Your packaging has two jobs: look cute and keep you out of trouble. The secret is treating compliance text like a tiny user manual—clear, consistent, and impossible to misread under bad bathroom lighting.
The 4 “Must-Get-Right” Label Elements
1) Ingredients (a.k.a. “What is this made of?”)
For press-on nails, you may have two “ingredients” worlds:
- The nails themselves (materials): e.g., ABS plastic, soft gel polymer, etc.
- Adhesives/primers/removers (chemical mixtures): may require more formal chemical labeling in some regions.
How to write it (practical and readable):
- If you’re listing materials, use:
Materials: ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), Pigments. - If you’re listing adhesive contents, don’t freestyle. Use your supplier’s SDS (Safety Data Sheet) / official ingredient list and format.
Avoid:
- “Non-toxic” unless you can substantiate it.
- Vague claims like “Eco material” without a definition.
2) Country of Origin (Origin / Made in)
This is where brands get accidentally poetic. Don’t be literal.
If you assemble in one country and make components in another, you may need a more specific statement depending on the destination market. When in doubt, align with your importer/3PL’s customs guidance.
3) Batch / Lot Code
Batch codes are your “time machine.” When something goes wrong (allergy complaint, glue leakage, color mismatch), batch codes let you trace exactly which production run did it.
Best practices:
- Put it on the outer box and, if possible, the inner tray.
- Make it durable (ink that doesn’t rub off).
- Keep it short but traceable.
Also: maintain a simple internal log: batch code → date → supplier → materials → QC report.
4) Warnings
Warnings should prevent predictable mistakes. Not scary, just specific.
Common warning topics for press-ons + glue:
- Choking hazard (small parts)
- Keep away from children
- Avoid contact with eyes/mouth
- Skin irritation / allergy patch test suggestion (for adhesives)
- Do not use on damaged nails/skin
- Flammability (for removers/alcohol-based products)
- Ventilation (for strong adhesives)
Example warning block (friendly-serious tone):
Warnings:
- Keep out of reach of children. Small parts may present a choking hazard.
- Nail glue may bond skin instantly. Avoid contact with eyes and mouth.
- Discontinue use if irritation occurs. Do not apply to broken or inflamed skin.
- Use in a well-ventilated area.
Final sanity check (the 30-second test)
- Can a customer find the warnings in 3 seconds?
- Is “Made in ___” unambiguous?
- Is the batch code present and legible?
- Are claims defendable (no magic words like “non-toxic” unless proven)?