How did you get started in design, and what made you decide to start Octavo?
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Starting Octavo was a natural step. I wanted to create a studio that combined creativity with strategy — a place where clients didn’t just walk away with something pretty, but with a design that was functional, compliant, and scalable as they grew. The name Octavo comes from the world of books and publishing. It’s a classic size that represents ideas being shaped and shared, and I loved the metaphor of helping clients craft their own story and put it out into the world. Octavo became the way for me to take that passion for storytelling through design and build something bigger than myself, with a focus on elevating brands in a thoughtful, approachable way.
How do you help customers understand the design process and what they need for their product labels?
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We help customers understand the design process by breaking it down into clear, approachable stages so they know exactly what to expect and what’s needed from them. We start with discovery, where we learn about their product, audience, and brand story. From there, we provide a simple checklist of what they’ll need to gather, such as product details, brand assets, and any legal copy, which makes the process feel less overwhelming. Then, we walk them through how creative direction and design concepts evolve into polished, print-ready labels, always showing how each step connects back to their goals and the customer’s experience on the shelf. Our role is to be both guide and designer, making sure they feel supported while also ensuring the final product is compliant, beautiful, and strategically effective.
What are some common mistakes you see customers make?
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Some of the most common mistakes I see customers make with product labels come down to overlooking details that really matter once the product hits the shelf. A big one is forgetting about compliance. They miss required elements like nutrition facts, warnings, or net weight, which can cause costly reprints or keep a product from being sold. Another is cramming too much information on the front label, which overwhelms shoppers instead of drawing them in. Some clients underestimate how important legibility is, making ingredient lists too tiny to read, or using colors with poor contrast. Others don’t plan ahead for multiple SKUs, so when it’s time to add a new flavor or scent, the design doesn’t adapt well. And finally, not testing a label on the actual container before printing is a classic misstep. A flat design might look perfect on screen, but once wrapped around a bottle, text can disappear or the label can peel. These are all avoidable with the right guidance and process.
What are things customers should consider when looking for a designer/agency?
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When customers are looking for a designer or agency to create their product labels, it helps to think beyond just “who can make this look pretty” and focus on who can actually set their product up for success. An experienced designer who has worked specifically with labels and packaging will understand not only aesthetics but also regulations, print requirements, and how designs translate from screen to shelf, is vital. It’s also important to look for someone who asks smart questions about your audience, your competitors, and your long-term goals, rather than just jumping straight to visuals. A good designer should provide a clear process, communicate well, and deliver proper print-ready files with all the right specs. Customers should also consider whether the designer can build a flexible system that works across multiple products or SKUs, not just a one-off design. Checking portfolios, testimonials, and whether the agency’s style feels adaptable to your brand (instead of looking like the same cookie-cutter work for every client) can make a big difference. Value matters more than cost. The cheapest option often creates hidden expenses in mistakes, reprints, or missed opportunities, while a designer who combines creativity, strategy, and technical know-how can save money and stress in the long run.
What are some things clients should be thinking about, or would help for them to be more prepared for, when coming to you for a label design, so you can do your best work?
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When clients come to me for label design, the best way they can set us both up for success is by doing a little prep work and thinking through the details that will shape the project. It helps if they’ve clarified their product story. What makes their product unique and the kind of impression they want it to give off, whether that’s premium, playful, natural, or something else. Having a clear sense of their target audience and where the product will be sold is also important, since a label for a local farmer’s market has different demands than one competing on crowded retail shelves. On the practical side, having accurate product details ready, like the exact name, net weight or volume, ingredients, and any required regulatory information, streamlines the process and prevents costly revisions later. Knowing the container type, label dimensions, and whether they prefer certain finishes helps ensure the design is print-ready and fits perfectly. Brand assets like logos, colors, and fonts are also useful, along with a few examples of labels they like and dislike to guide creative direction. Finally, having a sense of timeline, budget, and whether they’ll eventually need variations for multiple SKUs makes it easier to design something scalable and sustainable. The more clarity they bring to the table, the more I can focus on creating a label that’s both beautiful and effective.
What’s next for Octavo? Any exciting projects you’re working on?
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What’s next for Octavo is continuing to grow beyond just making things look good and leaning further into being a creative partner that helps brands think strategically about how they show up in the world. Right now, I’m working on some really exciting packaging projects in the food and beverage space that push both design and compliance in smart ways. We have a couple of launches in the pipeline I can’t quite talk about yet, but they’re the kind that will let us blend thoughtful design with community impact, which is exactly where I want Octavo to be headed.