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 

On-Demand Pouches-WestPack

At the recent WestPack 2021 tradeshow, we ran the FP-230 Flexible Packaging printer and laminator.

FP-230 Color Flexible Package Printer

FP-230

Watch the FP-230 run here:

We then took the printed/laminated material to the Phoenix Engineering booth to fill/seal the material.

And you may have seen my earlier post on using this combination of devices to print, fill, and seal flexible packaging.

FP-230 Printed/Filled Pouches

During the show, I asked Mike Atkins, National Sales Manager for Afinia, why use these machines to produce flexible packaging?  According to Mike, “Outsourcing is a good option if you require large quantities of pouches; and the printing is static (i.e. never changes). But if you require variable data printing for different SKUs, and/or your individual SKU requirements are relatively small, you may be forced to purchase more pouches than needed. The FP-230 allows you to print on demand and change the content on the fly.  You don’t have preprinted minimums and you print just the amount you need for a particular run. And if you are white labeling, or private labeling, this opens up more opportunities to deliver quickly, have lower minimums, and create more revenue per product by offering packaging as a service.”

Artysio Flexible Pouches

In the FP-230, we used Sihl’s Artysio Flexible Packaging material.

Grace Engebretsen, Manager, Sales & Business Development Packaging North America for Sihl believes the Artysio material fits many different types of customers.  The technology allows total flexibility and is very sustainable, printing only what is needed and locally on site.  Grace says, “Generally speaking, small to medium sized brand owners with a large number of SKU’s (i.e. more product complexity) as well as copackers are both ideal customers.  Copackers who do business with multiple customers, offering varying products/sizes for markets such as food, nutraceutical, and personal care.  We’re looking for customers that want to control their own packaging operation due to product complexity and/or small quantity runs.”

Artysio Product Profile

At the show, I told Mike that it seems to be fairly easy to run the FP-230.  Mike said, “The printer is fairly simple to operate. Designs can be printed from a simple PDF viewer, or you can print directly from any number of design applications. Printing flexible packaging is as straightforward as any other type of desktop publishing. The FP-230 connects directly to a PC, or to your network, and installs in your list of printers using a standard Windows driver.”

 

From my perspective, the most difficult aspect of this printing is making sure the art is designed for the correct size of packaging. But please remember; I have no experience running packaging equipment.  Phoenix Engineering’s packaging equipment seems straight forward.

 

Globally, packaging is a $120 to $160 Billion business; of which flexible packaging is a large part.  In the US, flexible packaging is a $31 billion business. Over the next few years, some of this market will move to on-demand color packaging. The trend toward shorter runs and more just-in-time or on-demand production will drive this move.

 

Contact us if you want to move to on-demand flexible packaging.  We can support this switch.

 

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com