C6000 Updates

Epson just made available firmware and driver updates for the relatively new C6000 series label printers.

C6000 Printer Updates

And if you have one of these printers, you really should update these items.

C6000 Firmware/Driver Updates

I’ve always been a big fan of updating firmware and drivers when available.  In my first post about using the C6000 series printers, I suggested updating the firmware.

To update the driver (v1.5.0.0) and firmware (TS01LA) for the C6000A, C6000P, C6500A, or the C6500P visit Epson’s support site (or Google it).  For example, here is the URL for the C6500A driver and firmware.

FYI: when you update the firmware and driver, all of your media definitions/page sizes disappear.

C6000 Updates Sizes

Make sure you copy the page size settings prior to updating the firmware and driver.  I understand this loss of settings can be a pain; but the advancements in the driver mean you can’t utilize the existing page sizes.

When you update these items, Epson provides 3 new important aspects making printing easier and better to do.

First, Epson now has a setting for the left and right side.

C6000 Media Setting Left/Right

The default setting for the left/right gap is 08”.  Normal exposed liner on a label is .06”.  In this example, I reduced the gap to .03” in order to print full bleed without getting too much ink on the liner.  And it turns out that .03” is perfect for full-bleed printing.  First I tried it on a 4 x 3” matte poly label; and it printed perfect.

C6000 Full-Bleed Printing

And then again on a 4x6” gloss poly:

C6000 Full-Bleed Label Printing

If you print labels full-bleed using the C6000 driver, you need to update your firmware and driver for this extra capability.  It seems to make full-bleed printing much easier to do.

C6000 Tag Printing

After testing two labels, I tested tags.  In the prior versions of the driver and firmware, the C6000 would not allow you to print to the edge of the tag.  It was set up to prevent ink from going into the printer on the sides.  With these new changes, you should be able to titrate the print to go very close to the edge of the tag/badge.  If you print tags or badges, this change should help a lot.

Second, Epson claims the new firmware prevents the printer from grinding/jumping at the end of the roll.  This reaction occurred when the tape that attached the label to the core would prevent the material from advancing.  Watch what I mean here:

Although I’ve seen this issue on video, I’ve not experienced it myself.  I’d appreciate if anyone who has experienced this problem would contact me or even send me a video of this problem occurring.  And then testing the new firmware to see if it stops or reduced.

C6000 Error Changes

Third, Epson has changed the LED messages for errors on the printer.  If you have had media loading issues with the C6000 series printers, you have experienced the problems with the messages.  In fact, I wrote this post specifically to tell you not to load media until the LED says “load media”.

The error messages make loading labels complicated.  I’m hopeful these changes make recovering from errors easier.

If you have a C6000 series printer, you should update the firmware and driver.  If you need assistance with the process, contact us.  And if you need ink and labels for your C6000 printers, be sure to contact us as well.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

Sustainable Label Production

Does your company have sustainability goals?  Are you concerned about sustainability?

Sustainable Label Production

If the company wants to use environmentally sustainable methods of production, you may want to review your labeling process.  This post outlines how changing one type of labeling method may make your labeling process much more environmentally friendly and help meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

On-Demand Color Label Sustainability

Epson, working with Smithers, compared the environmental impact from 4 different label printing strategies:

• Commercially printed labels
• Inhouse Thermal Transfer printed labels
• Commercially printed “Shell” labels with variable data added with a thermal transfer printer
• Inhouse On-Demand color inkjet labels

These 4 different printing methods would seem to account for the vast majority of labels produced each year.  As you can imagine, these different methods produce a different impact on the environment.  Epson published this paper outlining how on-demand color inkjet printing offers a more sustainable method for producing labels. 

And get the report by Smithers here:

Label Sustainability Comparison

This study concludes that by moving to on-demand color inkjet labels, companies would make major progress toward printing labels in a sustainable method and reaching the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Especially SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Inkjet printers are a far less energy intensive process

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Inkjet printers can reduce waste of materials and stock obsolescence 

And SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Inkjet printing reduces waste materials significantly (ribbons)

Let me tell you how changing your labeling process makes your company more sustainable in 3 key areas.

Energy

Inkjet Energy Savings

Energy consumption differences between the different label printing methods are extreme. On-demand color inkjet uses approximately only 1% of the energy to print labels compared to commercially printed labels or commercial plus thermal transfer printed labels.  In fact, Smithers calculates that if the European market would move from these commercial/thermal transfer methods of label production to on-demand color, the energy savings would power 95,960 homes for 1 year.

Inkjet Energy Savings

As the economy of the United States is approximately 1.38X larger than the European Union, the energy savings would be even larger here.  Therefore, moving from commercially printed “shell” labels with thermal transfer variable data to inkjet labels would save enough energy to power probably over 132,000 homes for 1 year.  The energy savings is significant by moving to on-demand color. For me, this energy savings is the most important aspect as it enables reduced CO2 impact from labels.

Waste

Inkjet Label Waste Savings

For Jacob Kallergis, Product Manager for Epson Europe, label waste is most important.  You may remember my recent post on food certifications based on information provided by Jacob.

According to Jacob, “I find the amount of waste from preprinted and thermal transfer labels as most important. When trying to save and reduce costs, wasted labels are usually one of the elements most companies ignore when doing a cost analysis.”  25,264 soccer fields of wasted labels each year sounds terrible.  In the United States, this number would exceed probably 30,000 soccer fields.

Wasteful Label Inventory

According to the Smithers study, up to 11% of preprinted labels are wasted; from start up, make ready or misprints.  Further, preprinted label inventory obsolescence is a major waste factor, with Smithers reporting that up to ½ of stock labels for certain brands go bad each year.

Ink And Consumables

Thermal Ribbon Waste

In addition to energy consumption and label waste differences, ink and consumables represent another major difference between thermal transfer and inkjet label printers. For every square inch of labels printed by a thermal transfer printer, a square inch of wasted ribbon is produced.  In Europe, the equivalent of 41 double-decker buses of waste ribbons are produced each year.  And a lot of extra ink is wasted.  At the same time, Epson recycles a large number of inkjet cartridges; and so can you.  Read more here.

Looking at Storage & Transportation as well as Release Liner, Smithers found no real differences.  The entire label industry, however, must find ways to reduce the amount of liner wasted.

Inkjet CO2 Reduction

Overall, Smithers calculates that moving to On-Demand Color Labelling from Thermal Transfer and Commercial Printing in Europe would reduce CO2 emissions by 6.7 million tons.  And this number in the United States would be much higher; probably over 9 million tons.  In the report, Ciaran Little VP, Information Division from Smithers, says “On-demand inkjet color label printing is often now the most sustainable and operationally efficient choice.” 

When asked, why did Epson complete this project with Smithers, Jacob said, “It is our strategy to promote not only on-demand color labelling as a method for sustainable label production, but also increase awareness of this process overall.”  Further I asked Jacob, is this research and the finding believable? Jacob said, “Smithers carried out the analysis independently, using public available data. As Smithers is a reputable, independent organization, they have a great wealth of knowledge on labeling.   And their impartiality isn’t disputed. They work with most companies in the labeling industry, and would not want to risk their reputation.”

In the past, I’ve written many times about why and how to move away from thermal transfer to inkjet label printing. Recent posts include the following.

https://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2021/10/noticingremembering-labels.html

https://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2021/09/waiting-for-zebra-printer.html

https://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2020/01/printing-zpl-with-c6000.html

But the impact on sustainability seems to be the most logical and strongest reason to move from thermal transfer to inkjet label printing.  If you are an enterprise company with a sustainability program; and/or if you have banks of Zebra or other thermal transfer printers in manufacturing plants, distribution centers or warehouses; then consider moving to inkjet label printers.  You’ll help the environment; and help your company meet their sustainability goals.  Contact us if you want to print labels more sustainable.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

Bringing Brands To Life

If your brand is important, I suggest you read how Old Smokey Distillery brought James Ownby Reserve Tennessee Straight Bourbon to life.

James Ownby Reserve Label

AmeriGraph Packaging, a division of our parent company, General Data, worked with Old Smokey Distillery and their design agency, Baker Associates to produce the label for their new brand.  Read this great story here.

James Ownby Reserve

Summarizing this story, I see three key aspects of this story.  First, the design from Baker to communicate the key aspects of the brand.  The story details the aspects the design team wanted from the label.

AmeriGraph's Indigo Press

Second, AmeriGraph’s ability to produce samples using unique materials and the new HP Indigo press. The Indigo is a digital machine, requiring no plates to print prime labels, shrink-sleeve and flexible packaging.  Learn about GDC’s purchase of the Indigo press here.

Watch GDC’s Indigo Press run here: 

Flexographic Press

Third, was the use of standard flexographic press to enable embossing to make the labels unique; and make the brand stand out.  Flexographic printing technology uses plates to imprint images across a wide range of surfaces/materials.  Overall, the team of Ole Smokey, Barker Associates and AmeriGraph worked together to produced an outstanding label that represented the brand perfectly.

In discussion with Paul Thompson, Vice President and General Manager of AmeriGraph, I asked, how long did this process last?  According to Paul, “From concept to final finished product, we took approximately 90 days. We completed several tests on the HP digital to prove out the print technologies we were suggesting to achieve the desired results.”  Man, this effort sounds like lots of work.

Also, I asked Paul about using the new Indigo press; specifically why? Paul said, “Actually, we ran the tests and proof of concepts on the digital press and we ran the actual production run on the flexographic press. The customer wanted to add embossing in addition to cold foil and textured varnish. In addition, the production quantity was best suited to flexo technology. Actually, a cool story to marry both print technologies to create the final product.”

You may remember that I’ve featured both AmeriGraph and Paul Thompson in earlier posts about shrink sleeve labels.

I do hope you read the story about the creation of the James Ownsby Reservelabels. Our colleagues at AmeriGraph did a great job.

If you need to create a new product with labels that truly reflect the brand, contact us and AmeriGraph.  We’ll produce the truly unique labels needed for your products.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com 

 

 

Noticing/Remembering Labels

Do you care if people notice/remember your labels?

Seems to me that anyone using color in Brand Labels would answer this question with an emphatic YES.

But many labels (if not most in the global market) used currently are monochrome; so do these companies care if anyone remembers, recalls or even notices their labels?

Monochrome Shipping Label

Frankly, it seems like companies who use these types of labels don’t care if someone remembers, recalls or even notices these labels.  If they did, these companies would change the artwork to get better memory and recall.

In the monochrome, ~$4 billion worldwide barcode printer market, Zebra is the largest selling thermal manufacturer.  If you use a Zebra or any other thermal printer, do you care if anyone remembers, recalls, or notices your labels/

Companies who use these types of printers probably do print labels that matter; and improved recall or attention would support their business.

Influence Of Color On Memory Performance

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3743993/

In the article, Influence of Color on Memory Performance, Color is believed to be the most important visual experience.  Further, Color helps us in memorizing certain information by increasing our attentional level as well as colors have the potential to attract attention. Therefore, it can be concluded that colors have the tendency to capture better attention level, and thus, better memory.  The bottom line:  Information that we pay more attention to is more likely to be remembered than the information that we ignore and do not pay attention to.

 

Monochrome Barcode Labels

Recently, I wrote about replacing Zebra printer with a C6000A printer.

And about the potential for color-coded labels.

But many markets use thermal labels exclusively; and therefore, must not see the benefits of improved memory, recall and attention.  For example, Zebra list these markets as their primary targets:

Receiving Label

Warehousing: Receiving, Put A-Way/Replenishment, Inventory Management, Packing/Staging, Cross Docking, Shipping, Reverse Logistics.

 

Food Traceability Label

Manufacturing: Traceability, Asset Management, and solutions such as Food Safety and Pharmaceuticals.

Shelf Labels

Retail: Food/Beverage Labeling, Shelf Labeling

Prescription Label

Healthcare: Patient ID Management, Pharmacy.

In all of these areas, color and or images even would improve attention to detail and increase attention. And increased attention would….

• Reduce errors
• Reduce costs
• Increase customer satisfaction

All for little to no incremental cost.  For example, it is estimated that 2% of all shipping costs are from errors. With $1.49 trillion spent on shipping, reducing the billions of dollars of errors would seem easy to do by adding color to labels.  

In warehouses, each picking error costs between $12 and $15 each which adds incremental costs to warehousing errors.  

Further, medication errors cost more than $40 Billion in the United States alone.  Color would reduce these costs. 

Colorized ZPL

Replacing your existing Zebra printers with a color label option along with changes to your label templates or software code (to add color, highlights, images, or other mnemonic devices) will achieve these benefits in valuable and large markets/applications.  And colorizingZebra Print Language (ZPL) is easy to do. 

If your company is using monochrome labels from a Zebra or other thermal transfer or direct thermal printer, I ask you to consider the potential benefits of adding color.  I’m convinced this decision will make you money and increase your customer’s satisfaction with your company and products.

Contact us if we can help you add color to your labels.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com 

Waiting For A Zebra Printer?

Recently, we sold a Zebra ZT610 thermal transfer printer to a long-time customer to use with a specific application in one of their facilities. 

Zebra ZT610

 

Although a bit unusual for us to sell a monochrome, thermal transfer printer, that was not my surprise.  It did surprise me, however, that it took..

 6 WEEKS TO SHIP

If you are having issues getting a Zebra or any other thermal transfer or direct thermal printer, then maybe now is the time to consider a C6000A color label printer.  On most orders, we ship the C6000A printers either same or next day.

C6000

So why should you consider switching from thermal transfer/direct thermal printers to a C6000A during this supply chain crisis?

First the prices of the printer are about the same or even less.  At the time, we sold the ZT610 600 DPI printer for ~$3,900.  But we sell the C6000A printer for $2,450:

You maybe able to save money by moving to this Epson printer.

Ink Cost Comparison

Second, ribbons for thermal transfer printer have increased significantly in price and may be difficult to obtain with the current supply chain situation, especially durable resin ribbons.  Many people, however, think ribbons for thermal transfer printers cost less than ink.  This perspective is not exactly true.  In this post from as far back as 2013, I compared the cost of thermal transfer versus inkjet printing.

As I state in the post, many people “know” that ribbon prices are less than ink.  However, the cost per label depends on the percent coverage.  With an inkjet printer, ink cost depends on coverage.  With a typical shipping or barcode label, the percent coverage is typically small; and thus ink costs are not that much.  Thermal transfer printer use the same amount of ribbon if you print 1 dot or 100% coverage.  Further, durable resin ribbons, required for many applications, cost significantly more than plain wax ribbons.  And all ribbons have increased significantly in costs, especially since the Covid 19 pandemic.

Third, the C6000A printer is just easier to use than a Zebra or other thermal transfer printers.  In this video, Andy Scherz, Product Manager for Epson, lays out several reasons why the C6000A is easier and better to use than monochrome, thermal transfer printers.

Some of the benefits of the C6000 versus a Zebra printer are as follows:

• Inserting labels into the printer from only one side versus all angles
• Threading ribbon versus inserting ink cartridges
• Adjusting head pressure, heat, speed, ribbon and media in a thermal transfer printer versus the nozzle verification technology for every pixel of the C6000.
• Risking poor barcodes from ribbon wrinkle and other artifacts of thermal transfer printers versus the higher resolution C6000.
• Using labels which offer little chemical resistance versus the durable ink from the C6000.

The C6000 is just easier to use than thermal transfer printers.

ZPL Code

Fourth, the Epson printer offers a “drop-in” ZPL emulation making it easy to replace a Zebra printer.  In this post, I show how the C6000 series printers use ZPL:

Color Codes

Fifth, color on labels offer great readability and comprehension than monochrome print.  In this post, I offer examples on how color codes help many types of customer applications.

Manufacturing, Food, Cannabis, Tradeshows and other markets benefit from moving from monochrome to colorized labels.  Color, Highlights, Large Fonts and Images improve even pharmacy labels. 

Although the C6000 and color label printers in general offer many benefits, one of the most important benefits today may be the fact that we can ship.  If you are waiting to receive a Zebra printer, consider canceling the order and contact us to move to print on-demand color with a C6000.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com 

Ink Food Certifications

Safety is a key ingredient for food companies; including packaging and labeling.  Epson inks for their line of ColorWorks label printers comply with international Food Contact Material (FCM) regulations.

In 2019, Epson announces that the ink from the ColorWorks line of label printers met the EU Regulation framework (EC) No. 1935/2004, Good Manufacturing Practices Regulation (GMP) (EC) No. 2023/2006, Plastics Implementation Measure Regulation (EU) 10/2011 and the Swiss Ordinance (RS 817.023.21) on Food Contact Materials for food packaging printing inks; and other certifications as well. Learn more here. 

And recently, Epson Europe released a PDF describing these certifications.  Get this great summary here: 

Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 provides a harmonized legal EU framework. It sets out the general principles of safety and inertness for all Food Contact Materials (FCMs).  This regulation insures FCM’s don’t release compounds into the food or change food composition, taste or odor. To learn more.

Good Manufacturing Practices Regulation (GMP) (EC) No. 2023/2006 lays down the rules on good manufacturing practice (GMP) for the groups of materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.  GMP details here. 

Swiss Ordinance (RS 817.023.21) is a list of substances that are allowed for the manufacture of packaging ink and related requirements for food contact materials and articles. Swiss Ordinance details here. 

Jacob Kallergis, Epson

For this post, I asked Jacob Kallergis, European Product Manager for the ColorWorks line of printers, on why Epson pursued these certifications.  According to Jacob, “Responsible food producers, who need to certify their packaging meets the FCM regulations in Europe, will look for appropriate materials. Ink is just one component of the packaging; you have other components also including the label, the barrier, etc. As Epson sells label printers to these companies, we need to ensure our inks comply with the FCM regulations.”

In the PDF and the Press Release, I noticed the certifications were for indirect food contact.  This definition means that printing must be completed on a non-contact surface such as a label on outside of the package.  When asked, why not direct food contact, Jacob said, “Generally, the inks market for labelling are for indirect use.”  And Jacob is correct.  After my years in this business, I don’t know of any label printing company selling printers that use edible inks.
 
Epson Europe considers food manufacturers a great target for their line of ColorWorks label printers.  Jacob says, “Food manufacturers need our on-demand color label printers.  These companies are moving toward smaller and larger variety of SKU/batches as well as customized food products/labels. Plus, Europe’s smaller countries and languages mean potentially many different labels.  ColorWorks label printers are perfect for these types of companies.”  Check out Epson Europe’s web page designed specifically for food manufacturers. 

Be sure to read Epson Europe’s case studies (unless you’re hungry):

ESPA:

HF Chocolate: Confectionary wholesale

Raureni food producer: 

Affaires Pâtissières:

Orlamunde:

Greens Engros:

Continuing, Jacob says, “Confectionary producers seem to be the most interested with on-demand color labeling as well as prepared foods.  Health conscience consumers, especially since the pandemic, are seeking specialized products, looking for high quality food.  Our label printers enable these companies to print the labels they need when they need them.”

Over the years, I’ve written about food companies many times.  For example, Foodie Fit:

and several customers involved in an Epson PR tour: 

and even cannabis edibles, Love’s Oven:

Epson ColorWorks

Bottom line: Food manufacturers can feel safe printing labels using Epson’s inks in the ColorWorks label printers. If you are a food manufacturer producing labels for a variety of products/SKU’s, contact us as we can help with your food label printing.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com