When having labels manufactured, it can feel as though you're spoilt for choice. There are a wide variety of companies who will offer label, sticker, and decal printing as part of broader printing services, however it's important to note that not all are label printing is created equally... Carefully considering where to have your labels manufactured can be the difference between an easy experience with high quality results, and disappointment. When weighing up engaging a specialist label printer versus a general printing company, there are a number of factors to consider - Let's break them down!
Specialty Label Printing Machinery
Manufacturing labels is different to most other print processes. Most general printing companies will have invested in offset or digital printing equipment suited to supplying flat sheet printed products like brochures, flyers, business cards..etc. This technology is very flexible and can be used for a variety of different printed items, however if you’re after reasonable quantities of labels, the most cost efficient way to supply them is on rolls which most general printing equipment is not capable of.
Specialist label printing companies have printing equipment like digital inkjet roll printers and flexographic printing presses that are specific for printing on products supplied on rolls. If your quantities are more than a few thousand labels, having them supplied on rolls will often be far more cost effective (and in most cases more convenient) than flat sheets.
Existing Tooling
Most label printing companies will have a library of existing dies and tooling (see our blog here for information on what a die is). This means you can often save on setup costs when having a new label printed. General printing companies will instead use a narrow range of existing sizes and temples which means less flexibility or higher setup costs if you require a size or shape outside of this range.
Adhesives
The main difference between a label and other printed media is that a label has adhesive! There are many different adhesive types available, depending on your budget and the surface your label is being applied to. Whilst most general printers will be able to produce fantastic print quality, they may not have the expertise regarding what adhesive to use, and will often use a ‘general purpose’ adhesive that may not be suited to different applications.
Dedicated label manufacturers have access to a wide range of adhesives and have the expertise to advise which will be best for each application.
If you want to ensure a great end result and experience, strengthening your supply chain with a specialty label printer is the reliable choice. By partnering with a specialist, you have access to their wealth of labelling expertise, top quality label manufacturing machinery, and their ongoing support to make sure your labels reflect well on your company.
Cohesion Labels is a local Australian label manufacturer you can trust. We might be almost 100 years old, but we’re young at heart! As one of Australia’s most experienced label producers, we combine a history that stretches back to 1925 with the industry’s most modern and innovative mindset. Get in touch with us for a quote - We'd love to see how we could make labelling easy for you!