.jpg "Digital Labels versus Traditional Label Printing: Which is better for you?")
When it comes to your product, the label is often the first thing people see. Therefore, you want it to be eye-catching and informative. At Louisville Label, we are dedicated to providing you with extraordinary labels by offering labeling solutions that fit your product and your needs.
One way we do this is by utilizing a variety of printing processes to make our labels. A newer process we offer is Digital Label printing, which has many benefits such as being more flexible and cost efficient. Of course, there are still traditional printing processes, and when choosing between digital and traditional printing there are a few differences to keep in mind.
Cost of digital vs traditional printing
Digital label printing can save you money in a few different ways. The first of these is prep costs. Reduced setup and run times save you money. On top of this, for small runs, digital printing is more cost effective because of the material used and less manpower needed.
Traditional label printing may be more expensive due to the high plate costs and lengthy setup times, but higher manufacturing costs are balanced with lower maintenance and material prices.
Speed difference between digital and traditional printing
Digital printing is initially a quicker process thanks to quicker setup and turn times. That being said, digital typically runs at 50 – 160 fpm during press, which is slower than traditional printing for larger runs.
Traditional printing typically runs at 200 – 300 fpm, making it faster than digital, but setup can be a lengthy process, should there be multiple colors or copy changes.
How to choose between digital label printing and traditional label printing
When choosing between digital label printing and traditional label printing, it really comes down to run size.
Digital label printing is ideal if you need a low volume of labels printed while retaining the quality. You can save time and money with digital label printing because it requires little setup time and no printing plates are needed. If you’re seeking flexibility, digital is the way to go.
Traditional label printing, on the other hand, will save you time when you are printing larger volumes of labels, especially when there are a fewer number of copy changes. In some cases, printing with plates allows for more color matching capabilities and the entire process can happen in a single pass, including priming, varnishing, laminating, and die cutting.
If you need help choosing between digital label printing and traditional printing, Louisville Label can help! We offer both processes as well as a variety of constructions and materials. Let’s start a conversation about finding the right printing method for your labels.
