Food labelling - buy a printer or outsource?

[Eclectic]

I am setting up a children's sweet brand and want add the ingredients list, best before date and weight etc to the boxes with a sticky label which will go on the bottom of the box. There are 6 products and an initial production of 6,000 boxes per product. Would it be cheaper to create and add the stickers myself? If so what are good makes for labelling machines and where to buy?

 

[TotallySport]

One of, if not the best label printers for volumn are Zebra, but you get different levels to use, and this reflects in the price.

Lebals will depend on if you want branded or none branded, none branded can be alot cheaper.

 

[scologic]

We produce labels for zebra printers plus others and can supply with non toxic adhesive for food packaging should you need this.
We can also preprint the labels saving you money on wax for the label printer where you'd onyl print the expiry date.

If you need a chat about your requirements without any bias talk on this stuff is free...

Sco Logic

 

[sellickbhoy]

i was at a food event thing last week

there were 2 companies selling a new product - one was a chilli sauce (chillies grown in scotland, made in scotland) and the other was a rapessed oil - also grown/manufactured in scotland

the chilli sauce boy made his own labels - and it really looked awful, cheap, unprofessional and to be honest, I didn't trust them!

the rapeseed oil bottles had professionally designed and printed labels - the prroduct looked fantastic and like something you'd expect in any quality deli

I think it'd might prove to be a false economy to go for the cheaper option.

 

[scologic]

Most small manufacturers will get a label template made and printed and passed through a label printer to do the final date of expiry or simeply some of the text.

There is no such thing as off the shelf labels unless your doing postal addresses etc.

If you want a label cut out in the shape of a rocket or a dog - not a problem. If you also want it pre printed to 99% of the product again not a problem.

BUT if you want to do this your better to chat now than waste money on the wrong machine to do the task you need it to do.

We offer adhesives like glass adhesive, standard, easy peel, non salt corrosibe, various fabric adhesives, car type adhesive and more.

We produce vellum and thermal label products, and in some cases poly based translucent or poly based thermal .

As I said no such thing as off the shelf (Sometimes I wish it was)..

we can also supply material samples for testing.

Sco Logic

 

[Dawg]

I have used Labels Plus for a number of years. Every major reprint I get quotes in and try and check testimonials, but have always gone back.
In fact I'm ordering a smallish, 10k run tomorrow.
Janine is my contact, but they'll sort you out with the best fit.

 

[scologic]

dawg,

you should look at increasing your runs. Our minimum is usually 20k but taking on 40 k in some instances is less than 1/3rd of the cost. Most of the cost in label production is setup and wasted material during setup. Running the label for an extra 20 mins costs a lot less.

Just some friendly advice


Sco Logic

 

[Dawg]

dawg,

you should look at increasing your runs. Our minimum is usually 20k but taking on 40 k in some instances is less than 1/3rd of the cost. Most of the cost in label production is setup and wasted material during setup. Running the label for an extra 20 mins costs a lot less.

Just some friendly advice


Sco Logic

Thanks Sco. As said I do look around when doing a major run, but if I'm doing a small promo run I don't need anywhere near that volume and waste is waste.

 

[Eclectic]

Thanks very much everybody, really useful for a complete novice with labels. I'll look at all the options you suggest.