Product label selection is one of the most important aspects of starting a new consumer goods business or launching a new product. Not only do you need to develop a design that stands out, but it’s also important to ensure that the label material and print quality are able to optimally convey your brand’s commitment to quality.

Things to Check Before Ordering Labels

Whether you plan to print product labels on your own, or would like to have them professionally printed, you need to do your research before choosing a label company. Your product label is the first thing customers see, so you need to feel confident that the labels will hold their ink and stick effectively.

Here’s What to Look for in a Label Company

Dedicated customer service – Call the companies you’re thinking about working with. Tell them what you need and see what they recommend and how they can help you, whether you’re buying packs of labels to print yourself or having custom labels printed professionally. Are the customer service associates friendly, knowledgeable and responsive? If not, you might want to move on.

Pricing – Never sacrifice the quality of your labels to save a few dollars. If one company’s label quote is far below the others, it’s likely they’re using cheaper materials for their label stock or lower quality ink on custom printed products to keep costs low.

Design tools – Many printing companies offer editing tools to help customize your product labels. To simplify your label designing and editing process, find a company that provides free templates and easy-to-use design software. Doing so makes customizing your labels a cinch.

Extra charges – Check the fine print. If you’re ordering custom labels, many printing companies have hidden costs for setup fees, or charges for plates and dies. Find a company like Avery that doesn’t charge extra fees.

Turnaround time – How fast can you get your labels? For packs of blank labels, it’s as easy as a few clicks and your labels are on the way in a day or two. For custom labels, make sure and confirm lead times. Some printing companies require two to four weeks of lead-time for custom labels, where others like Avery, can get your labels delivered in as few as three business days.

Minimum orders – Find a printing service that offers pricing flexibility with low MOQs where you don’t have to purchase large amounts every time you order.
Once you’ve done your research, find the company that has all three, or the best balance of the three. A little bit higher price may be worth it for quality labels and superior customer service.

When to Print Labels Yourself

Printing your own labels is a great option for small businesses that are just getting into product labels or need shipping labels for the first time. Being able to print one sheet of labels at a time is a perfect way to get started. You can find the right look for your products or projects without committing to a large volume of labels.

This is good for inventory control and helping to keep costs down for companies with small budgets. Additionally, if you sell smaller quantities of seasonal products, for instance, printing your own labels can be a more cost-effective route.

When your requirements change, and you find that it’s essential to have a large number of labels on a regular basis, it may be best that you consider professional label printing services.

Pros of printing your own labels

• You can print the labels as you need them

• It can be less expensive for short runs

• Great for test runs and seasonal items

• Ideal for companies just starting up with small distribution

When to Choose Custom Printing

If your business is growing and you’re struggling to keep up with demand, it might be time to consider professionally printed labels. Also, when printing yourself becomes a hassle, or takes too much time or ink, it’s probably time you consider custom labels.

Another benefit of using a label printing service is the professional, expert guidance they can offer you when choosing your label sizes, shapes and materials items. Labels that are going to be applied to bottles of lotions or essential oils need a different material than candle labels or wedding favours for example. Having an expert available to help you pick the right material can save a lot of future headaches.

• Pros of using professional printing services

• Less expensive for larger quantities

• Superior printing and ink adhesion

• Expert guidance and help (Check customer service reviews for the label printers you’re considering. Make sure you order from a label company that will be there to help if you need it.)

Your Reputation Matters

The most important thing to remember is that your labels are the first thing everyone sees. If someone buys your product online and it shows up with a wrinkled, smeared label, chances are, even if they like your product, they won’t buy it again. First impressions are everything.

Your product labels showcase your brand, share important legal requirement and represent your company. Don’t cut corners on your reputation.

If you need any help deciding what is the best option for you, please feel free to call us at 1-888-GO AVERY or Live Chat with us at http://www.avery.ca Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm EST. Our Customer Care Center will be happy to help you with any label questions.