Labels / Stickers

Five Ways to Lower Your Label Costs

Is your label program costing you more than it should?

Label prices are increasing. Raw materials used in the construction of pressure sensitive materials, especially films, have increased in cost dramatically due to petroleum prices, capacity shortages and world wide demand for certain key chemicals.

By asking the following questions, you may be able to reduce the total cost of your label program without affecting quality or performance:

1. Adjust the size of your label

Often, adjusting label size allows more labels on a sheet or more labels on a roll. New technology brings higher density print imaging. Higher density printing means shorter barcodes, smaller fonts and clearer graphics are now possible without compromising readability.

As an example, the barcodes pictured here contain the same data. Both barcodes have the same high scan rate and achieve the same ANSI barcode grade. Successful scan rates for the narrower barcode are dependent on your scanning equipment. Do a test to confirm that your scanning equipment remains compatible with your higher bar code density. We can help with this.


2. Compare onsite label printing vs. outsourced label printing

If your labels contain variable information that is best printed onsite, new developments in software and hardware make it easier than ever to do it yourself. However, when calculating the total cost of a label, indirect costs such as internal printing labor, spoilage, print accuracy, printer consumables, hardware depreciation, software costs and on going maintenance need to be considered. Outsourcing label printing has many advantages but the total imaged cost of an outsourced label should include expedited freight cost, if applicable, and higher label cost from the supplier. In addition, most complex label constructions, utilizing laminates or protective over coatings, can only be provided on an outsourced basis.

3. Use the right software and hardware

Label design software are now using many cost-saving features such as scale-to-fit, rich text formatting and database compatibility functions.

    1. Protecting your data (data sits on a secure server)

    2. Controlling who can print your labels

    3. Eliminating the need for costly upgrades

    4. Ensuring label accuracy and compliance requirements (Data management is done in real time)

New developments in printer hardware have lowered the costs of consumables, cut the time required to print, and lowered the costs of the printers. Due to the many variables impacting which technology is best for your application, consult with us for advice.

4. Find cheaper label and ribbon materials that maintain performance

Label and ribbon materials are typically the largest component of label cost. Label material suppliers have developed many new products over the past few years to offset price increases in adhesives, paper and films, and the other components. The new materials often, improve functionality. If you, or your label supplier, have not recently evaluated the label materials in your labels, you may be paying significantly too much. There are lower priced, solid performing materials available making previous materials in some applications overkill or obsolete. If your supplier has asked for a price increase due to material increases, always ask for alternative materials first. A good label partner is constantly testing new materials and alternatives to save money.

5. Balance quantity with spoilage

Order Quantity: You will almost always get a better price per label if you order a larger quantity. However, a larger quantity is not always the best solution. Several factors should be evaluated related to order quantity:

  1. Average monthly usage

  2. Obsolescence risk

  3. Storage space

Utilize stock label programs: Typically even very large label programs have a requirement for some label formats in small volumes. Some label companies offer stock labels that are available off the shelf which eliminates the requirement of purchasing dies and allows for very quick turnaround at very low prices for small quantities.

Group your orders: If your company has several different label designs that utilize the same label size and/or the same colors, it is typically most cost effective to group orders for these products. Calculate your usage over a reasonable period of time (3 to 6 months) and order the required amount from your label supplier as a combined order. This can reduce your costs substantially. Contact us today about the most cost effective way to group your label orders. Thanks.

Barcode Label, Label, Labels, Sticker, Art Paper Label, Polyester Label, Mirror coat Paper Label in Penang in Malaysia.

Barcode Label, Label, Labels, Sticker, Art Paper Label, Polyester Label, Mirror coat Paper Label in Penang in Malaysia.

Barcode Label, Label, Labels, Sticker, Art Paper Label, Polyester Label, Mirror coat Paper Label in Penang in Malaysia.

Barcode Label, Label, Labels, Sticker, Art Paper Label, Polyester Label, Mirror coat Paper Label in Penang in Malaysia.

Barcode Label, Label, Labels, Sticker, Art Paper Label, Polyester Label, Mirror coat Paper Label in Penang in Malaysia.