Packaging and Label Design Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Packaging and Label Design facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What are the nine major food allergens now required to be declared on US labels under FASTER Act (2023)? → Milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, sesame
2. Which type of barcode is most commonly used on retail consumer product packaging in the United States? → UPC-A
3. A brand is designing a label for a household cleaning product sold in the US. Which agency's regulations must the label comply with? → EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) under FIFRA/FHSA
4. In packaging psychology, the 'mere exposure effect' refers to: → Consumers developing a preference for brands they have seen repeatedly
5. Research shows that heavier packaging materials are often perceived by consumers as: → Higher quality
6. Which FDA regulation requires nutrition facts panels on most packaged food products sold in the US? → 21 CFR Part 101
7. What is a 'bleed' in label printing? → Artwork that extends beyond the trim line to prevent white edges after cutting
8. How can the visual appearance of your product packaging affect consumer choice? → It can make them feel more positive emotions about the product.
9. Which contrast ratio is recommended by WCAG for accessible text on packaging? → 4.5:1
10. Which color model is used for professional label printing? → CMYK
11. What is the recommended minimum font size for body copy text on a consumer product label to ensure readability? → 6 point
12. This is a product's actual packaging or container. → packaging
13. What is the function of a 'desiccant packet' placed inside a sealed package? → To absorb moisture and protect the product from humidity damage
14. What is a 'die line' in label design? → The outline shape that defines where the label will be cut
15. Automatic label printing for shipments. → True
16. Which of the following is a PRIMARY driver for brands adopting 'smart packaging' technologies such as NFC tags or QR codes? → To enable interactive consumer engagement, authentication, and supply chain traceability
17. When a brand uses the same color palette, typeface, and graphic style across all SKUs in a product line, this is called: → Package blocking
18. What does 'kitting' mean in a packaging and assembly context? → Assembling multiple individual components into a single ready-to-ship set
19. What is a 'structure/function claim' on a dietary supplement label? → A claim describing the role of a nutrient or ingredient in the body's normal function
20. What does 'extended producer responsibility' (EPR) require of packaging companies in the US? → Manufacturers are financially responsible for end-of-life management of their packaging
21. What is the minimum type size required by FDA for the Nutrition Facts label on most standard-sized food packages? → 8 pt
22. In label design, what is a 'bleed' area? → Artwork that extends beyond the label's edge to account for printing and cutting variation
23. What type of adhesive is used for labels that need to be removed cleanly without residue? → Removable pressure-sensitive adhesive
24. Which FDA regulation requires a Supplement Facts panel on dietary supplement labels? → 21 CFR Part 101
25. On a retail shelf, a package design that stands out from its category competitors by using an unexpected color is leveraging which strategy? → Category disruption
26. What is the purpose of a 'release liner' in pressure-sensitive label construction? → To protect the adhesive until the label is applied and allow labels to be wound on a roll
27. Which type of typeface is generally considered most legible for small label copy? → Sans-serif
28. A brand decides to use 'post-consumer recycled' (PCR) content in its packaging. What does PCR specifically mean? → Material recovered from products that consumers have used and discarded
29. Which packaging material is considered most environmentally friendly due to its high recyclability rate in the US? → Aluminum
30. This is a product's information tag, wrapper, seal, or imprinted message. → label