Printing label stickers is essential for inventory management, product packaging, branding, and logistics. However, for many businesses, deciding whether to keep this task in-house or outsource means considering operational efficiency, cost, and quality.
Discover several practical concerns to make before committing to outsourcing your label sticker printing needs.
1. Quality and Material Compatibility
Assess the quality of output that external providers can offer before outsourcing. Not all printers use the same materials or printing methods, and some labels may not be suitable for your product’s surfaces, temperature requirements, or shelf life. For example, if your products are stored in humid conditions or exposed to sunlight, you’ll need weatherproof and UV-resistant labels. Always request samples and test them in actual conditions. External vendors may offer a broader range of finishes, adhesives, and materials than a typical office sticker label printer, but the quality must align with your brand standards.
2. Cost Breakdown and Volume Efficiency
Outsourcing may appear cheaper than owning and operating a sticker label printer, but not in every case. Be clear about pricing tiers, especially regarding bulk orders, urgent jobs, and design changes. Some providers charge for initial design setup, custom die cuts, or even per-colour ink usage. Analyse whether high-volume jobs justify outsourcing, or whether investing in an in-house printer could offer better long-term value. Also, factor in shipping fees and potential delays if your supplier is not local.
3. Turnaround Time and Flexibility
Lead times can be a core bottleneck when outsourcing. While third-party providers may promise competitive delivery times, they also manage multiple clients and workloads, which can cause delays. A sticker label printer in-house offers better control and faster adjustments if your labelling needs are frequently last-minute or variable in nature. Flexibility is especially important for businesses with seasonal products, promotions, or frequent design tweaks. Delays in receiving printed labels could directly impact your product launch schedules and customer satisfaction.
4. Data Privacy and Product Confidentiality
Outsourcing requires handing over product details, design files, barcodes, or even SKUs to a third party. This instance could expose your business to risks around data privacy and intellectual property. Make sure your print partner has a robust confidentiality agreement and data handling policy in place if you’re working on proprietary product lines or private launches. In contrast, handling label sticker printing internally allows better control over sensitive information.
5. Design and Customisation Capabilities
Some businesses choose outsourcing because they don’t have in-house design resources or specialised printing skills. While many label sticker printing vendors offer design assistance, the level of customisation varies. Confirm whether your chosen provider allows full creative control over fonts, colours, label shapes, and finishes. A versatile in-house sticker label printer might be a preferable option if your labels need to be personalised frequently, such as for limited editions, multilingual information, or seasonal updates.
6. Vendor Reputation and Support
Check the vendor’s industry track record. Look for consistency in print quality, customer service responsiveness, and problem resolution. Long-term partnerships should be built on trust and transparency. Read online reviews, request references from similar industries, and test their support structure before entering into contracts. A poor experience with outsourced label sticker printing can lead to delays, misprints, or costly reworks, which directly affect your brand’s credibility.
Final Thoughts
Outsourcing label sticker printing can be economical and convenient, but only if quality, speed, data security, and customisation are not sacrificed. Businesses should weigh outsourcing against the benefits of owning a dedicated sticker printer, particularly if flexibility and time-sensitive control are critical.
Labels may be small, but the impact on your brand is huge. Visit MillionParcel and let us help you get your labels right the first time.
