Whether you need to add branding, instructions, warnings, or any combination of the three, it’s important to get the artwork and information you need on your containers. Product labels and screen printing are two of the most common methods of attaching logos, text, and other design elements to containers, but which one makes the most sense for your design and budget needs? The answer depends on a few different factors.
Consider Your Container’s Artwork and Decorative Needs
Your artwork plays a major role in deciding between screen prints or labels. Whether you have metal, glass, or plastic containers, screen printing is a solid option for any graphics that aren’t overly complex or involve too many colors. If you have a logo or any other fairly simple art or text, printing directly on your container’s surface may be your most cost-effective – and easiest – option.
If your artwork is more complex, you’ll likely want to take another decorative route. Anything that requires photographic quality or utilizes six or more colors will want to opt for some form of label. These can include:
- Pressure-sensitive paper labels that can be applied via machine or manual labor
- Heat transfer labels that use heat to permanently adhere to a container’s surface
- In-mold labels that are molded into the resin of a container
- Shrink labels that cover the entire surface of a container and offer a wider canvas for decoration
Labels can also utilize lamination and other decorative treatments like hot foil stamping or various materials to create new, different looks for your container. Ultimately, the more colors or detail you need for your artwork, the better it will be to opt for a higher-end label option because the graphics won’t be captured well in the screen-printing process.
Choose an Option That Matches Your Order Volume
The number of containers you need decorated also plays a part in whether screen printing or labels are a better option. Certain methods of branding your containers have different minimums than others. For example, screen printing is a very cost-effective route for anyone who needs a high-volume of packages printed with the same design. Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one.
However, there are occasions where you only need artwork for a few hundred or thousand containers. You could also have upwards of 10,000 containers but have 10 different sets of artwork for various products. Say you have one-gallon steel pails and package different solvents in those pails. If the volume is low for each individual SKU, those smaller individual orders can make screen printing an ill fit for your packaging needs.
Thanks to digital printing technology, paper labels can accommodate smaller runs better than other methods. Minimums for paper labels can range between a few hundred to tens of thousands of pieces depending on the style you pick. Heat transfer and in-mold labels don’t offer quite as much flexibility with smaller orders – 25,000 is a sweet spot for these options.
Weigh Your Storage Situation
In addition to artwork and order volume, it’s also important to see if you need to make room for any containers or decorating materials. Depending on your choice of screen printing or labels, you may need to dedicate some extra space for your containers or labels.
If you opt for screen printing, it’s important to consider if the higher minimums will cause you to hold onto packaging until you’re ready to use it. If so, you’ll need to make sure that you have the room to house whatever containers are on hold until it’s time to fill and ship them. However, screen printing can be done on plastic and glass containers after they’re filled, which can allow you to perform printing at need depending on your order volumes.
The benefit of labels is that they take up much less space. You can fit thousands of labels in a few boxes, which may be a preferable solution if you can’t fit the same number of pails or bottles. This frees you up to apply your labels as you receive packaging instead of dedicating space to sitting inventory.
Work with a Packaging Distributor that Can Streamline Your Printing and Storage Situations
Decoration is an important part of packaging, but dealing with the logistics of storing and preparing every container can lead to extra operational costs and stress. Fortunately, a good packaging distributor can take the burden of decorating and storing containers off your shoulders.
Not only can Pipeline Packaging provide you with the right retail, commercial, or industrial packaging, we also have the ability to reduce your labor and administrative costs by decorating and storing your containers. Thanks to our in-house container decorating services and ample amount of available space in our packaging warehouse, we can help you reduce your own space and labor needs.
Ready to work with a packaging distributor that streamlines your processes? Check out our available packaging products online or contact us today to talk to us about how we can help you get the most out of your packaging.
