What's Better for Your Business: Inkjet Roll Labels or Going Custom
Should you invest in printing labels at home, or is outsourcing to a label company better? Both options have their benefits and drawbacks.
The decision comes down to factors like how often you need labels, the level of customization required, or the speed at which you need to turn around new designs. For some, the flexibility of printing labels by yourself can be an essential asset in their businesses; for others, the consistency and ease of professional printing outweigh the DIY appeal. In this article, we'll discuss the pros and cons of each method, including print quality, time investment, and how to estimate label cost.
Inkjet Roll Label Prices vs. Custom Label Prices
Choosing whether to print inkjet roll labels yourself or order custom labels can impact workflow, branding, financial, and inventory management. Factors to consider are:
Operation and Cost
Printing inkjet roll labels requires a significant upfront investment. Printers can easily cost thousands of dollars before factoring in ink and maintenance costs.
Costs for Printing Inkjet Roll Labels
Hardware Investment
- Price range of inkjet roll printers: $700 - $4,245
- Typical lifespan of the machine: 3-5 years
- Inkjet printer ink: $10-$30 per cartridge
How much do blank roll labels cost?
If you print labels yourself, the price of a blank roll label depends on the type of material and the shape in which it will be printed. Here’s an example of a price breakdown using our Blank Label 1.5” x 1.5” size and material, White Matte.
| Total Quantity | Total Amount of Labels | Price per label |
|---|---|---|
| 1 roll | 1,630 labels | $0.15 |
| 4 rolls | 6,520 labels | $0.76 |
| 8 rolls | 13,040 labels | $0.72 |
| 16 rolls | 26,080 labels | $0.71 |
| 32 rolls | 52,160 labels | $0.70 |
| 64 rolls | 104,320 labels | $0.69 |
| 128 rolls | 208,640 labels | $0.68 |
| 256 rolls | 417,280 labels | $0.67 |
Cost Breakdown of a Custom Roll Label
Custom label prices depend on factors like material, size, and quantity. Custom labels require no upfront hardware or labor investments. In other words, your labels arrive ready to apply.
Example: 1.5" x 1.5" Rounded Rectangle, White Paper, with Matte Lamination
| Total Quantity | Price per Label |
|---|---|
| 100 labels | $0.71 |
| 200 labels | $0.32 |
| 500 labels | $0.19 |
| 750 labels | $0.14 |
| 1,000 labels | $0.12 |
| 1,500 labels | $0.11 |
| 2,000 labels | $0.10 |
| 5,000 labels | $0.08 |
| 10,000 labels | $0.05 |
| 25,000 labels | $0.03 |
| 50,000 labels | $0.02 |
| 100,000 labels | $0.02 |
How Long Does It Take For Your Order to Arrive?
The average shipping time for a standard order is 2-3 business days after proof approval.
Design Capabilities and Print Quality
Printing your inkjet roll labels offers flexibility, but can limit design quality and finish options, while printing custom labels provides more advanced capabilities. Both have their different advantages and setbacks; however, when it comes to design, here are the main characteristics to consider:
Print Resolution and Consistency
The quality of inkjet roll labels printed yourself depends heavily on your equipment and materials. A high-quality printer can yield professional results; however, some home printers may struggle with detailed graphics, color accuracy, and other design details. On the other hand, custom labels are professionally printed and inspected by our production team. Both methods have their own benefits and limitations, with many organizations opting to incorporate both into their strategy.
Access to Special Label Finishes
Most basic inkjet roll printers don't support special effects unless a significant investment is made. This means options like metallic foils, textured laminates, waterproof coatings, or high-gloss finishes are available through custom labels. Our warehouse offers advanced label capabilities such as flexographic printing, UV lamination, cold foiling, and more.
Scalability of Printing
Printing labels yourself can offer wider control over timing and quantity, making it a practical choice for short runs or if you're testing a design or a logo for the first time. Businesses can use blank inkjet roll labels with their printers to manage inventory more efficiently. This helps control waste and quantity and allows quick updates to the design without waiting for complete production cycles to be completed to make changes. However, custom labels save businesses application and printing time for larger runs.
How to Choose Between Printing Inkjet Roll Labels Yourself and Custom Labels
When choosing between label printing methods, consider your volume needs, design complexity, budget, and expectations.
Printing inkjet roll labels is a smart option when:
- Printing smaller batches ranging between 1 and 500 labels at a time.
- Constant design changes on your labels, especially if your business is starting to have new model variations.
- Working on your own schedule without needing to wait for shipping intervals.
Custom label printing can be an economically strategic move as well, mainly if you are focusing on these points:
- Ordering more than 1,000 labels lowers the cost per label, since the price decreases as the quantity increases.
- Avoid the constant machine maintenance and maintenance across large batches.
- Working with special finishes like laminates, foils, or waterproof coatings.
Additional Resources Found at OnlineLabels
No matter your choice, we're here to support your label needs. If you decide to print inkjet roll labels yourself, we offer a wide range of blank label options compatible with inkjet label printers. If you prefer to order custom labels, we provide a full-service design process that includes file setup and revisions through our art team. Also, our dedicated customer service team is available to answer questions at every stage of your order.
