Vintage Kitchen began after owner Christian was asked to make 100 jars of jam and chutney for a friend's wedding. After developing its first three Chutney Drizzles in 2024, the business used Avery's label design and printing services to support small production runs, update designs easily and expand to a 15-product range sold through farmers' markets, independent delicatessens, cafés and restaurants.
How Vintage Kitchen started
"I’m Christian, owner of Vintage Kitchen. I’ve always enjoyed making jam and chutney for myself but when I was asked to make a hundred jars of jam and chutney for a friend’s wedding, my hobby became a business.
The name Vintage Kitchen was a very literal choice, our home was built in 1880 and the kitchen, filled with Victorian furniture and original features is very much at its heart.
The first chutney I made was my Grandmother’s recipe which used Victoria Plums and Bramley Apples that she grew, with Onions, Tomatoes and red wine vinegar but following an incident with an overzealous food processor, I inadvertently made Chutney Drizzle which was the first of now 15 products which are sold at Farmers Markets, independent Delicatessens and served with charcuterie and cheese boards on cafe and restaurant menus.
When I developed my first products in 2024, a trio of Chutney Drizzles, I knew I needed great labels to make the products stand out on the shelves.
I love the way I can design, modify and update the labels I make with Avery UK on my phone and with low minimum orders it meant I could create a range of 15 products really quickly and efficiently allowing me to grow the business at the right speed for me and my customers.
The labels are delivered within a couple of days and my products keep rolling out. Being eye-catching on the shelf is as important as a great tasting product and I know I can rely on Avery for that."
Visit Vintage Kitchen's Instagram
The labelling challenge
As Vintage Kitchen moved from its first three Chutney Drizzles to a larger product range, Christian needed labels that could stand out on the shelf without requiring large print runs. He also wanted to be able to modify the designs as new products were introduced.
The requirements were:
- Professional product labels suitable for the growing range
- Small order quantities
- Designs that could be updated easily
- Strong visual impact on retail shelves
How Vintage Kitchen used Avery labels
Christian designed the labels with Avery Design & Print and ordered the finished labels through Avery's WePrint professional printing service.
- Design labels directly from a mobile device
- Produce small batches for testing new products
- Quickly update designs as the product range expanded
Results
Vintage Kitchen's range has grown to 15 products. Its jams, chutneys and condiments are now sold at farmers' markets and independent delicatessens and are served with charcuterie and cheese boards in cafés and restaurants.
Christian says the ability to modify labels easily and order them in small quantities helped him expand the range at a pace that suited the business and its customers. He also identifies eye-catching shelf presentation as an important part of selling the products alongside their taste.
Key takeaways
What Vintage Kitchen's experience shows
- Low-volume printing supported gradual expansion. Vintage Kitchen could add labels for new products without needing large initial print quantities.
- Editable designs helped support a growing range. Christian could modify and update his Avery label designs as the business expanded.
- Packaging was treated as part of the product's retail presentation. For Vintage Kitchen, standing out on the shelf was an important consideration alongside the quality of the food itself.
What Vintage Kitchen needed from its food labels
For Vintage Kitchen, the labels needed to combine a recognisable visual identity with practical product information and flexibility as the range grew. Food businesses should also make sure their labels meet the current requirements applicable to their products; Avery's food-labelling and compliance guidance provides further information.Product labels are critical for:
- Brand recognition
- Legal compliance (ingredients, food allergy labelling)
- Shelf visibility
- Consumer trust
Start designing your labels
Discover templates, materials, and printing options designed for jars, bottles, and packaged goods.
Order your free label material sample pack
Explore label solutions for food businesses
