How our labels are made

May 7th, 2009 in Blog by Aleksander

We have made new labels which goes on most of our products. The old labels featured the typographical Kanarifant “kf” character, with the URL for our webstore. Now we use the upgraded logo, with the added icon to the character. Our labels are 100% handmade, as are all our products.

The base of the labels are made from cardboard, that we get from our daily life. Instead of tossing cereal boxes and the like in the bin, they are reused. We then glue on salvaged wallpaper, and cut the labels in unison pieces. Half of the work is done, and all that remains is printing the logo on the label. The process we use, is called silk screen printing.


In order to do silk screen printing, you are going to need a screen. I made this little screen myself, and stretched nylon fabric over it.


The image is traced by pen.


The logo is masked out on freehand, using masking fluid. Everyting is covered but where I want the paint to come trough. You can make more elaborate designs with light sensitive emulsion. I have never tried that, though.


A blank label is placed underneath the screen, and paint is applied.


Using a plastic spatula, the paint is spread lightly downwards, making sure all blank spaces are covered by a fine layer of paint. Then the paint is pushed trough by scraping the spatula upwards, drawing along excess paint.


A freshly made label, still wet from the paint.


During production. Every label is unique. The placement differs, the quality is slightly uneven and random, but charming.


From blank to printed label.