Professionally Printed Labels vs Do-It-Yourself

This email came in from a customer yesterday and I think it illustrates a good point for those considering switching from homemade labels to professionally printed labels:

"Just wanted to give you some feedback now that I’ve had the chance to use the labels.  Overall I’m very pleased with the design and the printing.  That BOPP material is terrific.  Regular paper labels will smear with a drop of moisture.  They also won’t tolerate containers rubbing together during transport.  The BOPP material doesn’t have any of those problems.  Also the adhesive sticks very well, but is forgiving if you have to remove the label to reposition it."

When you print labels yourself using inexpensive paper material there are several factors working against you. Paper labels are not durable at all, the ink will smear easily, and there is no protection for normal wear and tear. The labels might look fine after you put them on your bottles or jars but the question is will they look fine when they are in the hands of your customers?

Here at Lightning Labels our most popular material is our white BOPP. It looks great when printed, it is waterproof and oilproof, and it will hold up very well to normal wear and tear. To protect the printed ink on your labels we apply a thin laminate which further enhances the durability and visual appeal of your labels.

Now, I realize that for people just starting out homemade labels may be your first choice. But to compete with established companies you need professionally printed labels. They will not only enhance the look of your product, they will improve its durability. You can be confident that your labels will still look good after traveling halfway across the country in the heat of summer.

Comments

[Luann Udell]

I agree about a professionally-printed label taking our products to the "next step".
People also forgot the cost factor. They think of the cost of home-printed labels purely in terms of the cost of the label paper they use. But when you factor in the cost of the ink, the energy, and the T*I*M*E involved with DIY, I think professionally-printed labels come off as extremely cost-effective--especially when provided by on-line, digital producers like yourself.

[peterrenton]

Luann, Thanks for your comments, I couldn't have said it better myself. I have found that most people who print their labels at home don't take into account the time factor, or if they do they value their time too cheaply.