I first contacted Smark after Michael Garcia, Supply Chain
Manager, requested information on printing color labels on demand to meet the
requirements for GHS. In our initial
discussions, I learned about their interest in stopping the use of preprinted
and laser printed color labels.
According to Elisabeth Dondiego of Smark, “we’re
spending over $0.50 for each for our labels.
We need to find a way to reduce our label costs and preprinted label
inventory. Plus the toner from the laser
printer can smudge and spread over the labels; and these laser labels are not
chemically resistant. Finally, the
labels jam many times, taking over 1 hour just to print 30. The need to produce GHS labels has caused us
to look for a new printing solution.”
Soon after our initial discussion, I met with the team at
Smark, to demonstrate the GP-C831 printer to produce drum labels; and the
TM-C3500 for their smaller package sizes.
To demonstrate the printers, I loaded the drivers for these printers on
their computer and had them printing labels quickly.
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Based on the demonstration, Smark purchased a
GP-C831 and a TM-C3500 along with ink and labels. While installing the GP-C831, I made an
easy-to-do mistake configuring the printer.
To set the page size in the driver, you need to use the actual label width
(8.375” in this case); and the perforation-to-perforation distance (14”) and
not the label length (13.875”). This
difference in length causes the label to “creep” moving the image off center by
1/8th inch. You can read more
about setting up the new C831 driver here: http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2014/11/gp-c831-surprise.html
Also while installing the GP-C831, I mentioned
to Michael about the new TM-C7500. He immediately visited our blog and website to
see the printer running: http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2015/01/my-new-printer-is.html
Based on our discussion and the website, Smark decided to
return the C3500 and purchase the brand new TM-C7500 printer. According to
Michael, “we decided to return the C3500 and get the C7500 as the new printer
was faster and more cost effective.
We’re working to improve our overall labeling process and the new C7500
seemed like the best option.”
Fortunately, we were able to get one of these limited-availability
printers from Epson and install at Smark.
We installed the printer on the network and had them printing on both
paper and poly labels immediately.
Although the new C7500 printer was installed and running, we
did not have their 4” x 8” matte poly labels available at the same time. The combination of producing on demand,
customer’s unique label configurations and increased requirements means it may
take some time to produce and deliver the initial order. Producing your labels
on-demand is further made more difficult as our plants are full. Planning ahead is critical. One solution which
our customer find convenient is the use of blanket orders; pre-assigned
quantities and delivery schedules insure your labels are delivered when you
need them.
Smark Company’s initial reaction to the new
printers is positive. According to
Elizabeth, “the new printers look good, we need a way to reduce our costs and
produce GHS labels more efficiently.” Smark was our first install of the new
C7500 printer. You may want to read
about my first install of the TM-C3500 printer here: http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2013/09/first-of-many.html
I am very fortunate to have customers like Smark. The team at Smark has treated me wonderfully
and are truly nice people open to new ideas and options. And more important, Smark has a good solution
to produce great looking GHS labels affordably and on-demand.
The install at Smark is hopefully the first of many of these
great new printers. If you need to
produce GHS labels or want the new TM-C7500 printer, contact us. We’ll help you get started printing labels
quickly as well.
Guy Mikel
855-962-7670
#colorlabels
Purchase Your C7500 Here: https://colorlabelsolutions.com/product/c7500-inkjet-label-printer/
Purchase Your C7500 Here: https://colorlabelsolutions.com/product/c7500-inkjet-label-printer/