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Make It Easy:  Making your own goat soap labels  |
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sunflowercritters
True Blue Farmgirl
1102 Posts
Debra
Springfield
Maine
USA
1102 Posts |
 Posted - May 15 2010 : 08:47:28 AM
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Need help! Does anyone have ideas or know where and how to make nice labels for handmade soaps? Would love to make my own labels. But also want my touch! My daughter and I are going to be in a craft fair this fall and I'm going to put some of my goat soap on are craft table.. Getting excited and maybe this will be a door open for me to sale more goat soap and other items that we make.
thanks for anyhelps.
farmgirl sister Debra
Kind HEARTS are the gardens.
Kind THOUGHTS are the roots.
Kind WORDS are the flowers.
Kind DEEDS are the fruits. |
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Bart
True Blue Farmgirl
115 Posts
115 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2010 : 09:24:45 AM
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Soap wrapped in "vintage" looking fabrics are very attractive. You could have a label hanging off of a string tied around the soap.
More expensive, but very green - use a dissolvable paper wrapping (no need to unwrap your soap! just start washing)
Paper wrapping made from brown paper sacks with a piece of twine around it.
Burlap wrapping.
Just be sure that your label lists all the ingredients that you used. |
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sunflowercritters
True Blue Farmgirl
1102 Posts
Debra
Springfield
Maine
USA
1102 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2010 : 10:15:56 AM
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Thank you great ideas!
farmgirl sister Debra
Kind HEARTS are the gardens.
Kind THOUGHTS are the roots.
Kind WORDS are the flowers.
Kind DEEDS are the fruits. |
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2010 : 7:53:58 PM
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If you have even the most minimal graphics abilities, you can print out pretty labels on your computer. Simple kraft paper can look rather elegant in a rustic sort of way! There are all sorts of cheap programs that will allow you to position and personalize type and pictures.
And, while I agree it is just good business and moral sense to list ingredients, you do not have to do so for soap sold in the US as per federal law. Doing so, however, is common courtesy for those who might have allergies and such.
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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Bart
True Blue Farmgirl
115 Posts
115 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2010 : 2:20:52 PM
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| Catherine - where could I find the federal law that states that you don't need to put ingredients on soap sold in the US? That would be great! Do you make soap and sell it? Do you carry liability insurance? |
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2010 : 8:29:07 PM
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OK, settle in, as this will be a long one :)
Soap comes under the jurisdiction of the Federal Trade Commission, and as such is covered under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. This act does not require ingredients to be listed, and also covers things like detergent, home scenting things, brushes, and waxes. Regular soap is not considered a cosmetic, this stems from the early days of commercial soap companies. Guess they had their own lobbyists even back then! It still is not a cosmetic under federal law, and thus is exempt from labeling requirements aimed at cosmetics (which is where the ingredient requirement comes from). Cosmetics are governed by the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act. I will leave it to you to read those lovely legal texts on your own LOL. To keep the soap status, you must not make any claims whatsoever that are legally construed as cosmetic: acne treating, moisturizing, skin softening, deodorizing etc. If you use herbs or such that might have these properties and want to state that on your label or packaging or website or even verbally at any time, then you must follow all cosmetic labeling laws - which could require you to be able to prove those claims as well. Just call it soap and you avoid a lot of headache! Again, I personally much prefer listing ingredients, but it's there. Some sellers have avoided stating ingredients due to sheer ignorance of their consumer base: folk would see lye in the ingredients and assume it was harsh soap. I have seen folk list all ingredients except lye, but that is illegal as well. If you list ingredients, you must follow law and list them all, ones used in most amount listed first. Another thing to know is that synthetic detergent bars (such as melt and pour) may be labeled with the description "soap" BUT they are still considered cosmetic because of the chemicals involved. Thus, they require ingredient lists.
Marie Gale has published a book called Soap & Cosmetic Labeling: How To Follow the Rules and Regulations, Explained in Plain English that I think is a must read for anyone who sells handcrafted toiletries in the US. She explains it all in there, very non-legalease. And what soapmaker doesn't also make cosmetics: masks, lotion, lip balm, sugar and salt scrubs, etc. That book is enough to get you labeling correctly all that stuff and more.
I haven't really sold soap because I am wary of spending the $$ on liability insurance, but more weary of selling toiletries without it in our crazed society. I work full time and am not sure that in my first year I could sell enough to pay for the liability ($400 annually) and still make a decent enough profit to make it worth while. I have sold a few to family and friends who demanded more of the stuff that I originally gave them for free or as gifts lol. I may still do it one day, possibly next year even, but right now I just can't risk the $$. Poo!
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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Bart
True Blue Farmgirl
115 Posts
115 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2010 : 06:51:25 AM
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OMG!! you're the bomb! thank you. I've been making soap for several years and always thought that you HAD TO label, label, label! My liability insurance carrier never mentioned it nor did they have any info on it. I'll look into getting the book.
That makes life so much earlier! Huge hugs to you. and thanks for taking the time to 'school me up'. |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2010 : 10:07:49 AM
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What? You have to have liability insurance to sell soap now? OMG, I was going to sell soap at my farmer's market but guess I won't be now. That's crazy. I'm sure we'll start having to have some kind of insurance to sell veggies soon too.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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sunflowercritters
True Blue Farmgirl
1102 Posts
Debra
Springfield
Maine
USA
1102 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2010 : 10:15:38 AM
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OH! MY! Thank you for sharing this info. the book would be interesed.
farmgirl sister Deb
Kind HEARTS are the gardens.
Kind THOUGHTS are the roots.
Kind WORDS are the flowers.
Kind DEEDS are the fruits. |
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2010 : 11:03:53 AM
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Kristin, the liability insurance isn't required as of yet (though it wouldn't surprise me if the big corporations tried that in order to stop the little guys!). But if someone has a reaction to your soap, they can sue you. The reaction may not have been caused by your soap, maybe it was caused by something they ate the same day they tried your soap for the first time...these things can be hard to tie down sometimes. Thing is, they can go after your assets if they choose, and cause you much time and $$ if they want, even if in the end you win. If you own land, a home, a car, etc., it could be costly. People can be allergic to almost anything (I have know several gals who literally were allergic to their own sweat, seriously!) and what if they are allergic to something in your formulation? That is why most sellers get liability insurance. The best value I believe is to join the Handcrafted Soapmaker's Guild. For a continuous year, you get their insurance which is good for small and medium sellers. It also covers professional and property as well. They give a good price because they are big and the numbers cover in a way your local insurance usually cannot. Also, most local insurance (home & business) won't cover toiletries as they cannot control who makes them or how they are made and they see it as too risky. My current landlord's insurance had to do an inspection last year, saw my soapmaking supplies and said I had to get them out of the building, too much risk in case of a fire. Not that they would cause a fire, but the pounds of oil are too volatile. So there are insurance issues to be aware of if you want to sell.
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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justbe
Farmgirl in Training
48 Posts
Kris
Garland
Texas
USA
48 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2010 : 1:29:57 PM
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Wow!! This is all such great info.
Thanks everyone. |
Edited by - justbe on May 17 2010 1:31:50 PM |
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Bart
True Blue Farmgirl
115 Posts
115 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2010 : 2:32:20 PM
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Using nut oils or even having oils or equipment near nut oils can cause a horrible reaction, in those with nut allergies.
Liability issues stink!! there's my little protest.. I do believe it will change the world, lol.
I once made a large, bundt cake, soap. It was oatmeal & honey with a cinnamon chocolate swirl. A friends little son took a big ol bite of it - yech! S'pose that would be a lawsuit.... |
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Sarahpauline
True Blue Farmgirl
672 Posts
sarah
Ringgold
GA
USA
672 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2010 : 10:48:48 AM
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This is a topic of interest to me, I just spent 8 weeks in the heat of the GA renaissance festival selling soap, body butters, sugar scrubs etc. Liability insurance is so important. Especially if you are a sole proprietorship and you can be targeted directly. Sad but true. I am def going to be looking for the labeling book. I always label everything to the letter just because I know my skin is very sensitive, and I am also proud of the good ingredients I use in my products, and the bad ones I leave out.
Re the labeling I like to put my soap out in big blocks and slice it right there for people. I wrap mine in a handmade paper with a raffia bow and then add a vintage looking tag on a string which I make here at home with my computer and some cardstock.
Oh Mr Darcy!
www.SarahPauline.com
www.AbraxasBaroque.com |
Edited by - Sarahpauline on Jun 27 2010 10:52:40 AM |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2011 : 6:01:12 PM
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I could not find this book at our library. Is there another title I could look up?
quote:
Originally posted by urban chickie
OK, settle in, as this will be a long one :)
Soap comes under the jurisdiction of the Federal Trade Commission, and as such is covered under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. This act does not require ingredients to be listed, and also covers things like detergent, home scenting things, brushes, and waxes. Regular soap is not considered a cosmetic, this stems from the early days of commercial soap companies. Guess they had their own lobbyists even back then! It still is not a cosmetic under federal law, and thus is exempt from labeling requirements aimed at cosmetics (which is where the ingredient requirement comes from). Cosmetics are governed by the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act. I will leave it to you to read those lovely legal texts on your own LOL. To keep the soap status, you must not make any claims whatsoever that are legally construed as cosmetic: acne treating, moisturizing, skin softening, deodorizing etc. If you use herbs or such that might have these properties and want to state that on your label or packaging or website or even verbally at any time, then you must follow all cosmetic labeling laws - which could require you to be able to prove those claims as well. Just call it soap and you avoid a lot of headache! Again, I personally much prefer listing ingredients, but it's there. Some sellers have avoided stating ingredients due to sheer ignorance of their consumer base: folk would see lye in the ingredients and assume it was harsh soap. I have seen folk list all ingredients except lye, but that is illegal as well. If you list ingredients, you must follow law and list them all, ones used in most amount listed first. Another thing to know is that synthetic detergent bars (such as melt and pour) may be labeled with the description "soap" BUT they are still considered cosmetic because of the chemicals involved. Thus, they require ingredient lists.
Marie Gale has published a book called Soap & Cosmetic Labeling: How To Follow the Rules and Regulations, Explained in Plain English that I think is a must read for anyone who sells handcrafted toiletries in the US. She explains it all in there, very non-legalease. And what soapmaker doesn't also make cosmetics: masks, lotion, lip balm, sugar and salt scrubs, etc. That book is enough to get you labeling correctly all that stuff and more.
I haven't really sold soap because I am wary of spending the $$ on liability insurance, but more weary of selling toiletries without it in our crazed society. I work full time and am not sure that in my first year I could sell enough to pay for the liability ($400 annually) and still make a decent enough profit to make it worth while. I have sold a few to family and friends who demanded more of the stuff that I originally gave them for free or as gifts lol. I may still do it one day, possibly next year even, but right now I just can't risk the $$. Poo!
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
Farmgirl #800
http://pioneerwomanatheart.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
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Make It Easy: Making your own goat soap labels |
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Making your own goat soap labels
