The Crucial Choices in Label Printing

Welcome to this special reference guide for label printing. In this section I will discuss your crucial choices in making color labels. I will give you the benefits and disadvantages of most of the common choices, as well as extra recommendations on what are the best practices that produce great looking custom labels. So read well and remember these facts. They will help you become more confident and stronger with your color label designs.

a. Tag labels and shaped/embedded labels – First up, we have the crucial choice of tagged labels versus shaped labels. Tagged labels are basically color labels that will be attached to your main item via a string or some other attachment device. Shaped or embedded custom labels on the other hand are special labels that are stuck precisely on the item needed, much like a sticker but much larger as a full label.

You have to choose between these two types when you do start designing your color labels. The tag label configuration is best for items that do not have a precise shape really, but probably have structures that can have strings attached to them. Shaped or embedded configurations are best when your items do have a specific shape or structure where a customized and precisely shaped custom label can easily be stuck. This is best for actual product labels wherein you will want those labels at a precise location for the best impact. Just try to see what matches for your use.

b. Full color or spot colors – Another important choice to know about in label printing is the question of printing full color labels or just labels with spot color inks. Full color labels are of course custom labels with full color design elements such as pictures. Spot color labels on the other hand have design elements with a certain pure color such as black or red, but without images that have combinations of colors as well as subtle color effects.

Spot color printing is of course cheaper since it uses only one type of ink while full color label printing is more expensive since it uses a complex combination of typically four colors (CMYK). If you do have images and exotic design effects in your draft label then full color is actually mandatory for your prints. However, if you only need labels with specific color text and nothing else, it is good to use the cheaper spot color label printing method.

c. Coated or uncoated – You also have a choice to coat your custom labels with some special protective coatings, or leave them be for a cheaper label printing quotation. Personally, I would still always recommend coated labels for whatever type of label print since it extends the lifespan of most color labels. However, if you do need cheap label printing, then using labels with no coats is okay for the most part.

d. Thicker or thinner materials – The thickness of the paper materials is also a big issue in label printing. Thicker labels are tougher and stronger, while thinner ones or cheaper and more economical. The proper policy here would be to balance the numbers of your labels with the most appropriate thickness. If you have a moderate number of labels to print, it is good to use the thickest and toughest materials possible. However, if your resources are spread thin to print the most number of labels for many items, then it is best to use the thinner paper materials. Keep in mind that thinner materials of course will deteriorate a lot faster.

Good! Hopefully now you understand the different options that you do have in label printing, as well as the important details and facts about them. Hopefully with the tips listed above, you will know what is best to use for your own label printing. Good Luck!



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