery labels with TrueBlock technology stand out from other blockout labels because they guarantee complete coverage every time. This is mostly thanks to the extra-strong opaque TrueBlock backing. However, there are actually three components that make them block out better than other labels: 1) the facestock, 2) the backing, and 3) adhesive.
First, at Avery we use high-quality, thick facestock (the main material you see when you look at a label). Labels can have paper, film, or even vinyl facestock, but if the material is thin it will not cover well. Second, TrueBlock technology is a proprietary gray backing that gives you a clean canvas with no bleed through. Lastly, Avery labels have Ultrahold® adhesive which is the product of decades of label innovation from the most famous name in label history. Our team has used decades of expertise to create really strong adhesive that sticks better to old labels and heavily printed items.
1) Cover up labels for quick price changes
There are many reasons you may need to make quick price changes on products. For example, rising material cost as previously mentioned, or even a simple rise in demand. Whatever your reason, increasing prices is generally not something you want to advertise to customers. When you use block out labels to completely cover what’s underneath, no one will even know there was a change. Essentially, it’s a quick, easy fix that keeps your products looking sharp while you keep up with the changes.
Our favorite labels for product pricing are 1-1/2″ round labels with TrueBlock by the sheet (94506). Buying labels by the sheet can be helpful because you can order from one sheet to hundreds. Additionally, you can mix and match shapes, sizes (even custom sizes) and choose from a variety of materials, including TrueBlock.
Shop our recommendation for the best block out labels to cover price tags.
2) No bleed through under new barcodes
Blockout labels are a game-changer for inventory management, especially when you need to quickly apply new barcodes over old labels. This is helpful whether you’re dealing with old shipping labels, outdated price tags, or anything in between. No need to spend extra time removing old labels—just cover them up and move on.
The reason block out labels are particularly useful for barcodes is because of the way that barcodes work. The dark and light colors reflect light differently so it creates a specific pattern for a barcode scanner to “read.” Issues like faded ink, broken lines, or bleed-through from images underneath can interfere with scanning. Blockout labels solve this by completely covering anything beneath them, ensuring your barcodes stay clear and easy to read. This prevents errors during picking and packing in the warehouse or scanning prices at the point of sale.
When updating product codes or switching to a new system, block out labels provide a quick, hassle-free solution. But you want them to be truly full coverage like labels with TrueBlock so you don’t risk errors. For best results, we recommend sizes 1″ x 1-1/2″ (94219), 1″ x 2-5/8″ (94200), and 1-1/2″ x 2-3/4″ (94230). These sizes are available in a variety of materials, such TrueBlock, and work well with standard barcodes for inventory.
Try this size label (available by the sheet) for adding barcodes to your product labels.
Square block out labels are also great for adding QR codes to existing product labels! Easily connect your customers to detailed product information such as ingredient sources, additional instructions, your mission statement, and more.
3) Easily make warning and compliance updates
Rules for labeling can change quickly as your business evolves. New laws get passed, your employee count grows, or you expand where you sell your products. These factors all impact the type of labels you might need, and it’s important to stay on top of the latest requirements.
Take Prop 65 warning labels as an example, which we cover in this detailed guide to Prop 65 label requirements. If you have fewer than 10 employees, you might not need them, but once your team grows, the game changes. On top of that, the list of chemicals included in Prop 65 is updated at least once a year. And if you’re selling (or plan to sell) to customers in California, you’ll definitely want to make sure you’re compliant with the latest regulations.
Luckily, block out labels make it easy to incorporate these labels over existing product designs. Even if your packaging has a dark background, block out labels ensure the warning is clear and legible without disrupting your original design. For a simple warning like Prop 65, an address label size works perfectly—just the right amount of space to communicate compliance without taking up too much room.
Avery 94200 blank labels by the sheet are the perfect size for adding simple Prop 65 warning labels over existing product labels.
Block out labels make inventory updates easier
In short, block-out labels are a quick, affordable way to keep your product labeling up-to-date without the hassle of starting from scratch. Avery labels with TrueBlock technology are the best type of barcode labels because you can trust them for full coverage. And full coverage is important when you’re adjusting prices, updating barcodes, or ensuring compliance with new regulations. Ready to make updates to your inventory? Check out our selection of TrueBlock labels and see how easy it is to make quick updates that function and look professional.
Get more product labeling inspiration right here on the blog or on our Pinterest board for small businesses. We’ve also got tons of inspiration and tips, and you can always find new ideas on our Instagram page or share your own using the hashtag #averyproducts.
