Coding on boxes: labeling or direct marking?

Since 2022 the label market has been volatile, so we should expect continued price increases as supply is restricted and demand for labels continues to increase. Raw material shortages and a lack of capacity for pressure-sensitive label materials have impacted the labeling industry, causing order delays, affecting the entire product supply chain.

The supply and demand for labels are not in balance. Suppliers have raised material costs several times in the past 20 months, and many of them are giving long lead times to their customers.

One of the big takeaways when comparing inkjet coders to labeling or thermal transfer machines is cost. Considering the cost of the label and thermal transfer ribbons, inkjet printing is typically one-tenth the cost of a label. Labor cost is also a factor to consider when deciding between labeling or inkjet printing.

Additionally, label applicators typically experience more downtime than inkjet printers. When the labeler runs out of labels or tapes, the production line must stop to restock. If a large amount of product needs to go out, this may require multiple stops throughout the day.

Inkjet printers use ink cartridges. When an ink cartridge runs out, the cartridge can be changed on the fly with no downtime. The quick-change ink cartridge allows users to keep their line running, reducing downtime and maximizing ROI. Overall, an inkjet printer provides a cost-effective solution for making your mark on various products and substrates.