 |
| Production Labels with the names/logos covered from my sample book |
One of General Data’s customers,
a world-leading Ohio manufacturer with sales in more than 90 countries, was
looking to cut costs and streamline labeling operations. The manufacturer
produces 3,500 unique SKUs sold under its own name, as well its OEM brand
names. The company faced a challenge with its previous labeling solution. To
support its OEM customers’ labeling requirements, which included various label
sizes and shapes for each product, the manufacturer resorted to purchasing
pre-printed color labels. Ordering the pre-printed labels proved costly, due to large minimum order requirements,
resulting in unneeded surplus and the need to stock large inventories. In
addition, since the labels arrived in large pre-printed batches, the company faced
large amounts of waste when their OEM customers required the slightest change
to a label.
Initially, General Data
designed and delivered seven different label formats to meet the needs of 50
SKUs, and the manufacturer saw immediate enhancements to its labeling process.
Epson’s TM-C3400 label printer, combined with specialized media from General
Data, offered the manufacturer a print-on-demand labeling solution.
“There was some initial
concern that inkjet printing would not provide sufficiently colorful and
durable labels to meet our customer’s requirements,” stated Grant Grooms, Vice
President of Sales with General Data. “However, Epson is the leader in inkjet
technology, and I knew that the pigmented inks would be colorful and durable if
matched with the right media. We listened to what our customer needed and
delivered the glossy labels that were required. Our customer is very pleased
with the outcome.”
“An alternative to the Epson
solution would be color thermal transfer printers, which are priced around
$13,000,” commented Grant. “Epson’s TM-C3400 is around $1,500. When you factor
in the print heads and ribbons required with color thermal transfer versus one
cartridge for the inkjet, not to mention the ongoing maintenance costs and form
factor of thermal transfer printers – which are double the size of the Epson –
there really is no comparison.”
In
the first month the General Data / Epson solution was installed, the
manufacturer printed approximately 450,000 labels, saving over $20,000. In addition
to the initial costs savings, the manufacturer is utilizing the Epson inkjet
cartridge recycling program to reduce waste. This program enables a
manufacturer to return the cartridges free of charge to reduce the waste. The
Epson inkjet cartridge recycling program complements company commitments to
environmental stewardship. With facilities that are ISO 14001 certified for
environmental management systems as well as ISO 9001 certified for quality
management systems, the manufacturer has demonstrated a strong commitment to
sustainable manufacturing practices.
“Our customer is so impressed
with the General Data / Epson solution that the customer is considering
relocating label production to the factory floor so labels for more SKUs can be
produced on demand at the end of our production lines,” commented Grant.
If you or your customers are
required to purchase large minimum orders of preprinted labels, consider moving
to print on-demand color labels. You’ll
save money and reduce your costs.
Guy Mikel
No comments:
Post a Comment