Full color label ordering has become a whole lot easier with new technology and the internet making communication so much faster. You should expect to be able to submit your order and receive proofs the very next day - and for your order to be filled with a short turnaround time.
CMYK (which stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (which stands for Black because the other colors are “keyed” against this one)) present certain technical issues for the print partner when it comes to ordering, proofing and production. As a result, many online websites offering full-color printing tend to outsource the work to third parties which is not cost-effective for you as someone else is increasing the margin at your expense and you have less direct control over the process than when you are dealing with the printer fulfilling the order.
Today, all you need is your artwork and access to the internet and with a few clicks you’ll be on your way. You can start your order with as little as 250 units for a standard print run though you can get less than this if you consult with your print partner. You can also expect a very fast turnaround time from proof acceptance to delivery typically between 3 and 5 days.
You can streamline the design process for your full-color labels by using the template designs and shapes which many established online printers and design shops now offer. Don’t be afraid to use your own imagination but you can drastically reduce the turnaround time by sticking to templates and established designs which will help you print partner to fulfill the order that much faster.
You can also include one-time or variable data such as serial numbers with or without barcodes or variable text which will include a different data record, for example a vehicle registration number. If you have specific requirements which may at first sight appear to be problematic you should always consult with your print and design partners because they will most likely have encountered the same or similar issues many times before with other clients.
You might also want to consider using a laminate material for a nice finish - it will increase the life of the label, decrease ink smearing, and lengthen the life of the image.. you can of course, choose a non-laminate finish but there is also a UV varnish which can provide the same look but give the same anti-smear protection as a laminate.
Finally, you also should consider whether you are going to have these labels applied by hand or by machine; this will in turn determine whether you want the labels supplied in rolls or as separate pieces. Machines use roll technology to apply the labels in many instances but you will also need to determine the core size of the rolls you will need to have them wrapped around – typically 1 and 3 inch cores are used but again, consult with your print and design partner if you have a different set of requirements.
