Package & Label Design in Nelson, BC
Nelson is full of makers: small-batch spice blends, BBQ rubs, hot sauces, preserves, coffee, kombucha and baked goods sold at the Cottonwood Market, in local shops and online. Incube8 Creative is a package and label design studio in nearby Castlegar that helps Kootenay food producers turn a great product into packaging that sells, and that meets Canadian labelling rules.
Package and label design for food producers
Whether you’re launching your first hot sauce or refreshing a whole spice line, we design packaging that stands out on a crowded shelf and tells your story at a glance. We work with jars, bottles, pouches, tins, boxes and roll labels, and we prepare print-ready files for your printer or label supplier.
- Spices, rubs and seasonings: jar labels, pouches and shaker tins, designed as a matching product family
- Hot sauces, BBQ sauces and condiments: bottle labels that pop, with room for heat ratings and flavour notes
- Jams, pickles and preserves: jar labels and lid toppers with a handmade, local feel
- Coffee, tea, snacks and baked goods: bags, boxes and sleeves for retail and wholesale
- Craft beverages: cans, bottles and case packaging
Labels designed to CFIA requirements
Beautiful packaging is only half the job. Prepackaged food sold in Canada has to follow labelling rules enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and a label that gets it wrong can mean a costly reprint or product pulled from the shelf. The CFIA doesn’t pre-approve labels, so compliance is built into the design from the start. We lay out your packaging with the required elements in mind, including:
- Bilingual English and French text where required
- Common name and net quantity in metric units on the principal display panel
- Ingredient list, food allergen and gluten statements
- Nutrition Facts table, and the front-of-package “high in” nutrition symbol that became mandatory on January 1, 2026 for foods high in saturated fat, sugars or sodium
- Dealer name and address, best-before date and lot code placement
We’ll flag anything that needs your attention before files go to print. For final sign-off, we recommend checking your label against the CFIA’s Industry Labelling Tool.
Why Nelson makers work with us
We’re a short drive from Nelson, so we can meet in person, see your product and talk through your goals. You get one designer from first sketch to print-ready files, clear pricing, and packaging that works with your brand, website and social media. We also help with logos, branding and websites if you’re building your business from scratch.
Ready to give your product the packaging it deserves? Book a free consultation, or see examples of our package design work below.
Photo: Shawn from Airdrie, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frequently asked questions
Are your labels CFIA approved?
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) does not pre-approve food labels; producers are responsible for making sure their labels comply. We design your labels around CFIA labelling requirements and flag anything that needs your attention, and we recommend a final check with the CFIA Industry Labelling Tool before printing.
Do my food labels need to be bilingual?
Most prepackaged food sold in Canada must show mandatory label information in both English and French. Some exemptions exist, for example for certain local foods, so check which rules apply to your product before printing.
Do I need the front-of-package nutrition symbol?
Since January 1, 2026, prepackaged foods that meet or exceed set levels of saturated fat, sugars or sodium must display the front-of-package “high in” nutrition symbol, unless an exemption applies. We plan room for it in your design when needed.
What types of packaging do you design?
Jar and bottle labels, pouches, tins, boxes, sleeves, roll labels and can or case packaging. We deliver print-ready files for your printer or label supplier.
Who designs food packaging and labels in Nelson, BC?
Incube8 Creative is a package and label design studio based in Castlegar, BC, serving Nelson and the West Kootenays. We design labels and packaging for spices, rubs, hot sauces, preserves, coffee, snacks and other food products.