Flexible Label Production

Have you ever had to place an order for preprinted labels where the minimum quantity was significantly higher than your requirements?  Do you have any SKU’s with multiple years of label inventory on hand?

You may remember my earlier post on this type of situation, Minimum Order Quantities Cost Money: http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2013/02/minimum-order-quantities-cost-money.html. 

According to Mark Brimstone in his editorial in “The Universe Is Changing Again” at Printing Impressions (http://www.piworld.com/blog/the-universe-changing-again-noel-ward#), you will soon have greater flexibility in label order quantity as more printers move from flexographic (offset) to digital presses.  Let me explain why this greater flexibility is occurring; as well as giving you my opinion on how this trend will grow the print on-demand color label market.

You may be wondering, “why the requirement for large order sizes?”  With an offset press, set up time may take as long or longer than it takes to print a small quantity of labels (Mark’s Statement: changeover time between shorter run jobs can keep productivity per machine well below 50 percent).  Therefore, the fix cost of the press includes both the setup and run time.  When printing large quantities of labels, the setup time becomes a minor portion of the overall costs.  Paraphrasing Mark, “Conventional label printing prints large runs well. For less popular products or regional brands, shorter print runs increase set-up times and production costs or require maintaining inventories of printed materials that are subject to waste and obsolescence.”  Amen; one of my key points on why companies should move to print on demand color.

But Mark makes a slightly different interpretation. Again paraphrasing Mark, “By comparison, digital presses can produce labels in short and moderate run lengths—with virtually no on-press changeover time. This efficiency can fulfill the needs of big brands, niche products, local brands, regional offerings, different languages, test marketing and promotional offers. Digital labels are effective for virtually any opportunity where a shorter run can reduce the total cost of packaging, increase production efficiencies, take advantage of market opportunities, and enhance brand awareness.”

Mark argues that digital presses like the HP Indigo WS 6600 (which may cost up to a $1 million as well as per impression click charges) are the answer.  These digital presses will, according to Mark, “increase the range of new applications, offer shorter runs and enable customized jobs—will take some of the offset label printing business.”   “Some” of the label printing business moving from offset presses to digital presses seem reasonable.  As the global label business equals $57 billion, “some” could be a lot of money!

But I content another portion of the global label printing business will move to on-demand color.  With the new technology available, end users can print the exactly the labels they require when they need them. 

During my trip to Pack Expo, I featured a few companies for in-plant prime labels:  http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2013/09/pack-expo-2013.html.  

Or my follow up post on the Affinia L-801:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2013/10/in-plant-prime-labels.html.  

As these ~$10,000 printers produce labels with up to 1,600 x 1,600 dpi at speeds up to 12” per second at prices per label comparable to digital presses, end users can realistically afford print on-demand color label solutions.  Even if the price per label is more, an end user will reduce waste, administration, inventory and potential error costs by printing only what they need when they need it.  Combining the new technology with the benefits of print on-demand color labels, many manufacturers will move to this process.  Thus print on-demand color will capture “Some” of the $57 Billion label market as well.

Offset to Digital to On-Demand seems like the logical progression to reduce the costs while increasing the flexibility of producing color labels.  If you have ever purchased too many preprint labels, contact me to discuss moving your label production “in-house”.  

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com
www.colorlabelsolutions.com

Have You Seen This Symbol?

NFPA 704 is a standard system for the Identification of the "Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response" maintained by the U.S.-based National Fire Protection Association.   This standard defines the colloquial "fire diamond" used by emergency personnel to quickly and easily identify the risks posed by hazardous materials. By identifying the risks, first responders can determine what, if any, special equipment should be used, procedures followed, or precautions taken during the initial stages of an emergency response.

The four divisions are typically color-coded, with blue indicating level of health hazard, red indicating flammability, yellow (chemical) reactivity, and white containing special codes for unique hazards. Each of health, flammability and reactivity is rated on a scale from 0 (no hazard) to 4 (severe risk).  For more information on the NFPA standard, check out this Wikepedia article:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFPA_704

While responding to a RFP for GHS printers and labels, I learned that some companies may be adding both the NFPA and GHS symbols/icons to their labels.  Given this situation, companies would have to use more than just two colors to produce the GHS labels.

You may find my earlier summary of the GHS mandate of interest:  http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2012/03/what-h-is-ghs-opportunity.html. 

After reading about this requirement, I wondered “how many other companies plan to add both types of icons to their new labels?”  To answer this question, I decided to ask this question to the GHS group on Linked In.  Here are the responses I received:  http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=1852619&type=member&item=5795524182036987904&qid=e9034a4a-05f0-4e13-a8e1-947974b6189c&trk=groups_most_popular-0-b-cmr&goback=%2Egmp_1852619

 Most of the people responding said they had no plans to add both symbols.  In fact, one person stated that less than 5% of the companies will add both.    Another person pointed out that, in fact, the NFPA symbols are not sufficient workplace labels.  However, companies can continue to use both symbols as long as they are consistent with the requirements with the Workplace Communication standard.  For more information on this standard, check out this page:  http://www.msdsonline.com/blog/2013/07/osha-clarifies-the-use-of-hmis-and-nfpa-labels-under-ghs-adoption-and-small-container-labeling-during-webinar-on-hazcom-2012/#sthash%2EEwMAcuGn%2Edpuf

If you are beginning to implement your plans to produce GHS labels, contact Color Label Solutions to help find the optimized printing solution to meet your requirements. 

Guy Mikel

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

 855-962-7670
www.colorlabelsolutions.com

GHS Label Comparison

The Global Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (referred to as GHS) requires companies to start producing labels with color icons.  Based on my understanding, most chemical companies will need to produce products with these labels by the end of 2014; with all products labeled in the distribution system by July 2015.

For more information, you may consider reading my earlier post: http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2012/03/what-h-is-ghs-opportunity.html.

At the same time, chemical companies who ship material via marine, need to use labels that meet the British Marine Standard BS5609 requirements.  If interested, you may want to read this earlier post:   http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2012/03/bs5609-is-no-bs.html

In the BS5609 tests, however, they do not consider the impact of the chemicals.  For my own curiosity, I decided to test two types of labels that meet the BS5609 requirements with four household chemicals:  Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Chlorine Beach and Acetone (Nail Polish Remover).  In this video, you’ll see the results.

Please remember; these tests were not scientific studies.  As stated in the video, these tests show only the need for each chemical company to test how their compounds effect their new GHS labels.

If you need assistance in setting up a solution to print GHS labels, contact Color Label Solutions.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

www.colorlabelsolutions.com
#GHSLABELS

In-Plant Prime Labels

Afinia Label (www.afinialabel.com) is the label printer division of Microboards Technology (www.microboards.com), which serves various industries with all kinds of optical media technology.    Originally founded in 1989 as the international division of a Japanese CD-engineering firm, Microboards Technology has been growing rapidly along with CD-R technology for the past 21 years.

With the L-801 label printer, (http://afinialabel.com/l801-printer/), Afinia has launched the fastest benchtop label printer available.  With print speeds up to 12” per second at a resolution of 1,600 x 1,600 dpi, the L-801 is a great choice for in-plant prime label printing.  

If you are not familiar with the term, prime label, here is the definition:  A Prime Label acts as the main identification of a product. Often designed to attract attention, prime labels contain information designed to appeal to a buyer and are usually applied at the time of manufacture. Prime Label acts as the main identification of a product. 

Scan of L-801 printed label

Craig Greenwood, National Account Manager for Afinia Label, says the L-801 offers several key features that make this printer a great choice for companies wanting to print their own prime labels.  According to Craig, “the L-801 produces high quality label images at an affordable price.  In addition, the L-801 comes standard with a dust-free, integrated unwinder making large runs easy to do.  Also the L-801 has a cut and present feature making hand apply application easier.  Finally, the L-801 is easy to setup and run; making the printer a great choice for manufacturers wanting to produce their own labels.” If your organization has inventory of labels similar to the pictures on my in-plant prime label page (http://colorlabelsolutions.com/Prime-Labels.html), you should consider moving to printing color labels on demand.

In addition to the features Craig mentions, the L-801 offers one other key advantage:  the lowest cost prime label printer available in its class.  At $8,995, you will not find a faster, higher resolution printer available; especially considering the included unwinder which costs as much as $1,500 from other companies.  Check out the pricing of the L-801 from my store: http://stores.colorlabelsolutions.com

Ink cartridges for the l-801 printer cost $190; you can purchase them here: http://stores.colorlabelsolutions.com/. 

If you send me an image of your labels, I can provide an estimated yield per cartridge and thus ink costs for your labels.  As the printer holds 1.25 liters of ink, companies like yours can produce thousands of labels per cartridge using the L-801.

For more on this printer, check out this short video: 

If you are already producing your own prime labels; or considering moving to print on-demand prime labels, contact Color Label Solutions.  We’ll help you start quickly and easy producing your own beautiful labels.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com 
www.colorlabelsolutions.com

Pack Expo 2013

From September 23 to 25, I exhibited in Las Vegas at Pack Expo 2013 (http://www.packexpo.com/), the premier packaging show.

At the show, I saw more companies showing print on-demand color labels than ever before.  Let me give you a sample of what I saw.

The biggest surprise was all of the companies showing color label printers utilizing Memjet (http://www.memjet.com/) technology.  Afinia Label (http://afinialabel.com/), ColorDyne (http://www.colordynetech.com/), Trojan Label (http://trojanlabel.com/) and Xante (http://www.xante.com/). 
 
Afinia is a division of Microboards (http://www.microboards.com/)  from Minneapolis, MN who specializes in DVD duplicators and printers. 

Like the other printers using the Memjet printhead, the L-801 label printer produces beautiful print quality at speeds up to 12” per second.  Plus this printer includes an 8” unwinder and media cover, which is important to protect the media and printhead from dust. 

With the printer, Afinia includes BarTender from Seagull Scientific (http://www.bartenderbarcodesoftware.com/label-software/welcome.aspx), for producing variable data labels. If you need to match colors precisely, Afinia partners with Wasatch (http://www.wasatch.com/softripmain.html), to provide a RIP (raster image processor) software.  Finally, Afinia sells the lowest cost printer of this group, with a list price of the basic printer at $8,995.  For companies just starting to print in-plant prime labels, the Afinia label printer is a good option.

In addition to the Afinia printer, I saw the Trojan label printer.  

This Danish company with US headquarters in Alabama sells the most “aesthetically pleasing” label printer in the Memjet group of partner companies, utilizing a stainless steel cover.  In addition, Trojan label provides a browser-based application to connect to the printer.  Here, Trojan showed an Android device connected to the printer.

In addition, Trojan offers the capability to connect to the printer via VPN.  This connections allows Trojan tech support to configure, train and troubleshoot printers anywhere in the world.  As on-site support is an issue with the Memjet partner companies, the VPN connection could be a very valuable capability to consider when purchasing an in-plant prime label printer.

If you prefer thermal transfer printers but need to comply to the GHS label requirements, CAB Technologies offers a two-color label printer; the XC series.

CAB Technologies worked with Mactac (www.mactac.com) and ITW Thermal Films (www.itwthermalfilms.com) to produce a thermal transfer 2-color, printing solution.  With the ribbon saver and precise heat settings in the printhead, this printer produces BS5609 certified labels requiring black and red colors.

To see more, check out my video from Pack Expo 2013 by texting “Guy” to 28748 or my post on You Tube: http://youtu.be/XiDbRKJlYLI.

If any of these printers fit your requirements, contact Color Label Solutions.

Guy Mikel

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

855-962-7670
www.colorlabelsolutions.com

Juice Your Marketing (Using Color On Labels)

After reading Tom Shapiro’s, “3 Ways to Juice Your Marketing Results Using Color” (http://www.marketingprofs.com/articles/2013/11665/three-ways-to-juice-your-marketing-results-using-color?adref=nlt091713),  I decided to repost this article. 

In the story, Tom makes 5 statements about the use of color that works for labels.  Even a “functional” Shipping label, as well as Prime, Secondary, Industrial and Decorative labels accrue significant benefit by adding color.

#1:  We experience the world through colors. 

Imagine how different our life would be if we saw the world in only black and white.    Colors add context that you don’t get with only black. 

#2:  Color increases brand recognition by a whopping 80%.

If you’re involved with an organization selling something, anything to customers, you should be working to identify ways to increase your brand recognition; even on lowly shipping labels.

#3:  People make subconscious judgments about a person, environment, or product within 90 seconds, and up to 90% of that assessment is based on color alone!

When your customer sees a monochrome label, what assessment of your company do they make?  What assessment would they make if they saw your labels with color?

#4: 85% of shoppers cite color as a primary reason behind their product purchase decisions

You may say that “shoppers” don’t purchase our products; we sell to businesses.  But Buyers, Operation Managers, Shippers and others inside organizations are people too that make decisions about your products.  Do they see color!

#5:  Color helps people remember brands longer and decide what to buy.
What do customers remember about your company after seeing your labels?  If you want to leave them with a positive image, move to print on –demand color.

If you use monochrome labels anywhere in your operation, ask yourself, “What is the response when our customer’s see a monochrome label?” 

Then ask, “Would our customer’s respond differently if they saw our brand, an image, color text or color blocks on our labels?”

I believe that once you ask yourself and your Marketing colleagues this second question, you’ll see how obvious and how important the decision to move to color on your labels is.  Below is my shipping label.

Talk to your Marketing colleagues about adding color to all of your labels.  If you want to start adding color to your labels, contact me.  I’ll help you get started “juicing” your Marketing with print on-demand color labels.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com 
www.colorlabelsolutions.com

First Of Many

TD Laser (www.tdlaser.com) is a manufacturer of toner cartridges for lasers and copiers.  To protect customers, TD Laser guarantees all products will perform equal to the original cartridge.  In the unlikely event of one of their products causes’ damage to the printer or copier, TD Laser will repair or replace the machine.   In addition, TD Laser is one of the first users of the new TM-C3500 printer.

When asked why he wanted to move to color labels, Tony Drenth, owner of TD Laser, said, “I wanted to clean up our labels.  We had been placing color “dots on our labels to identify the correct toner color.

Tony continues, “By moving to color, we can add a color identifier easier than the manual “dot” process as well as make our labels look better.”

I approached Tony earlier about moving to print on-demand color labels.  However, he wanted to wait until an affordable printer was available that had 4 separate ink cartridges.  With 4 separate ink cartridges, lower ink costs and an affordable printer cost, the TM-C3500 was a good option for Tony.

In addition to purchasing a printer, TD Laser needed a means to cover up previous labels on a portion of the boxes they used.  To meet this requirements, we provided a label with opaque adhesive.  This label insures the previous label does not show through the new label.

If you want to begin adding color text, images, and highlights to your labels like TD Laser, give me a call.  We’ll make it easy and affordable for you to do.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

www.colorlabelsolutions.com