Well-designed and engaging labels help customers quickly discover your product, grasp its purpose, and make informed purchasing decisions. Investing in high-quality labels showcases your brand and sets you apart in the marketplace. When deciding between DIY label printing or ordering pre-printed labels, your choice will depend on various factors unique to your business.
This article will explore each labeling option's advantages and important considerations. Contact Blanco Labels now if you are ready to enhance your branding with custom label printing solutions.
DIY Label Printing: When and Why to Do It
In-house label printing can deliver fast results for businesses looking for an expedited turnaround for new labels. This is especially true for companies with smaller product inventories, resulting in fewer labels.
Investing in Your Own Label Printing System
DIY label printing allows you to easily and quickly create on-demand labels. This approach is ideal for small businesses looking for how to print their labels for smaller batch inventory or seasonal products. It helps reduce waste and offers the flexibility to create or modify custom labels as needed.
Furthermore, if you frequently update designs or need to produce labels quickly, investing in your label printing system is invaluable for meeting quick turnaround needs.
Benefits of Printing Labels Yourself
Other invaluable advantages of DIY label printing include flexibility, customization, and on-demand capability. For example, you can print labels for your business’s small collection of wine, coffee, soaps, or other goods. You also get to choose when and how labels are printed.
Plus, you can change and fine-tune designs or print limited runs without waiting. With on-demand capabilities, the print-your-own-label process is great for product testing, short-term promotions, or custom orders.
Recommended Label Supplies and Equipment
To start printing labels yourself, you will need the right equipment. Great printer options for are Afinia and Primera printers. You will also need Inkjet Roll Labels in various sizes and materials. Find all the necessary printing tools, equipment, and materials from Blanco Labels products, such as inkjet roll labels and cartridges.
Pre-Printed Custom Labels: When and Why to Choose Them
On the other hand, pre-printed custom labels are better suited for businesses with greater inventory. For instance, those who need enough labels for high-quantity shipments, other specialized print label needs, and more.
Scenarios for Choosing Pre-Printed Labels
Business owners may find it more beneficial to use pre-printed labels, including custom labels, rather than creating labels themselves in several scenarios. This is particularly true for high-volume needs, labels that need waterproof or heat-resistant properties, or when a more polished appearance is desired. Some examples are below:
High-Volume Needs: If your business uses many labels, you can save time and reduce costs per unit.
Specialized Materials or Finishes: Pre-printing offers higher quality and durability for products requiring waterproof, heat-resistant, or laminated labels.
Brand Consistency: Pre-printed labels provide consistency in design and production, which is especially beneficial for businesses scaling up.
Artwork: Pre-printed labels are great for high-quality brand artwork that looks polished and professional.
Benefits of Getting Labels Pre-Printed
Businesses have many advantages when using pre-printed labels for their products. One significant benefit is the versatility of creating specialized labels that meet various environmental needs. Additionally, certain materials and finishes, such as laminates designed for high-humidity conditions or metallic effects, can be challenging to produce using standard DIY methods or basic printers.


Choosing Labels for Your Business
When choosing between DIY and pre-printed labels, consider the limitations of both options. Evaluate cost, material, design flexibility, time, and convenience factors.
Cost Considerations
When printing labels yourself, the ongoing need for consumables, such as ink cartridges, can lead to significant costs, particularly for designs with heavy ink coverage.
Material and Design Flexibility
Standard printers may not support specialty materials or adhesives, which limits the ability to create durable, polished labels. Frequent design changes are possible but can become tedious and costly. Pre-printed labels are ideal for businesses that require high-quality grade materials and finishes but do not frequently update their designs or need short-term promotional labels, as they will need to be reordered.
Time and Convenience
Additionally, printing labels in-house requires ongoing time and effort, including managing supplies and troubleshooting printer issues, which makes it less practical for high-volume needs. On the other hand, pre-printed labels can have lead times for production and shipping that may delay projects with tight deadlines, making them less suitable for last-minute requirements.
Select the Right Printing Labels for Your Business
While DIY label printing provides on-demand flexibility, it often comes with expenses, material limitations, and operational challenges. In contrast, pre-printed labels offer consistent, high-quality results with less hands-on effort, making them the preferred choice for many businesses looking for scalable labeling solutions.
If you have questions about pre-printed labels or need to purchase the necessary printing materials for your business, contact Blanco Labels for custom solutions tailored to high-volume or specialty needs!