{"id":3686,"date":"2023-05-17T06:00:56","date_gmt":"2023-05-17T14:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vipcolor.com\/?p=3686"},"modified":"2023-04-18T13:08:38","modified_gmt":"2023-04-18T21:08:38","slug":"what-are-the-costs-of-operating-a-color-label-printer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vipcolor.com\/blog\/what-are-the-costs-of-operating-a-color-label-printer\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the costs of operating a color-label printer?"},"content":{"rendered":"
When it comes to operating a color label printer, there are a few key cost drivers that you should be aware of,<\/p>\n
Your upfront investment. Generally, an inkjet color label printer will cost less than a laser printer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What should you consider when buying an inkjet color-label printer?<\/p>\n
Well, that depends on a few things,<\/p>\n
If you are printing occasionally or less than 500 labels\/day, then a decent entry label printer is all you need. These printers typically cost between $1,000 – $2,000.<\/p>\n
This category of printer has fewer features and less capable than medium\/high end printers. They usually have a small-capacity ink tank or use a tri-color ink cartridge. And they are slow \u2013 typically prints at less than 1 inch\/second (ips) for the best quality or up to 4ips for a draft or a subjective “acceptable” print quality.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend evaluating the printer that will give you the print quality and speed that best fits your application and operation.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, beware of the higher ink consumable costs and shorter lifespan compared to industrial-grade printers.<\/p>\n
In summary, an entry-class printer is more expensive to operate long-term.<\/p>\n
If your products are cyclical, seasonal, or customized, you may run into a capacity issue, and you may land up compensating with<\/p>\n
Do you need labels that are broader than 4 inches?<\/p>\n
There are many purchase options for a 4″ inches printer. However, if you intend to print wide labels (e.g., carton or GHS labels), you need to look for a large format color label printer that will give you more flexibility to print both product and logistic labels with the same box.<\/p>\n
Label stock contributes 70-90% of the label cost while inks make up the rest.<\/p>\n
Synthetic PP, PE, and vinyl labels are more expensive than paper base materials but offer better waterproofing, abrasion resistance, etc.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On the other hand, the ink cost depends on the ink coverage and may vary widely from printer to printer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hence, to fully appreciate the overall label\/cost, always insist on a cost analysis for your label design from the manufacturer before deciding to buy the printer.<\/p>\n
Generally, the more expensive the printer, the cheaper the ink consumables due to pure economics \u2013 Industrial printers provide reliable performance over five years for large-volume printing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ink consumable includes printhead, inks, and waste ink collection tank. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Some printer manufacturers offer replaceable printheads, while others market a permanent printhead. There are pros and cons to each product strategy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
All parts\/components of a printer are subjected to wear and tear, meaning a permanent printhead will require a trip to a service center at some point. You must identify a manufacturer who can support\/reduce your production downtime when such a time comes.<\/p>\n
The cost of operating a color-label printer can vary widely depending on the business needs and application.<\/p>\n
To fully appreciate the cost and benefits of VIPColor printers, schedule a virtual\/live demo and consultation session today.<\/p>\n