Perfume Label Requirements

Designing a perfume label is about more than making it look attractive. Your label is often the first thing customers notice, and it communicates your brand, the product, and important information about the fragrance.

Some details are essential, while others are optional or only appropriate in certain countries or for certain products.

This guide explains what information you can include on your perfume label, the purpose of common industry symbols, and which symbols should only be used under specific circumstances.

1. Brand Name (Essential)

Your brand name is usually the most prominent element on the label.

Examples

Indulge
Silhouette Scents
Aurora Fragrances

Choose a name that is easy to read, memorable, and reflects your brand identity.

2. Fragrance Name (Recommended)

Many brands give each fragrance a unique name to help distinguish their products.

Examples

Midnight Velvet
Ocean Breeze
Amber Noir
Vanilla Orchid

If you’re selling inspired fragrances, avoid using trademarked perfume names unless you have permission to do so.

3. Fragrance Type (Recommended)

The fragrance type tells customers what kind of perfume they’re buying.

Common Examples

Parfum
Eau de Parfum (EDP)
Eau de Toilette (EDT)
Eau de Cologne (EDC)
Perfume Oil
Body Mist

4. Volume (Essential)

The bottle capacity should always be shown on the label.

The fragrance industry generally uses the following formats:

Bottle Size	Label Format
10 mL	10 mL \| 0.34 FL. OZ.
25 mL	25 mL \| 0.85 FL. OZ.
30 mL	30 mL \| 1.0 FL. OZ.
35 mL	35 mL \| 1.2 FL. OZ.
40 mL	40 mL \| 1.4 FL. OZ.
50 mL	50 mL \| 1.7 FL. OZ.
55 mL	55 mL \| 1.9 FL. OZ.
60 mL	60 mL \| 2.0 FL. OZ.
100 mL	100 mL \| 3.4 FL. OZ.

These are the industry-standard rounded equivalents. Although the exact conversions differ slightly, perfume brands almost always use these values because they are cleaner, more familiar, and internationally recognised.

Use mL for the metric measurement and FL. OZ. for the U.S. fluid ounce equivalent.

Tip: for a premium look, most fragrance brands use:

A separator such as | or /

mL (capital L)

FL. OZ. in uppercase

5. Your Logo (Optional)

Many perfume brands include a logo on their label, while others simply use attractive typography.

If you choose to include a logo, keep it simple. Complex logos often become difficult to read on smaller perfume bottles.

6. Tagline (Optional)

A short slogan can reinforce your brand identity.

Examples

Scents That Define Character
Luxury Without Limits
Crafted to Inspire
Inspired by Elegance

Keep your tagline short and memorable.

7. Country of Origin (Optional)

Some brands include where the product was manufactured.

Examples

Made in South Africa
Manufactured in South Africa

8. Year Established (Optional)

Many brands include the year they were established to give their business a timeless, established appearance.

Examples

EST. 2026
Established 2026
Since 2026
EST. MMXXVI (Roman numerals)

Roman numerals can create a classic, luxury aesthetic and are often used by premium brands. However, they should be used sparingly and only if they suit your overall brand identity.

While not essential, including your establishment year can add a subtle premium touch to your label design.

9. Batch or Lot Number (Recommended)

A batch or lot number helps identify production runs and is useful for quality control and traceability.

Example

LOT: 260801

Many manufacturers add the batch or lot number after printing using inkjet, laser, or thermal printing rather than including it as part of the label artwork.

10. Website or QR Code (Optional)

A website address or QR code can direct customers to additional information, including:

Your online store
Fragrance information
Social media pages
Product registration
Promotions

Avoid making QR codes too small, and ensure there is enough clear space around the code so it can be scanned reliably.

Industry Symbols

Several symbols are commonly found on perfume packaging. Some are purely informational, while others should only be used if they genuinely apply to your product.

Open Jar (PAO)

The Period After Opening (PAO) symbol indicates how long the product should be used after opening.

Examples

Only use a PAO period that accurately reflects the tested or recommended shelf life of your product after opening.

℮ Estimated Fill Mark

The ℮ symbol indicates compliance with European Union average-fill regulations.

Only use this symbol if your product meets the applicable EU requirements.

If you’re selling only within South Africa, it is generally best to leave it off.

Flammable Symbol

Alcohol-based perfumes are generally classified as flammable.

Depending on your product and the regulations in the country where it is sold, a flammable warning or symbol may be required.

Oil-based perfumes may have different requirements depending on their formulation.

Recycling Symbols

These indicate that the packaging can be recycled.

Only use recycling symbols that accurately represent the materials used in your packaging.

Glass Recycling Symbol

If your perfume bottle is made from recyclable glass, you may choose to include a glass recycling symbol.

Tidyman Symbol

The Tidyman symbol encourages customers to dispose of packaging responsibly.

It is optional but commonly used on consumer packaging.

Symbols That Require Certification or Approval

Some symbols should not be added simply because they look professional.

Only use them if your product or business genuinely qualifies.

Examples include:

Green Dot
Cruelty Free certification logos
Vegan certification logos
FSC certification
Organic certification logos

Using certification logos without authorisation may be misleading or may infringe the rights of the organisation that owns or licenses them.

Keep It Simple

One of the most common mistakes is trying to include too much information.

Many luxury perfume brands use surprisingly simple labels containing only:

Brand name
Fragrance name
Fragrance type
Bottle volume (for example, 50 mL | 1.7 FL. OZ.)
An optional tagline or subtle design element

A clean, uncluttered label is easier to read and often creates a far more premium appearance than one filled with unnecessary text and graphics. A well-designed perfume label does more than identify the fragrance—it helps build trust in your brand and creates a lasting first impression.

Before sending your artwork for printing, double-check your spelling, make sure your artwork is supplied in the highest quality possible, and ensure any symbols or certification marks you use are appropriate for your product. Where possible, supply vector artwork such as AI, EPS, SVG, or PDF files. If vector files are not available, provide high-resolution PNG files rather than low-resolution JPG images.

Taking a little extra time to prepare your artwork correctly will help ensure your finished perfume labels look professional and represent your brand in the best possible way.

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