Do you have a spot in your kitchen cupboard where snacks go to die? You know that nook in the back that’s hard to reach and even harder to see? That’s where I found the package of cookies I had to have when I spotted them at the store more than a month ago.

As I peeled back the reclosable label, I was delighted to find the double chocolate chewies were still as fresh as the day they were baked. Fortunately for my sweet tooth, the food vendor had taken the time to really think about how their products are consumed and selected the right reclosable label to accommodate multiple openings and closings to get at the cookies.

The convenience of reclosable seals

In the consumer goods and food industries, the term that drives packaging is product freshness cycle. It’s a critical component of how products are packaged, shipped and merchandised, so like my cookies, the product meets consumers’ expectations for usability/edibility.

If you’re a product manufacturer, reclosable labels are a great way to ensure the longevity of your goods, while also reducing the cost of packaging and shipping because they:

  • Weigh much less
  • Enhance the flexibility of the product for easier bulk packaging
  • Cost less
  • Support high-quality, seamless visual branding

What to look for

There are four things to consider when selecting a recloseable label that looks great and performs well over time

  1. Peel strength – It’s all about the right adhesive when selecting the right reclosable label for your product. Make sure to work with a vendor that can help you match the right label to your packaging material.
  2. Repositionability – Just like peel strength, you need to consider how your product is used. Is it important to consumers to that the product can be accessed discreetly with a smooth, quiet open and close? Can the label be completely removed or should a portion of stay affixed to the package?
  3. Match product freshness cycle – How many times do you expect consumers to open and close the package?
  4. Brand-appropriate – What type of label best supports your brand looks and feel: a no-label look or a stand-out label?

Open and closed case

The net result of selecting the right reclosable label is customer satisfaction. I will definitely purchase the brand of cookies I mentioned above again because I know they are delicious and packaged to stand up to the way food is stored in my kitchen.