Custom v Standard Printing Supplies: Choosing the Right Solution for Your Business
- Jun 25
- 4 min read
Thermal labels are essential to the running of many businesses, supporting everything from shipping and warehousing to healthcare and retail. However, choosing the right label solutions is not always a straightforward task.
Businesses must decide whether a custom label or an off the shelf label are the best fit for their business operations, whilst also understanding the differences between direct thermal and thermal transfer printing, and the most suitable ribbon choices for their application.
In this blog, we will explain the differences between custom and stock thermal labels to help you to determine which label type would be best for your application. We will then give you a quick guide to Thermal Ribbons!
If you would like to understand the basics of thermal printing technology, read our blog here!
Custom Thermal Labels
What are custom labels?
Custom labels are specifically manufactured to meet a business’s application. Instead of using standard stock sizes and materials, custom labels can be tailored to suit your needs in almost all aspects, including:
Label size and shape
Company logos
Brand colours
Adhesive Type
Material Selection such as polyester, polyprop, or tamper-evident
Pre-printed information
They are available for both direct thermal and thermal transfer printing systems
Benefits:
Improved workflow
Pre-printed information, fixed barcode positions, or application specific layouts can streamline your process
This reduces manual data entry, improved barcode readability, and minimises errors
Specific Application
Custom labels are perfect for specialised applications where quality and performance is paramount
Materials and Adhesives can be selected for the toughest of environments such as:
Freezer temperatures
Chemical exposure
UV Exposure
Rough Surfaces
Cost effective
For businesses who require high quantities of labels, custom labels typically allow for price breaks at higher quantities making them more cost effective over time
We also offer all inclusive contracts for custom labels, to assist with budgeting your media consumables, and ensure you are never caught without label media
Brand Identity
Custom labels allow you to personalise your labels to suit your business brand using company logos and brand colour themes
Disadvantages:
Set up cost
Although custom labels can save you money at larger quantities, they can come with an initially high set up cost. This can be due to many factors such as
Artwork costs
Printing plate charges
Material Sourcing
Minimum Order Quantities
Longer lead times
As custom labels are made to order, lead times can be longer than off the shelf alternatives. This can be due to many factors such as
Material Shortages
Production Scheduling
Design and Label Approval
However, we offer All Inclusive Contracts which can be media only. We can work to a provided schedule to ensure your operations can keep running
Off the Shelf Thermal Labels
What are off the shelf labels?
We typically refer to standard stock labels as “off-the-shelf" as they are usually more readily available in standard sizes and materials.
Benefits:
Cost effective
Due to these labels being mass-produced, they are typically more affordable than custom alternatives at lower quantities
There are also no set up fees or custom plate/artwork costs, so for businesses who do have room to move in terms of sizing and material, off the shelf can be a great option
Shorter lead times
Off the shelf labels are typically more readily available, reducing downtime. This is due to them being already produced, compared to custom labels which are made to order.
Flexibility
Standard size labels increase flexibility as businesses can switch between sizes and materials without committing to large quantities of custom stock.
Disadvantages
Limited branding opportunities
Stock labels give a limited opportunity for personalisation as direct thermal printing is monotone only
Although you could personalise your labels with your company logo, if you want to use colour you will be limited to the standard ribbon colours available, unless you look at bespoke ribbons – and it can cause delays in your workflow due to ribbon switches
Limited size and material
Standard labels may not have a size or material option that is suitable for your application
Standard adhesives may not suit your environment
Generic adhesive may not perform reliably in:
Cold/Freezer temperatures
Outdoor conditions
Industrial environments where there may be an excess of dust
Thermal Ribbons
When utilising thermal transfer media, you need to use a thermal ribbon. There are a variety of thermal ribbon types to choose from, but not all of them will be compatible with your chosen label media. Below, we have outlined what ribbons are available, the label materials they are compatible with, and application examples.
If you require support on finding what ribbon would be best for your unique application, reach out to our specialist team here!
Wax
Wax ribbons are compatible with most uncoated and coated paper materials such as labels and tags but are not suitable for use with synthetic label materials. They work best in applications with little to no exposure to chemicals or abrasion such as general labelling, shipping labels, inventory and tracking, and retail tags.
Wax/Resin
Wax/Resin ribbons are compatible with top-coated paper materials and
matte synthetic materials. Due to their scratch and smear resistance, they can work in applications with moderate exposure to abrasion, chemicals, solvents, and water such as outdoor and chemical drum labelling.
Resin
Resin ribbons are compatible with matte and gloss synthetic materials. They provide excellent scratch and smear resistance on both types of synthetic materials, making them perfect for applications in environments that have harsh abrasion, chemical exposure, extreme temperatures, and excess moisture such as outdoor, circuit board, automotive, and healthcare labelling.
Image Lock Resin
Image Lock Resin ribbons are compatible with matte and gloss synthetic materials such as Zebra’s Z-Xtreme 5000T and 8000T Image Lock materials. They provide excellent resistance to abrasion and solvents making them ideal for extreme environments such as laboratory slide labelling.
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