What makes a good supplement label design?

Supplement packaging design is in between food and medicine. Nutritional supplements are foods with functional ingredients. They’re not really medicine, and not always really food either: they’re products designed to enhance diets by providing essential nutrients that may be lacking or insufficient in a person’s daily intake. Products considered supplements can come in various forms, including tablets, capsules, powders, and liquids. They are often used to support overall health, boost the immune system, improve athletic performance, or address specific nutritional deficiencies.But since they’re not medicine, there are several regulatory things one must know when designing – an important aspect is compliance with regulatory guidelines, including all necessary warnings, not making any medical claims in the copy, font size requirements etc. Nutritional supplements must adhere to specific labeling requirements set by governmental organizations, in the USA it’s the the FDA. Although the vitamin market is very loosely monitored, it’s still smart to stay compliant. 

Common examples of nutritional supplements include:

Vitamins: these are your multivitamin gummies, Vitamin D, and things like that. Special care must be followed for things containing iron. This category also includes minerals,  like calcium and magnesium. Fish oil and omegas go in this category as well, where things that are active ingredients need to have a supplement panel. See also: probiotics and prebiotics. 

Herbal supplements, products like echinacea for immune support or ginseng for energy enhancement fall into this bit murky category. You’ll want to do a supplement panel even for ingredients that have no established Daily Value. 

According to regulatory guidelines, if these components are present in significant amounts and are claimed to have a physiological effect, they must be clearly listed on the packaging.

Additionally, if your product makes specific health claims—such as supporting immune function or promoting digestive health—having an active ingredients panel becomes even more critical. It not only enhances transparency but also ensures compliance with food labeling regulations set by authorities like the FDA. It’s important to have correct packaging, for the risk of causing adverse effects.

Probiotic product label design

What’s a supplement and what’s a food? 

The difference between a food, and what’s a supplement: active ingredients. Active ingredients in supplements are the components that provide the intended health benefits or effects. So while fish is high in omegas, tinned anchovies are not a supplement.  But what about gummies with added vitamins? Or soda with added probiotics? Functional foods are an interesting mix. 

Protein Powders are kinda both a food and a supplement. Often used by athletes or those looking to increase their protein intake, these powders can be made from milk-based ingredients, like whey, casein, or plant based, like soy, or pea protein.

Transparency is vital in building trust with consumers. Providing information about sourcing practices, manufacturing processes, and third-party testing can reassure customers about the quality of the supplement they are considering. By focusing on these elements—clarity, compliance, visual appeal, and transparency—brands can create effective nutritional supplement labels that resonate with consumers while meeting industry standards.

Label design for imaginary creative protein powder + myconutrient supplement mix   

Supplements and functional foods can be packaged in a myriad different ways: pill packer bottles for things like capsules, powders, or gummies. Sachets and flexible packaging for supplements can also be used for multiple different formats, protein powder bags are a pretty normal thing. Some can go in food packaging, like bottles or candy tin packaging. And others go in medical packaging, like air tight plastic tubs or cough medicine bottle style packaging.  Some supplement or herbal products will require child resistant packaging for safety if there’s risk of poisoning.