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Are you thinking of creating your own Extra Virgin Olive Oil brand but don’t know where to start with the label and brand image?
Brand design is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. It directly affects how consumers perceive you, your positioning in the market, and your ability to stand out from other brands.
In this article, we give you an overview of the key aspects you should consider. But remember: this is only an initial orientation. If you're serious about it, you need comprehensive training that will allow you to make professional decisions with confidence.
1. Your Label Is Your Showcase – It’s Not Just Aesthetic
Many people think designing a label is just about choosing a nice color or an elegant font. But it’s not. Your label must tell your story, communicate your values, and convince in just a few seconds.
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Who are you?
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Where does your oil come from?
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What makes it unique?
A well-thought-out label conveys authenticity, quality, and consistency. It’s not just decoration—it’s your most powerful communication tool.
2. Less Is More: Clarity, Elegance, and Focus
Oils that succeed in gourmet or export markets tend to have clean, sober, and professional labels.
Avoid overloading the design with too much information or unclear illustrations. A customer, whether in a store or online, has only a few seconds to decide. If your label creates confusion or visual noise, it’s likely to be ignored.
Basic tip: your label should immediately make clear:
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That it is extra virgin (if it is).
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That it has a defined origin.
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That it is authentic and of high quality.
3. Legal Aspects You Must Consider
A label isn’t just a design—it’s also a legal document. It must comply with Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 and include, at a minimum:
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Product name (e.g., “Extra Virgin Olive Oil”)
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Net volume
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Best before date
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Batch number
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Storage conditions
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Identification of the responsible party (brand or bottler)
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Product origin
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Organic indicators if applicable
Common mistake: many brands design first and ask later. Result? They have to redo everything and lose money.
That’s why at ESAO, we teach you to integrate the legal aspects from the beginning of the branding process. Each country has its own legislation, so this is a general guide.
4. Personal Brand or Commercial Brand? Key Decisions
One of the most important decisions when launching your olive oil is choosing what type of brand to build:
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A personal brand linked to your name or family story?
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A commercial brand with a technical, organic, or gourmet approach?
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A sub-brand within an existing mill?
This decision affects your tone of voice, your website, your design, how you communicate, and your pricing. Many make mistakes at this stage that are hard to fix later.
5. Don’t Copy – Find What Makes You Different
In the EVOO world, there are many lookalike labels: branches, olives, gold foil, traditional names…
If you want to stand out, find your own concept. It’s not about being flashy, but about being authentic.
Examples that have worked well:
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Real family stories reflected in the brand name
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Minimalist designs with modern touches
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Focus on terroir: specific estate, native variety, or a special technique
6. ¿Necesito un diseñador? ¿Puedo hacerlo solo?
Our recommendation: hire a professional designer. But not just any designer—someone who understands the agri-food sector, and especially the olive oil world.
We’ve seen excellent oils fail because of an unprofessional image. And we’ve also seen beautiful labels that do not comply with regulations.
At ESAO, we work with designers specialized in EVOO and support students with real projects. Our Master's program teaches both what to do and how to choose the right professionals..
Este artículo es una guía general This Article Is a General Guide
We’ve shared ideas and important warnings. But if you’re serious about building your olive oil brand, you need to understand the entire process.
Every case is different: oil volume, goals, budget, market. Personalized training is what makes the difference.
For a complete step-by-step overview, visit our specialized guide on how to create your olive oil brand.
At ESAO, We Give You the Keys to Launch Your Brand Successfully
Our Master Olive Oil Consultant Certification is designed for people like you:
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Heirs to olive groves
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Professionals who want to elevate their brand
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Entrepreneurs seeking authenticity
You’ll learn from the best, study real-life cases, connect with designers, analysts, and consultants—and develop a real brand plan.
Discover the ESAO Master Olive Oil Consultant Certification
We close with a financial tip from Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft:
“Invest in your education.”
That is the best investment for anyone building their professional future.
