An ultimate guide to the meanings behind bottle symbols

an-ultimate-guide-to-the-meanings-behind-bottle-symbolsArrows, flames and umbrellas “ those are just a few of the wacky symbols we've all noticed on bottles at one point or another. Some are very familiar, meanings ingrained in our memory, while others may keep us awake at night, trying to figure them out. There are <a href=http://blog.containerandpackaging.com/2010/10/copyrights-trademarks-and-registered.html>copyrights</a><a href=http://blog.containerandpackaging.com/2010/10/copyrights-trademarks-and-registered.html>, trademarks, registered marks</a>, e marks, PAO icons, recycling marks and so many more. Here's a quick look at some of the most common bottle symbols that we use. <a href=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vjJ5vV0kp3U/TpYrxTvQhsI/AAAAAAAAAWE/LnuOmmh3YXE/s1600/35x35_emark.jpg><img class=aligncenter src=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vjJ5vV0kp3U/TpYrxTvQhsI/AAAAAAAAAWE/LnuOmmh3YXE/s200/35x35_emark.jpg alt= border=0 /></a> E-Mark. Many bottles in the European market bear a special e shaped symbol. The estimated sign, commonly known as the e-mark, means that the product in the bottle follows the European Directive. The directive guidelines are based on rules for either minimum principle packaging (every package contains at least the amount of product noted on the bottle) or average principle packaging (packages averagely contain the amount of product listed on the bottle, but a small number of bottles fall short). Keep your product's marketable geography in mind as you decide whether to apply for E-mark distinction. E-marks mean nothing outside the European Union, they're only applicable (but not required) to products in circulation in that area of the world. <a href=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HqnX8P_mwnw/TpY0oXObWTI/AAAAAAAAAXk/ADpkMelYfvI/s1600/35x35_refertobox.jpg><img class=aligncenter src=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HqnX8P_mwnw/TpY0oXObWTI/AAAAAAAAAXk/ADpkMelYfvI/s200/35x35_refertobox.jpg alt= border=0 /></a> Refer-to icon. So you’ve got an amazing product, and it comes in a small container, because, as we all know, great things come in small packages, right? You’ve got a lot to say about your product, but not enough room on the bottle label. Do not fear! Just put your bottle in a retail box, and you’ve just doubled your surface area for telling your product’s story. By putting the “Refer-to” icon on your container, you’re telling your customer to look at the box for more information. <a href=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CY1T9pkdTnI/TpYzcXNfzhI/AAAAAAAAAXY/QhFpDS__1fw/s1600/35x35_pao.jpg><img class=aligncenter src=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CY1T9pkdTnI/TpYzcXNfzhI/AAAAAAAAAXY/QhFpDS__1fw/s200/35x35_pao.jpg alt= border=0 /></a> PAO Mark. The PAO mark stands for “point after opening.” This is a recommended “use by” date. So if you buy a jar of Betty’s Sumptuous Face Cream and Moisturizer with a 24M inside the little jar icon, Betty is recommending that you will get the best results if you use her product within 24 months of breaking the seal. This is a nice alternative to printing a unique expiration date on all of your packages. <a href=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54rBPQPexj0/TpY3ErwOyRI/AAAAAAAAAXw/nx3Jybb51Mo/s1600/35x35_sunlight.jpg><img class=aligncenter src=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54rBPQPexj0/TpY3ErwOyRI/AAAAAAAAAXw/nx3Jybb51Mo/s200/35x35_sunlight.jpg alt= border=0 /></a> Keep away from sunlight. The small, pale kid who lives on your block can relate to this bottle symbol. Just like light-sensitive products, little Lance is better off playing in the cool shade and shadow of the living room, rather than out under the sun on the playground. That is, unless you want ruined product and a special visit from Lobster Lance. Consider providing your light-sensitive goods with an additional layer of protection by packaging in a cobalt blue or amber bottle (browse through our collection). <a href=http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kzq6bOExLRg/TpYr72XbKqI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/yozDABlXOZ0/s1600/35x35_fragile.jpg><img class=aligncenter src=http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kzq6bOExLRg/TpYr72XbKqI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/yozDABlXOZ0/s200/35x35_fragile.jpg alt= border=0 /></a> Fragile. Remember the dad from <a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMGnRayA_U8>A Christmas Story and the racy leg lamp</a>? I can't help but think, FRA – GEE “ LAY, every time I run across this word. What better than a glass goblet describes a delicate product? This symbol is typically found on cardboard boxes, containing fragile or easily broken materials, but it could also be used effectively with a glass or especially rigid plastic (polystyrene) bottle meant to be handled delicately to limit shattering potential. <a href=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h6tvtNbusGw/TpYuS1V9GPI/AAAAAAAAAXA/O56wrFd0SWg/s1600/35x35_flammable.jpg><img class=aligncenter src=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h6tvtNbusGw/TpYuS1V9GPI/AAAAAAAAAXA/O56wrFd0SWg/s200/35x35_flammable.jpg alt= border=0 /></a> Flammable. Packaging that is flammable, or has flammable contents usually gets marked with one of these little flame icons. Alcoholic beverages, liquid fuels, some paint products and many others qualify for the flammable mark. You’ll definitely want to keep products marked with this out of reach of children, radiators, open wiring, toasters, cigarette lighters, ammunition, and <a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aev-dtWVcI0&feature=related>amateur pyrotechnicians</a>. Symbol odds and ends. Every topic or subject has odds and ends. You can call this portion of the post our Catch-All category. You already know that different types of symbols may appear on a bottle or label, but there are few we haven't covered yet (at least in this article), take a look. <ul> <li>Crossbones = Poison</li> <li>Circle of Arrows = Container is recyclable</li> <li>Circle of Arrows with number in it = Resin identification code</li> <li>Man standing next to wastebasket = please don’t litter, discard when used</li> <li>Bunny = not tested on animals</li> <li><a href=http://blog.containerandpackaging.com/2010/10/copyrights-trademarks-and-registered.html>TM = </a><a href=http://blog.containerandpackaging.com/2010/10/copyrights-trademarks-and-registered.html>trademarked</a></li> <li><a href=http://blog.containerandpackaging.com/2010/10/copyrights-trademarks-and-registered.html>C with a circle around it = copyrighted</a></li> <li><a href=http://blog.containerandpackaging.com/2010/10/copyrights-trademarks-and-registered.html>R with a circle around it = registered trademark</a></li> </ul> I'd love to elaborate on each and every symbol related to packaging (dating back to cave drawings, no doubt) but we'd be here all day, and neither of us wants that. Use your basic knowledge of packaging symbols to label your bottle or product label correctly. If you need help, you've come to the right place. Give us a call and we'll assist you in finding the perfect bottle and maybe even get a custom CPS Design decoration in the works as well! What is the most interesting bottle symbol you've ever come across? Post a comment.