Cannabis Label and Compliance Requirements

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Premier Labeling Solutions is a leader in the print and packaging industry for small to large businesses.
We are dedicated to combining the most advanced technologies with the highest quality materials, while maintaining the best possible bang for your buck. Because we deal exclusively with industry professionals, we realize that not just the timeliness, but also the quality of the product your clients receive will benefit your business both short and long term.

Cannabis products can only make it to your shelves if they’re properly labeled according to federal and state regulations. That way, consumers know exactly what they’re buying while also helping keep us all safe from the illegal activity! Every jurisdiction has its own set of rules when it comes to cannabis labels – so companies must stay up-to-date on the requirements in each place their product is sold. We’ll tell you about some general labeling guidelines for these items plus dive into any extra hoops states have added in too!

General Cannabis Label Requirements
Getting your cannabis products on the shelves? You’ll want to make sure they are properly labeled! Make sure you include all required info including product identity, weight or volume, manufacturer/packer/distributor details, ingredients breakdown (in order of predominance), THC and CBD content information – plus any special state warnings. And don’t forget about that universal symbol for everyone to recognize it as a cannabis item!

Cannabis companies must stay up-to-date with the ever-changing regulatory landscape, making sure all products labeled and packaged meet their state’s unique requirements – like childproof packaging. Working together with a cannabis label printer is key to success here as they have knowledge of compliancy laws but you ultimately carry responsibility for your labels.

Cannabis Label Requirements by State
It can be confusing to keep track of all the cannabis labeling rules, but we’ve got you covered! Check out what’s required for some of the more popular states with legal weed. From packaging and font size restrictions in California to child safety considerations in Colorado – we’ll make sure your bud hits shelves compliantly across multiple markets.

California
In California, all cannabis products must be labeled in accordance with the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC).
Some of the specific requirements for California cannabis labels include:
● All labels must be printed in English
● Labels must be printed on a white background
● The type size for all text on the label must be at least 6pt font or about 1/16 of an inch
● All required information must be listed in a horizontal format
● The label must include the statement “Warning: Contains Cannabis, Keep Out of Reach of Children and Animals.”
● Edibles must be labeled with the following statement: “This product contains cannabis, it is illegal to operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug.”
● Cannabis products not packaged in child-resistant packaging must include the following statement: “For use only by adults 21 years of age and older. Keep out of reach of children.”

Colorado
In Colorado, all cannabis products must be labeled in agreement with the Colorado Retail Marijuana Code.
Some of the specific requirements for Colorado cannabis labels include:
● All labels must be printed in English
● The label must include the statement, “This product may be unlawful outside Colorado.”
● Edibles must be labeled with the following statement: “This product contains cannabis, it is illegal to operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug.”
● Cannabis products that are not packaged in child-resistant packaging must include the following statement: “For use only by adults 21 years of age and older. Keep out of reach of children.”

Washington
In Washington, all cannabis products must be labeled in line with the Washington Administrative Code 314-55-155. Some of the specific requirements for Washington cannabis labels include:
● All labels must be printed in English
● Labels must be printed on a white background
● The type size for all text on the label must be at least 6pt font or 1/16 of an inch
● All required information must be listed in a horizontal format.
● The label must include the statement “Warning: This product contains cannabis, it is illegal to operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug.”
● Cannabis products not packaged in child-resistant packaging must include the following statement: “For use only by adults 21 years of age and older. Keep out of reach of children.”


These are just a few examples of the many state-specific cannabis label requirements. Cannabis companies must be sure to consult their state regulations to ensure compliance.

Conclusion
Ready to wrap up your cannabis product label printing? Make sure you keep the law in mind and double-check that all of the necessary information is there. From brand name & address to THC content, plus any health warnings required by state regulations – get it done right! To ensure compliance with laws, use materials approved for food contact by FDA and make sure labels are designed so as not to be tampered or adulterated. Working together, businesses can guarantee their products meet requirements – have a smooth sailing print run!

HIGH QUALITY

Digital Printing

Faster turnaround with no extra plate fees. Printed locally in our So Cal facility. Great for low to high quantity print runs on a budget.

Digital printing technology is revolutionizing the label printing industry by providing high quality print at lower costs. Whether you need a long print run of four-color process labels or extremely small print runs with variable content, our digital printing services will deliver.

Key Benefits:
  • No printing plates: reducing the upfront first order charge and getting your jobs off the press faster
  • Print-on-demand technology: reduces waste in the manufacturing process and lowers costs
  • Multiple copies: no plate changes or extra set ups necessary to go from one copy to the next
  • Improved turn times: less set-up time means faster delivery
Woman pressing start button on label printing machine in print shop
UV flexo press for printing label. Flexography (also called surface printing), often abbreviated to flexo, is a method of printing most commonly used for packaging

Flexo Printing

On-press in our local So Cal facility. Great for high quantity print runs with a need for superior quality, color matching and multiple label variations.

If you’re printing in higher quantities, flexo printing can perform long run jobs cost effectively. Premier Labeling Solutions also offers the maximum flexibility to print even the most unique materials on our flexo presses. Our state-of-the-art print system allows for increased production speed and capabilities for mass production. Flexo is an ideal option for food, beverage, and consumer products.

Key Benefits:
  • Custom print up to 8 colors, including UV or AQ coating
  • Multiple Lamination options
  • 7” to 17” web widths for maximum flexibility on gang runs
  • Variety of formats: sheets, rolls, fanfold, die-cut individual labels

Instant, On-Site Printers & Supplies

Does your business run labels with variable data? Check out our on-site printing options. We provide a variety of thermal and digital printers with all the supplies and support. Great for bakeries, deli’s,
candy shops and more!

Thermal and digital printers for use in your business location. Includes software, set-up, support and supplies on-demand. Great for variable data printing.

We have a warehouse full of supplies in stock and ready to ship today. Download our stock price list here. If you don’t see what you need, give us a call and we’ll get an order out to you asap.

Key Benefits:

• Convenient and fast
• Any size print run
• User Friendly
• Support and training
• In-stock supplies
• Custom label sizes

THERMAL PRINTERS

We sell a variety of Thermal Printers and supplies. Our printers are one of the most reliable machines on the market. Our ribbons and supplies ship within 1-3 business days. All ribbons are manufactured in the US.

INDUSTRIAL INKJET PRINTERS

VP printers are high speed commercial color label printers. They are powered by Memjet Advanced Ultra Fast Color Inkjet Technology, In fact, They are one of the fastest industrial color label printers in the market today.

LABEL DISPENSERS & REWINDERS

We carry a full line of label Dispensers and Rewinders for all your packaging needs. Contact your Sales Representative today for more info and pricing.

INKS and RIBBON

We sell a variety of Thermal Printers and supplies. Our printers are one of the most reliable machines on the market. Our ribbons and supplies ship within 1-3 business days. All ribbons are manufactured in the US.

BLANK LABELS

We carry a large supply of stock, blank labels in all of the most common sizes and ready to ship. If you need a custom size or shape, reach out and we'll be happy to help .

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? Check out our frequently asked questions. If you still don’t find an answer, please reach out to us. We’re happy to help.

Our pricing is very simple: We give you one price that breaks down to the cost per label and total cost. There may be a one-time setup fee applied if  tooling or plates are needed for your label. Additional costs, if necessary, would be shipping and taxes.

Once you have your design, you can either fill out a quick quote form, call or email us. We will give you an estimate when we know the size, quantity, and material. From there our design team will set up a digital proof or physical proof for you to approve. Once approved, your order will go into production. You will be updated as your order goes through the process (i.e., your order is in production, your order has shipped), and you are welcome to contact us regarding the status of your order anytime during this process.

Our standard production time is 12-14 days, after art approval. Please keep in mind that our turnaround times can vary depending on the demand in the market. We will always strive to under promise, overachieve.

The labels will come in rolls on 3” diameter cores. Depending on the width you need, we can accommodate. We will also individually slit your labels and stickers if needed. Just make sure you specify that when you order.

The ideal format is an Adobe Illustrator file, .ai  or .eps. High-quality PDF files may be acceptable as well. We do prefer Illustrator PDF files, but if the file is rasterized, it should have a resolution of at least 300 ppi.  (Note: If we are adding white print to your artwork, we must have an original .ai vector file).

Important: When sending Illustrator (.ai), .PDF or .EPS files please ensure that your fonts are outlined, and links embedded. See our artwork spec sheet for more information.

The best way to upload your artwork is to simply email it to us at graphics@premierlabeling.com

We have a team of in-house designers, and we look forward to helping you with your next project. 

We can help with minor design changes, such as font adjustments, spelling/grammar corrections and formatting.

Our team can also create a complete label design, logo or branding at an extra cost.

We are more than happy to help you with your label size. All we need for you to do is physically send us your packaging or artwork/proof with actual size measurements. We will measure it and create a template for you with the label area, cut line and bleed.

Still have more questions?

If you can’t find the answers you’re looking for, feel free to send us a text and we’ll get back to you asap.